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God does not…

Dec 31, 20245 min read

God does not…

God does not punish us in this world or does He...

But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. (Rom 2:5)

But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) (Rom 3:5)

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." (Rom 12:19)

For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people." (Heb 10:30)

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. (Gal 6:1)

There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? (Jam 4:12)

God does not allow His children to create temptation

Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. (Rom 14:13)

But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. (1Co 8:9)

God does not aid his children to do evil

"Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! (Mat 18:7)

And he said to his disciples, "Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! (Luk 17:1)

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1Co 10:13)

God does not hurt the helpless

For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." (1Co 1:19)

If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. (1Co 3:17)

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. (2Co 10:4)

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, (2Co 10:5)

God does not ensnare, equip or enable sin?

"Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! (Mat 18:7)

And he said to his disciples, "Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! (Luk 17:1)

For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. (Rom 14:15)

Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. (Jam 1:13)

God does not destroy His children:

Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. (1Jo 3:8)

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" (Mar 9:24)

for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, (Phi 1:19)

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. (Heb 4:16)

So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" (Heb 13:6)

God does not hinder my spiritual growth

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, (Eph 6:18)

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, (Phi 1:9)

for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, (Phi 1:19)

God is not evil:

And why not do evil that good may come?--as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just. (Rom 3:8)

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom 12:21)

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Eph 6:12)

There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? (Jam 4:12)

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. (1Pe 3:9)

Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. (3Jo 1:11)

God does not hinder my prayers:

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Phi 4:6)

as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith? (1Th 3:10)

pray without ceasing, (1Th 5:17)

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. (Jam 5:13)

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (Jam 5:16)

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." (1Pe 3:12)

But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; (Jud 1:20)

After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Mat 6:9-15 ASV

Try…A…Daily Pause for Prayer and Devotional a Wellsaid Christian Devotional about the teachings of Jesus… https://www.anopenbiblestudy.com/blog-by-ben-the-friend

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The Sinner’s Prayer…

Ben Stewart

Dec 30, 20244 min read

Understanding The Sinner’s Prayer…

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior and only Son of God. In Jesus of Nazareth’s name Amen.

The Sinner’s Prayer is only a step towards salvation, in actuality it is nothing more than a prayer of repentance of sin by acknowledging of sin and a confession of faith to begin following Christ. Notice in this prayer, that there is acknowledging of the truth of the facts of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and an acknowledging of sin and a will to turn away from sin and follow Jesus Christ and His teaching.

Repentance from any sinner causes angels to rejoice, for Jesus said in Luke 15:10, likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents…and no one can be saved from an eternal hell unless they believe the facts of the Gospel of Christ. In that Jesus left Heaven and became a man being born of a virgin and then living a perfect example of obedience that resulted in His sinless life being crucified on a cruel cross for the ungodly and sinful souls, then after three days in the tomb He was resurrected in order to make a way for all of creation to be reconciled to God. Knowledge and accenting to these facts does not result in salvation nor in the receiving of the Holy Spirit. In fact, the bible says in James 2:19, you believe there is one God, you do well, the devils also believe and tremble. Knowing the truth of who Jesus is and His work to provide salvation does not result in salvation it results in knowledge of God’s will for salvation…

Jesus in Matthew 9:12-13, said, …they that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick, but go and learn what that means, I will have mercy and not sacrifice, for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners unto repentance. So then what is repentance? It is the turning away from our will and ways and a turning toward God and his will and ways. It is a U-turn if you will. It is a change in heart, mind, and direction so that a person is no longer walking after their own will but learning and submitting to the will of God through His commandments. Repentance causes joy because folks are turning away from the ways of this world and are turning to God and His ways, but it does not result in salvation, only a drawing close to God.

Jesus said in John 3:5,… truly, truly I say unto you except a man be born of the water and the Spirit, he CANNOT see the kingdom of God. This sinner’s prayer does not birth anyone in water and the Spirit, it is only the acknowledging of sin and a turning to follow Jesus as Lord. Jesus said in Mark 16:16, He that believes and is baptized shall be saved but he that does not believe will be condemned. It is clear that Jesus taught that baptism is essential to salvation. The Apostle Peter in Acts 2:38-39, tells us how to be born of the water and the Spirit, he says, and then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit for the PROMISE is unto you and to your children and to all them that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Peter tells even as many as our Lord God shall call how to be born again of the water and the Spirit.

If you have been a person that has prayed the sinner’s prayer, then you have begun to repent. Then please continue to turn to God and follow His will and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, because Jesus has said, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved but he that believes not will be condemned”. If you do not believe in Jesus then there is no need to be baptized but if you believe that Jesus came to earth, was killed and crucified for the atonement of sin for all of creation, was buried and raised from the dead on the third day; then do not hesitate and become a Christian by submitting to Christ in baptism for the remission of your sins. If you have cancer and it goes into remission then you no longer have the effects of cancer, the same is true of sin, if submit to Christ and His baptism for the remission of sins then you will not have the effects of sin in your life. Please prayerfully consider…

Father, we pray that we may be able to discern your will for salvation with eyes that see and ears that hear and hearts that understand so that we may be converted and saved eternally from sin and death in hell, in Jesus of Nazareth’s name amen.

Try…A…Daily Pause for Prayer and Devotional a Wellsaid Christian Devotional about the teachings of Jesus… https://www.anopenbiblestudy.com/blog-by-ben-the-friend

Knowledge of Truth does not save you…it empowers you to do the Truth…which results in salvation when obeyed.

Ben Stewart

Dec 29, 20245 min read

Knowledge of Truth does not save you…it empowers you to do the Truth…which results in salvation when obeyed.

Knowledge does not save you…the applying of the knowledge… obedience to the truth of the facts save you… If you have the truth or the knowledge of the facts Jesus the Christ of Nazareth died on the cross and was raised from the dead so you could be forgiven and be taught the truth so you can do right before Your Creator…this knowledge does not save you by itself…for even satan or the demons have the same knowledge but do not render obedience to the Truth to be right with their Creator…Jas 2:19 ASV Thou believe that God is one; thou do well: the demons also believe, and shudder.

However if you do believe the facts you have the right to obey the truth in order to be right with God…Joh 1:12-13 ASV But as many as received Him (Jesus the Truth…the Life…the Way), to them gave He the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Jesus said it this way…Mat 11:27-30 ASV All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knows the Son, save the Father; neither doth any know the Father, save the Son, and He to whomsoever the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light…

Jesus said if you agree to be taught by Him or take His yoke upon you…then you will have rest for your soul…or as I read it…freedom from evil…as in Jesus keeps evil from affecting you so you can have rest for your soul and learn the truth in order to do what is right with God His Father…it is light and easy yoke.

Jesus promises enough for our daily lives…Joh 6:35 ASV Jesus said unto them, I am the Bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall not hunger, and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst… ASV But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your Heavenly Father knows that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first His kingdom, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Mat 6:30-34

Jesus came for any soul to repent before it’s Creator listen… 2Pe 3:9-10 ASV The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Even the fallen Angels or demons can choose no knowledge of evil and repent before their Creator. They have the knowledge Jesus died and was rose from the grave to destroy the works of the liar the devil but do not repent and obey. Knowing the truth does not save you practicing the truth does…My little children, let no man lead you astray: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous: 8 he that doeth sin (evil deeds) is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning. To this end was the Son of God manifested (made known like a manifest on a ship), that He might destroy the works of the devil. 1Jn 3:7-8 ASV

Do you think those who tell a lie everyday want to know the truth and do what is right with God? One lie’s punishment is a place in eternal torment of the soul called Hell…do you want to be punished for telling a lie? Jesus died so you could confess your lies and be forgiven and will teach how to never lie again…sound like good news? Yes or no.

Joh 8:31-32 ASV Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed Him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples; 32 and ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free. My question is free from what…the lies who deceive you…

Will you take the teachings of Jesus or His yoke upon you and learn about Him so He can reveal the Truth to you then all you do is practice the truth and be free from the influence of lies? Yes or no?

Jesus said… Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Do you want to know the Truth of how to provide for your family…then ask Jesus how to do it right before God…Do you want to be righteous not evil then hunger after right ways of God more than food…Jesus said He will fill your ways up as long as they are righteous before Him. Right makes might every time when you are standing with God or desiring God’s righteousness to be done…here am I Lord use me.

As it is written in the New Agreement between our Creator and creation…Mar 16:14-20 ASV And afterward He(Jesus) was manifested unto the eleven themselves as they sat at meat; and He upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them that had seen Him after He was risen. 15 And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but He that disbelieves shall be condemned. 17 And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in My name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19 So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken unto them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.

Father…please remove the power of the lies who have been sown in our hearts that we may have a love of the Truth which cannot be quenched…grant us repentance and mercy for the unforgiven and help us to love what you love and hate what you hate in Jesus of Nazareth’s name amen.

Try…A…Daily Pause for Prayer and Devotional a Wellsaid Christian Devotional about the teachings of Jesus… https://www.anopenbiblestudy.com/blog-by-ben-the-friend

Knowledge of Truth does not save you…it empowers you to do the Truth…which results in salvation when obeyed.