STEWARDS OF THE MYSTERIES BY GRACE AMBASSADORS

By Justin Johnson

“Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.” – 1 Cor 4:1

The mysteries are God’s. They are not ours. When we trusted the gospel we became the earthly members of Christ’s body. We serve him, minister for him, do all things to him (Rom 6:18, Col 3:23).

It is our duty to be faithful stewards on this planet while God is offering salvation to all men on terms of grace and peace.

We are equipped for this task through the revealed word of God preserved for us for two thousand years. Studying the word of truth rightly divided allows us to grow in our understanding. It is easy to learn.

We are not left to wonder about the content of these mysteries of God. They have been revealed in scripture. If they remained a secret then what benefit would they be? How could we be stewards of them? Rather, they were made known for our spiritual understanding.

“That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;” – Col 2:2

It is this one task that should be the primary focus of the church in this dispensation. We should know the mysteries of God, minister the mysteries of God, and preach and teach the mysteries of God. Instead, the church has abandoned these essential doctrines for the sake of popularity, religiosity, and worldly compromise.

The Lord has provided our salvation, equipped us with his manifold wisdom, and the only thing that is needed from us is faithfulness to do his stated will.

Do you know the mysteries of God? If not, you can easily learn. The harder question is, do you have what it takes? Can you remain faithful if it costs you your friends, your traditions, your life? This is what your Lord requires.

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” – 1 Corinthians 4:2

Related Posts 

 -Paul’s Stewardship of the Mysteries 

-What Is the Mystery Revealed to Paul? 
-Faithful Stewards 
-Celebrities and Mailmen 
-A Mystery in the Bible 
-The Mysteries of the Kingdom 
-Three Functions of a Church 

WHY JESUS NEEDED TO RESURRECT BY GRACE AMBASSADORS

By Justin Johnson

The resurrection of Jesus is the monumental event of human history. Yet, why he needed to resurrect was not fully revealed until the Apostle Paul.

During his life on earth no one knew he would resurrect, not even his closest disciples.

“For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.” – John 20:9

The crucifixion was seen initially as the deathblow to the kingdom gospel preached during Matthew-John, but the resurrection gave the kingdom gospel new life (1 Pet 1:3). Since he was risen from the dead it was certain that he could return to establish the kingdom that he preached to Israel (Mark 1:15, Acts 3:19-20).

Renewed Hope For the Kingdom Gospel

This renewed hope is evident by the questions the disciples asked the Lord after his resurrection:

“…they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” – Acts 1:6

At Pentecost the Twelve apostles resumed preaching the good news of the kingdom gospel even after the Messiah was crucified, because he was alive and ascended up into heaven!

The twelve were witnesses of the resurrection proof that the kingdom gospel could still be fulfilled and Jesus was the Son of God all along.

“This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.” – Acts 2:32

“And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.” – Acts 3:15

“And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” – Acts 4:33

Paul and the Resurrection

Later, Saul (Paul) would witness the resurrected Son of God on his way to persecute those who taught it. This experience quickly changed his beliefs as Jesus told him he was especially chosen to preach to the Gentiles (Acts 22:21, Rom 11:13).

Jesus taught Paul the meaning of the death, burial, and resurrection for the Gentiles, and for the first time we could understand the meaning behind why the death and resurrection was necessary for all men (Gal 1:11-12).

Without his death we could not reckon our old man dead and be delivered from the law for righteousness (Rom 3:21-22, 6:11). His blood paid for the sins of all, and his resurrection established our justification and new life in Christ (Rom 4:24-25).

Peter, Paul, and the Resurrection

It is not a surprise that both Peter and Paul taught the resurrection of Jesus Christ as necessary for both of their gospel messages. Peter for the fulfilled kingdom promises to Israel, and Paul for complete salvation.

“Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed. ” – 1 Cor 15:11

Ever after that pivotal event it was necessary that everyone believe that Jesus resurrected from the dead. The reasons “why” were first made known by God’s chosen vessel (Acts 9:15).

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"And I'll cling to the old Rugged Cross and Exhange it some day for a crown!"

"Christ the Lord is Risen Today, Hallalujah!"

BEWARE OF THE NEW YEAR "TITHING" CURSE BY GRACE AMBASSADORS

By Justin Johnson

Every new year the same things happen in churches across the country.

1. Church attendance starts to decline.

Having attended one of the two culturally obligatory days to go to church, people settle back into their normal routine of non-attendance.

Christmas warriors who once loudly sang Silent Night and attended special advent meetings are now quietly sleeping off their holiday hangover at home. They won’t wake up again until Mardi Gras.

2. Weekly offerings decline.

Since all the year end tax deductible donations were made in December, the weekly offering plate looks as bare as Tiny Tim’s dinner plate.

Bank accounts that once modeled frugality are on life support from festive financial withdrawals.

3. Pastors teach on tithing.

As the church’s financial year closes, and year end budgets do not line up, do not be surprised when the same pastors that proclaimed the gift of God in December, start talking about you paying the church to preach that gift in January.

The perfect storm of lower attendance, lower offerings, and budget meetings happens every year. It is the same story.

Bills are due and people are broke. What’s the result?
Pressure on pastors to compromise grace doctrine and guilt people into giving with a series on the law of tithes and offerings.

The gift of grace is replaced with the requirements of religion.

The Curse and the Cross

Fakes, posers, and impostors will compromise the grace of Christ and show their true religious colors when they must choose between Paul and their parsonage.

Watch how Paul is thrown to the curb in exchange for the Jewish law of tithing and the blessings and curses of Malachi 3.

“Wherein have we robbed [God]? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me” – Malachi 3:8-9

The apostle Paul taught the truth that Christ became a curse for us when he died on the cross (Gal 3:13). This includes any curse associated with the law of tithing under the Old Testament.

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” – Galatians 3:13

The cross removed the curse, including the curse that would come from Israel’s failure to tithe. It removed us from the beggarly elements of the law (Gal 4:9).

The Curse is the Enemy of the Cross

The same pastors who traded the cross for the creche in December, will trade the cross for a curse in the new year.

This is the tell-tale sign of religion: anything but the cross and free grace!

They may be preachers of Christ, but they are enemies of the cross. If the Christ they preach does not solve the curse of the coin, then it is not the Christ according to the revelation of the mystery that has made you free from the condemnation of the law.

Weep for them, but you should not be supporting them in their error.

“For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.” – Phil 3:18-19

If your pastor buckles under financial pressure to preach tithing instead of grace, he is not faithful to the preaching of the cross and has sold out. It is time for you to get out.

Any church that turns its back on grace, and goes back under the law to teach tithing deserves to close its doors. The doors only close if hearts purpose to leave, and maintain the integrity of the cross.

This tithe season set your affections on things above, and be followers together of Paul (Phil 3:17-18).

Shut the mouths of those teachers that beg the Body of Christ for money (Titus 1:11).

Provide for your family, preach Christ crucified, give graciously as you purpose in your heart to those that need it, build grace churches, and avoid the religionists who would make merchandise of the cross by begging for your coin.

"God LOVES a cheerful giver" but we are no longer under the tithing law.  Statistically, churches that preach this, people give an average of 22.2% of their salary.  Truth always wins in the end.  God bless and give as the Spirit leads.

YOU DO NOT NEED HOLY SABBATH DAYS: BY GRACE AMBASSADORS

By Justin Johnson

The sabbath days were holy days, and apparently Paul says I do not need holy days in this dispensation.

“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:” – Colossians 2:16

When I didn’t understand this I observed them anyway. After all, one of the Ten Commandments that is still given pulpit time is the Sabbath commandment:

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” – Exodus 20:8

It was not vain tradition and frivolity that made some days holy; God made the sabbath holy. As seventh day Adventists will tell you, the sabbath day was hallowed during the creation week (Exo 20:11).

The Sabbath Shadow

The seventh day sabbath was a prophetic picture from the foundation of the world about the future of God’s dominion on the Earth through Israel.

When God was creating man on the Earth to have dominion, he hallowed the last day as a day of “rest” just as would later happen after another man, the Messiah, came to have dominion on the Earth.

It pictured the time when Israel would cease from their works and their covenant promises would be complete. Peter and the covenant people of God are still waiting for this time of “rest”.

“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” – Heb 4:9-10

They are encouraged to labour to gain an entrance into it, for it was possible that they could come short of it (Heb 4:1, 11).

Paul says that the Sabbath days were a shadow of things yet future; but the body [of the current dispensation] is of Christ (Col 2:17).

You Do Not Need Rest

We are strangers from the covenants to Israel, and their promised dominion on the Earth. The mystery of Christ teaches us that our dominion is in heavenly places (Phil 3:20).

More importantly we are not waiting for a time of rest for our works to cease. Those that believe the gospel of grace have already ceased from their works as they put their trust in the Lord who did all that was necessary for our salvation (Rom 4:5. Titus 3:5).

Our salvation comes with a complete position in Christ where we are equipped with all things (Col 2:10). We are not waiting for our sins to be blotted out as Peter taught in Acts 3:19.

Our sins are atoned for now, we do not wait for a weekly, monthly, yearly, or millennial sabbath to atone for our sins (Rom 5:11).

Putting Off Weak Holy Days

The mystery of Christ also explains how in this dispensation our righteousness and holiness comes from Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone. It does not come from observance of holy Sabbath days.

It is our position in Christ that makes us holy, without Christ we are nothing (Eph 2:21). Only in Christ are we accepted by God (Col 3:12, Eph 1:6).

Observance of those days is a step downwards to a position where the rest only comes at the end of the week, month, or year. By turning unto those elements we are diminishing our complete holy position of rest already in Christ every day of the year!

Paul is correct when he says that those holy day laws were weak and beggarly:

“How turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? … I am afraid of you…” – Galatians 4:9-11

He was afraid because their orientation was towards something other than the one thing that gave them salvation: the preaching of the cross. Esteeming the seventh day as holier than other days in the week has the same affect of limiting the effect of the cross to one day.

As we magnify the holy accomplishments of Christ on the cross we should putt off those weaker elements and let no man judge us regarding not observing those once holy days (Col 2:16).

If the law could save man from their sins, why did my Lord God and Savior have to die such a cruel, barbaric death on the Cross?  I do cling to that Old Rugged Cross for if not, there is nothing else.  No day of the week can save me and shouldn't we be holy and keep all days holy or can we sin Sunday through sundown Friday?

'IT IS FINISHED" - JESUS LAST 3 WORDS SPOKEN ON THE CROSS BY THE BEAT

Enjoy and praise God, salvation had come to us.  God bless you all!

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall know peace"

Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5-7

"I THIRST" BY THE BEAT (3 HIDDEN MEANINGS JESUS WAS COMMUNICATING TO US)

Honestly, I have never given a thought to this but he brings it to light the meanings (I love it when it's in 3s), and although we may not know the truth on this side, his insights have given me such hope.  There is not one arbitrary verse without a meaning meant for us in the Holy Bible.  I pray you take a few minutes to listen to his thoughts.  He doesn't teach it as absolute truth but rather the depth of his searching the scriptures.  God bless!  This is the ultimate season when LOVE was given.

"And love is the greatest of all gifts"

DON'T HIDE THE CROSS BEHIND HOLY WEEK - BY GRACE AMBASSADORS

By Justin Johnson

Every year Christians are told to take a week off from preaching the cross to reenact events that happened before anyone understood it. They call this week Holy Week.

You are told to be part of the kingdom palm waving crowd on Palm Sunday, but weren’t those the same people who consented to his death later in the week?

On Holy Monday and Tuesday you are to place yourself in the sandals of the disciples listening to Jesus’ ministry to the circumcision (Rom 15:8), but doesn’t it say they did not understand and were afraid (Mark 9:32)?

On Spy Wednesday many participate in processions reenacting the events of Judas betrayal by wearing capirotes and carrying around religious statues and icons, but wouldn’t that be one dark night we would not want to reenact?

Even though you are a child of light and ought not hide the gospel (2 Cor 4:3-4), Maundy Thursday is the beginning of the three days of darkness called Tenebrae where the Eucharist is hidden under a blanket, crosses and Bibles are hidden in churches, and God’s love expressed in the cross is hidden behind the ritual of foot washing and symbolic candles.

You are told that Good Friday is the day for sorrowful reflection, fasting, and mourning over the death of Jesus, but isn’t that contrary to glorying in the cross as Paul does (Gal 6:14)? Perhaps reflection ought to be spent on how three days fit between Friday and Sunday.

Each year you are told by religious persons to follow Jesus through Holy Week which ends with his death and resurrection, even though two thousand years ago no one understood the good news of the cross at any time during that week! (John 20:89; Luke 18:33-34)

The annual religious recreation of a week of ignorance of the cross, darkness, and sorrowful morning has worked to undermine the grace ministry of understanding, light, and rejoicing in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The gospel of grace does not end with the death and resurrection, it begins there. Our gospel of Christ should never be hid in darkness, behind symbols, or expressed in religious rituals.

Never take a week off from preaching the glory of the cross, not even for religious holydays.

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” – 1 Corinthians 1:18

elated posts:

-Trust the Bible Over Religious Calendars 
-The Cross According to Prophecy and Mystery 
-What We Should Learn from Palm Sunday 
-Did Jesus Preach the Cross for Salvation? 
-The Preaching of the Cross 
-You Do Not Need Holy Sabbath Days 
-Every Day

CROWN OF THORNS: DAILY DEVOTIONAL BY OUR DAILY BREAD

They . . . twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head.—Matthew 27:28–29

We sat around the table, each person adding a toothpick to the foam disc before us. At our evening meal in the weeks leading up to Easter, we created a crown of thorns—with each toothpick signifying something we had done that day for which we were sorry and for which Christ had paid the penalty. The exercise brought home to us, night after night, how through our wrongdoing we were guilty and how we needed a Savior. And how Jesus freed us through His death on the cross.

The crown of thorns that Jesus was made to wear was part of a cruel game the Roman soldiers played before He was crucified. They also dressed Him in a royal robe and gave Him a staff as a king’s scepter, which they then used to beat Him. They mocked Him, calling Him “king of the Jews” (Matthew 27:29), not realizing that their actions would be remembered thousands of years later. This was no ordinary king. He was the King of Kings whose death, followed by His resurrection, gives us eternal life.

On Easter morning, we celebrated the gift of forgiveness and new life by replacing the toothpicks with flowers. What joy we felt, knowing that God had erased our sins and given us freedom and life forever in Him! —Amy Boucher Pye

Lord Jesus Christ, my heart hurts to think of all of the pain and suffering You endured for me. Thank You for Your gift of love that sets me free.

The crown of thorns has become a crown of life.

INSIGHT: The horrific scene described in today’s reading serves to underscore how this fallen world and the powers of darkness held nothing but contempt for Jesus, the Son of God and Savior of the world. Yet Christ chose to suffer to redeem us: “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

How might we praise our Lord for enduring the cross in order to erase our sins and give us freedom and life forever with Him?

For further study, see The Mockery and Majesty of the Cross at discoveryseries.org/hp081. Dennis Fisher

WORDS OF KINDNESS

Words of Kindness

     Kind words bring no blisters on the tongue that speaks them nor to the ear which hears them.

     Kind words  are never wasted.  Like scattered seeds, they spring  up in unexpected places.

     Kindness is a conquering weapon.

     Kindness should not be all on one side.

     One good turn must have another as its return, or it will not be fair.  He who expects kindness should show kindness.

     --- C. H. Spurgeon ---

CAN WE REALLY TRUST THAT THE BIBLE IS THE INERRANT, INFALLIBLE WORD OF GOD?

My husband David, who just a few days before had prayed and asked God to help David become the Spiritual leader of our house.  It's just him and me -- plus our gifts from God in the form of 2 beautiful fur babies (dogs in our case) -- but I want to live my life in complete obedience to His Word.  While I know this makes me one of the most hated women on earth (white, married to a conservative white man, myself a conservative both politically but mainly Spiritually, middle aged but mainly because I believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in truth and believe that the Bible is inerrant and infallible.  There really are no contradictions in the Bible when you understand the criteria used to determine if what is written is true.  

One example is the thief on the cross.  One of the Gospels record that at first, both thieves mocked Jesus but eventually, one of them (his name was Dismas, by the way), recognized Who He was and is and accepted and believed in Jesus Christ.  Jesus then assured that thief that today, he would be with Him in paradise.  Now, there's also controversy over that as many believe in soul sleep or we don't go to be with Him until His return but more on that later.  I'm doing a Bible study and will share as I learn.  Remember always that I am just a mere human with no special knowledge or loved more than any others.  That He loves me at all to me is amazing.  My words are not inspired or authoritative unless I directly quote scripture.  Put no weight on them but know I'm speaking to make you thinkl   But back on topic, another Gospel does not record this and says both thieves died with no mention of his salvation.  So, what do we believe?

There's a saying that goes like this...there's 3 sides to every story; yours, mine and the truth.  Neither writers were lying so it's a matter of perspective, where the writers were at the time, did they hear it or were they even there.  The writers would never have written something they did not hear or know personally.  I should know which one recorded it but I don't nor does it matter for this purpose.  We must take the writer who recorded the salvation of the thief as the truth.  For whatever reason, he knew it was true or else he wouldn't have recorded it.  The other writer didn't lie either.  This proves that the Gospels were not them getting together to "get the story straight."  Police detectives today say this is the type of things they actually look for in determining if it was a conspiracy or the truth as they knew it to be.  All 4 writers passed all tests perfectly.  Believe and know that the thief was, indeed, saved.  If not, it would never have been written by the one who knew it for a fact.  Just because the other didn't, only means he had no firsthand knowledge and wouldn't record it to ensure the purity of God''s word.  That is one of the biggest arguments atheists use to prove the Bible is not true when the opposite is true.  

Now, are there some translation errors?  A very few have been found but the ones who took the time to use all this amazing Biblical and secular knowledge we have and all say that today there are a very few words that are better than the words used, not one word changes the meaning of ANY verse in the Bible in any meaningful way.  For example, the Holy Ghost or the Holy Spirit.  The better translation is Spirit but see how it doesn't change one single thing as they mean the same thing.  Also, the word Easter is used and it's possible it was an intentional mistranslation by Tyndale and it should have been Ishtar.  I have no idea but again, does not in any way change a thing of substance.  This same man also tested these "new and improved" versions and came to the conclusion that other than the NKJV, the newer Bibles DO change the meanings or totally leave off very important verses.  Even both Messianic and non-Messianic Jews say that the KJV of 1611 is the best and most accurate translation of the original text, including and especially the New Testament.

This verse is intentionally left out of most newer versions as the "world" finds it offensive.  If the Bible is so offensive to them, why are they reading it and why are we bowing down to their demands?

So yes, Virginia, your KJV Bible has been studied for errors for 2,000 years.  Even atheists admit that at least the historical version of Jesus Christ is 100% accurate.  Google the differences in the wording, words, what is left off and added to decide for yourself.  Acts 8:37 which states that Jesus Christ is Lord has been removed as people have said it's "offensive" and are being forced to admit Christ Jesus is Lord against their will even though the complete verse states clearly you must believe it with your whole mind and soul first.  Besides, there are way more offensive verses in the Bible but it's just our enemy's way of watering down the Word of God.  Get a good dictionary (pre-1973), a Strong's concordance and a regular concordance and you will see for yourself that the KJV IS reliable, 100% truth and THE best Bible to read for truth.  I also have the NKJV and read that first.  If you struggle with the KJV, read that concurrently and after a few books, you'll find the KJV is actually very easy to read.  The Bible isn't broken so it doesn't need to be fixed.  Also, it doesn't need to be rewritten but REREAD.

Here's a brief video by Lee Strobel and as a huge atheist, he went on a 2 year quest to prove the Bible was false because his wife became a Christian and it made him so mad he wanted to get her out of any religious beliefs.  What happened was, he proved to himself that it's truth.  God is good!  I highly recommend you listen to his videos, debates, etc.  It is faith-affirming and very helpful in your walk with Him.  God IS a very miraculous and amazing God!  Please listen to this short video by him (1 min; 38 sec) and then listen to his other very amazing videos that prove that Christ IS the promised Messiah and Son of the Living God!

Lee Stroebel

Another great video upholding the reliability of the Word of God!

Please watch more videos and do your own research on this amazing Book.  It is always the #1 best selling book of all times.  I just wish they were read.  You ask, seek and knock and you will have all understanding on earth but especially in Heaven.  Prayers and be blessed!

Shabbot Shalom!

BARABBUS OR JESUS? YOU MUST DECIDE!

CORRECT, NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT - GREAT SERMON ON MORALITY VS. THE LAW TODAY BY FRANK TUREK

 THIS VIDEO EXPLAINS WHY MORALITY IS FOR THE BETTERMENT OF SOCIETY.  TAKE SLAVERY, IT WAS LEGAL AT ONE POINT BUT CHRISTIANS FOUND IT AN ABOMINATION?  LEGAL DOOESN'T = MORAL ANY MORE THAN SOMETHING BEING ILLEGAL = IMMORAL.  EVEN IF YOU ARE AN ATHEIST, DO YOU THINK IT'S MORALLY RIGHT TO IMPRISON CHRISTIAN JUST FOR BELIEVING IN GOD?  THE SAME IS TRUE, SHOULD AN ATHEIST BE IMPRISONED FOR NOT BELIEVING IN GOD?  IN NO WAY DO WE BELIEVE THAT.  WE ARE TO PRAY FOR YOU, TO GOOD AND LOVE YOU.   GOD GAVE YOU FREE WILL AND I CANNOT FORCE MY WILL ON YOU AND THE SAME IS TRUE FOR YOU.  THAT IS HOW I FEEL AND NO APOLOGIES HOWEVER, I DO NOT SEE YOU (REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU BELIEVE OR WHO YOU LOVE AS MY "ENEMY" AS I AM NOT YOUR JUDGEL.  GOD BLESS.

This isn't just about gay marriage and homosexuality, it's more about why traditional marriages are far better for society, especially the children.  It speaks on how we equate immorality as what is against the law and things legal are somehow morally okay.  I could understand that in the secular, atheistic world but it is also widely accepted by many churches and Christians.  We cannot ever allow "man" to determine what is right and wrong.  Drinking alcohol is legal and the Bible even allows it but there are lines you don't cross.  How many people think getting drunk is a good idea?  What good comes from getting so wasted that you lose all inhibitions and end up doing things you wouldn't dare do if you were sober.  

Is it better for society to have unprotected sex and if you get pregnant, all you have to do is get an abortion?  For one thing, it takes a life (or more than 1); the more abortions one woman has, the more life-threatening and dangers they cause.  They are not just a simple procedure no worse than getting your temp taken.  I've known women who have to be fed through a central line directly into the bloodstream after multiple abortions and her uterus was ruptured, her small bowel had to be removed and cannot eat regular food.  She can eat but her diet is so restricted and bland, what's the point?  Let's face it, having unprotected sex today is dangerous and foolish, even if you know the person because you are also technically having sex with their partners, their partners partners and so on.  There are dangerous, life-threatening diseases due to STDs.  The only way to be 100% sure is for both partners to remain virgins until marriage.  I'm not a prude at all.  Wisdom comes with age.  In Asian countries, elders are revered and respected.  We could learn something from them.  Nor am I naive and I am well aware that waiting for marriage to be sexually active is rare and those who follow this Biblical principle are mocked.  If this is how you feel and desire to wait, do NOT give in to the pressure.  Discretion is the better part of valor and I don't know why people feel the world wants to hear about their sex life.  I know I don't want to hear it and never did.  It is  your business and owe no one an explanation.

God gave us moral laws for a good reason.  They're written on our heart and I pray for wisdom for our youth.  Love and sex have nothing to do with each other.  Sex is such a minor part of marriage but we're taught the opposite.  The marriage bed cannot be defiled.  You are free to enjoy sex inside your marriage.  It is a gift given by God to married couples,  

I have a married gay daughter that I love and pray for.  I don't condone her marriage but I love her and she is welcome in my life.  She knows how I feel but she also knows I won't compromise God's Word for her to tell her what she wants to hear.  That is not love.  Stand firm on your foundation in Christ Jesus even while being persecuted and hated for great is your reward in Heaven.  Remember, Jesus Christ told us to love others, pray for our enemies, do good to them.  We just can't condone or partake of their sins but we must love the sinner or else we will hinder the Gospel by being a hypocrite.  God bless!

JESUS, YOUR LOVE IS SWEETER THAN HONEY

The Sweetness of Divine Love

          Jesus, how sweet is the very thought of you!  You fill my heart with joy.  The sweetness of Your love surpasses the sweetness of honey.  Nothing sweeter than You can be described; no words can express the joy of your love.  Only those who have tasted Your love for themselves can comprehend it.  In your love You listen to all my prayers , even when my wishes are childish, my words confused, and my thoughts foolish.  And You answer my prayers, not according to my own misdirected desires, which would bring only bitter misery, but according to my real needs, which brings me sweet joy.  Thank You, Jesus, for giving Yourself for me.

         --- Bernard of Clairvaux ---

LOVE - THE GREATEST GIFT

THE FIRST THING

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

--- Galatians 5:22-23 ---

The fruit of the Spirit begins with love.  There are 9 graces spoken of, and of these nine Paul puts  love at the head of the list, love is the first thing, the first in that precious cluster of fruit.  Someone has said that all the other eight can be put in terms of love.  Joy is love exulting peace is love in response; longsuffering is love on trial; gentleness is love in society; goodness is love in action; faith is love on the battlefield; meekness is love at school; and temperance is love in training.  So it is love all the way; love at the top, love at the bottom, and all the way along the list of graces.  If we only just brought forth the fruit of the Spirit, what a world we would have!  Men would have no desire to do evil.

    --- Dwight Moody ---