Podcasts about Cor

Ouvi-te em tempo aceitável e socorri-te no dia da salvação; eis aqui agora o tempo aceitável, eis aqui agora o dia da salvação. (2 Coríntios 6:2)

Last updated : 2022.05.25 Du lundi au samedi, rendez-vous avec l'actualité de la Corée sous tous ses angles.

Christianity requires that the right thing must be done in the right way. This is God's protocol plan. God has rules for practicing your Christianity. For example, taking communion with unconfessed sin in your life, out of fellowship with God, is compromising the righteousness of God and you put yourself under extreme divine discipline. “Because of this many are weak, many are sick and many are dead” (1 Cor 11:30). The spiritual life only works off of the filling of the Holy Spirit and learning and applying the Word of God. This is the only way to advance spiritually and become an MVP for God. The M stands for momentum, meaning you hear and keep the Word of God. V is for virtue. The P represents poise and means you have the ability to think under pressure. Click for Full Transcript: https://rhem.pub/mechanics-christianity-b3ba9a --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rick-hughes/message

Le 14 mars 2013, les représentants du peuple chinois élisent Xi Jinping au poste de président de la République populaire de Chine. Mais qui est-il ? Lui, qui a promis la grande renaissance de la nation chinoise, qui entretient des relations sous haute tension avec l'autre grande puissance mondiale, les États-Unis, encore plus depuis la guerre en Ukraine quand plane la menace de son soutien à la Russie. Portrait ce soir dans "Jour J" d'un homme aux pleins pouvoirs, aux dérives autoritaristes, que son peuple honnit à mesure qu'il sort du silence. Notre invité sera Antoine Bondaz, directeur de programme Corée à la Fondation pour la recherche stratégique et enseignant à Sciences-Po. Ecoutez Jour J avec Flavie Flament du 25 mai 2022

Last updated : 2022.05.24 Du lundi au samedi, rendez-vous avec l'actualité de la Corée sous tous ses angles.

Des animaux ont souvent été utilisés au cours des conflits précédents. Des chevaux, bien sûr, mais aussi des pigeons ou des chiens. Mais les Russes, en guerre contre l'Ukraine depuis février 2022, ont aussi dressé des dauphins. Des dauphins au large de la Crimée Ce sont de récentes images satellites qui l'ont révélé : les Russes utiliseraient des dauphins dans le conflit qui les oppose aux Ukrainiens. Ils semblent avoir été déployés au large de la ville de Sébastopol, en Crimée, où se trouve une importante base navale. Il s'agit d'une espèce particulière, le grand dauphin, qu'on appelle aussi dauphin souffleur. Ce n'est pas la première fois que les Russes utilisent ces animaux dans le cadre d'un conflit ou d'une intervention armée. Ils auraient déjà employé ces animaux, en 2018, pour protéger un port de Syrie. L'année suivante, des pécheurs norvégiens avaient repéré un autre cétacé, un béluga en l'occurrence, qui, une caméra sur le dos, se serait livré à l'espionnage. Mais les Russes n'ont rien inventé. Les Américains auraient déjà utilisé des dauphins durant la guerre du Vietnam. Ils y auraient d'ailleurs toujours recours, ainsi que d'autres pays, comme la Corée du Nord ou Israël. Empêcher le sabotage sous-marin On le sait, les dauphins sont dotés d'une certaine forme d'intelligence et ils se dressent assez facilement. Dans le cas présent, les Russes auraient entraîné les dauphins de Sébastopol à prévenir toute action de sabotage sous-marin. Il s'agit donc surtout de protéger les bateaux. En effet, la base de Sébastopol regroupe l'essentiel de la flotte russe de la mer Noire. De fait, les dauphins possèdent des moyens de détection naturels aussi sophistiqués, sinon même plus fins, qu'un radar. Ils sont donc en mesure de détecter aussi bien le plongeur désireux de poser une mine que la mine elle-même. Dans ce cas, ils poussent un cri spécifique, que les techniciens russes peuvent reconnaître. Et ils peuvent plonger sans craindre la décompression. Les dauphins sont aussi dressés pour ne pas faire exploser les mines, que leur souplesse naturelle leur permet de frôler sans jamais déclencher d'explosion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We took a super deep dive into the scriptural roots of Jesus as the Lamb of God.  Super cool stuff!  Here are our passages we looked at.Old Testament:1) Genesis 22: 1-192) Exodus 12: 3-13, 463) Leviticus 16: 4-10; 20-234) Isaiah 53: 4-7New Testament:1) The Last Supper and Passion narratives2) 1 Cor 5:7-83) Revelation 5:5-10; 19:6-9; 22:1-5And the bonus for checking out Abraham and Isaac and how that foreshadows Jesus: https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/abrahams-sacrifice-of-isaac-origen/

Morning Glory - 24.05.2022 - invitați Cor cu Dor

Hosts: Jim, Jon & KentGuest: Keith BakerIn February of 2014, we sat down and built a world with Keith Baker, the creater of Gloom and Eberron!In this episode, we create a world where massive elemental beings fight for dominence while posing a constant threat to the human populace, who make use of special forms of magic to survive.You can find some of Keith's work here:Web Site: https://keith-baker.com/Twogether Studios: https://www.twogetherstudios.com/DMs' Guild: https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=Keith%20BakerDOWNLOAD EPISODE 29 - APEX CONVERGENCE

Last updated : 2022.05.23 Du lundi au samedi, rendez-vous avec l'actualité de la Corée sous tous ses angles.

Dr. Philip Towner is professor at the Pontifical Urbaniana University and teaches at the Pontifical Biblical Institute. Among other things, he authored a major commentary on The Letters to Timothy and Titus, and co-authored with Catherine McDowell, The Rewards of Learning Greek and Hebrew. In the Greek of 1 Cor. 6:11 there is a rhetorical device – the threefold repetition of a common conjunction – that translations might not convey, and common English might not employ, but that powerfully conveys Paul's pastoral-theological point.

David Walters se crée un monde à part entière à travers sa musique - et s'en sert pour découvrir le monde. Dans ses albums, il mélange soul, électronique et grooves caribéens, le tout accompagné de chansons en créole français. En tant que présentateur TV, il dresse le portrait de créateurs de musique socialement engagés - de la Corée du Sud à l'Afrique du Sud. Pour David Walters, la musique est une langue universelle. Il a tourné un documentaire sur la musique à Cuba, a campé avec des Black Indians à la Nouvelle-Orléans et a rendu hommage à ses ancêtres caribéens sur son album "Soleil Kréyol". Dans sa bande-son, il nous parle de la scène musicale de Marseille, sa ville d'adoption, d'un duo virtuel avec Calypso Rose et de sa collaboration avec Seun Kuti. // Shownotes: www.wdr.de/k/soundtrackvon Von Adrian Nowak.

Witchcraft Sent to Hinder Our Voices Winnie Osegueda - 5/12/22 (David's note in red)   This morning I was attacked twice with sleep paralysis. To get out of it I had to do spiritual warfare in my "dream” but I was not actually fully asleep, and so I commanded the demons to leave in the name of Jesus.   In this sleep paralysis state David said to me, "They're sending witchcraft to stop us from using our voices.” (Our voices go out in many different ways: Videos, audios, books, missionaries, broadcasts, internet, telecasts, word of mouth, etc. Witchcraft from the faction in political and “Christian” circles always attempts to stop this.) When I got up I asked for two heads for confirmation, and I received two heads.   I asked for a verse by faith at random and received the cross reference right where my finger landed on the last part of the verse. Psalm 25:18  (18-22 for context) Consider mine affliction and my travail; And forgive all my sins. 19  Consider mine enemies, for they are many; And they hate me with cruel hatred. 20 Oh keep my soul, and deliver me: Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in thee. 21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for thee. 22 Redeem Israel, O God, Out of all his troubles.   We received this text in our morning prayer meeting by faith at random yesterday on 5/21/22 that perfectly describes the situation in Winnie's dream above.  Neh 4:1-20  But it came to pass that, when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. (The faction has fought against us building the wall of sanctification for our brethren. Narcissists because of their ego, care not about anyone but themselves and they project their own evil and sins onto others.)    2  And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What are these feeble Jews doing? (They are Samaritans which is one who is not a Jew by blood, but only in religion like all apostates and factious people.) will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, seeing they are burned? (These people do not want the restoration of the Kingdom of God because they are foreign to it and it is a threat to them and their demons.)    3  Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they are building, if a fox go up, he shall break down their stone wall. (The Ammonites also factioned against their chosen brethren.)    4  Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn back their reproach upon their own head, and give them up for a spoil in a land of captivity;  5  and cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee; for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders.     6  So we built the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto half the height thereof: for the people had a mind to work.  7  But it came to pass that, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem went forward, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth;  8  and they conspired all of them together to come and fight against Jerusalem, and to cause confusion therein. (As we build the wall with our Biblical materials they have warred against us by taking down our website, by taking down our videos, by slandering us to others so as to steal the food out of the mouths of God's children. They have failed as God said.)   9  But we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.  10  And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.  11  And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come into the midst of them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease… (They can only spiritually or physically slay those who have failed the test of obedience, faith and love like they did.)      ... 14  And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, who is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.  (I exhort everyone to do spiritual warfare against these enemies who are against your families, the Church and State. Cast down their demonic schemes, witchcraft prayers, slanders, railings, and evil leadership in Jesus name. Cast down the dragon of Rev 12 in and out of the Church. Pray for the elect among them to come out and be saved.)   15  And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, (because they do their work in darkness) and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work. (Amazingly God tells us of their evil plans just like in Winnie's dream. Also Narcissists love to brag of their evil works to each other, when we are listening.) ...18  and the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me. (Our sword is the Word of the Lord in our mouths and the enemy curse themselves by cursing us as the Lord promised to Abraham.) …20 ...our God will fight for us.   Our Voices Amplified in the Rock  Vanessa Weeks - 5/19/22 (David's notes in red)   I dreamed that I was standing in a rock with a few other people. (Representing the Bride body that is hidden in the rock of Christ.) Song 2:14  O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, In the covert of the steep place, Let me see thy countenance, For sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely. (As we are about to see, our voices in Christ to the lost bring them into the Kingdom and satan's willing accusers try to stop this.)   On the right side was an opening and we saw some very green trees. (I think the green trees are people just outside of the rock of Christ. The Bride sees with the eyes of the dove, seeing these people as the Lord sees them, by faith and full of the life of God.)   Our tour guide was a thin man wearing a ranger uniform and he was explaining the things we were seeing. (I believe the ranger represents the Man-Child leading [us to build the wall in our own lives and in others.])   This tour guide said, "When we are in the rock our words are heard by the trees just outside the rock." I knew he was saying the rock made our voices amplified to those outside.   I think this is amazing, since Winnie had the dream about the same time, of evil forces trying to stop our voices. I thought of Mat. 16:18-19   18  And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19  I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.   Thank you Father that as we abide in the rock our voices can not be stopped.     Apostates Mocking a Tired Bride to Their Own Destruction Claire Piennar - 5/13/22 (David's note in red)   I dreamed I was sitting at a school desk, complaining about how tired I was. (The Bride represented by Claire is in the School of Sanctification. She is learning all the truths and promises of the Word so that, as the first fruits, she can bring wisdom and understanding to her "little sister”. But we must not grow weary in well doing or murmur. Gal. 6:9 And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. And  Php. 2:14-16  Do all things without murmurings and questionings: 15 that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world, 16 holding forth the word of life; that I may have whereof to glory in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain neither labor in vain.)    I was not really saying anything bad about anyone, but I was re-telling this situation:   I had no time to do anything because, as I got home from my long journey of doing grocery shopping, my phone rang. A specific person rang me but I can't remember who. It was someone who needed help with something, and they had questions about faith, etc. Even simple things like unpacking groceries are tough because I drive 1.5 hrs to fetch the groceries and then drive 1.5 hrs back; it was wearing me down.    While at the school desk, I reiterated that I was tired, and wanted some support. It was clear that I should not have asked the people in the class for support, as they did not understand the reason for the tiredness I was experiencing. The person at the entrance to the classroom, Louis, my brother-in-law, thought I was being pathetic, not being able to juggle a phone call between unpacking shopping bags. (Her brother-in-law is legalistic and critical and judgmental and not interested in truth of the situation. We know these people.)      Nadene, my sister-in-law, (meaning hope, possibly representing false hope.) was sitting at another desk and she was glaring at me, and snarling and being rude in her facial expressions. Then Louis, my brother-in-law, came in and got in my face and mocked me, leered at me, and mimicked my story in a sarcastic tone. (Louis means, "famous warrior", possibly representing factious, warring apostate Christians who persecute their brother as Esau did.) (The In-laws represent our brethren who have been captured by faction and the apostate church system.)    I realized then that I probably should not have moaned about having no time. They continued to go on and on at me. (The factious are so arrogant they act as though they are God in constantly judging the righteous but their judgment will return upon their own heads as God has said.) Obe. 1:3-10  The pride of thy heart hath deceived thee, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? 4 Though thou mount on high as the eagle, and though thy nest be set among the stars, I will bring thee down from thence, saith Jehovah. 5 If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night (how art thou cut off!), would they not steal only till they had enough? If grape-gatherers came to thee, would they not leave some gleaning grapes? (These thieves must reap what they sow in order to fulfill the Word of God.)   6 How are the things of Esau searched! how are his hidden treasures sought out! (Esau hated his chosen brother like the factions today.) 7 All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee on thy way, even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee; they that eat thy bread lay a snare under thee: there is no understanding in him. 8 Shall I not in that day, saith Jehovah, destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau? (Psa 37:12-13  The wicked plotteth against the just, And gnasheth upon him with his teeth.  13  The Lord will laugh at him; For he seeth that his day is coming.)    9 And thy mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one may be cut off from the mount of Esau by slaughter. 10 For the violence done to thy brother Jacob, shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.)   Back to Claire's dream: Then Riaan came in and invited the couple to come onto the Zoom outreach. Louis said he'd join, but I had a feeling in the dream that he was coming on to make trouble or to prove a point so I prayed peace over the meeting.    Then we watched them from Zoom as they entered their yard and the grass was about thigh-high. (These apostates are overcome by their own flesh not realizing that they have no fruit in the Kingdom.  1Pe 1:24-25  For, All flesh is as grass, And all the glory thereof as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower falleth:  25  But the word of the Lord abideth for ever. And this is the word of good tidings which was preached unto you. )     They were ambushed by dark people, who were stealing, killing and pillaging everything in that area. I knew this was a judgement on my in laws, and it was hard to watch. (It will be hard to watch the judgment of the apostates by God. We have heard that over 400 sites across U.S. are planned for Liberal protests  These 400 planned protests will turn into riots as being planned by Deep State, Antifa and Left Wing Extremist. We have also heard in the Bible where Babylon burned the houses of God. National Guard are planned to be deployed throughout the U.S. If it gets bad enough the army will be deployed.  The DS has armed the anarchists)   Nadene said to her children, “Come and get into the car right now!” She was very scared. As Louis asked for prayer for the situation, out of pure necessity, the screen went blank. We typed in the chat box “PRAY” in big letters as Louis also typed “PRAY” in big letters. We prayed for justice and mercy. Then I woke up.  (Psa 109:5-7  And they have rewarded me evil for good, And hatred for my love.  6  Set thou a wicked man over him; And let an adversary stand at his right hand.  7  When he is judged, let him come forth guilty; And let his prayer be turned into sin. Some who are caught up in faction and apostasy will repent when God begins to judge them in earnest.)   I asked for a word by faith at random and received Psa 68:13-14, (My finger was on “pinions” and “almighty”, which is exactly where we are in Psalm 91 Under his pinions (wings), under the shadow of the Almighty.) When ye lie among the sheepfolds, It is as the wings of a dove covered with silver, And her pinions with yellow gold. When the Almighty scattered kings therein, It was as when it snoweth in Zalmon. (Those people who are persecuting the Bride are going to be destroyed. Our God and His holy people will not be mocked.) (Gal. 6:7  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. And  Pro. 17:5  Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; And he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.)   Riaan received this word by faith at random too: Malachi 3:11-12  And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground ...   Man-Child and Bride Survive Sheol and Clean Up Good  Claire Pienaar - 5/11/22 (David's note in red)   I dreamed my in-laws came to fetch me and they wanted me to go with them. They were pretty forceful and it was like a hostage situation. (The legalistic and judgmental always want to force their opinions on others but they're not qualified to judge anything. Howbeit, this persecution brings about a death to the righteous that they may receive resurrection life. I was once put under law in a religion and what I discovered about the law actually turned me to grace. Rom. 7:4-6  Wherefore, my brethren, ye also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ; that ye should be joined to another, even to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit unto God. 5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were through the law, wrought in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 6 But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that wherein we were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter.)   They walked me into a mine shaft, and my mother-and-father-in-law were walking in front of me. (The Law came first to show us that we could not be saved by the works of the law. Jesus came to bring us a new covenant of death to self in following in His footsteps. Jesus was persecuted by those under the law and received resurrection life which we call perfection. Heb. 7:28 For the law appointeth men high priests, having infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was after the law, appointeth a Son, perfected for evermore.)   I felt no fear in me but I was aware of fear in the mine. (Jesus said if you love me you will keep my commandments. This is death to our old nature. Perfect love casts out fear but our flesh is fearful of death even as our spirit man welcomes it.)    My daughters were walking with their grandparents. (Father is going to cleanse the fruit of the Bride through the death to self, represented by the mine, that His Word demands.  Isa. 4:3-4 And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem; 4 when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof, by the spirit of justice, and by the spirit of burning.)   I was walking with Riaan on my right side, and my son Daniel, who has blonde hair, was walking in-between us. We were each holding one of his hands. (Riaan represents the corporate Man-child as his name means “little king” like Mordecai in Esther; and I represent the corporate Bride as my name means “brilliant”, representing her brilliant garment of righteous acts in Rev 19:7-8. Daniel, my son, represents our fruit and our personal Man-child or spirit man in each one of us due to his blonde hair. His name means “God is my judge”).    When we finally came up out of the mine there were baths all along both sides of the train tracks that led into the mine shaft. They were under a corrugated roof covering. The baths were old white porcelain with golden feet. My in-laws did not come up out of the mine. (Those who are enslaved to legalism will not bear the fruit of resurrection hence they are not bathed.)   I walked to the third bath on the left, to wash up after being full of soot from the mine… I filled the tub with nice warm water and started washing my arms, but the water remained clean. There was no soot from the mine. (The soot is darkness that has been washed away.) Then I woke up. (The Water represents the pure Word of God that we are washed with that is never defiled.  Rom 6:4-12 We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.    5 For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection; 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him , that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin; 7 for he that hath died is justified from sin. 8 But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him; 9 knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death no more hath dominion over him... 11  Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus. 12  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey the lusts thereof:)   I asked the Lord for a word about this dream by faith at random and received, Jer 48:24  (with my finger on “Bozrah”.) (In context 21,24 & 25)   And judgment is come ...upon Bozrah, and upon all the cities of the land of Moab, far or near. The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith Jehovah.” (Bozrah was the capital of the Edomites, those from Esau. It was also a city of Moab). (Bozrah is the Edomite sheepfold. These people never come out of the “mine” only the elect of God do.)   The Multi-Faceted Demonic Faction Attack on Evangelism Claire Pienaar - 5/2/22 (David's note in red)   In this dream I was looking at my pantry, and the shelves were covered in orange dust. (Orange represents danger.)   I peered into the pantry corner to see where it was coming from and I saw a huge ugly thing the size of the length and breadth of a grown man's shoe come out of a Mission Tortilla bag. It was bright orange, scary and looked like it had very large fangs or pincers. It was a spider but really ugly, with an elongated body.    I DID have a terrible time with a factious Jezebel recently who came into my house, but the Lord took me through it with His grace that I was able to pour out on her through hospitality and kind words. It happened the morning after I received this dream.  I believe she might be pursuing a goal to become a “missionary” for her church, hence why the spider came out of the brand of tortilla chips called “Mission”.    (Our mission from God to the world is attacked because of the food we serve from our pantry (ministry materials) is saving people from the apostate church. This always angers the apostate preachers when they lose people as it was with the Pharisees in Jesus' day. The many legged spider, represents many legs of faction both overseas and here in this country. The Demons all over the world are coordinating their attacks against the righteous.)    The spider jumped at me and I moved out of the way. It was now running on the floor towards the door. I called Riaan and he got out the vacuum cleaner and sucked it up, because no other method could kill it. I had tried to beat it but it was too large and nothing harmed or stopped it. (Faction and witchcraft are spirits and can only be stopped by exercising authority through faith. The vacuum imprisoned the faction like the dream we recently received of the Bride sending the angels to imprison the factious until their lethal injection took them out. And we had the dream of the angel warriors throwing their own bombs back at them.) These revelations can be found on our site under: Preserved From the Beast (21) -  UBM Protected by Special OPs Angels and Factious Dogs in the DS and Church Rounded Up and Euthanized   I woke up and asked the Lord for a word by faith at random, and received: Pro. 27:5-6  Better is open rebuke Than love that is hidden. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; But the kisses of an enemy are profuse.    Witchcraft Trying to Hinder the Kingdom Work Angelica Garza - 5/15/22 (David's note in red)   In this dream, I got re-hired at Driscoll Children's Hospital (This was my former employer in the natural. Spiritually, I believe this children's hospital represents our ministry in the Kingdom of God to bring healing to those that are babies and young in the Lord). (Driscoll means, descendant of the messenger; a go-between, intermediary, or news bearer. We are messengers of the Gospel descended from Jesus who was the ultimate messenger. We bear the good news of the gospel to lost and wounded people who are in need of spiritual as well as physical healing.)       I was trying to clock in as I had the day before, but the code that had been given to me was not working when I punched it in on the phone. (As we will see, then enemy tries to give us lying “codes”. A code represents something that is hidden that can be found out by those hungry for truth and can be revealed by those who know the hidden Manna. The enemy perverts these codes to sabotage our work in others lives and our progress.) (I thought of John 9:4  We must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 When I am in the world, I am the light of the world.)   It seems that whoever was in charge of that department did not want to help me. (The department represents demonic principalities and powers who are assigned to resist and hinder the work of the saints.) So I had to go to the main building because this building I was working in was an extension of the main hospital. (This may represent our individual positions in the body or "departments" of ministry focus).  (Eph. 6:12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.)   Then I was in the main building trying to talk to a lady on the phone about how I needed to clock in but was not able, and I needed her to do something about it. She also was not interested in helping me. I remember thinking or saying to her that I was going to bypass them and speak to the higher-ups and her boss, because she was not going to help me. (I thought about Jesus and God the Father as being the higher-ups). (I received this by faith at random yesterday.  Luk 1:68  Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; For he hath visited and wrought redemption for his people,  69  And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of his servant David  70  (As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets that have been from of old),  71  Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; ... 74  To grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies Should serve him without fear,  75  In holiness and righteousness before him all our days. )   Then I realized I knew this woman. Her name was Lupe. (The name Lupe means “from the wolf's river". Wolves in the Bible symbolize false teachers or shepherds who spew the false doctrines and lies of the Serpent/dragon. Rev 12:15  And the serpent cast out of his mouth after the woman water as a river, (representing lying words and deception) that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream.) (The enemy is using witchcraft to keep us from working at the children's hospital to bring healing to the children.)   I also realized my ex, Isaiah's father, was there coaching her on what to say. (I also thought maybe she represented a witchcraft attack from our religious enemies.) Then I woke up.   I asked for a word by faith at random in my Vines Dictionary and landed on page 255 on the word Fraud, meaning to keep back, deprive, to be lacking. My finger landed on "the Law required the prompt payment of the laborer. Then it references Deu. 24:15 (14-15 in context) 14 Thou shalt not oppress a hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy sojourners that are in thy land within thy gates: 15 in his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it (for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it); lest he cry against thee unto Jehovah, and it be sin unto thee. As a confirmation, Winnie received this same verse for the morning prayer meeting on 05/14/22.   David Receives New Body?  Claire Pienaar - 5/11/22 (David's note in red)   I dreamed Riaan and I had a home on a large avenue with lovely large homes on either side of the avenue. The homes had no fences and had large green trees in the front yards. (The large green trees in this community of saints represents the fruit of their land which represents their natural life. It shows a flourishing life because they are planted by the waters of life as in Psa. 1:1-3  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of scoffers: 2 But his delight is in the law of Jehovah; And on his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That bringeth forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also doth not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.    The lack of fences in this community represents the saints dwelling in unity. Psa. 133:1-3  Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, That ran down upon the beard, Even Aaron's beard; That came down upon the skirt of his garments; 3 Like the dew of Hermon, That cometh down upon the mountains of Zion: For there Jehovah commanded the blessing, Even life for evermore.) (Riaan: As we will see, In this dream it seems like the homes represent a dwelling place before entering the wilderness tabernacles and that the Man-Child Davids have gone before us through their own trials and overcoming).     We had a white tent up in the front of our home on the avenue. Inside the tent were a few people from UBM. (Representing the corporate tabernacle of the righteous who consume the Unleavened Bread from UBM ministries.) (Riaan: Many of the first fruits of the called-out ones are ready to enter the wilderness and have experienced their own personal wildernesses before the corporate wilderness experience of the Church in tribulation).     Brandy was handing out colored tennis balls.  He told us that we were to be grouped according to the colors of the tennis balls. I think the colors were blue, pink, purple and orange... (Riaan: The colors could represent different ministries/appointments/callings perhaps gifts. In children's tennis, kids are grouped according to skill level and play with different colored balls. The colors of the balls will mean something different for each group.)(Brandy is a distilled liquor or spirit produced from fermented fruit. Grapes are most commonly used. Wine represents the blood of Jesus which is our life. Father is using Brandy to represent the Spirit because of his name.    1Co 12:4-11 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of workings, but the same God, who worketh all things in all. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit withal. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit: 9 to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit; 10 and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will.)   My parents (Representing the apostate church) came into the tent, very distraught, and told Brandy that they would be devastated if Dr Lopez died. (This was the family doctor who was from Bolivia when I was a child. The name “Lopez” means “son of a wolf”.). Then they left again. (The “family doctor" of the apostates represents “the prophet and the priest who dealeth falsely” to create sons of wolves in Jer. 6:13-15 For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. 14 They have healed also the hurt of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. 15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall; at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith Jehovah. The apostate Christians are sons of wolves. Mat. 7:15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.) (Riaan: The sons of perdition have been part of the family for a long time and some will struggle to accept their destruction).     Brandy then turned to me, and said, “David has moved his tent into the front yard of his house. His body is failing”. (Representing the death and burial of the carnal or fleshly man and the resurrection. The tent in the front yard represents a near and future event of anointing and catching up to the throne authority for the Man-child Davids?)    In the dream I had an intense desire to help David any way that I could, and I could feel tears stinging my eyes as I fought them back to the words, “His body is failing”. (Watching the suffering and death to self experiences of our brethren in Christ is painful to watch and we bear their grief and burdens with them. Gal. 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.) (Riaan: 2 Cor 5:1-3 For we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. 2 For verily in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our habitation which is from heaven: 3 if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.).     Then, I had a vision of David mowing his lawn and putting up a camouflage tent on the front lawn of his home. His home was directly opposite our home in the dream. The grass was already short and manicured but David was giving it an extra trim, it seemed. (Mowing the grass twice represents, “giving the more diligence” in 2 Pe 1:10-11 Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble: 11 for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And 1Co 9:27  but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.   The camouflaged tent represents being hidden in Christ. (Col. 3:1-4 If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth. 3 For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory.) (Riaan: The Man-child has already had his wilderness experience and is skilled in cutting down the flesh ("all flesh is as grass"). He is the example we have to follow, giving up the carnal/fleshly life by faith to inherit a heavenly life at the end.)     Deb Fenske then had this Word from the Lord in the dream for me: “Do not be distressed. Keep doing what I have called you to do, and David will keep doing what I have called him to do. I love you very much. You cannot help me, but I see your love and I will reward you”.      Then we were in another home, for a Pot Blessing. Matt and Anna rested on a lazy boy leather couch with Shoshana, in a little sunroom adjacent to the dining room we were all in and we set things up all around them… (Matthew means, "Gift of God" and Anna means, “grace”. They represent the Man-child and Bride bodies who are in the rest in the sun/Son room. Everything that the first fruits does centers around the striving to be in the Man-child and Bride bodies. Shoshana means, “lily” and represents the fruit of the Bride typed in Song of Solomon as “the lily of the valley” Song 2:1-2  I am a rose of Sharon, A lily of the valleys. As a lily among thorns, So is my love among the daughters.)   My children brought all their reading and coloring books along, and Tabitha was sitting at a table with her books laid out all around her. David Eells walked into the room and looked at Tabitha's books and said, “That's an unconventional book of Acts you've got there, Tabitha. I hope you enjoy reading it”. (We just received this text in the book of Acts concerning Tabitha in our morning meeting today by faith at random. How prophetic that we just saw a resurrection and now Tabitha also speaks of a resurrection.    Act 9:36-42  Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms deeds which she did.  37  And it came to pass in those days, that she fell sick, and died: ... 40  But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down and prayed; and turning to the body, he said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, she sat up.  41  And he gave her his hand, and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.  42  And it became known throughout all Joppa: and many believed on the Lord. (God's Church will arise above all the wishes of the wicked.)    ...Then we got into our groups that we were divided into with the colored tennis balls, and David started speaking. I knew we were going to take shifts to pray in 4-hour segments, with 4 balls in each group...  This would continue all weekend. Then I woke up. (Riaan: 4 is the number for creation or world.) (We are getting ready through prayer to go to the world as per each one's calling or gifts.)     I Speak Peace to You; Fear Not Word from the Lord - Debbie Fenske - 5/11/22 “My children, I speak peace to you. Hear Me. Fear not. Allow My peace to dwell in your heart as you rest in Me. Stay in that rest. For you have been planted in Me. Do not allow yourselves to be moved, and uprooted. I alone must be your rest, and your peace. Be steadfast in your stand in Me, Jesus, your king and Lord. I am speaking this to all of my Called and My Elect, saying, set your heart and set your eyes on Me. Set your faces like flint, unchangeable, so that through you My purposes will be performed, and through you I will be glorified. Shake off the earthly cares of this world. Stay strong, steadfast, and immovable, abounding in the work of My kingdom; not as so many of My people, who find their rest and their peace in so many earthly, and vain things. If only they would sit at My feet, and desire to be fed from My hand where is the unleavened truth of My Word. Yet, I will lead them to my Word, to my truth, for now is the time. It is so near for the unfolding of My plans and My purposes in this time as I raise up My anointed Man-Child, and Bride to feed, strengthen, and restore many to life in Me.  There is no other life. So, be prepared, stay prepared for the things soon to come; for My plans for this earth, and My plans for you that I have precisely timed to come about. Even now your work which you perform for Me, for My kingdom, is drawing many unto Myself. Be encouraged, for many have come to My side, walking with Me, and learning to follow My steps, even as you are. Stay focused in Me, freed from the things of this world. Put away all earthly plans and desires and let your life continually be hid in Me. Take heed that now is the time for continual prayer and warfare with fasting; coming against the evil powers who think they are in control. Nothing has happened in all the ages of this world that has not been exclusively under My control. These evil workers of wickedness think they are something when they are nothing. I laugh at them for the high standard they have of themselves, for they are but puppets. They will see that there is one high standard: the standard which My holy corporate people who have risen to in obedience to Me.  It is to this high and holy standard; the high calling that I call all of my Elect to obtain to. This is you, My humble, holy ones: humble, yet knowing the power and the might of My Spirit in you, who through Me in you will bring down the mighty, and their works; who do not know the power of The Almighty God, nor do they know the power of My Spirit in My mighty, and holy kingdom people. So many of My people do not know the power of My Spirit, and that it can dwell in them. They have not the slightest inclination that the evil days, the dark days prophesied to be upon this earth, and upon the people of this earth, are here. My eyes still roam throughout this earth looking for those whose hearts are right towards Me, and for those whose hearts are searching for truth. What power and anointing is about to break forth, and brighten this dark earth with the light of My truth, and the light of My presence, My holiness shining upon my anointed ones all over the earth. This you know. So, I say, this is the time to keep Me, Jesus, as your Standard, lifted high while exercising continual spiritual alertness through much prayer, and expectation for what I am about to accomplish in you, and through you, My people, all over this earth.” “I see some of you, My people, who are growing weary. I speak to you now, “Be renewed,” that you be not weary in well doing. Let the refreshing waters of My Word wash over you, refreshing your mind, your body, and your spirit.” Thank you Father for your encouragement, and your exhortation to us, and thank you for your compassion, how you show us you are concerned with everything about us. I pray you strengthen the weary and the feeble, and all who are bowed with cares. Thank you for doing so, Lord. Help us to remember to pray for one another, and to cast all of our cares upon You, because we know that You, Lord, care so much for us. Amen. The Lord led me to include just some of the scriptures He referred to in this Word to us: Isa. 26:3-4 - (He will keep us in perfect peace) Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee ; because he trusteth in thee. 4 Trust ye in Jehovah for ever; for in Jehovah, even Jehovah, is an everlasting rock. 1 Co. 15:57 - (We have the victory through Christ), but thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Co. 16:13 - (Stand firm, Be on your guard), Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.  Gal. 6:9 - (Be not weary), And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Eze. 3:9 - (Fear them not),  As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house. Isa. 50:7 - (Set your face as flint), For the Lord Jehovah will help me; therefore have I not been confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. 2 Ti. 1:9 - (We are saved to a high and holy calling), who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, Joh. 6:37 - (Those who Father draws will come), All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. Jer. 1:5 - (Before we were born He knew us),  Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee; I have appointed thee a prophet unto the nations. 1 Pe. 2:10 - (Worldly desires wage war against our souls),  who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 1 Jn. 2:15 - (Do not love the world), Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Isa. 41:10 - (Fear not), fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Psa. 91:1 - (We dwell in the secret place of the Most High), He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psa. 90:1-2 - (the Lord, our dwelling place) Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place In all generations. 2 Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. Mat. 11:28 - (Come unto me), Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 2 Co. 6:2 - (Now is the day of salvation), (for he saith, At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee, And in a day of salvation did I succor thee: behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation): Mar. 13:33 - (Keep watch, and pray), Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. Ecc. 3:11 - (He has made all things beautiful in His time), He hath made everything beautiful in its time: also he hath set eternity in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God hath done from the beginning even to the end. Joel 2:12-13 - (Turn to me with with fasting, weeping, and mourning), Yet even now, saith Jehovah, turn ye unto me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto Jehovah your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Col. 3:2-3 - (Think on things above), Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Psa. 37:12-13 - (The Lord laughs at the wicked), The wicked plotteth against the just, And gnasheth upon him with his teeth. 13 The Lord will laugh at him; For he seeth that his day is coming. 2 Pe. 1:10 - (Your calling and election sure), Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble: Isa. 49:9 - (Say to the bound, “Go forth, ”to those in darkness, “show yourself”), saying to them that are bound, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and on all bare heights shall be their pasture. Isa. 60:1-3 - (Arise, shine, your light has come), Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of Jehovah is risen upon thee. 2 For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the peoples; but Jehovah will arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 3 And nations shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

Coréon Dú is an award-winning Angolan recording artist, creative director, designer, screenwriter and producer.  Coréon shares how he started creating much-needed entertainment for folks his own age in Angola, and how he became a leading voice on the forefront of change with his revolutionary content. We discuss the far-reaching impact his work has had on the representation of the LGBTQ community in Angola and beyond. Listen to hear Coréon share how he incorporates his love of Africa into everything he does. 

Have you heard it said, "Don't sweat the small stuff, because, well, it's all small stuff?" At face value, that sounds like great advice. But what does that really mean? And how do you think Jesus handled the small tiny details of life? Were they important to Him? Did they matter? Did the little people in His life matter?? This week's podcast is a "tribute" of sorts to several people who have showed me how significant the small details of life are, and what it means to live for the glory of God even when no one is looking. As I've heard it said, “The way we live in private determines the ministry we can have in public!” I encourage you to think long and hard on this. At times we may be tempted to skip corners, to do less than our best because, after all, no one is watching, but the Bible says, "Whether you eat or drink or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor. 10:31) So let's not to rush over the seemingly small and insignificant details—details like taking time to pray, time to be in God's Word, and time to be faithful even when no one sees. When it comes to being successful in ministry, the small stuff matters. In fact, it not only matters, but I think the way we handle the little things of life, and the "little people" of life, may be one of the truest tests of character. Let's do all to the glory of God.

On this episode of the Storm Cellar we have Corwin from Boston! Corwin is an amazing hockey fan and goalie, and is perhaps the nicest Bruins fans evah. We talk about Corwin's love of the game, some Bruins, some 2x Isobel Cup Champion Boston Pride (I love them too) and some Canes as well. Being a goaltender themself, Corwin has some thoughts on goaltender interference, and some great analysis on what went right (or wrong depending on your perspective) in round 1. We played Tropical Depression, Tropical Storm, Nor'Easter, and Hurricanes, before going quickly around the league to look at the remaining series. Of course we talked some Canes vs Rangers and Cor is fully onboard with sending the New Yorkers home for the summer. A great episode with a great hockey person, definitely tune in for this one, and we hope to have Cor back this summer during our round-table episodes.

     In this section, Moses addresses how corporal punishment was to be meted out by the courts (Deut 25:1-3), how fairness applied to work animals (Deut 25:4), and the specifics of levirate marriage (Deut 25:5-10). Fair Punishment for Crime      In ancient Israel, like any nation, there were certain crimes that warranted punishment. In this particular case, Moses set a limit on the number of blows a man could receive as punishment for his crime. Moses said, “If there is a dispute between men and they go to court, and the judges decide their case, and they justify the righteous and condemn the wicked, 2 then it shall be if the wicked man deserves to be beaten, the judge shall then make him lie down and be beaten in his presence with the number of stripes according to his guilt” (Deut 25:1-2).      In Moses' example, a dispute arose between two men who could not resolve their case by themselves and needed to bring it before a court. In this instance, the judges heard and ruled on the case and declared one righteous (צַדִּיק tsaddiq – righteous, just) and the other wicked (רָשָׁע rasha – wicked, criminal). This assumes God's law had been given, that the judges objectively understood the law based on God's intent, that they properly evaluated the case, and rendered a verdict that declared one to be justified and the other a criminal (Deut 25:1). All of this assumes God as the absolute moral Lawgiver who had revealed His will in objective language that could be understood and applied. If there is no absolute moral Lawgiver, then there are no absolute moral laws, and if there are no absolute moral laws, then right and wrong are reduced to arbitrary absolutes manufactured by those in power.      Here, Moses mentions a case, which is vague and probably intended to leave its application open to multiple instances where the judgment might apply. If the wicked person had committed a crime worthy of a beating, it was to be executed right away in the presence of the judge, and the beating was to be in proportion to the crime. Furthermore, Moses set a limit on the number of lashes a criminal could receive, saying, “He may beat him forty times but no more, so that he does not beat him with many more stripes than these and your brother is not degraded in your eyes” (Deut 25:3). The purpose of the limitation was to prevent the criminal from being degraded by excessive punishment. After all, he was still a person with intrinsic value.      The ancient Law Code of Hammurabi (ca. 1750 B.C.) directed a man to be beaten 60 times, saying, “If a seignior has struck the cheek of a seignior who is superior to him, he shall be beaten sixty (times) with an oxtail whip in the assembly.”[1] This shows that public beatings were a common practice in the ancient world. Peter Craigie states: "The substance of this legislation makes it very clear that corporal punishment was subject to many safeguards designed to avoid its abuse. Corporal punishment could be inflicted only after proper trial, and then it was to be carried out, within the specified limit, under the supervision of the judge. In this way, care was taken to see that the punishment was appropriate to the crime, on the one hand, and that the criminal was not grossly maltreated on the other hand; the guilty party was still your brother (v. 3b; a fellow Israelite) and was not to be publicly humiliated."[2]      In the New Testament we learn this particular law was reduced to thirty-nine blows, likely as a safeguard to prevent Jewish judges from going beyond what the law demanded. The apostle Paul had been wrongly beaten with a whip, saying, “Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes” (2 Cor 11:24), adding, “Three times I was beaten with rods” (2 Cor 11:25). Here was an abuse of this law by corrupt Israelites who sought to suppress Paul and his Christian ministry. Fair Treatment of Work Animals      Moses then addressed the just treatment of an ox while it is threshing wheat, saying, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing” (Deut 25:4). Moses' point in adding this statement seems to expound on the previous verses. If God required just treatment of animals, how much more the just treatment of people. But it also demonstrated an economic principle that the animal that worked had the right to benefit from its labor. Daniel Block states: "Oxen used for threshing grain must not be muzzled. The ordinance assumes the ancient practice of threshing grain by having oxen trample the stalks or pull rock-studded sledges over the stalks spread out on the threshing floor. Greedy farmers muzzled their oxen or donkeys to prevent them from eating instead of working, or simply eating that which he hoped to harvest for himself (cf. Prov 14:4)."[3] Eugene Merrill adds: "The animal is nowhere “brother to the man” in Scripture but always sharply distinguished from humans. Nevertheless, the animal world, like all nature, is part of the divine creation entrusted to humankind as a stewardship. To abuse animal life is to fail to discharge that stewardship, and to fail to show mercy to God's lowest creatures is to open the door to disregard of human life as well."[4]      Moses had previously addressed humanitarian treatment of animals that were used for work (Deut 5:14; 22:1-4, 6-7). Elsewhere, the Bible reveals a theology of animals that reveals God personally cares for the animals He's created (Psa 104:10-29; 147:9; Matt 6:26), and He expects His people to do the same. Solomon states, “A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal, but even the compassion of the wicked is cruel” (Prov 12:10).      The apostle Paul used this verse in Deuteronomy as an analogy for compensating pastors for their work, saying, “The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing', and ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages'” (1 Tim 5:17-18; cf., 1 Cor 9:9-10). In this way, believers help support their pastors for the work they do. Such support is honored by God. The Law of Levirate Marriage      Moses then issued the law of levirate marriage, saying, “When brothers live together and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the deceased shall not be married outside the family to a strange man. Her husband's brother shall go in to her and take her to himself as wife and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her” (Deut 25:5).      Marrying a sister-in-law was forbidden under the Mosaic Law (Lev 18:16). However, Moses here gave an exception in which he directed the brother of the deceased to take his sister-in-law as his wife in order to bring forth a son (child) in his brother's place. Apparently, this practice existed in ancient Israel (Gen 38:6-10), and Moses here codified it as law. The passage assumes 1) the living brother is not married (or at least willing to take a second wife), 2) that the brothers had lived on the same property together (perhaps sharing adjacent land), and 3) his sister-in-law had no children. Some see the heir as being a son only; however, Moses had previously ruled that a daughter could inherit the land (see Num 27:1-11). If the living brother took his sister-in-law to be his wife, then he 1) had a wife for life, 2) he would raise her firstborn under his brother's name, and 3) the firstborn would inherit his brother's property. This was a sacrifice that cost the brother financially, as he would need to raise his biological child until he was an adult, at which time the child would inherit the land. If the surviving brother refused to marry his sister-in-law, and she died childless, then his brother's property would likely become his own. Earl Radmacher states: "The ancients greatly feared having no heirs to carry on the family's name. Furthermore, a widow with no children to take care of her would quickly become a beggar. Taking a brother's widow as a second wife protected her and preserved the name, memory, and interests of the deceased brother. The dead brother would be acknowledged as the legal father of the firstborn son of that marriage. This practice is called levirate marriage, from the Latin word for brother-in-law."[5] Thomas Constable adds: "The Israelites were to practice levirate marriage only in cases where the brothers had lived together (v. 5) and the remaining brother was not already married. Living together meant sharing the same estate, not necessarily residing under the same roof. When another kinsman voluntarily assumed the responsibility of the surviving brother, that brother was apparently under no obligation to marry his sister-in-law (cf. Ruth 4)."[6]      Moses gave the reason for the levirate marriage, saying, “It shall be that the firstborn whom she bears shall assume the name of his dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel” (Deut 25:6). The firstborn child would be the biological offspring of the living brother, but would eventually become the legal heir of his deceased brother, thus perpetuating the dead brother's name in Israel.      However, though this was the honorable thing to do, it was not commanded of the living brother. Moses described a scenario in which the living brother refused to perform his levirate duty, saying, “But if the man does not desire to take his brother's wife, then his brother's wife shall go up to the gate to the elders and say, ‘My husband's brother refuses to establish a name for his brother in Israel; he is not willing to perform the duty of a husband's brother to me.” (Deut 25:7). Though Moses does not give a reason why the brother refused to marry his sister-in-law, it could be the brother was motivated by greed to get his deceased brother's property. If so, this would be a violation of the command, “You shall not covet” (Deut 5:21a). Daniel Block states: "The reason why a brother might refuse to marry the widow probably is to be found in a desire for personal gain. If he married the woman and there was a male child, that child, who would legally be the son of the deceased man, would inherit his “father's” property. In the absence of such a child, however, the surviving brother might hope to inherit the property of his deceased brother (Num. 27:9; this would apply only if the widow had no children at all, male or female). If such were the motive, it deserved the reprobation of the community."[7]      However, the widow was not without recourse to persuade her brother-in-law to marry her and to give her a child, as she can take the matter to the elders of the gate of the city and plead her case. Daniel Block writes: "Moses authorizes the bereaved widow to present her complaint before the elders at the town gate (v. 7b). As a legally competent plaintiff, he invites her to present her case before the body responsible for applying Israel's family laws. Having lost her husband, who would otherwise defend her interests, she may appeal to the elders to stand up for her. In addition to authorizing women to take their cases to the elders, he also advises the women on how to present their case."[8]      After the widow made her case, Moses directed the elders, saying, “Then the elders of his city shall summon him and speak to him. And if he persists and says, ‘I do not desire to take her,' then his brother's wife shall come to him in the sight of the elders, and pull his sandal off his foot and spit in his face; and she shall declare, ‘Thus it is done to the man who does not build up his brother's house'” (Deut 25:8-9). Here was social pressure applied to the man to coerce him to perform his levirate duty, which was the selfless act of marrying his deceased brother's widow and raising up a child to carry on his name. However, if the elders of the city could not persuade the man, then the widow was permitted to publicly humiliate him by taking his sandal, spitting in his face, and publicly declaring how the man had failed to behave honorably. Keil and Delitzsch state: "The taking off of the shoe was an ancient custom in Israel, adopted, according to Ruth 4:7, in cases of redemption and exchange, for the purpose of confirming commercial transactions. The usage arose from the fact, that when any one took possession of landed property, he did so by treading upon the soil, and asserting his right of possession by standing upon it in his shoes. In this way the taking off of the shoe and handing it to another became a symbol of the renunciation of a man's position and property. … But the custom was an ignominious one in such a case as this, when the shoe was publicly taken off the foot of the brother-in-law by the widow whom he refused to marry. He was thus deprived of the position which he ought to have occupied in relation to her and to his deceased brother, or to his paternal house; and the disgrace involved in this was still further heightened by the fact that his sister-in-law spat in his face."[9]      Though we cannot be certain, it's likely the taking of the sandal served as a receipt of the transaction in which the widow took possession of her deceased husband's property, albeit without a husband or son to take ultimate inheritance of the land after she died. Daniel Block states: "The action represented a symbolic action of shame, but it also symbolized the transfer of the brother-in-law's rights to the deceased's widow and to that portion of the patrimonial estate that her husband would have received when it was divided. Since the woman would take the sandal home, it would function like a receipt, providing concrete proof of the present legal proceedings (cf. Ruth 4:7–8)."[10]      If this is the case, it could be that when the widow died, the land would return to the brother who refused to execute his levirate duties. However, until then, and throughout his life, the man would bear the public shame of his selfish act. So, Moses stated, “In Israel his name shall be called, ‘The house of him whose sandal is removed'” (Deut 25:10). Here was a legacy of shame that carried on for many years, all because a man would not live honorably and selflessly as God directed. One action can have lasting consequences that can carry on for years. No doubt, his other relatives and children would be marked by the man's selfish actions. We must realize that every moment is an opportunity for integrity. The Example of Ruth      Ruth was married to an Israelite man who died and left her a widow (Ruth 1:1-5). Ruth became a believer in Yahweh and committed herself to caring for Naomi, her mother-in-law (Ruth 1:16-17). After going to Bethlehem with Naomi, Ruth happened to glean from the field of Boaz (providentially), who was a kinsman to her deceased husband (Ruth 2:20), and he was amenable to caring for her (Ruth 2:1-8). Under Naomi's guidance, Ruth came to Boaz as her kinsman redeemer and sought levirate marriage (Ruth 3:1-11). However, being an honorable man who desired to live according to God's law, Boaz informed Ruth there was another man who was a kinsman closer to her (Ruth 3:12), and Boaz was willing to approach the man concerning his duty (Ruth 3:13). When Boaz approached the man at the city gate, he explained the situation concerning their dead relative, Elimelech, and the need to purchase the land for Naomi, who needed the resources (Ruth 4:1-4). However, Boaz also informed his relative that he would need to take Ruth as his wife and to fulfill his levirate duty (Ruth 4:5). Upon hearing this from Boaz, the nearest kinsman declined the offer, fearing it would impact him in such a way so as to jeopardize his own inheritance (Ruth 4:6). Having executed a legal transaction (Ruth 4:7-8), Boaz agreed to purchase the land from Naomi and to take Ruth to be his wife in order to raise up a descendant to inherit the deceased relative's land (Ruth 4:9-10). Boaz' actions were acknowledged and praised by the elders and citizens who witnessed the transaction (Ruth 4:11-12). Boaz and Ruth married and bore children who eventually led to the birth of King David (Ruth 4:13-22), and Jesus the Messiah (Matt 1:5-6, 17).      The marriage of Boaz to Ruth adhered to the law of the levirate marriage, in which Boaz would father a biological son that would eventually not be his son, but the son of his deceased relative, Elimelech. Gary North states: "Boaz became the biggest covenantal somebody in his generation only because he was willing to become a covenantal nobody in the extension of Elimelech's line. The land that he presumably bought from Naomi became the family inheritance in another man's line. Any improvements that he made in this land became another family line's property. By abandoning his own name covenantally, he thereby became the greatest name of his generation, a name that is listed in both of the messianic genealogies in the New Testament (Matt 1:5; Luke 3:32)."[11]     [1] James Bennett Pritchard, ed., The Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament, 3rd ed. with Supplement. (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1969), 175. [2] Peter C. Craigie, The Book of Deuteronomy, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1976), 312. [3] Daniel I. Block, The NIV Application Commentary: Deuteronomy, ed. Terry Muck (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012), 580. [4] Eugene H. Merrill, Deuteronomy, vol. 4, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), 326. [5] Earl D. Radmacher, Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House, Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999), 259. [6] Tom Constable, Tom Constable's Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Dt 25:5. [7] Peter C. Craigie, The Book of Deuteronomy, 315. [8] Daniel I. Block, The NIV Application Commentary: Deuteronomy, 583. [9] Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament, vol. 1 (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1996), 954–955. [10] Daniel I. Block, The NIV Application Commentary: Deuteronomy, 583–584. [11] Gary North, Inheritance and Dominion: An Economic Commentary on Deuteronomy; Chapter 62, Levirate Marriage and Family Name, https://www.garynorth.com/freebooks/docs/html/gnde/Chapter62.htm.

PARA ACCEDER A NUESTRAS REDES SOCIALES, LIBROS, COLABORACIONES Y CONTACTO, CLICK AQUÍ: https://linktr.ee/historiaenpodcast Llegó un episodio muy solicitado: la historia del Islam, como religión, como cultura, como imperio, como historia rica, abundante y novedosa. La ocupación árabe de España, el reino de Al-Ándalus, Mahoma el profeta, Alá su Dios, el Corán su Libro Sagrado. Estás listo para disfrutarlo?

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Saint John 2 Cor 9:6-8, John 3:16 

Do you ever experience grief, anxiety, or depression? Mental health is a weighty concern that we need to address within the body of Messiah. Join Rabbi Kevin Solomon of Congregation Beth Hallel as he discusses how great figures in the Bible suffered because of their mental health. He also examines the Scriptures to provide us with factors that can address our mental health. Let this message provide you with tools, hope, and encouragement.  https://www.bible.com/bible/314/1SA.1.13-16.TLV (1 Sam 1.13-16); https://www.bible.com/bible/314/PSA.42.4.TLV (Psalm 42.4); https://www.bible.com/bible/314/PSA.42.6-8.TLV (Psalm 42.6-8); https://www.bible.com/bible/314/PSA.42.12.TLV (Psalm 42.12); https://www.bible.com/bible/314/PRO.17.17.TLV (Prov. 17.17); https://www.bible.com/bible/314/PRO.11.14.TLV (Prov. 11.14); https://www.bible.com/bible/314/ROM.15.14.TLV (Rom. 15.14); https://www.bible.com/bible/314/LUK.10.38-42.TLV (Luke 10.38-42); https://www.bible.com/bible/314/2CO.10.4-5.TLV (2 Cor. 10.4-5); https://www.bible.com/bible/314/1PE.5.7.TLV (1 Pet. 5.7) https://bethhallel.org/contact-us (Prayer Requests) or send an email to info@bethhallel.org https://bethhallel.org/?fbclid=IwAR3QzlKyfeh_ovjCz1OC1V4J2fyv5CNE7zEUsAkcZM0zBUXNLqeJF6M9Oi4 (CBH Website) https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=FBVL4JZH8HVS4&fbclid=IwAR2MB7yq6Zkq-ZNvwnw8Yz6z0crcMmGPpKhqIDD4w3sr5fXDBE0qOr1C5cM (Donate) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7EfRTmLFyvapAVb7q64PoA (YouTube Channel)

Reach out in love and see what God does! Acts 11:19-30 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. -Acts 1:8 God uses ____________ believers to start new churches V. 19-21 Now understand this: neither Stephen's death nor the persecution that followed was a __________: instead, the hand of the Lord used those events as catalytic events to get the gospel where it hadn't gone yet! He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. -2 Cor. 1:4 God uses ____________ churches to bless new churches V. 22 Instead of hording their ___________________, the Jerusalem church commissioned one of their best members to get the Antioch church off to the best start possible! This happened despite the difficulties they faced due to persecution. God uses Spirit-filled __________ to grow new churches V. 23-26 Gone were the __________________ – now they were just Christians, believers who applied their faith in Christ to everything, regardless of whether they were men or women, slave or free, rich or poor, Jew or Gentile – they were now first and foremost Christians! God uses new churches to bless established churches V. 27-30 Note that they each gave according to their _______________! That is the pattern for believers now, as in 2 Cor. 8-9, not a misunderstood communism based on ripping Acts 2 and 4 out of context.

Last updated : 2022.05.20 Du lundi au samedi, rendez-vous avec l'actualité de la Corée sous tous ses angles.

The principle of reaping and sowing is a reminder to sow well. God's blessings are not to be wasted. Serve and give generously to others for His glory. Sow to grow others and yourself. Bible Reading: 2 Cor. 9-10 Verse of the day: 2 Corinthians 9:6, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” Word of the day: Generously. It is the Greek word:  εὐλογία (yoo-log-ee'-ah).

     There's a wonderful passage in the book of Ezra that tells us something about this righteous man that God used to bless others. We learn, “Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7:10). The Hebrew verb כּוּן kun, translated set, means “to prepare, make ready…to erect, set up…determine, to fix something.”[1] Other translations render the verb as determined (CSB), dedicated (NET), and devoted (NIV). This determination speaks of an inward decision by Ezra to do three things: 1) to study the law of the LORD, 2) to practice it, and 3) to teach it to others. Laney states, “The order is significant. A person cannot practice what he has not thoroughly studied; and he should not teach principles he has not carefully applied.”[2]      As a priest, Ezra was modeling God's intention for him, “For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts” (Mal 2:7). There is direct relevance for us as Christians, for Jesus “has made us to be a kingdom, to serve as priests to His God and Father” (Rev 1:6). Righteousness is a choice to learn God's Word, to live God's Word, and to instruct others to do the same.      Learn God's Word. First, “Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD.” To study the law of the LORD is simply to study His written Word. This kind of devotion and study lasts a lifetime, for one cannot adequately grasp God's Word in a few lessons. A devoted life of studying God's Word was held by others in the Old Testament. David writes of the godly person, whose “delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law, he meditates day and night” (Psa 1:2). And the benefit of such activity is that the dedicated person “will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers” (Psa 1:3). Another psalmist wrote, “O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day” (Psa 119:97). Paul told Timothy, “Study to shew yourself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15 KJV). A little further on in his letter, Paul said, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16-17).      Live God's Word. Second, Ezra sought “to practice” what he'd learned from God's Word. There's an axiom that we cannot live what we do not know, and learning God's Word necessarily precedes living His will. Of course, it is possible to study God's Word and never apply it. This is why James wrote, saying, “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (Jam 1:22). Biblical wisdom is the application of God's Word to everyday life. Jesus communicated this, saying, “everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matt 7:24). Learning and doing. That's the order. Warren Wiersbe writes, “If our knowledge of the truth doesn't result in obedience, then we end up with a big head instead of a burning heart (1 Cor 8:1; Luke 24:32); and truth becomes a toy to play with, not a tool to build with. Instead of building our Christian character, we only deceive ourselves and try to deceive others (1 John 1:5–10).”[3]      Share God's Word. Ezra went a third step, as he sought “to teach” other believers how to live the truth of God's Word. If the next generation of believers are to be effective, they need to know God's Word and how to live it. This was true in Ezra's day, and it's certainly true in ours. But such biblical communication should not be limited to the church pulpit or seminary classroom. Sharing God's Word should be something practiced by all growing Christians. What's interesting is that the apostle Paul built on what Timothy's mother and grandmother had taught him in the home. Paul said to Timothy, “I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well...and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim 1:5; 3:15).      In closing, may we all model this simple formula for godliness and success, diligently studying the Scriptures, applying what we learn as we grow, and sharing that knowledge with others. This is what Paul hoped Timothy would do, as he encouraged him to “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you” (2 Tim 1:13-14). Not only was Timothy to retain and guard the treasure of God's Word in his heart, but he was to pass it on to others, as Paul stated, “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim 2:2).   [1] Ludwig Koehler et al., The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1994–2000), 465. [2] Robert B. Hughes and J. Carl Laney, Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary, The Tyndale Reference Library (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001), 169. [3] Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Heroic, “Be” Commentary Series (Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub., 1997), 38–39.

O livro Pachincko tem uma história fascinante tanto quando a história que ele conta: esse best-seller coreano escrito por Min Jin Lee, levou quase 30 anos desde a concepção da ideia até a sua publicação, passando por muitas pesquisas, tentativas de publicação e revisões. O sucesso foi tanto que em 2022 ele virou série, mas calma! Pachinko é um romance geracional e histórico que narra a história de uma família de coreanos passando por momentos decisivos para o destino da Coréia, como a dominação do império japonês, as duas Grandes Guerras, a independência e, por fim, a globalização. Sob o jugo japonês à Coréia, Sunja e sua família buscam condições melhores no Japão, chegando a uma Osaka preconceituosa e intolerante com os imigrantes coreanos. É assim que acompanhamos o desenrolar deste drama familiar. Para falar sobre suas impressões sobre o livro, o que esperam da série e é, claro, te apresentar essa história, Amanda Barreiro recebe Cintia Paier e Rosana Iris (podcast Feito por Elas). Bom episódio! Assista ao trailer de Pachincko (Apple TV) https://youtu.be/O1r5XXJOYNA Recomendações: Leia Pachincko Ouça o Feito por Elas Mais um oi pra gente! Ouviu o episódio? Conta pra gente o que você achou. Pode nos chamar nas redes sociais, comentar nessa postagem ou nos mandar um e-mail para contato@leitorcabuloso.com.br Ficha técnica Apresentação: Amanda Barreiro, Luara e Cintia Paier Pauta: Amanda Barreiro Assistente: Leonardo Tremeschin Edição: Ace Barros Agradecimentos Especiais Esse episódio foi produzido graças a Airechu, Aline Bergamo, Amauri Silva Lima Filho, Caio Amaro, Carolina Soares Mendes, Carolina Vidal, Cláudia Rodrigues, Clecius Alexandre Duran, Daiane Silva Souza, Dayse Cristhina, Fernanda Cortez, Igor Bajo, Lucas Roberto Arrais Domingos, Lu Bento, Luciano Terra das Neves Neto, Luiz Henrique Soares, Marina Barbosa Kondratovich, Marina Jardim, Melisa de Sá, Nilda, Priscilla Rubia, Ricardo Brunoro, Rodrigo Leite. Não nos perca de vista!  

The worship of idols was an important part of life for Israel’s neighbors. Skilled craftsmen created idols from the finest materials available. Priests would perform elaborate ceremonies to endow the idol with the presence of the god. The idol would then be treated as royalty. The object would be clothed and “fed” with the best, treated with awe and reverence. Today’s reading is a rousing praise psalm to remind Israel that the Lord is greater than the gods of the nations. It was also a stern reminder to Israel that worshiping idols was foolish. These idols were “silver and gold, made by human hands” (v. 15). They had mouths, eyes and ears that did not work (vv. 16 18). These gods could never save or deliver like the Lord. The psalm reminds Israel that the Lord is the One who delivered them from Egypt and brought them into the land of Canaan (vv. 8–12). Living in the twenty-first century, it is easy to think we are immune to the danger of worshiping idols. But an idol is anything in which we place our allegiance, trust, or hope instead of God. An idol could be our reliance on social media for affirmation or the hope we entrust to politicians. There are hundreds of ways we can fall into the trap of idol worship. An added danger is that we become similar to what we worship (v. 18). The good news is that if we worship God, we will grow to become like Him. As Paul explained, “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory” (2 Cor. 3:18). >> One of the benefits of praise is that it reminds us who God is, so that we do not fall into the trap of idol worship. Today listen to a praise song that reminds of God’s character. If you need a suggestion, start with the hymn “O Worship the King.”

Last updated : 2022.05.19 Du lundi au samedi, rendez-vous avec l'actualité de la Corée sous tous ses angles.

The Apostle Paul instructed the church in Corinth in 1 Cor. 11:1 to, "Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ." He was basically inviting them into his walk with God. There is a great need in this hour to instill a living legacy of knowing Jesus and His wonders into those within our spheres of influence. Join me this week as I share on the important theme of "Handing Down A Legacy" and prepare to be encouraged and stirred.

durée : 00:03:10 - Géopolitique - par : Pierre  Haski  - Fermée depuis plus de deux ans, la Corée du nord a admis qu'elle était frappée par le Covid-19, alors que le pays a refusé jusqu'ici toute vaccination. Kim Jong-un invite son gouvernement à « prendre exemple sur la Chine ».

durée : 00:03:10 - Géopolitique - par : Pierre  Haski  - Fermée depuis plus de deux ans, la Corée du nord a admis qu'elle était frappée par le Covid-19, alors que le pays a refusé jusqu'ici toute vaccination. Kim Jong-un invite son gouvernement à « prendre exemple sur la Chine ».

Last updated : 2022.05.18 Du lundi au samedi, rendez-vous avec l'actualité de la Corée sous tous ses angles.

No doubt we've all heard the phrase, 'A mind is a terrible thing to waste'; and while this can be the case for the unsaved person, it should not be so for believers. This is because scripture explicitly states that HAVE the mind of Christ (1 Cor.2:16). However, this does not mean that we have license to live slipshod, raggedy lives, believing that we can listen to or observe whatever we please without it affecting us. We must daily live in a state of renewal, bringing ourselves--along with our mind, to the Cross. Join us as we unpack this important aspect of the Christian life. #thebiblespeakslive #HotTopicTuesday #howmuchdoesyourmindreallymatter

What does Paul mean when he says in 1 Cor. 9:19-23 he "became all things to all people" - is he a chameleon? Shape shifting to appeal to people? Seeking to be as liked as possible? Just be called "nice" regardless of all else? We discuss. TODAY'S SPONSORS ARE: THE FIRST WEEK from Very Good Creations HALEY20 for 20% off your entire order at verygoodcreations.com _____________________ Cornerstone Curriculum Follow them on insta @cornerstonecurriculum KINDLED for 5% off all purchases Visit their website _____________________ Sue YountFollow her on insta @7inthewoods Contact Sue Ebels Yount on email 7inthewoods@gmail.com or text 231-920-5993 Get 10% off all welcome pack orders, a cute Plexus water bottle and 1:1 coaching from Sue! ************** Do you want to advertise on Kindled? Email me at haley@kindledpodcast.com to request my media kit with pricing! ************** --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kindledpodcast/support

Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but chosen by God and precious. Saint Peter - 1 Cor 1:24, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 Peter 2:4, 1 Peter 5:10 

Last updated : 2022.05.17 Du lundi au samedi, rendez-vous avec l'actualité de la Corée sous tous ses angles.

Today a response to a question from a friend, which was promoted by a previous teaching tip on ‘personal fruitfulness'. “I had a question. In the NT and especially Paul's letters. There's little emphasis on Evangelism. However we see the Lord added to their number. Firstly, I wanted to ask why you think there was no emphasis? Secondly, what were they doing then that allowed that growth to happen?” This also struck me as a young Christian. I remember a teaching weekend on Philippians and how little there was about evangelism and how much there was about Christ, love, peace, unity. How did they have an impact? They stood out! 1. In their DNA Acts 8:4: “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.” 2. Not participating in pagan worship due to idolatry: “Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality.” Rev 2:14 Some meat from sacrifice sold in marketplace. Not a problem, 1 Corinthians 10:23-30. Meat from sacrifice consumed in a religious context. A problem. Acts 15:29; 21:25; 1 Cor 8:1, 4, 7, 10; 10:19, 28; Rev 2:14, 20. Although on occasion these meals might have served a more social and political purpose than a religious one, any food eaten in a temple or in a building connected with the Temple would even in theory be a religious event. As such, one was eating with the so-called gods. Not something a Christian could do. 3. Jn 13:34-35 – love & joy Seen as incestuous by critics. “We practice sharing in our banquets, which are not only modest, but also sober. For we do not indulge in entertainments, nor do we prolong our feasts with wine. Rather, we temper our joyousness with seriousness, with chaste discourse, and with bodies even more chaste.” Mark Minucius Felix around 200 A.D. Hospitality plays a significant part in this – may be harder work than ‘inviting' people. Imagine Jew & Gentile, slave and master eating together. 4. Cared about others' poor The pagan emperor, Julian the Apostate, wrote to a pagan priest: “when it came about that the poor were neglected and overlooked by the [pagan] priests, then I think the impious Galilaeans [i.e., Christians] observed this fact and devoted themselves to philanthropy.” “[They] support not only their poor, but ours as well, all men see that our people lack aid from us.” Consider also that the Jesus movement can be characterised as “setting the oppressed free”. “What if evangelism was inviting others to join this movement and church work was organizing local efforts to keep the movement moving?” Reconstructing the Gospel, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove 5. Confident & courageous: they knew what they believed, they had a personal relationship with God “Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God's eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:19-20 Courageous: despite persecution from both Jews and pagans “Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” Acts 26:29 A lifestyle and community like the above requires maturity. We need good Bible teaching, a strong community, and a vital walk with God. Fundamentally our challenge may not be that we do not understand evangelism, but whether we understand the mission. Please add your comments on this week's topic. We learn best when we learn in community. Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here's the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org. If you'd like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org. Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) God bless, Malcolm

Episode Highlights: We’re told explicitly to forgive the repentant. Luke 17:3 Forgiveness is distinct from emotional baggage handling. Eph 4:26-27 Forgiveness is inextricably bound to reconciliation. 2 Cor 7.

Series: Covenant Community Sermon: Maintain the Gospel Ministry Text(s): 2 Cor. 9 Date: May 15, 2022 Preacher: Thabiti Anyabwile

Dr. Vuyani Sindo is Senior Lecturer and Head of Biblical Studies at George Whitefield College in Cape Town, South Africa, where he teaches New Testament and pastoral ministry. His doctoral dissertation, completed at Stellenbosch University in 2018, explores questions of leadership and identity within the context of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. The word ἐξουσία translated in the NRSV as “liberty” in 1 Cor. 8:9 is translated in 9:4 as “right.” What justifies this switch, from the viewpoints of both the original Greek and the modern audience?

Jesus defines His Family by Faith. 1. Jesus' Family struggled with Faith Will they follow the path of the religious leaders? Will they stay outside like the crowd? 2. Jesus Redefined Family around Faith in Him Being with Him Doing God's Will Responding to Him in Faith 3. Jesus' Family later came to have Faith John 19:25; Acts 1:14; 1 Cor. 9:5 Don't give up on your family; Faith takes time to grow 4. Jesus Defined His Church with the Picture of Family Brothers and Sisters in Christ Household of Faith Honoring Families, without Worshiping Family *Valuing Singles and All Ages Deacons as Servants of the Church *Caring for Widows and Families *Have you responded to Jesus in faith, confessing Him as Lord and trusting in Him as Savior? *How is God leading you to pray for and honor your family? *How is God leading you to connect with and encourage the church family? -Singles - how can you encourage marriages? -Married - how can you encourage singles? -Parents/Children - how can you encourage one another?

May 15, 2022 | Evan Kunz | And Such Were Some of You, But You Were Washed (1 Cor 6:1-20) May Series: "God's Ways are Best: Personal Holiness for God, for the World, and for Ourselves" Evan Kunz, Minister of Students Woodmont Baptist Church

What up, Doc Squad. In last week's episode, we talked about Strategy Hunger: What It Is And How To Avoid It (you may want to check it out first).We said that it makes us graspy and grabby towards wins and perfection in entrepreneurship.It pushes our people away. Sufficiency is the cure for strategy hunger. If you are full, you are able to attract your people.Your people will feel safe buying from you.  Squad, I really want you to understand this concept because it is one of the key foundations of selling.  This is how I am able to sell high-ticket and this is what is available for you too.In this episode, I discuss:Cultivating your relationship with GodFilling your cup dailyCultivating your joyLearning how to feel your feelingsLet's get into it.Mentioned in this episode:Join the Purposed to Profit™ Elite Mastermind waitlist hereEpisode 026: Quarter 2 Review and Entrepreneurship UpdateEpisode 087: Profiles in Purpose: How to Launch Your First High-Ticket Program with Dr. Joy'El Ballard.Episode 128: I Had My First 6-figure Launch: Here's How I Did It2 Cor 3:5, 2 Cor 12:9, 2 Cor 9:8***********************************************************************Join my FREE private Facebook Group The High-Ticket Doc™| High-Ticket Coaching For Women Doctors by clicking HERE.The Docs of High-Ticket Conference replay is now available as a lifetime access course! Head on over to docsofhighticketcon.com to make your purchase today for $497.***********************************************************************Get my FREE training on How To Make Your First $10k As A Brand New Coach. This is the first step to making your first $100K.

01. Javi Bora & Richard Ulh - Get Down To Work (Extended Mix) 02. Hot Since 82 - Out The Door 03. Funkerman & Dannic - Lucky Lovetalk (Extended Mix) 04. T.Markakis - Forever (Extended Mix) 05. Wh0 - Sunshine (Extended Mix) 06. Honey Dijon feat. Cor.Ece, Dave Giles II & Mike Dunn - Work (Extended Mix) 07. Mark Picchiotti, The Absolute feat. Suzanne Palmer - I Believe (Harry's Golden Era Dub) 08. Sean Finn - Disco Revenge 2021 (Cassimm Remix) 09. CHESSER - Liftin' Me Higher (Extended Mix) 10. Steal Tapes - I Like U 11. Tsalikee feat. Kathy Brown - Something About You (DJ Kone & Marc Palacios Extended Remix) 12. Adam Twelve, Deeprule - N' Music 13. Fabich - Brand New (Extended Mix) 14. HP Vince - Jack The Sound

The Servant of God “Compassion of the Christ” Ma. 10:46-52 Persistence of Faith (vv.46-48) For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Cor. 1:18) So, I won't hesitate to tell you that an entire life here in physical blindness isn't nearly as bad- as dangerous as being spiritually blind for a lifetime. Physical blindness may be difficult- spiritual blindness damns. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Lu. 1:32-33). Obedience of Faith (vv.49-50) Deliverance of Faith (vv.51-52) The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The LORD raises up those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous; (Psa 146:8) Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; (Isa. 35:5) “If God had perceived that our greatest need was economic, he would have sent an economist. If he had perceived that our greatest need was entertainment, he would have sent us a comedian or an artist. If God had perceived that our greatest need was political stability, he would have sent us a politician. If he had perceived that our greatest need was health, he would have sent us a doctor. But he perceived that our greatest need involved our sin, our alienation from him, our profound rebellion, our death; and he sent us a Savior.” - D.A. Carson -

Welcome to the Podcast of Southwest Bible Fellowship in Tempe, Arizona. WHO ARE WE? • We are a group of people who are committed to living the grace life as set forth by the apostle of the Gentiles, the Apostle Paul. • We come together to study our Bibles, and yes, we believe we have God's perfect Word in the King James Bible. It and it alone is our final authority in all matters of faith and practice! • We do not come together and study our Bibles for the intent of being smarter than others. We understand that knowledge for the sake of knowledge is purely vain and serves no Godly purpose. • We do come together and study our Bibles for the intent of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection. (Philippians 3:10) • We do come together and study our Bibles to understand that we have been crucified with Christ; nevertheless we live; yet not us, but Christ liveth in us: and the life which we now live in the flesh, we live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us. (Galatians 2:20) • We do come together and study our Bibles to understand that because Jesus Christ shed His blood for us and we should not live for ourselves but for Him, who died for us and rose again. (2 Cor. 5:15) • We do not claim to have attained to these lofty goals, but we press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14) You can donate to this ministry through www.butnow.org and the PayPal button on the homepage.

Speaker: Justin WheelerSeries: Revelation Contents Spurgeon on Joshua 1.7. From Morning and Evening, May 11................... 2 Spurgeon on Hebrews 12.2. From Morning and Evening, June 28.............. 3 Conformity to the world. From the letters of John Newton........................ 4 The Bruised Reed, chapter 2, by Richard Sibbes (1631)............................ 7 J C Ryle on assurance. From Holiness.................................................... 11 Spurgeon on Joshua 1.7. From Morning and Evening, May 11 "Only be thou strong and very courageous." Joshua 1:7 Our God's tender love for His servants makes Him concerned for the state of their inward feelings. He desires them to be of good courage. Some esteem it a small thing for a believer to be vexed with doubts and fears, but God thinks not so. From this text it is plain that our Master would not have us entangled with fears. He would have us without carefulness, without doubt, without cowardice. Our Master does not think so lightly of our unbelief as we do. When we are desponding we are subject to a grievous malady, not to be trifled with, but to be carried at once to the beloved Physician. Our Lord loveth not to see our countenance sad. It was a law of Ahasuerus that no one should come into the king's court dressed in mourning: this is not the law of the King of kings, for we may come mourning as we are; but still He would have us put off the spirit of heaviness, and put on the garment of praise, for there is much reason to rejoice. The Christian man ought to be of a courageous spirit, in order that he may glorify the Lord by enduring trials in an heroic manner. If he be fearful and fainthearted, it will dishonour his God. Besides, what a bad example it is. This disease of doubtfulness and discouragement is an epidemic which soon spreads amongst the Lord's flock. One downcast believer makes twenty souls sad. Moreover, unless your courage is kept up Satan will be too much for you. Let your spirit be joyful in God your Saviour, the joy of the Lord shall be your strength, and no fiend of hell shall make headway against you: but cowardice throws down the banner. Moreover, labour is light to a man of cheerful spirit; and success waits upon cheerfulness. The man who toils, rejoicing in his God, believing with all his heart, has success guaranteed. He who sows in hope shall reap in joy; therefore, dear reader, "be thou strong, and very courageous." Spurgeon on Hebrews 12.2. From Morning and Evening, June 28 "Looking unto Jesus." Hebrews 12:2 It is ever the Holy Spirit's work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus; but Satan's work is just the opposite of this, for he is constantly trying to make us regard ourselves instead of Christ. He insinuates, "Your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end; you have not the joy of His children; you have such a wavering hold of Jesus." All these are thoughts about self, and we shall never find comfort or assurance by looking within. But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self: He tells us that we are nothing, but that "Christ is all in all." Remember, therefore, it is not thy hold of Christ that saves thee- it is Christ; it is not thy joy in Christ that saves thee- it is Christ; it is not even faith in Christ, though that be the instrument- it is Christ's blood and merits; therefore, look not so much to thy hand with which thou art grasping Christ, as to Christ; look not to thy hope, but to Jesus, the source of thy hope; look not to thy faith, but to Jesus, the author and finisher of thy faith. We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by "looking unto Jesus." Keep thine eye simply on Him; let His death, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, His intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to Him; when thou liest down at night look to Him. Oh! let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after Him, and He will never fail thee. "My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesu's blood and righteousness: I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesu's name." Conformity to the world. From the letters of John Newton. Conformity to the world "Be not conformed to this world." Romans 12:2 Dear Sir, You will perhaps be surprised to see my thoughts on your query in print, rather than to receive them by the post, as you expected. But as the subject of it is of general concern, I hope you will not be displeased that I have taken this method. It might be of considerable service in the present day, clearly to explain the force of the Apostle's precept, "Be not conformed to this world;" and to state the just boundary between a sinful compliance with the world, and that scrupulous singularity which springs from a self-righteous principle, and a contracted view of the spirit and liberty of the Gospel. To treat this point accurately, would require a treatise rather than a letter: I only undertake to offer you a few hints; and indeed, when the mind is formed to a spiritual taste, a simple desire to be guided by the Word and Spirit of God, together with a due attention to our own experience, will, in most practical cases, supersede the necessity of long and elaborate disquisitions. By the world, in the passage alluded to, Rom. 12:2, I suppose the Apostle means conformity to the men of the world, in distinction from believers: these, not having the love of God in their hearts, or his fear before their eyes, are of course engaged in such pursuits and practices as are inconsistent with our holy calling, and in which we cannot imitate or comply with them, without hurting our peace and our profession. We are therefore bound to avoid conformity to them in all such instances; but we are not obliged to decline all interaction with the world, or to impose restraints upon ourselves, when the Scripture does not restrain us, in order to make us as unlike the world as possible. To instance in a few particulars. It is not necessary, perhaps it is not lawful, wholly to renounce the society of the world. A mistake of this kind took place in the early ages of Christianity, and men (at first, perhaps, with a sincere desire of serving God without distraction) withdrew into deserts and uninhabited places, and wasted their lives at a distance from their fellow-creatures. But unless we could flee from ourselves likewise, this would afford us no advantage; so long as we carry our own wicked hearts with us, we shall be exposed to temptation, go where we will. Besides, this would be thwarting the end of our vocation. Christians are to be the salt and the lights of the world, conspicuous as cities set upon a hill; they are commanded to "let their light shine before men, that they, beholding their good works, may glorify their Father who is in heaven." This injudicious deviation from the paths of nature and providence, gave occasion at length to the vilest abominations; and men who withdrew from the world, under pretense of retirement, became the more wicked and abandoned as they lived more out of public view and observation. Nor are we at liberty, much less are we enjoined, to renounce the duties of relative life, so as to become careless in the discharge of them. Allowances should, indeed, be made for the distresses of people newly awakened, or under the power of temptation, which may for a time so much engross their thoughts as greatly to indispose them for their bounded duty. But, in general, the proper evidence of true Christians is, not merely that they can talk about Divine things, but that, by the grace of God, they live and act agreeable to the rules of his word, in the state in which his providence has placed them, whether as masters or servants, husbands or wives, parents or children; bearing rule, or yielding obedience, as in his sight. Diligence and fidelity in the management of temporal concernments, though observable in the practice of many worldly men, may be maintained without a sinful conformity to the world. Neither are we required to refuse a moderate use of the comforts and conveniences of life, suitable to the station which God has appointed us in the world. The spirit of self-righteousness and will-worship works much in this way, and supposes that there is something excellent in long fasting, in abstaining from pleasant food, in wearing coarser clothes than is customary with those in the same rank of life, and in many other austerities and singularities not commanded by the word of God. And many people, who are in the main sincere, are grievously burdened with scruples respecting the use of lawful things. It is true, there is need of a constant watch, lest what is lawful in itself becomes hurtful to us by its abuse. But these outward strictnesses may be carried to great lengths, without a spark of true grace, and even without the knowledge of the true God. The mortifications and austerities practiced by the Bramins in India are vastly more severe than the most zealous effects of modern superstition in our country. There is a strictness which arises rather from ignorance than knowledge, is wholly taken up with externals, and gratifies the spirit of self as much in one way, as it seems to retrench it in another. A man may almost starve his body to feed his pride: but to those who fear and serve the Lord, every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving, for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. Notwithstanding these limitations, the precept is very extensive and important. "Be not conformed to the world." As believers, we are strangers and pilgrims upon earth. Heaven is our country, and the Lord is our King. We are to be known and noticed as his subjects; and therefore it is his pleasure, that we do not speak the sinful language, or adopt the sinful customs, of the land in which we sojourn. We are not to conform to the world, as we did in the days of our ignorance. And though we have received the principles of grace, and have tasted of the goodness of the Lord, the admonition is still needful; for we are renewed but in part, and are liable to be drawn aside to our hurt by the prevalence of evil examples and customs around us. We must not conform to the spirit of the world. As members of society, we have a part to act in it, in common with others. But if our business is the same, our principles and ends are to be entirely different. Diligence in our respective callings is, as I have already observed, commendable, and our duty; but not with the same views which stimulate the activity of the men of the world. If they rise early, and take rest late, their endeavors spring from and terminate in self, to establish and increase their own importance, to add house to house, and field to field, that, like the builders of Babel, they may get themselves a name, or provide means for the gratification of their sinful passions. If they succeed, they sacrifice to themselves; if they are crossed in their designs, they are filled with anxiety and impatience; they either murmur or despond. But a Christian is to pursue his lawful calling with an eye to the providence of God, and with submission to his wisdom. Thus, so far as he acts in the exercise of faith, he cannot be disappointed. He casts his care upon his Heavenly Father, who has promised to take care of him. What God gives, he receives with thankfulness, and is careful as a faithful steward to improve it for the furtherance of the cause of God, and the good of mankind. And if he meets with losses and crosses, he is not disconcerted, knowing that all his concerns are under a Divine direction; that the Lord whom he serves, chooses for him better than he could choose for himself; and that his best treasure is safe, out of the reach of the various changes to which all things in the present state are liable. We must not conform to the maxims of the world. The world in various instances calls evil good, and good evil. But we are to have recourse to the law and to the testimony, and to judge of things by the unerring word of God, uninfluenced by the determination of the great, or the many. We are to obey God rather than man, though upon this account we may expect to be despised or reviled, to be made a gazingstock or a laughing-stock to those who set his authority at defiance. We must bear our testimony to the truth as it is in Jesus, avow the cause of his despised people, and walk in the practice of universal obedience, patiently endure reproaches, and labor to overcome evil with good. Thus we shall show that we are not ashamed of Him. And there is an hour coming when he will not be ashamed of us, who have followed him, and borne his cross in the midst of a perverse generation, but will own our worthless names before the assembled world. We must not conform to the world in their amusements and diversions. We are to mix with the world so far as our necessary and providential connections engage us, so far as we have a reasonable expectation of doing or getting good, and no farther. "What fellowship has light with darkness, or what concord has Christ with Belial?" What does a believer have to do into those places and companies, where everything tends to promote a spirit of dissipation; where the fear of God has no place; where things are purposely disposed to inflame or indulge corrupt and sinful appetites and passions, and to banish all serious thoughts of God and ourselves? If it is our duty to redeem time, to walk with God, to do all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to follow the example which he set us when he was upon earth, and to work out our salvation with fear and trembling; it must of course be our duty to avoid a conformity with the world in those vain and sensual amusements, which stand in as direct contradiction to a spiritual frame of mind, as darkness to light. The leading desires of every person under the influence of Gospel principles, will be, to maintain an habitual communion with God in his own soul, and to manifest the power of his grace in the sight of men. So far as a Christian is infected by a conformity to the spirit, maxims, and sinful customs of the world, these desires will be disappointed. Fire and water are not more opposite, than that peace of God which passes all understanding, and that poor precarious pleasure which is sought in a compliance with the world; a pleasure (if worthy the name) which grieves the Spirit of God, and stultifies the heart. Whoever, after having tasted that the Lord is gracious, has been prevailed on to make the experiment, and to mingle with the world's vanities, has certainly thereby brought a damp upon his experience, and indisposed himself for the exercise of prayer, and the contemplation of Divine truths. And if any are not sensible of a difference in this respect, it is because the poison has taken a still deeper effect, so as to benumb their spiritual senses. Conformity to the world is the bane of many professors in this day. They have found a way, as they think, to serve both God and Mammon. But because they are double-minded, they are unstable; they make no progress; and, notwithstanding their frequent attendance upon ordinances, they are lean from day to day; a form of godliness, a scheme of orthodox notions, they may attain to, but they will remain destitute of the life, power, and comfort of piety, so long as they cleave to those things which are incompatible with it. Conformity to the world is equally an obstruction in the way of those who profess a desire of glorifying God in the sight of men. Such professors do rather dishonor him. By their conduct, as far as in them lies, they declare, that they do not find the religion of the Gospel answer their expectations; that it does not afford them the satisfaction they once hoped for from it; and that therefore they are forced to seek relief from the world. They grieve the people of God by their compliances, and oftentimes they mislead the weak, and by their examples encourage them to venture upon the like liberties, which otherwise they dared not have attempted. They embolden the wicked likewise in their evil ways, while they see a manifest inconsistency between their avowed principles and their practice; and thus they cause the ways of truth to be evil spoken of. The length of this paper constrains me to conclude abruptly. May the Lord enable you and I to lay this subject to heart, and to pray that we may, on the one hand, rightly understand and prize our Christian liberty; and, on the other hand, be preserved from that growing evil—a sinful conformity to the world! The Bruised Reed, chapter 2, by Richard Sibbes (1631) IN PURSUING HIS CALLING, Christ will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax, in which more is meant than spoken, for he will not only not break nor quench, but he will cherish those with whom he so deals. CHRIST'S DEALINGS WITH THE BRUISED REED Physicians, though they put their patients to much pain, will not destroy nature, but raise it up by degrees. Surgeons will lance and cut, but not dismember. A mother who has a sick and self willed child will not therefore cast it away. And shall there be more mercy in the stream than in the spring? Shall we think there is more mercy in ourselves than in God, who plants the affection of mercy in us? But for further declaration of Christ's mercy to all bruised reeds, consider the comfortable relationships he has taken upon himself of husband, shepherd and brother, which he will discharge to the utmost. Shall others by his grace fulfill what he calls them unto, and not he who, out of his love, has taken upon him these relationships, so thoroughly founded upon his Father's assignment, and his own voluntary undertaking? Consider the names he has borrowed from the mildest creatures, such as lamb and hen, to show his tender care. Consider his very name Jesus, a Saviour, given him by God himself. Consider his office answerable to his name, which is that he should ‘bind up the broken hearted' (Isa. 61:1). At his baptism the Holy Ghost rested on him in the shape of a dove, to show that he should be a dove like, gentle Mediator. See the gracious way he executes his offices. As a prophet, he came with blessing in his mouth, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit' (Matt. 5:3), and invited those to come to him whose hearts suggested most exceptions against themselves, ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden' (Matt. 11:28). How did his heart yearn when he saw the people ‘as sheep having no shepherd' (Matt. 9:36)! He never turned any back again that came to him, though some went away of themselves. He came to die as a priest for his enemies. In the days of his flesh he dictated a form of prayer unto his disciples, and put petitions unto God into their mouths, and his Spirit to intercede in their hearts. He shed tears for those that shed his blood, and now he makes intercession in heaven for weak Christians, standing between them and God's anger. He is a meek king; he will admit mourners into his presence, a king of poor and afflicted persons. As he has beams of majesty, so he has a heart of mercy and compassion. He is the prince of peace (Isa. 9:6). Why was he tempted, but that he might ‘succor them that are tempted' (Heb. 2:18)? What mercy may we not expect from so gracious a Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5) who took our nature upon him that he might be gracious? He is a physician good at all diseases, especially at the binding up of a broken heart. He died that he might heal our souls with a plaster of his own blood, and by that death save us, which we were the procurers of ourselves, by our own sins. And has he not the same heart in heaven? ‘Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?' cried the Head in heaven, when the foot on earth was trodden on (Acts 9:4). His advancement has not made him forget his own flesh. Though it has freed him from passion, yet not from compassion towards us. The lion of the tribe of Judah will only tear in pieces those that ‘will not have him rule over them' (Luke 19:14). He will not show his strength against those who prostrate themselves before him. FOR OURSELVES 1. What should we learn from this, but to ‘come boldly to the throne of grace' (Heb. 4:16) in all our grievances? Shall our sins discourage us, when he appears there only for sinners? Are you bruised? Be of good comfort, he calls you. Conceal not your wounds, open all before him and take not Satan's counsel. Go to Christ, although trembling, as the poor woman who said, ‘If I may but touch his garment' (Matt. 9:21). We shall be healed and have a gracious answer. Go boldly to God in our flesh; he is flesh of our flesh, and bone of our bone for this reason, that we might go boldly to him. Never fear to go to God, since we have such a Mediator with him, who is not only our friend but our brother and husband. Well might the angel proclaim from heaven, ‘Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy' (Luke 2:10). Well might the apostle stir us up to ‘rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice' (Phil. 4:4). Paul was well advised upon what grounds he did it. Peace and joy are two main fruits of Christ's kingdom. Let the world be as it will, if we cannot rejoice in the world, yet we may rejoice in the Lord. His presence makes any condition comfortable. ‘Be not afraid,' says he to his disciples, when they were afraid, as if they had seen a ghost, ‘It is I' (Matt. 14:27), as if there were no cause of fear where he was present. 2. Let this support us when we feel ourselves bruised. Christ's way is first to wound, then to heal. No sound, whole soul shall ever enter into heaven. Think when in temptation, Christ was tempted for me; according to my trials will be my graces and comforts. If Christ be so merciful as not to break me, I will not break myself by despair, nor yield myself over to the roaring lion, Satan, to break me in pieces. 3. See the contrary disposition of Christ on the one hand and Satan and his instruments on the other. Satan sets upon us when we are weakest, as Simeon and Levi upon the Shechemites, ‘when they were sore' (Gen. 34:25), but Christ will make up in us all the breaches which sin and Satan have made. He ‘binds up the broken hearted' (Isa. 61:1). As a mother is tenderest to the most diseased and weakest child, so does Christ most mercifully incline to the weakest. Likewise he puts an instinct into the weakest things to rely upon something stronger than themselves for support. The vine stays itself upon the elm, and the weakest creatures often have the strongest shelters. The consciousness of the church's weakness makes her willing to lean on her beloved, and to hide herself under his wing. WHO ARE THE BRUISED REEDS? But how shall we know whether we are such as may expect mercy? Answer: (1) By the bruised here is not meant those that are brought low only by crosses, but such as, by them, are brought to see their sin, which bruises most of all. When conscience is under the guilt of sin, then every judgment brings a report of God's anger to the soul, and all lesser troubles run into this great trouble of conscience for sin. As all corrupt humours run to the diseased and bruised part of the body, and as every creditor falls upon the debtor when he is once arrested, so when conscience is once awakened, all former sins and present crosses join together to make the bruise the more painful. Now, he that is thus bruised will be content with nothing but with mercy from him who has bruised him. He has wounded, and he must heal (Hos. 6:1). The Lord who has bruised me deservedly for my sins must bind up my heart again. (2) Again, a man truly bruised judges sin the greatest evil, and the favor of God the greatest good. (3) He would rather hear of mercy than of a kingdom. (4) He has poor opinions of himself, and thinks that he is not worth the earth he treads on. (5) Towards others he is not censorious, as being taken up at home, but is full of sympathy and compassion to those who are under God's hand. (6) He thinks that those who walk in the comforts of God's Spirit are the happiest men in the world. (7) He trembles at the Word of God (Isa. 66:2), and honours the very feet of those blessed instruments that bring peace unto him (Rom. 10:15). (8) He is more taken up with the inward exercises of a broken heart than with formality, and is yet careful to use all sanctified means to convey comfort. But how shall we come to this state of mind? Answer: First, we must conceive of bruising either as a state into which God brings us, or as a duty to be performed by us. Both are here meant. We must join with God in bruising ourselves. When he humbles us, let us humble ourselves, and not stand out against him, for then he will redouble his strokes. Let us justify Christ in all his chastisements, knowing that all his dealing towards us is to cause us to return into our own hearts. His work in bruising tends to our work in bruising ourselves. Let us lament our own perversity, and say: Lord, what a heart have I that needs all this, that none of this could be spared! We must lay siege to the hardness of our own hearts, and aggravate sin all we can. We must look on Christ, who was bruised for us, look on him whom we have pierced with our sins. But all directions will not prevail, unless God by his Spirit convinces us deeply, setting our sins before us, and driving us to a standstill. Then we will cry out for mercy. Conviction will breed contrition, and this leads to humiliation. Therefore desire God that he would bring a clear and a strong light into all the corners of our souls, and accompany it with a spirit of power to lay our hearts low. A set measure of bruising of ourselves cannot be prescribed, but it must be so far as (1) that we may prize Christ above all, and see that a Saviour must be had; and (2) that we reform that which is amiss, though it be to the cutting off of our right hand, or pulling out of our right eye. There is a dangerous slighting of the work of humiliation, some alleging this for a pretence for their casual dealing with their own hearts, that Christ will not break the bruised reed; but such must know that every sudden terror and short grief is not that which makes us bruised reeds; not a little ‘bowing down our heads like a bulrush' (Isa. 58:5), but a working our hearts to such a grief as will make sin more odious unto us than punishment, until we offer a ‘holy violence' against it. Else, favouring ourselves, we make work for God to bruise us, and for sharp repentance afterwards. It is dangerous, I confess, in some cases, with some spirits, to press too much and too long this bruising, because they may die under the wound and burden before they be raised up again. Therefore it is good in mixed assemblies to mingle comfort that every soul may have its due portion. But if we have this for a foundation truth, that there is more mercy in Christ than sin in us, there can be no danger in thorough dealing. It is better to go bruised to heaven than sound to hell. Therefore let us not take off ourselves too soon, nor pull off the plaster before the cure be wrought, but keep ourselves under this work till sin be the sourest, and Christ the sweetest, of all things. And when God's hand is upon us in any way, it is good to divert our sorrow for other things to the root of all, which is sin. Let our grief run most in that channel, that as sin bred grief, so grief may consume sin. But are we not bruised unless we grieve more for sin than we do for punishment? Answer: Sometimes our grief from outward grievances may lie heavier upon the soul than grief for God's displeasure, because, in such cases, the grief works upon the whole man, both outward and inward, and has nothing to support it, but a little spark of faith. This faith, by reason of the violent impression of the grievance, is suspended in the exercises of it. This is most felt in sudden distresses which come upon the soul as a torrent or land flood, and especially in bodily sicknesses which, by reason of the sympathy between the soul and the body, work upon the soul so far as to hinder not only the spiritual, but often the natural acts. Therefore, James wishes us in affliction to pray ourselves, but in case of sickness to ‘send for the elders' (James 5:14). These may, as those in the Gospels, offer up to God in their prayers the sick person who is unable to present his own case. Hereupon God admits of such a plea from the sharpness and bitterness of the grievance, as in David (Psa. 6). The Lord knows our frame; he remembers that we are but dust (Psa. 103:14), that our strength is not the strength of steel. This is a branch of his faithfulness to us as his creatures, whence he is called ‘a faithful Creator' (1 Pet. 4:19). ‘God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able' (1 Cor. 10:13). There were certain commandments which the Jews called the hedges of the law. So as to fence men off from cruelty, God commanded that they should not take the dame with the young, nor ‘seethe a kid in his mother's milk' (Exod. 23:19), nor ‘muzzle the mouth of the ox' (1 Cor. 9:9). Does God take care of beasts, and not of his more noble creature? And therefore we ought to judge charitably of the complaints of God's people which are wrung from them in such cases. Job had the esteem with God of a patient man, notwithstanding those passionate complaints. Faith overborne for the present will gain ground again; and grief for sin, although it come short of grief for misery in terms of violence, yet it goes beyond it in constancy; as a running stream fed with a spring holds out, when a sudden swelling brook fails. For the concluding of this point, and our encouragement to a thorough work of bruising, and patience under God's bruising of us, let all know that none are fitter for comfort than those that think themselves furthest off. Men, for the most part, are not lost enough in their own feeling for a Saviour. A holy despair in ourselves is the ground of true hope. In God the fatherless find mercy (Hos. 14:3); if men were more fatherless, they should feel more God's fatherly affection from heaven, for the God who dwells in the highest heavens dwells likewise in the lowest soul (Isa. 57:15). Christ's sheep are weak sheep, and lacking in something or other; he therefore applies himself to the necessities of every sheep. He seeks that which was lost, and brings again that which was driven out of the way, and binds up that which was broken, and strengthens the weak (Ezek. 34:16). His tenderest care is over the weakest. The lambs he carries in his bosom (Isa. 40:11). He says to Peter, ‘Feed my lambs' (John 21:15). He was most familiar and open to troubled souls. How careful he was that Peter and the rest of the apostles should not be too much dejected after his resurrection! ‘Go your way, tell his disciples and Peter' (Mark 16:7). Christ knew that guilt of their unkindness in leaving of him had dejected their spirits. How gently did he endure the unbelief of Thomas and stooped so far unto his weakness, as to suffer him to thrust his hand into his side. J C Ryle on assurance. From Holiness. 4. Some probable causes why an assured hope is so seldom attained This is a very serious question and ought to raise in all of us great searchings of heart. Few, certainly, of Christ's people seem to reach up to this blessed spirit of assurance. Many comparatively believe, but few are persuaded. Many comparatively have saving faith, but few that glorious confidence which shines forth in the language of St. Paul. That such is the case, I think we must all allow. Now, why is this so? Why is a thing, which two apostles have strongly enjoined us to seek after, a thing of which few believers have any experimental knowledge in these latter days? Why is an assured hope so rare? I desire to offer a few suggestions on this point, with all humility. I know that many have never attained assurance, at whose feet I would gladly sit both in earth and heaven. Perhaps the Lord sees something in the natural temperament of some of His children which makes assurance not good for them. Perhaps, in order to be kept in spiritual health, they need to be kept very low. God only knows. Still, after every allowance, I fear there are many believers without an assured hope, whose case may too often be explained by causes such as these. 1. One most common cause, I suspect, is a defective view of the doctrine of justification. I am inclined to think that justification and sanctification are insensibly confused together in the minds of many believers. They receive the gospel truth, that there must be something done in us as well as something done for us, if we are true members of Christ: and so far they are right. But then, without being aware of it, perhaps, they seem to imbibe the idea that their justification is, in some degree, affected by something within themselves. They do not clearly see that Christ's work, not their own work—either in whole or in part, either directly or indirectly—is the only ground of our acceptance with God: that justification is a thing entirely without us, for which nothing whatever is needful on our part but simple faith and that the weakest believer is as fully and completely justified as the strongest. Many appear to forget that we are saved and justified as sinners, and only sinners, and that we never can attain to anything higher, if we live to the age of Methuselah. Redeemed sinners, justified sinners and renewed sinners doubtless we must be—but sinners, sinners, sinners, we shall be always to the very last. They do not seem to comprehend that there is a wide difference between our justification and our sanctification. Our justification is a perfect finished work and admits of no degrees. Our sanctification is imperfect and incomplete and will be so to the last hour of our life. They appear to expect that a believer may at some period of his life be in a measure free from corruption, and attain to a kind of inward perfection. And not finding this angelic state of things in their own hearts, they at once conclude there must be something very wrong in their state. And so they go mourning all their days, oppressed with fears that they have no part or lot in Christ, and refusing to be comforted. Let us weigh this point well. If any believing soul desires assurance and has not got it, let him ask himself, first of all, if he is quite sure he is sound in the faith, if he knows how to distinguish things that differ and if his eyes are thoroughly clear in the matter of justification. He must know what it is simply to believe and to be justified by faith before he can expect to feel assured. In this matter, as well as in many others, the old Galatian heresy is the most fertile source of error, both in doctrine and in practice. People ought to seek clearer views of Christ and what Christ has done for them. Happy is the man who really understands "justification by faith without the deeds of the law." 2. Another common cause of the absence of assurance is slothfulness about growth in grace. I suspect many true believers hold dangerous and unscriptural views on this point; I do not, of course, mean intentionally, but they do hold them. Many appear to think that, once converted, they have little more to attend to, and that a state of salvation is a kind of easy chair in which they may just sit still, lie back and be happy. They seem to fancy that grace is given them that they may enjoy it; and they forget that it is given, like a talent, to be used, employed and improved. Such persons lose sight of the many direct injunctions to increase, to grow, to abound more and more, to add to our faith, and the like; and in this little–doing condition, this sitting–still state of mind, I never marvel that they miss assurance. I believe it ought to be our continual aim and desire to go forward, and our watchword on every returning birthday and at the beginning of every year should be "more and more" (1 Thess. 4:1): more knowledge, more faith, more obedience, more love. If we have brought forth thirty-fold, we should seek to bring forth sixty; and if we have brought forth sixty, we should strive to bring forth a hundred. The will of the Lord is our sanctification, and it ought to be our will too (Matt. 13:23; 1 Thess. 4:3). One thing, at all events, we may depend upon—there is an inseparable connection between diligence and assurance. "Give diligence," says Peter, "to make your calling and election sure" (2 Pet. 1:10). "We desire," says Paul, "that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end" (Heb. 6:11). "The soul of the diligent," says Solomon, "shall be made fat" (Prov. 13:4). There is much truth in the old maxim of the Puritans: "Faith of adherence comes by hearing, but faith of assurance comes not without doing." Is any reader of this message one of those who desire assurance, but have not got it? Mark my words. You will never get it without diligence, however much you may desire it. There are no gains without pains in spiritual things, any more than in temporal. "The soul of the sluggard desires and has nothing" (Prov. 13:4). 3. Another common cause of a want of assurance is an inconsistent walk in life. With grief and sorrow I feel constrained to say that I fear nothing more frequently prevents men attaining an assured hope than this. The stream of professing Christianity in this day is far wider than it formerly was, and I am afraid we must admit at the same time it is much less deep. Inconsistency of life is utterly destructive of peace of conscience. The two things are incompatible. They cannot and they will not go together. If you will have your besetting sins and cannot make up your minds to give them up, if you will shrink from cutting off the right hand and plucking out the right eye when occasion requires it, I will engage you will have no assurance. A vacillating walk, a backwardness to take a bold and decided line, a readiness to conform to the world, a hesitating witness for Christ, a lingering tone of religion, a clinching from a high standard of holiness and spiritual life, all these make up a sure receipt for bringing a blight upon the garden of your soul. It is vain to suppose you will feel assured and persuaded of your own pardon and acceptance with God, unless you count all God's commandments concerning all things to be right, and hate every sin, whether great or small (Ps. 119:128). One Achan allowed in the camp of your heart will weaken your hands and lay your consolations low in the dust. You must be daily sowing to the Spirit, if you are to reap the witness of the Spirit. You will not find and feel that all the Lord's ways are ways of pleasantness unless you labor in all your ways to please the Lord. I bless God that our salvation in no wise depends on our own works. By grace we are saved—not by works of righteousness—through faith, without the deeds of the law. But I never would have any believer for a moment forget that our sense of salvation depends much on the manner of our living. Inconsistency will dim our eyes and bring clouds between us and the sun. The sun is the same behind the clouds, but you will not be able to see its brightness or enjoy its warmth; and your soul will be gloomy and cold. It is in the path of well–doing that the dayspring of assurance will visit you and shine down upon your heart. "The secret of the Lord," says David, "is with them that fear Him, and He will show them His covenant" (Ps. 25:14). "To him that orders his conversation aright, will I show the salvation of God" (Ps. 50:23). "Great peace have they which love Your law, and nothing shall offend them" (Ps. 119:165). "If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another" (1 John 1:7). "Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth; and hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him" (1 John 3:18, 19). "Hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments" (1 John 2:3). Paul was a man who exercised himself to have always a conscience void of offense toward God and toward man (Acts 24:16). He could say with boldness, "I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith." I do not therefore wonder that the Lord enabled him to add with confidence, "Henceforth there is a crown laid up for me, and the Lord shall give it me at that day." If any believer in the Lord Jesus desires assurance and has not got it, let him think over this point also. Let him look at his own heart, look at his own conscience, look at his own life, look at his own ways, look at his own home. And perhaps when he has done that, he will be able to say, "There is a cause why I have no assured hope." I leave the three matters I have just mentioned to the private consideration of every reader of this message. I am sure they are worth examining. May we examine them honestly. And may the Lord give us understanding in all things. 1. And now in closing this important inquiry, let me speak first to those readers who have not yet given themselves to the Lord, who have not yet come out from the world, chosen the good part and followed Christ. I ask you then to learn from this subject the privileges and comforts of a true Christian. I would not have you judge of the Lord Jesus Christ by His people. The best of servants can give you but a faint idea of that glorious Master. Neither would I have you judge of the privileges of His kingdom by the measure of comfort to which many of His people attain. Alas, we are most of us poor creatures! We come short, very short, of the blessedness we might enjoy. But, depend upon it, there are glorious things in the city of our God, which they who have an assured hope taste, even in their lifetime. There are lengths and breadths of peace and consolation there, which it has not entered into your heart to conceive. There is bread enough and to spare in our Father's house, though many of us certainly eat but little of it, and continue weak. But the fault must not be laid to our Master's charge: it is all our own. And, after all, the weakest child of God has a mine of comforts within him, of which you know nothing. You see the conflicts and tossings of the surface of his heart, but you see not the pearls of great price which are hidden in the depths below. The feeblest member of Christ would not change conditions with you. The believer who possesses the least assurance is far better off than you are. He has a hope, however faint, but you have none at all. He has a portion that will never be taken from him, a Savior that will never forsake him, a treasure that fades not away, however little he may realize it all at present. But, as for you, if you die as you are, your expectations will all perish. Oh, that you were wise! Oh, that you understood these things! Oh, that you would consider your latter end! I feel deeply for you in these latter days of the world, if I ever did. I feel deeply for those whose treasure is all on earth and whose hopes are all on this side of the grave. Yes! When I see old kingdoms and dynasties shaking to the very foundation; when I see, as we all saw a few years ago, kings and princes and rich men and great men fleeing for their lives and scarce knowing where to hide their heads; when I see property dependent on public confidence melting like snow in spring, and public stocks and funds losing their value—when I see these things, I feel deeply for those who have no better portion than this world can give them and no place in that kingdom which cannot be removed. Take advice of a minister of Christ this very day. Seek durable riches, a treasure that cannot be taken from you, a city which has lasting foundations. Do as the apostle Paul did. Give yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ, and seek that incorruptible crown He is ready to bestow. Take His yoke upon you, and learn of Him. Come away from a world which will never really satisfy you and from sin which will bite like a serpent, if you cleave to it, at last. Come to the Lord Jesus as lowly sinners; and He will receive you, pardon you, give you His renewing Spirit, fill you with peace. This shall give you more real comfort than the world has ever done. There is a gulf in your heart which nothing but the peace of Christ can fill. Enter in and share our privileges. Come with us, and sit down by our side. 2. Lastly, let me turn to all believers who read these pages and speak to them a few words of brotherly counsel. The main thing that I urge upon you is this: if you have not got an assured hope of your own acceptance in Christ, resolve this day to seek it. Labor for it. Strive after it. Pray for it. Give the Lord no rest until you "know whom you have believed." I feel, indeed, that the small amount of assurance in this day, among those who are reckoned God's children, is a shame and a reproach. "It is a thing to be heavily bewailed," says old Traill, "that many Christians have lived twenty or forty years since Christ called them by His grace, yet doubting in their life." Let us call to mind the earnest "desire" Paul expresses, that "every one" of the Hebrews should seek after full assurance; and let us endeavor, by God's blessing, to roll this reproach away (Heb. 6:11). Believing reader, do you really mean to say that you have no desire to exchange hope for confidence, trust for persuasion, uncertainty for knowledge? Because weak faith will save you, will you therefore rest content with it? Because assurance is not essential to your entrance into heaven, will you therefore be satisfied without it upon earth? Alas, this is not a healthy state of soul to be in; this is not the mind of the apostolic day! Arise at once and go forward. Stick not at the foundations of religion: go on to perfection. Be not content with a day of small things. Never despise it in others, but never be content with it yourself. Believe me, believe me, assurance is worth the seeking. You forsake your own mercies when you rest content without it. The things I speak are for your peace. If it is good to be sure in earthly things, how much better is it to be sure in heavenly things! Your salvation is a fixed and certain thing. God knows it. Why should not you seek to know it too? There is nothing unscriptural in this. Paul never saw the book of life, and yet Paul says, "I know and am persuaded." Make it then your daily prayer that you may have an increase of faith. According to your faith will be your peace. Cultivate that blessed root more, and sooner or later, by God's blessing, you may hope to have the flower. You may not perhaps attain to full assurance all at once. It is good sometimes to be kept waiting: we do not value things which we get without trouble. But though it tarry, wait for it. Seek on, and expect to find. There is one thing, however, of which I would not have you ignorant: you must not be surprised if you have occasional doubts after you have got assurance. You must not forget you are on earth, and not yet in heaven. You are still in the body and have indwelling sin; the flesh will lust against the spirit to the very end. The leprosy will never be out of the walls of the old house until death takes it down. And there is a devil, too, and a strong devil—a devil who tempted the Lord Jesus, and gave Peter a fall, and he will take care you know it. Some doubts there always will be. He who never doubts has nothing to lose. He who never fears possesses nothing truly valuable. He who is never jealous knows little of deep love. But be not discouraged: you shall be more than conqueror through Him that loved you. Finally, do not forget that assurance is a thing which may be lost for a season, even by the brightest Christians, unless they take care. Assurance is a most delicate plant. It needs daily, hourly watching, watering, tending, cherishing. So watch and pray the more when you have got it. As Rutherford says, "Make much of assurance." Be always upon your guard. When Christian slept in the arbor, in Pilgrim's Progress, he lost his certificate. Keep that in mind. David lost assurance for many months by falling into transgression. Peter lost it when he denied his Lord. Each found it again undoubtedly, but not until after bitter tears. Spiritual darkness comes on horseback and goes away on foot. It is upon us before we know that it is coming. It leaves us slowly, gradually, and not until after many days. It is easy to run downhill. It is hard work to climb up. So remember my caution—when you have the joy of the Lord, watch and pray. Above all, grieve not the Spirit. Quench not the Spirit. Vex not the Spirit. Drive Him not to a distance by tampering with small bad habits and little sins. Little jarrings between husbands and wives make unhappy homes; and petty inconsistencies, known and allowed, will bring in a strangeness between you and the Spirit. Hear the conclusion of the whole matter—the man who walks with God in Christ most closely will generally be kept in the greatest peace. The believer who follows the Lord most fully and aims at the highest degree of holiness will ordinarily enjoy the most assured hope and have the clearest persuasion of his own salvation. Permalink