Bible Discussion Replies PAGE 224

(2 Corinthians Part 8):

2 Corinthians 3:18 - But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass, or mirror, the glory of the Lord, we are changed into the same image from glory to glory. The word changed is actually the word transformation, metamorphosis. It is a transformation that takes place, that when we're fellowshipping with the Lord, and we look into the mirror, or the glass, and we're looking into the glory of the Lord, is that we are changed into that image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. He performs a transformation in us, a change. And Paul describes that for us in Chapter 5 about a new creation.

2 Corinthians 4:2 - But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

Where it says, "nor handling the word of God deceitfully," this is a good one. The word handling and deceitfully are all one word. It's actually a pharmaceutical term that means unmixed. You don't mix the word of God with something else.

In fact, Paul in his first letter, 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, he says when I came to you, my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. He didn't use any human manipulations. He just preached and it was the demonstration of Spirit and power that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of man, but in the power of God.

Paul says I minister so that your relationship with the Lord will be on the basis of faith, not human manipulation. And so, he says here, we have not handled the word of God deceitfully. We haven't mixed it with anything else. We just give you straight word.

(2 Corinthians Part 7):

2 Corinthians 3:13 - And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:

Now in that last little phrase "Look to the end of that which is abolished," in the Greek, it basically tells us something that the Old Testament doesn't tell us.

If you remember Moses, actually seven times went up and down the mountain and conversed with God about various things. And when he would come down, his face was radiating because he had been conversing with God. And so, he put a vail over his face so that the people wouldn't be distracted or could see this glow.

This text tells us that the vail was put over his face so the people could not see the glory fading off of his face and become disheartened. But it faded away. The Greek text says so that the people could not see it fading away. After a while it went away. He put the vail over his face so that they couldn't see it disappear.

But he says we're not like Moses. We're very bold. Moses was very withdrawn and had to hide it so the people wouldn't get discouraged and wonder what was going on when the glow went away. Paul says very clear, very open, very bold, you know exactly what the gospel is. It isn't hidden. It's not behind a vail. It's out in the open.

2 Corinthians 3:17 - Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

Now the Lord is that Spirit: The word "that" is literally the. The Lord is (the) Spirit. Talk about deity! We're not talking about oneness in person. We're talking about oneness in essence. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, they are all one God, equal.

(2 Corinthians Part 6):

2 Corinthians 2:17 - For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God:

The word corrupt is a Greek word that would be equivalent to our term swap-meet. The word of God is not for a swap-meet. We don't merchandise it. We don't compromise to get something back, or trade. We are not those who peddle the word of God!

But as of sincerity, and again, that's the word transparency, but as of God, accountability, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

Wow, what a statement to make! Whether a person receives or rejects, our conscience is that we're going to be transparent, we're going to be accountable to God, and we're going to represent Him properly in Christ Jesus to people. Wow!

2 Corinthians 3:5 - Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

The word sufficient means capable. Not that we are capable of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

2 Corinthians 3:6 - Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; (in contrast): not of the letter, but of the spirit:

Now I think that's very interesting. A person can know the bible backwards and forwards but not have the ministry of God's Spirit ministering that word. For the letter killeth, or kills, literally Present Tense. The letter is killing, but the Spirit gives life.

He's making reference to the Old Testament law. He says you can keep it all you want to, but it's not going to give you eternal life. The law was given to show us our need for Christ. If somebody tries to keep the law in order to inherit eternal life, they will die in their sins, because only the Spirit of God can give life.

Hi Gigi.

I'm finally getting a chance to sit down to read a few more of your postings.

I haven't been able to keep up so I'm starting from the most recent and going backwards.

Here's something that caught my eye, You stated "believers are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the "HEAVENLY REALM" because we are united with Christ.

"We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are"

Then you referenced

Acts 15:11.

Look at this verse in its proper context!

Acts 15:7-11 "And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that THE GENTILES by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

And put no difference between US AND THEM, purifying THEIR hearts by faith.

Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ WE shall be saved, even as THEY.

Gigi, Peter is making a distinction between Himself and the other Jews (Kinsman of the flesh) and the Gentiles.

Peter is saying the Jews shall be saved apart from the law like the Gentiles.

Here's another very impressive issue that concerns me.

You Stated;

God rains down grace on all mankind. He gave us the beauty and wonders of nature that we see each and every day. He gives us near misses when accidents are heading our way. He often brings us the right thing just in time. And He also gave us an innate conscience to know right from wrong. All these things are common graces, and everyone born on the earth has the benefit of them BECAUSE GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD.

In the context of your posting, God so loved the world should be kept in John 3:16.

Please see part 2.

GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD..

That is from the Apocrypha, NOT the Biblical Canon. It is NOT the Words of God.

Hello Cheryl . Some things to keep in mind as we read the Bible . Many events from the old testament are deeply connected to events in the new testament . I find it helpful to keep this scripture in mind Acts chapter 15 verse 18 . It's a profound statement .

Adam is a foreshadow of Jesus in a way , 1st Corinthians chapter 15 verses 12 through to 57 . We are , or rather shall be , the bride of Christ , so in a way we are Eve . Revelation chapter 19 verse 7 to 9 and the whole of chapter 21 . John chapter 19 verse 34 and 1st Peter chapter 1 verse 18 through 21 . Matthew chapter 22 verse 1 through to 14 and finally 2nd Corinthians chapter 11 verse 1 to 3 . Through the death and resurrection of Christ , we come into being , we are born again , notice how God caused a deep sleep to come upon Adam ( Jesus died but was ressurected by God ) God opened Adams body at his ribs , a soldier pierced Jesus's side and blood and water came out . Christ is our righteousness , our clean white wedding garment which covers our nakedness , remember the leaves that Adam and Eve used to try to cover their shame ? God Himself sacrificed a lamb to make skins for Adam and Eve to wear , God provided Jesus who was willing to give up his life that we might be reconciled to God by his innocent blood . We have been bought with a very high price .

I am enjoying your messages.

This comment in particular. Salvation is a gift to each person that believe without partiality.

Just being born on this planet includes many benefits. But when someone becomes a believer in Christ, that person receives even more graceful benefits from God reserved only for God's elect. In fact, believers are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm because we are united with Christ. Amen!

Day 7 Power of Prayer January 7,2025 Jeremiah 29:11-13 KJV West Angeles Church Consecration Calendar

Me being a member at West Angeles Cogic Church Cathedral Los Angeles California

Jeremiah 29:11-13 KJV

My Interpetation REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY: Jeremiah 29:Verse 11 "To find Jesus Christ is God the Father to be obedience to his Word, voice, and instructions how to live life. To keep your heart, mind, thoughts on Jesus.

God is Love ,grace, mercy concerning sinful men

To do everything the Lord tells you to do. Person of your word,Correction, and instructions obedient to his Word and voice. Not to have thoughts of evil to be obedient to God's Word and voice. Benefits and results helps you to be in the Love of God,kindhearted, lovingkindness,holiness and righteousness to yourself,Christians that is known and shown to you in your presence, sensory, reveal of evidence. This can aslo help to repentance, believe to Christian identity."

"Believing your body can be built up in God.Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life " Romans 6:23, Romans 8:2

Jeremiah 29 Verse 13

My interpetation REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY: God doing what he said he's going to do of his Word which is goodness to receive.

Word Spoken and Written by REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY

GOD'S GRACE

Pt. 5

And, when we grab a hold of these aspects of grace, grace is no longer a vague, impersonal force that is somehow responsible for salvation.

Grace instead describes the attitude of and the approval that God extends towards His elect. We were saved by grace, are sustained by it every day of our Christian life, and, we will be recipients of the surpassing riches of divine grace for all eternity. What an amazing gift from God!



Christianity cannot be understood apart from an adequate grasp of grace. The doctrine of grace distinguishes the Christian faith from every other religion in the world, as well as from the cults which require rituals to appease and which only bring death.

But God's grace gives life through Jesus Christ! It is the source of a believer's righteousness because the believer receives the righteousness of Jesus Christ in place of one's sinfulness and corruption.

Colossians 1:21,22

21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.

1Corintians 1:30

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

We should ever praise God or the glories of His grace towards and upon us in Christ Jesus. We should be humbled by this grace because we know that we do not deserve it and have sinned grossly and deeply against Him, but His elections stands sure and He is faithful to complete His will and purpose in us as His chosen saints.

This is all for tonight. Tomorrow I will post about God's mercy. God bless you as you sleep and when you awaken. May He be ever over you, no matter what this life brings upon us. We can rest in His embrace of grace.

GOD'S GRACE

Pt. 4

Unmerited divine assistance given man for his regeneration or sanctification

The power and equipping for ministry- ( 2 Corinthians 9:8)

Grace is the power and action of God to make us new creations in Christ. It is God's grace that works in us to change our desire and capacity for faith and obedience. Grace enables us to endure under difficult circumstances, to be bold in the face of persecution, and to properly utilize our natural gifts and abilities and also receiving new ones the Spirit bestows on us to apply to the work God calls us to do.

It is at work in us to be more and more conformed to Jesus' example of godliness, love, obedience, and mercy. Grace is from God and it is vitally necessary for anyone to walk in the way God ordains for us to live.

Grace makes our hearts glad and joyful. Grace tells us that He freely and openly accepts us in Jesus Christ. He delights in us. He is happy to be in fellowship with us. His love for us is not obligatory. He desires us and it pleases Him to have given us grace to be reconciled to him.

When God looks at those who are in Jesus Christ, He sees beauty. It brings Him joy. He is pleased within Himself to look upon us. He sees you with eyes of grace, not in sternness or ambivalence. He is fully committed to be gracious to us, to bless us, to have His favor rest on us.

And in all this, we cannot merit His grace in any way or add to it, or repay God for it, or enhance it by our devotion to God. It is a gift without expectation by God of receiving anything from us in return. It is given to us according to His good pleasure.

We praise Him for His glorious grace. We thank Him for His graciousness towards us. We shout for joy that He graced our lives. But none of these actions caused God to give us His grace. These are our reactions to having received grace from God.

See Pt. 5

GOD'S GRACE

Pt.3

Graciousness is not something that God puts on and takes off.

Grace is one of the most important concepts in the Bible, Christianity, and the world. It is most clearly expressed in the promises of God revealed in Scripture and embodied in Jesus Christ.

Grace is the love of God shown to the unlovely, the peace of God given to the restless, the unmerited favor of God (Max Lucado)

I love that quote!

Grace is God's un-coerced initiative and pervasive, extravagant demonstrations of care and favor towards those who are objects of His wrath when He regenerates them to cause them to become objects of mercy in His own sovereign act.

Christians live every day by the grace of God. We receive forgiveness according to the riches of God's grace, and grace drives our sanctification. Paul tells us, "the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives" ( Titus 2:11). Spiritual growth doesn't happen overnight; we "grow in the grace"

Grace is what God does because he is gracious.

It does not depend on the situation. God is always gracious. Every action of God toward us involves his grace. His creation, providence, conviction of the sinner, gift of salvation, equipping of the saints, and the future He has prepared for us. All of this is due to God's grace.

Here is how grace is defined by some of the different Bible Dictionaries:

Unmerited favor, mercy, compassion

Undeserved blessing, a free gift

Gods loving mercy toward mankind

Favor, graciousness, kindness, beauty, pleasantness

God's disposition to exercise goodwill toward His creatures

Synonymous with the gospel of God's gift of unmerited salvation in Jesus Christ

the one who receives it and in spite of what that same person deserves

Undeserved acceptance and love received from another, especially the characteristic attitude of God in salving us

cont. in Pt. 4

GOD'S GRACE

Pt. 2

The only way any of us can enter into a relationship with God is because of His grace toward us. Beginning in Eden when Adam and Eve sinned God restored them to fellowship with Him by His free grace. He could have killed the first humans right then for their disobedience. But rather than destroy them, He chose to make a way for them to be right with Him.

God is the instigator of grace, and it is from Him that all other aspects of grace flows.

God extends grace to those He elected while we all were His enemies ( Romans 5:10) by regeneration wrought by the Spirit.

He gives us forgiveness ( Hebrews 8:12; Ephesians 1:7), reconciliation ( Colossians 1:19-20), abundant life ( John 10:10), eternal treasure ( Luke 12:33), His Holy Spirit ( Luke 11:13), and a place in heaven with Him some day ( John 3:16-18) when we are called by the gospel and its offer and place our faith in Jesus and His work on our behalf.

Grace is God giving the greatest treasure to the least deserving-which is every one of us whom He has brought to faith and placed us in Christ. This redemption is forever and the greatest treasure is Christ Himself.

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." ( Hebrews 4:16)

"But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." ( James 4:6)

We find the term "grace" throughout the Bible as a gift and action of God. But what is God's grace, and how does it relate to us?

We experience God's grace because God is gracious. In Exodus 34:6, when God shows himself to Moses, we read, "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." Gracious is used here as an adjective describing God. It is one of His attributes, describing who He is.

The Next subject is God's freely give undeserved grace.

GOD'S GRACE IS FREELY GIVEN, UNEARNED FAVOR WITH GOD

IT IS RECEIVING WHAT WE DO NOT DESERVE

IT IS GOD'S BLESSINGS IN THIS LIFE AND THE NEXT

What is the grace of God? Simply put it is God's favor and kindness toward us. Grace is God choosing to bless us rather than curse us as our sin deserves. It is His benevolence to the undeserving.

But it also exerts God's power in our life to bring about all that is needed for us to be saved: regeneration, repentance, faith, and trust in God in Jesus. And in Titus 2:11-13 we read that God's grace empowers us to say yes to what is right and no to what is sinful. It enables us to live godly lives in a wicked world.

The Holy Spirit uses grace to sanctify us unto God and to transform us to be more and more like our Lord and Savior. And it provides us with a sure and blessed hope of the appearing of Jesus, the great God and Savior. Without grace, we would give up on this hope. But God graces us with hope that does not fail.

God rains down grace on all mankind. He gave us the beauty and wonders of nature that we see each and every day. He gives us near misses when accidents are heading our way. He often brings us the right thing just in time. And He also gave us an innate conscience to know right from wrong. All these things are common graces, and everyone born on the earth has the benefit of them because God so loved the world.

Just being born on this planet includes many benefits. But when someone becomes a believer in Christ, that person receives even more graceful benefits from God reserved only for God's elect. In fact, believers are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm because we are united with Christ.

"We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are" ( Acts 15:11).

Ephesians 2:8 says, "For by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves."

See Pt. 2

GOD'S FAVOR

Pt.2

Exodus 33:19 says "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."

Through God's favor a seed of faith is planted in your heart. As it sprouts, matures and grows in your heart, it should then be overtaken by a desire to be continually growing, continually pleasing God and continually gaining in God's favor.

This is what it means to be in pursuit of God.

His favor grants you access and provides the transformative power to be a new creation in Christ. It is, in fact, a transformation towards Christ-likeness.

Our faith is crucial for receiving God's favor. A key aspect of faith is that it allows us to receive God's grace and favor freely, not because of our own works or efforts.

Ephesians 2:8-9 declares, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast."

As Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

This is not to say that it is our faith that earns God's favor, rather, it is often the means through which God causes His favor to flow to us. He chose to have favor upon us out of His goodness and eternal plan, but He brings us His favor at the time in our life when He determines it is best and will accomplish the most good.

Abraham was called by God before He believed. Moses was called by God before He knew Him. Paul was transformed by God while he was persecuting Jesus and His church. But, by God's choice, He favored all of these men in order to bring them to faith, salvation, and glory and to work out his plan in history during their lifetimes.

GOD'S FAVOR

Pt. 2

God is said to have favor on Noah and Abraham. Moses, and Israel in the OT. He did so in order to use these people to serve Him and accomplish His will in history in unique ways. He delighted in them because He had chosen them to be favored. I think it is important that we do need to often remind ourselves that our blessed standing before God as His child is not because of anything we have done or decided, but because it pleased God to show His favor upon us, to select us, even before He created anything.

That is a very profound thought. God knew He would bless us with His favor because He chose us to the praise of His glory aforehand! The Scriptures often say that so-and-so found favor in God's sight. But the reality is that the person found out that God placed His favor upon them, not that they earned it in any way.

Those who are favored of God know that God is with them and that nothing can happen to them apart from His good purpose ( Romans 8:28). When we have the favor of the Lord, we rest in quiet confidence that our sins are forgiven ( Romans 4:7), we are within the plan of God ( Psalm 86:11), and that He is there for us at all times ( Isaiah 41:10; Matthew 28:20).

When someone has the favor of God upon their life, it means they carry an endorsement from heaven. God smiles upon them and approves of their pursuits and destinies.

Psalms 5:12 says "Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield." The only righteous people are those who have Christ's righteousness imputed onto them.

His goodness, compassion and lovingkindness

To have the Lord's favor means that the Lord is in accord with an individual and has shown gracious kindness towards them. When we think of someone who has the favor of God, we think of someone in whose life we see tangible evidence of God's approval.

See Pt. 3

Hello Cheryl1655. I think you are asking about the connection between those two Genesis chapters & particularly those verses you gave. If so, the way I read these chapters, is that Genesis chapter 1 simply gives a brief overview of the six days of creation & the seventh day being the day when God ceased from His creative Work. So in Genesis 1:26,27, on the sixth day of Creation, God created man & woman & blessed them to be fruitful, to have dominion over creatures, & to eat what He has provided them.

Then in Genesis 2:4, after the 'generations of the heavens and of the earth were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens', God had seen fit to expand on certain aspects of those six days of creation in Genesis 1 (and specifically about how His Work of creating these perfect human beings came to be). Man was first formed from Earth's dust (v7) & then Woman was then formed from man's body; that they are not just two separate creations, but really two separate humans who are vitally & intrinsically connected to each other, causing them to have an abiding, loving & meaningful relationship, as they could have with no other creature.

So, I believe that these two chapters (on the creation of man & woman) are not two separate acts of creation by God, but only One. That the second chapter amplifies what God created on the sixth day, which then leads us into the following chapters of Genesis & the rest of the Bible on the lives of men & women and God's dealing with them, even until the end of time as we know it.

Welcome Fuji.

Glad you are here with us and looking forward to reading your posts.

S. Spencer,

I. too, love the cold and snow as long as I do not need to drive anywhere. We usually get some snow each year here in the Puget Sound Region. Some years we get over a foot and that usually leads to lots of troubles with snow melting and refreezing on roads. I remember growing up being able to go out on the frozen lake a few blocks from my home with friends and visiting other friends we knew who live around the lake by crossing it or going along the ice at the shore from home to home. Sme people ice skated on the lake. Back then, we would usually have a few weeks of really cold temperature straight and the lake surface would be frozen to 6-8 inches. That hasn't been the case here for some time. It seems our region is in a warming period. It will cycle back to colder winters again, I am sure, but maybe not while I am still alive here. The memories of these cold times are really pleasant to consider.

I will continue to pray for those in this storm's alley.

Absolutely Gigi.

We're praying for safe roads to travel on but for the most part I enjoy the cold weather.

We're not getting snow but the roads may have ice on them which I worry about.

I am glad to be registered on here and look forward to posting a message .

Genesis chapter 1 line 27, now make it make sense chapter 2 line 18 ?

Day 6 Power of Pray January 6, 2025 Hebrews 11:1 KJV West Angeles Church Consecration Calendar

Me being a member at West Angeles Cogic Church Cathedral Los Angeles California

Hebrews 11 Verse 1

My interpetation

REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY :

Getting you to believe Jesus Christ is Holy God the Father allowing your body to become like God. A reference I Peter 1:13 KJV Not to hurt people also this can come with appertain intentions.Hate and covet, Jesus Christ wants to give you thoughts of peace Jeremiah 29:11KJV. Mind and thoughts to become like God in thinking, conscience mind, making decisions.- A God that is joy. A God that allows you to listen, obey God and instructions, actions. Which a result is becoming a achiever and great achievements.

In my life a Christian( a believer) Jesus Christ is the only sacrifice for your body to have life and become like God.

Hebrews 11:1 also confirms to God's Holy Christian Church sex identity named Christians My REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY life being man making my sex identity shown and known and my faith holy bible to be inspired and only infallible written word of God spoken by me to other men which I seen in Todays Christian Press Highlights wants to be done.Oral tradition Holiness and Pentecostal Church which confirmed by (West Angeles COGIC members manual guide) -can allow you to do and recieve supernatural responses and results to be done.Jesus Christ wants you to offer your heart to God.

Word Spoken and Written by REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY

Good morning GIGI! Praying for good health your way! My morning meditation. That we are known of God as we know Him and remain steadfast in that knowledge, our conversation with each other and God will grow and produce fruit.

Thank you!

Carleton

I fully agree GiGi that this most important message of God's Wrath & relegation of unrepentant sinners to an eternal hell is quite often overlooked or avoided by the Church. Without this undeniable Character of God, there would be no point for a such a wonderful saving Gospel, effected by no one else, but God Himself in His Son. And so we get 'believers' becoming careless with sin, preferring to follow the 'holy herd' in their behaviors & endeavors & not continually subjecting themselves to self-examination & careful living ( 2 Corinthians 13:5). Thank you for those reminders, especially on the proper understanding of God's Holiness.

Thank you for your response GiGi. And to be fair, I should wait for your submission on Election, though I see that you have brought it up in your other recent posts. In any case, you shared a couple of Scriptures: Exodus 33:19 and Romans 9:18. And we could include Romans 9:15. In each of those examples, it is clear that God has the power to relegate mercy & blessings or else judgement & punishment, according to His Will. But none of those examples point to the soul's salvation; in the first instance, for accepting Moses' requests for God's Presence both with His people & to pass before his (Moses') own eyes. God approved of Moses, his position appointed to him, & Moses' uncertainty & lack of assurance of God's Work before his eyes.

In Romans 9:15,18, we read of the selection of Jacob & his descendants over Esau & his, that "the election of God might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth" (v11); i.e. through Sarah & not Hagar. And v18: where Pharoah's heart was hardened by God in the matter of the Israelites departure from Egypt. These examples serve to show that God indeed has every right to do with us according to His Purposes. But how should this be understood when referring to the sinful condition of the human heart and its need for salvation, given the Holy Character of God? Can we expect that God will apply the same conditions of Election as seen in those examples: Moses' standing before God; the descendency of His special people through Isaac & Jacob; & using a heathen ruler to accomplish His Will, when the very essence of His Offer & Provision of His Salvation through His Son is bathed in Holy Love & Mercy for all, for all have sinned?

Well, let's all pray that this storm is much milder than forecast and that God would help those who are at risk from the elements.

Just got done feeding my grandbaby, Rose. she is going on strike to be spoon fed any purees right now. So we are dipping strips of toast in the puree and she will eat it then. She somehow learned to shake her head (I think) to say "no". How do such young ones learn that body language when not taught? She also has decided she needs to smell the food before putting in her mouth. We did not teach her that either. So curious what is acquired almost innately. She likes to watch football with Grandpa and have me play with her on the floor. We are really enjoying being with her every day!

Next topic:

GOD'S FAVOR IS UPON HIS PEOPLE WHOM HE CHOSE, NOT BECAUSE THEY CHOSE HIM

If you've read even a little of the Bible, you have probably crossed a passage or two where it talked about someone having God's favor or otherwise seeking it.

God's favor is God's grace and goodness being actively displayed in one's circumstances. It can produce an anointing, such as for a prophet, or a special guidance, as with Moses or Abraham as they travelled in the way God led them, or it can involve miraculous occurrences that bring about a good end, such as with the Israelites when they left Egypt or parting the Red Sea, or the provision of leadership, authority, and honor as with Joseph in Egypt. Joseph found favor with Potiphar and was placed in charge of Potiphar's household. The Lord was with Joseph and blessed everything he did ( Genesis 39:2-6). In Exodus 3:21, God promised to give the Israelites favor with the Egyptians so they would give them silver, gold and clothing as they left Egypt.

From reading the OT we can know that God chose the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to be the people He would shed His favor upon. It was not because they were so great in number among the other nations, nor was it because of their righteousness, or because of their steadfastness in their faith in Him or their superiority to those of other nations. It was solely due to God's sovereign choice. ( Dt. 7:6-8). He could have chosen any other people or nation if He had determined before creation to use this other nation to fulfill His plan. But, before creation He had determined that the eternal, divine Son would be incarnated through Mary of the Jews. Therefore, God chose Israel as His favored people, because from them, the Messiah would be born and live and die to save those God chose to save from pre-creation.

See Pt. 2

GOD'S COMPASSION

Pt. 3

In Luke 7:11-15, we hear of His compassion for the widowed who were especially vulnerable; therefore, He resurrected the widow's son and gave him back to her. In the case of Lazarus, Christ's compassion was so strong that He wept ( John 11). When Jesus arrived graveside, He raised Lazarus from the dead and gave him back to his grieving relatives. No doubt Jesus Himself rejoiced greatly over the return of His friend.

The pinnacle of Christ's compassion can be observed at the cross of Calvary where He lay down His life for the sins of the world ( John 3:16).

He not only showed concern for the suffering of people, He suffered for them and He took their suffering upon Himself to relieve them of their suffering for their own sins. Those who are drawn to put their faith in Jesus are born again spiritually and receive the Holy Spirit. We are made new creations in Christ ( 2 Corinthians 5:17). This enables us to love God and our neighbors.

GOD'S COMPASSION

Pt. 2

According to God's Word, Jesus isn't only with us; He's unremittingly for us ( Ps. 56:9; Rom. 8:31). His presence is always a favorable, advocating, affectionate embrace of us. ( Rom. 5:8; 1 John 2:1) We are wrapped in His Presence-even after we sin because He always intercedes for us to the Father.

Our Savior refuses to sit back and watch us suffer alone. God the Son became fully human and always will identify, suffer, and walk with His people while saving us, forever binding himself to us intimately. God has not left us alone in our suffering. Jesus suffered for us; we have a God who loves us with empathy. And, the Holy Spirit suffers along with us, groaning as He intercedes for us with the Father (8:26-27).

Compassion causes one to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears.

Compassion moves one to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable, and powerless with the powerless.

Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human. And this is true of God incarnated, the Word, Son of the Father, enfleshed (John1:14) He did all these things in His divinity and humanity and continues to fully identify with, is pained with our suffering and misery. He became sin for us and thus knew the condemnation of sin on the cross.

And thus, Jesus is the Father's most compassionate gift to mankind. It is only by and through faith in Jesus Christ that we are forgiven of our guilt and rescued from our deplorable condition ( John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

The compassion of Christ can be clearly seen in the Gospel narratives. For example, in Matthew 9:36, we observe Christ's compassion for the harassed and helpless. In Matthew 14:14, we see His compassion for those who are sick and suffer disease. In Matthew 15:32, we witness His compassion for those who hunger.

See Pt. 3

Next section:

How lovely is this verse in Lamentations to the ears of forgiven sinners who believe the gospel and put their faith in Jesus Christ!

GOD'S COMPASSION

Pt. 1

Compassion is deep empathy towards those in need. It is concern, sympathy and pity for the suffering of others and a desire to alleviate their suffering.

Compassion is being moved in the affections of our inner being when we see the distress of others, coupled with a subsequent outer movement of action in which we seek to alleviate that distress out of love for God and love for neighbor.

The most important object this word is used to describe is God Himself. God is the root and foundation, the spring and fountainhead, of all true compassion ( 1 John 4:16). God's compassion is extolled throughout the Bible. Below are two particularly pertinent passages.

"Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea" ( Micah 7:18-19).

God's compassion is related to His mercy, kindness, patience, grace, forgiveness, and love. In fact, some of these attributes are so related and interwoven as to make clear demarcations between them difficult.

God's compassion compels Him to take action. He is not an impotent observer, nor is He unmoved by our sufferings and enslavement to sin. He is the omnipotent sovereign ruler of the universe ( Romans 9:14-16) and in Christ He suffers with us when we suffer ( Hebrews 4:15).

For sufferers, one of the most hope-giving promises is Christ's assurance, "I am with you" ( Matt. 28:20).

See Pt. 2