Bible Discussion Replies PAGE 71

What works will be judged on? i want to make sure that i really know and understand what works he is speaking of. in revelation

Hello Crjbob,

Here's my understanding on this. What they did in those days is that they set up this tradition in the temple that if a person's parents grew old and were unable to take care of themselves, and the kids did not want to spend all their money supporting their parents, the priests would arranged this CORBAN (Gift) which allowed the kids to bring all their money to the temple and say "this is a gift to God."

What the priests would do is they would pray over the money, and they would take 10% for the synagogue and give the rest back to the kids and tell them "You are no longer spending your money, you are spending our money, so now you are free to spend it anyway you like."

This way, the kids were off the hook as far as the command to honor their mother and father by supporting them. This was their mindset even though it was a bogus made-up tradition, perhaps a crooked way of bringing more money into the temple.

Now, the kids who didn't want to spend their money on their elderly parents could go to their parents and say, "You know, I would really like to help out, but I've got this money that belongs to the temple, and I don't have the freedom to spend it. I wish I could help!"

What they would allow them to do according to the tradition of the elders is that if I didn't want to give my money to my mother and father, which I am supposed to do to help them, but I would come and give it as a gift to the temple.

And then they would give 90% back to me and say now that we've prayed over it, it can only be used for God's purposes and we're trusting you to use it for God's purposes.

And they got 10% for that transaction. So hey, finances for the church! You didn't get to keep all of it. You walk away with 90% of what you dedicated. But then when your parents come to you according to Jesus in Matthew 15:5, He said, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;

I hope this helps!

Blessings!

Hello Ik stanley,

What is it that is holding you back from receiving Jesus into your life and being born of His Spirit?

Mt.17. 22 Mountains

"for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove;"

The Word was God. " Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God."(Ps.90.2) Consequently we have have the mountain of God. When God sent his only begotten Son we see it mentioned time and time, for example while Jesus delivered the doctrine of his Father it is called the Sermon on the mount. He was in his human likeness to prove that it was doable. Another occasion was when he transfigured before his disciples. No names are required where the Law of the Spirit has decreed the day where the Father has willed than all things consist of him, including mountains. By the same token the mountains the devil and his angels erect shall not stand;"This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts./Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain."(Zec.4.6-7). Another mountain we have symbolic of the beast which in his generation carried around and in our time it shall be known as ecumenical movement. The nation of Israel went whoring after foreign gods in the time of the kings, CUFI is a prime example. Babylon the great is the nexus between the state and religion. So against the generation of Jesus Christ we find seven mountains, "The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth."(Rev.17.9) As blessed of God in his Son we have entered into the God's rest. Our faith honours God and it is he who shall by his Spirit level it. That is in the world of the Spirit. As in the case of the fig tree withered away because it was under curse was as with everything in the kingdom of spiritual darkness.

Hello Ik stanley,

Salvation has nothing to do with "accepting Christ". Salvation is 100% the Work of God. Any Church today will give you a formula as to "how we can become saved":That is not the Gospel of the Bible.

We all by nature are Spiritually Dead. Just like the Physically Dead can do nothing to raise themselves to Physical Life, we can do nothing to raise ourself to Spiritual Life. God must do all the work of Saving us.

He must have chosen us to be saved before He created the World, Election.

He must have paid the price demanded by His Law for all of our sins, Eternal Death.

He must apply that Salvation to our life by giving us a New Resurrected Soul, Born Again.

We read in Romans 3:10-18 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat [is] an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps [is] under their lips: 14 Whose mouth [is] full of cursing and bitterness: 15 Their feet [are] swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery [are] in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

So what can we do?

We may cry to God for Mercy, like the Publican,"God be merciful to me a sinner".

We may plead with God for a "broken and contrite heart" which He will not despise ( Psalm 51:17).

We can place ourselves in an environment where God is saving;"Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." ( Rom 10:17).

We can begin to turn away from our sins, repentance, and begin to be more obedient to God's Law, the Bible; recognizing that none of this will save us.

There is great Hope for Salvation in our Day. But we must "wait upon God", if it might be His will to save us.

Read Jonah 3 and 4, Salvation of the Ninevites. Read Ezekiel 36:24-32.

I am so desperate to know For Sure if we are allowed to be cremated?

Matthew 15:5 and Mark 7:11. Corban, or gift. Not sure I understand exactly what Jesus is saying to them. I understand He's admonishing them for following their own traditions of men instead of the Word, but not sure exactly what He means by the gift

Thoughts? Bob.

Greeting's

Romans 2:13

"(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified."

Matthew 5:16

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Blessings

Amen! Brother.

Wonderful verses teaching us about the Nature of Salvation. What is means to be Saved when God has given us a New Resurrected Soul, a New Heart.

In Jesus

N A M E

We pray

Thy king-

dom come

Giving praise to the Father and his Son.

We love you Lord Jesus. And all praise

to the Holy Spirit. Let thy will be done.

May God

grant us

Mercy &

Grace in

in a new

way as we

begin this

New Day.

Mt. Ch.25- An assesment

"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."(v.34)

The Kingdom is prepared from the foundation of the world. Those who walked according to the Law of them Spirit are his sheep. " My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:/And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand./ My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand./I and my Father are one."

Parable of the Ten virgins: the number 10 refers to the other sheep that I have.. "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." Five foolish virgins heard ' And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him." it is not same as hearing his voice." A remnant of the Jews prepared before the foundation of the world shall be admitted. In the second parable we have five talents, again referring to the nation off Israel. The outer darkness is reserved the unprofitable servant. " And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."(v.30) The Jew that made the five talents work is part of the kingdom.

The servant that was entrusted with two talents will be part of the new earth. The unprofitable servant is cast into the outer darkness.

Third parable refers to the nations allowed to walk under the light of the Lamb. They shall give account in the day appointed. "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."(25.46)

31

"

"(Jesus) he hungered./And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away"(Mt.21.18-19)n his

Jesus in his human likeness felt hunger and why did he curse it? The blessing of the Word guaranteed in the Covenant was assured to him as the Son. Jesus refers to faith " And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." (21.22) The Law is perfect. The tree failed to recognize the authority of the Word. He send his word ,healed them' (Ps.107.20) In cases of healing we often see Jesus rebuking the sin that bound the man. The tree obviously was under the curse.

Consider this passage. " And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour./ Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?/And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."(Mt.17.18-20) The transfiguration was a proof that the glorious spiritual body is our reality in the world of the Spirit.

Hello all dear brothers and sisters. So good that you mention this "Chris" because when it are a talk about Babylon I was a little unsure. I hope it's okay if I drop in on your conversation, because I didn't know this. From old maps I mean Babylon from ancient times was in what we call Iraq today. So a church there, well, nothing is impossible for God. There are many secrets if we are open to them. God bless us all, in Jesus Name. Romans 8:12-17

Amen!

gbu

Indeed brother Carleton, the condition of believers' spiritual lives would always be varied and fluctuating (anywhere you go in the world). Godly men and women need to be cognizant of this always, endeavoring to teach and strengthen believers in their day-to-day lives living in their "Babylon" of temptations, seductions, and attractions.

I hear the echo of the Apostle Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 6:17, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord..". If their faith was shrinking, or at least, caught in the turbulence of the times, Peter's presence there among them would have been as the Lord's instrument to calm the ship and set its course aright. And to think that he carried this burden of the other scattered believers as well, showing the man to be of great spiritual caliber and one of incessant earnest prayer. I agree, 'separation' for the believer must be in every aspect of our lives - we might be jeered by the world, but how special we would be in the Sight of God. GBU.

Christian greetings brother Chris! Thank you! I think the thought may still hold. The Christian elect could live according to the Gospel while in the known Babylon (stay separated). The Church at Rome sought the glory of Rome, perhaps their faith was shrinking? Peter surely was trying to steady the Church for the times ahead?

Same to you brother Chris!

Brother Carleton. Just a little background to help you in your consideration & meditations on this Church at Babylon. Maybe your understanding is that the Apostle Peter was referring to "this little Church" as being in the city of Babylon.

As you would remember that Babylon was destroyed by Cyrus (of Persia) in 539 BC, with only a few folk and structures existing in that region till the 7th Century AD. Peter's reference to it in 1 Peter 5:13 was not about a Church functioning in that city that was sending greetings to the scattered believers in Asia Minor ( 1 Peter 1:1), but he was referring to the city of Rome. His letter was being sent, distributed and read by many of these scattered believers and could quite easily fall into the wrong hands, i.e. the Roman authorities. So, Peter uses this word, Babylon, as a cover for the city of Rome, so as to avoid trouble & persecution from the authorities (at least for the short term; persecution would come later). Peter was living in Rome and very likely connected to this "church at Babylon" during the last decade of his life, and wrote his epistle in 63 AD just before the outbreak of Nero's persecution in 64 AD. It is believed that Peter died three years later.

Hope this snippet of background info will help you picture the situation in Rome at that time, with Peter effectively ministering to the believers gathered there and his tender heart of concern and ministry to other believers scattered elsewhere. Every blessing brother.

Christian greetings! I am still meditating on the Church of God at Babylon. Seems impossible for this little Church to remain faithful and yet it was at this time. The elected to not be divided probably had no inheritance from Babylon the city. My thoughts would be the elected of this Church had to leave the hope of the city for the better hope in Christ Jesus.

Greeting's

John 15:10

"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."

Hebrews 10:16

"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;"

Romans 7:12

"Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good."

1 John 3:22

"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."

Blessings

Greeting's

1 John 2:15

"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."

1 John 2:17

"And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."

Blessings

Lk 9.51-55 "What manner of Spirit"

Here Jesus sets himself as the Son of man and he knew whence did he come from and where he was going. He became the first begotten to distinguish him from his humanity.

I have a task to finish for which he as Son of Man he undertook baptism. This was what drove him to Jerusalem. This baptism is different from by what he is hinting here,"But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!"

So his way to Jerusalem lay through the villages of Samaria. Samaria suffered from same heresy as was in the time of the kings. The golden calf the Israelites carried in Egypt followed them and their deliverance under the rod of Moses remained same. Just as the New Canaan to which the pilgrim Fathers sailed and their idols were safely stowed away during the voyage. The heresies rampant in Europe found new home that was all. Golden calves erected in Bethel and Dam likewise flourished in the new continent.

"when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,/ And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him./ And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem." Samaritans in the Spirit could sense Jesus was heading to Jerusalem and they bristled at it. They refused him a place to stay. Their animosity owed to their heart, There was no place the seed, same fault as the Jews,"He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God."( Jn 8.47) Samaria signifies the white Evangelicals of our time. Colour and wealth have muddled their understanding. This generation of vipers have their doctrines too. Jesus chided ,"Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of./ For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village." (vv55-56)

Lk.9 49-55 "The other disciples"

"Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us./And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us."

Here we have a clear illustration to the significance of the word, "other" John ever zealous over his master would want to stop the one who chose not to follow Christ along with the twelve. Jesus understood he was casting out devils in the name because he was anointed to do his ministry in his name. It is thus the Word has set the Spirit to work with peoples and nations. The Spirit serves this specific incident before he introduces the seventy other. Jesus as the Word become flesh had no problem with it. In short John's partisanship stemmed from his lack of understanding.

In the gospel of St Mark, we have this,"But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me./For he that is not against us is on our part."( Mk 9.39-40) Without understanding the world of the Spirit and the ministry from his humanity and deity is like having only one oar in the water. He is like Simon of Samaria, a believer but in terms of understanding poor who wanted the gifts. Is it not much to be desire. As many in this forum make a case for Israel and pervert truth Simon was in the bond of iniquity. St Peter rebuked him thus, "Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God./ Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee"( Acts 8.18-24) Without understanding Jesus as the word become flesh as well as the Word which was with God these know nothings undercut the doctrine of Christ. Prosperity theology for another instance owe to their ignorance.

The whole number 7 underpins the Law of the Spirit to which the Covenant is the witness, The gospel of Jesus is based on the compound number 12.

Greeting's

Romans 15:16

"That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost."

Romans 15:19

"Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ."

Romans 15:29

"And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ."

Blessings

Lk.10.1 "Other Seventy" (3 of 3)

God set the decree: " I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee."(Ps.2.7). This day from which seven days runs continually till God may be all in all. As God has blessed all whom He has called we hace the cuese by the same token on those who reject the call. It is thus we have the day of regeneration where the twelve thrones are set up to judge the 12 tribes of Israel. The everlasting gospel does not fall silent on account of it. The seventy other represent the Word which was with God whose authority is 'forever settled in heaven' so Law shall go forth from Zion. Until Satan is thrown into the lake of fire and second death is executed we have nations at war with one another. " for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem./And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."(Isa.2.3.4)

We have the vision where St John is given a little book. The angel of the Lord " cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices."(Rev.10.2) The seven thunders refer to the gospel of Christ which has been fulfilled. While the everlasting gospel is not. Hence this command from heaven,"Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings." Here we have the seventy whom Jesus calls the other. They were sent under the authority of the Law of the Spirit, so they return from their ministry, "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name."(Lk.10.17) The risen Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.(Heb.13.8) Jesus in humanity had an end but seated n the right hand of God seventy represents the whole number.

Lk.10.1 (2 of 3)

'These twelve he (Jesus) sent forth 'But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel./And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Mt.10.5-7) It was the beginning, and God sent him to the world (Jn.3.16) and as the Word which was with God he sends 'the other seventy' it was the everlasting gospel' and east west, north south it was the same,"to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."(Rev.14.6) The Holy Spirit uses th tag Seven throughout the narrative.

The Word is sound and a sign. It is thus we have 70 palms at Elim so people could rest by the waters.God "spake unto him (Moses), and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: Similarly in the inaugural vision of St John we have seven stars in the right hand of the risen Christ, There is the Ancient of days, the Word which was God. These seven stars are seven churches in Asia minor and not in Jerusalem giving the everlasting gospel than of Jesus. The names written in heaven explains why the seventy are called 'the other' (Lk.10.16-20)

"He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me." Principle of Accociation is in accordance with the Law of the Spirit. Thus the word in the world of the Spirit is heard equally whether heard or alive. Those who hear respond . So Lazarus of Bethany heard, though dead. Unclean spirits tremple," And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name."(v.17). This the authority of the Word. "Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven."

What God the Father has in sovereign Will is set in the vision of St John is transposed into a pictorial format, all in sevens. Seven stars, seven candlesticks seven angels and seven thunders.

Lk.10.1 "Other Seventy" (1 of 3)

"After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also." After these things refer to the aspects of the kingdom of God explained in a few incidents.9.29 we have the transfiguration of Jesus and it explains the glory of souls redeemed from the earth. Notice that it is set in the backdrop of a mountain as in the gospel of St Matthew."(v.28) Both versions omit name of the mountain is significant. It is the Word or the Law that has framed the Covenant so every blessings promised to a believer shall be accordingly phrased. The names of 12 disciples are given because these are created after the Son in our image. Thus their names as with that Abraham of Abraham and Adam are set in the Bible. The names carried in the generation of Jesus Christ are called to reign with Jesus Christ as priests and kings,'forever.'The ch.9 ends with this verse, "And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."(9.52). So the phrase,'After these things' helps us to examine further the significance of the 'other seventy'.

The Covenant is set with a tag of seven days which is a full number so whosoever enters in his Son in faith and has life. There were many disciples who stopped short from following Jesus because of his hard sayings. But Peter explains what faith would mean. " Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life."( Jn 6.68) By holding fast to faith a believer has entered into the rest of God. It is the Word that has guaranteed. In the manner Jesus sent the twelve shows its distinct feature.

Jesus was a ware of his earthly ministry had an end, "For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end."( Lk. 22.37). He is speaking here as the Son of man being the word made flesh. Consequently his ministry had a beginning. 'lost sheep of Israel' was the theme.

Prayer: Thing that came to me here one day was just this and dare to write a prayer that everyone can see. MORE ppl can then read it out and maybe add their own words as the Spirit leads them. Magine what a cry of complaint that will be to the Lord? Or a heartfelt Praise, it becomes in a way in unison, but at different times, like an echo.... Our kingdom is so wonderful, full of surprises, signs and wonders!

So continue dear friends and fill up and put out, do not let anyone hinder you. Because the spirit of prayer belongs to all believers, and the Holy Spirit takes over big and small. Many of you have such vivid, beautiful words in prayer that I am overwhelmed. Then in comparison my cold nature comes out even more. And:

Lawlessness is the same as doing things we know are not good for body and soul. Here in Mat 7:21-23 we learn who this applies to. Unfortunately, it is us! And then it is just a matter of standing up for all dear ones. Cleanse ourselves so that the Lord can truly dwell in us. Remember the confession.

Remember that we bear each other's burdens, and thus can also participate in something that is not good, and also in joy we can feel each other's presence. It is the Spirit's, I think, that only wants well! Love you all. Gal 6:2 Rom 15:1

Agreed, Richard,

Our wisdom comes from God through the Holy Spirit to those who are in Christ, who has become for us wisdom ( 1 Cor. 1:30).

I will pray for your training to go well.

I would ask if you would pray for my friend of 40+ years. She is having severe leg pain and has been to the ER twice. They ruled out bone or muscle issues, but want her to have an MRI because they think it is a nerve issue. She was given medication for pain relief and to tone down the inflammation of whichever nerve is damaged. She is a very active 70 year old and it will be difficult for her to take more time to rest and recover from all her garden work. She is a believer and trust God to help her. She was miraculously healed from Hep. C infection she received from a blood transfusion almost 40 years ago, so that healing is truly an encouragement from God.

Well I start job training for my P.T. Food Service job once again tomorrow. Hopefully I can serve better this year and learn from others with greater abilities than I have.

The concept of learning things isn't just restricted to the natural world but the spiritual dimension as well. Someone like the guy in church I mentioned the other week not only has more mastery of scriptures than me but knows when it is worth it or not to pursue matters in edifying discussion. The fact that keeping quiet is helpful as we see in Proverbs 17:28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. Now of course being on this site and not knowing anyone personally I am limited as to being able to pray for individual needs or perhaps discern who and when to discuss certain matters. There appear to be some communication issues with those not as comfortable with the English language that I have some difficulty navigating; but hopefully I can learn from others and vice versa. I don't want this to be a dumping ground for everything that comes to mind; but realize that I am in a constant learning process as I put out content!

There are those in our walk with God like our physical parents; guiding us in starting to earn how to be a Disciple that we should never forget. We need; of course to guard our hearts so that no hardness develops ( Phil. 4:7; and Hebrews 3:7-9 comes from Psalms about those who in the wilderness did this and God brought premature death to them). Our lives are not our own anymore; we were bought with a price ( 1 Corinthians 6:20). To be teaching others we need to be teachable and available for the time necessary for ministry. When we do this we can also complement each other with natural abilities so we can grow in practical and Godly wisdom.

Wisdom is utter dependence and trust on the Spirit to guide us; teach us and mold us into conformity with the will of God in our lives.

It is a good thing to pray for our country, government, and those who we elect to office. We are told to do so in 1 Tim. 2:1-2.

So I will pray with you on these requests. We can also pray for the countries that are at war asking God to bring an end to these conflicts with a lasting peace and respect for one another. We can pray for those who are our allies in the world especially that they will be faithful in supporting each other in times of need. We also should pray for those who are enemies of the Gospel of Jesus, for God to open opportunities for us to share the gospel with those we know who are not believers asking that God make a selected time for them to hear the gospel with a response of faith. God knows when people are readied to believer by the Holy Spirit, we do not, but there is an appointed time for each person God has elected to salvation. Pray that when that "today, if you hear His voice" their hardened hearts will be softened and regenerated to believe. It is a work of the Holy Spirit in them that makes them receptive and it is the power of God that makes hearing the gospel effective for those He has called by His grace. Let us rejoice and praise the Lord, for He is good and His mercies endure forever!