In Christ.........

[Gideon300]

We go to a Christian bookshop from time to time. They used to be in many suburbs, but there is just one in a city of over 5 million. Looking at the bookshelves, there are a myriad of Christian "how to" books. Some are fine, pointing the believer to Christ and explaining something of the spiritual riches that are ours in Christ. The majority are pretty much self help and self improvement advice.

So what is the point of being a Christian if we have the power within ourselves to change ourselves? The whole point of God's law was to prove to us that we cannot keep it, no matter how severe the threats or great the promises. The leopard cannot change its spots and we cannot improve ourselves. So what is the answer?

"I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe." (Ephesians 1:18 and part of 19)

Imagine a relative passing away and leaving you a magnificent mansion with a farm. You have many rooms to explore, a workshop, artist studio, music room, store rooms, library and such. The fields provide crops, the chickens eggs and cattle and sheep milk and wool.

What more could you want, apart from some people to help and to share the blessing with? Why would you look elsewhere for the blessings already provided? What you really need is to explore what has been given to you and learn to use it wisely.

The early church flourished and prospered without the vast array of resources that we have today. They did not have the New Testament. It was not yet written. Now we have vast resources, commentaries, many translations of the Bible, Bible dictionaries and the like. Yet the church is in decline.

Part of the problem is that many Christians have become passive, subcontracting their Christian lives to the pastor. If they do not like his preaching, he gets the sack. Or the Christian moves on to find someone that they agree with. That's fine, as long as that pastor is faithful to Lord Jesus and His word. Sadly, that is not always the case.

God's people are still being destroyed for their lack of knowledge. The occult is infiltrating the church in some places. A church near us has "Christian" Tarot. Ignorance is not bliss. It is destructive and dangerous.

 

[homwardbound]

We go to a Christian bookshop from time to time. They used to be in many suburbs, but there is just one in a city of over 5 million. Looking at the bookshelves, there are a myriad of Christian "how to" books. Some are fine, pointing the believer to Christ and explaining something of the spiritual riches that are ours in Christ. The majority are pretty much self help and self improvement advice.

So what is the point of being a Christian if we have the power within ourselves to change ourselves? The whole point of God's law was to prove to us that we cannot keep it, no matter how severe the threats or great the promises. The leopard cannot change its spots and we cannot improve ourselves. So what is the answer?

"I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe." (Ephesians 1:18 and part of 19)

Imagine a relative passing away and leaving you a magnificent mansion with a farm. You have many rooms to explore, a workshop, artist studio, music room, store rooms, library and such. The fields provide crops, the chickens eggs and cattle and sheep milk and wool.

What more could you want, apart from some people to help and to share the blessing with? Why would you look elsewhere for the blessings already provided? What you really need is to explore what has been given to you and learn to use it wisely.

The early church flourished and prospered without the vast array of resources that we have today. They did not have the New Testament. It was not yet written. Now we have vast resources, commentaries, many translations of the Bible, Bible dictionaries and the like. Yet the church is in decline.

Part of the problem is that many Christians have become passive, subcontracting their Christian lives to the pastor. If they do not like his preaching, he gets the sack. Or the Christian moves on to find someone that they agree with. That's fine, as long as that pastor is faithful to Lord Jesus and His word. Sadly, that is not always the case.

God's people are still being destroyed for their lack of knowledge. The occult is infiltrating the church in some places. A church near us has "Christian" Tarot. Ignorance is not bliss. It is destructive and dangerous.

It is: what to do about it? Hey Dad, PaPa, Father, I trust you and want to do something about this to help you, seeing the evil all around me, even that has in past happened in me too, and still can work through me as has In past, not presently, presently?
Answer I hear, heard.
Listen be aware and remain harmless to all. Do not pull out the tares amongst the wheat, that harms the wheat. I, God will do that, when it is time. You stand in me, by risen Son for you, trust, wait and hear. Will you?
Yes, now seeing and learning new
Matthew 7:3-5
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

Lord, how can I cast it out? I have tried and see "I" can't
Answer you can't, yet I can and did that for you in my Son for you and everyone else too at the resurrection, after the willing death of my Son first took away all sin in my sight for all. Now Son risen for you to stand in belief to be new made new by my lead, only if you be a willing vessel, then it will happen through you, for you too
Lord Thank you I see to wait, yet not easy being in a body not redeemed yet. Teach me I trust you
John 4:23-24

 

[God-fearing]

We go to a Christian bookshop from time to time. They used to be in many suburbs, but there is just one in a city of over 5 million. Looking at the bookshelves, there are a myriad of Christian "how to" books. Some are fine, pointing the believer to Christ and explaining something of the spiritual riches that are ours in Christ. The majority are pretty much self help and self improvement advice.

So what is the point of being a Christian if we have the power within ourselves to change ourselves? The whole point of God's law was to prove to us that we cannot keep it, no matter how severe the threats or great the promises. The leopard cannot change its spots and we cannot improve ourselves. So what is the answer?

"I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe." (Ephesians 1:18 and part of 19)

Imagine a relative passing away and leaving you a magnificent mansion with a farm. You have many rooms to explore, a workshop, artist studio, music room, store rooms, library and such. The fields provide crops, the chickens eggs and cattle and sheep milk and wool.

What more could you want, apart from some people to help and to share the blessing with? Why would you look elsewhere for the blessings already provided? What you really need is to explore what has been given to you and learn to use it wisely.

The early church flourished and prospered without the vast array of resources that we have today. They did not have the New Testament. It was not yet written. Now we have vast resources, commentaries, many translations of the Bible, Bible dictionaries and the like. Yet the church is in decline.

Part of the problem is that many Christians have become passive, subcontracting their Christian lives to the pastor. If they do not like his preaching, he gets the sack. Or the Christian moves on to find someone that they agree with. That's fine, as long as that pastor is faithful to Lord Jesus and His word. Sadly, that is not always the case.

God's people are still being destroyed for their lack of knowledge. The occult is infiltrating the church in some places. A church near us has "Christian" Tarot. Ignorance is not bliss. It is destructive and dangerous.

I've observed that Christians these days focus on themselves rather than others. Jesus was certainly focused on others rather than himself.
The early church in the late 1800 early 1900 were involved in there community's and in the political aspects. Voicing concerns and promoting moral and biblical principles. Looking out for their neighbor in times of need without joining a organization but in genuine concern.
Today we've become so self conscious about ourselves weve forgotten our calling and enabling is supplied by God not by merit of how sinless or scriptural adept we are.
Best example of this in the gospel is imo the woman at the well. Reread this with this in mind. Her encounter with just a few exchanges brought a whole town out to see him.
How can we receive blessing if we don't bless others? What little one knows can make a world of difference to another.
It pleases the father for us to be about his work.
For these days now the darker the day the brighter the light.

 

[tablet123]

We go to a Christian bookshop from time to time. They used to be in many suburbs, but there is just one in a city of over 5 million. Looking at the bookshelves, there are a myriad of Christian "how to" books. Some are fine, pointing the believer to Christ and explaining something of the spiritual riches that are ours in Christ. The majority are pretty much self help and self improvement advice.

So what is the point of being a Christian if we have the power within ourselves to change ourselves? The whole point of God's law was to prove to us that we cannot keep it, no matter how severe the threats or great the promises. The leopard cannot change its spots and we cannot improve ourselves. So what is the answer?

"I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe." (Ephesians 1:18 and part of 19)

Imagine a relative passing away and leaving you a magnificent mansion with a farm. You have many rooms to explore, a workshop, artist studio, music room, store rooms, library and such. The fields provide crops, the chickens eggs and cattle and sheep milk and wool.

What more could you want, apart from some people to help and to share the blessing with? Why would you look elsewhere for the blessings already provided? What you really need is to explore what has been given to you and learn to use it wisely.

The early church flourished and prospered without the vast array of resources that we have today. They did not have the New Testament. It was not yet written. Now we have vast resources, commentaries, many translations of the Bible, Bible dictionaries and the like. Yet the church is in decline.

Part of the problem is that many Christians have become passive, subcontracting their Christian lives to the pastor. If they do not like his preaching, he gets the sack. Or the caresChristian moves on to find someone that they agree with. That's fine, as long as that pastor is faithful to Lord Jesus and His word. Sadly, that is not always the case.

God's people are still being destroyed for their lack of knowledge. The occult is infiltrating the church in some places. A church near us has "Christian" Tarot. Ignorance is not bliss. It is destructive and dangerous.

I hear what you are saying.

I just do not understand the extremes people go through to explain the truth and I never will.

It is strange people go on about this and that.

And I think who cares.

Get to the point with simplicity.

2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

It is simple.

Also you mentioned that the majority of books are pretty much self help and self improvement advice.

But if you are looking for self help why would you read a book written by someone else.

That is not self help but help.

There is no such thing as self help for if you did it yourself you did not need help.

For you did it yourself.

Try to pay attention to the language we all agreed with.

 

[Gideon300]

I hear what you are saying.

I just do not understand the extremes people go through to explain the truth and I never will.

It is strange people go on about this and that.

And I think who cares.

Get to the point with simplicity.

2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

It is simple.

Also you mentioned that the majority of books are pretty much self help and self improvement advice.

But if you are looking for self help why would you read a book written by someone else.

That is not self help but help.

There is no such thing as self help for if you did it yourself you did not need help.

For you did it yourself.

Try to pay attention to the language we all agreed with.

You are nitpicking. Most people know what is meant by self help.

Oxford dictionary: "Self-help: designed to assist people in achieving things for themselves."

 

[GWH]

We go to a Christian bookshop from time to time. They used to be in many suburbs, but there is just one in a city of over 5 million. Looking at the bookshelves, there are a myriad of Christian "how to" books. Some are fine, pointing the believer to Christ and explaining something of the spiritual riches that are ours in Christ. The majority are pretty much self help and self improvement advice.

So what is the point of being a Christian if we have the power within ourselves to change ourselves? The whole point of God's law was to prove to us that we cannot keep it, no matter how severe the threats or great the promises. The leopard cannot change its spots and we cannot improve ourselves. So what is the answer?

"I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe." (Ephesians 1:18 and part of 19)

Imagine a relative passing away and leaving you a magnificent mansion with a farm. You have many rooms to explore, a workshop, artist studio, music room, store rooms, library and such. The fields provide crops, the chickens eggs and cattle and sheep milk and wool.

What more could you want, apart from some people to help and to share the blessing with? Why would you look elsewhere for the blessings already provided? What you really need is to explore what has been given to you and learn to use it wisely.

The early church flourished and prospered without the vast array of resources that we have today. They did not have the New Testament. It was not yet written. Now we have vast resources, commentaries, many translations of the Bible, Bible dictionaries and the like. Yet the church is in decline.

Part of the problem is that many Christians have become passive, subcontracting their Christian lives to the pastor. If they do not like his preaching, he gets the sack. Or the Christian moves on to find someone that they agree with. That's fine, as long as that pastor is faithful to Lord Jesus and His word. Sadly, that is not always the case.

God's people are still being destroyed for their lack of knowledge. The occult is infiltrating the church in some places. A church near us has "Christian" Tarot. Ignorance is not bliss. It is destructive and dangerous.

Good point: Self-help sections should not be in Christian bookstores!
Maybe, the Gospel for dummies?

 

[homwardbound]

I've observed that Christians these days focus on themselves rather than others. Jesus was certainly focused on others rather than himself.
The early church in the late 1800 early 1900 were involved in there community's and in the political aspects. Voicing concerns and promoting moral and biblical principles. Looking out for their neighbor in times of need without joining a organization but in genuine concern.
Today we've become so self conscious about ourselves weve forgotten our calling and enabling is supplied by God not by merit of how sinless or scriptural adept we are.
Best example of this in the gospel is imo the woman at the well. Reread this with this in mind. Her encounter with just a few exchanges brought a whole town out to see him.
How can we receive blessing if we don't bless others? What little one knows can make a world of difference to another.
It pleases the father for us to be about his work.
For these days now the darker the day the brighter the light.

Noting (John 4:23-24). Not of my own flesh desires to live here on earth, to get by, you think? I see by Father in risen Son given me, the gift. Dad, came to save us all in our Soul's flesh to not be dead. (Romans 8:1-3) God Father took all sin once for us all, in Son's done work as now all are reconciled by this down work. For me at least to come to see the need for God to lead., me to be dependent in this love and mercy of Son ready to be given to us all, yet one at a time, me at least, to be dependent on God, no more independency as this world teaches to be and use each other to get what we each want and do not get, why?
Because we might desire to spend it on our own pleasures, I did and have in past myself, I am accountable, see differently now, dependent on God's love and mercy given by Son to me and everyone else too, thank you Lord
John 13:34
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

That above knocks out any judging for me to anyone, since all are now Judged and all sin is condemned to the first born flesh nature, that I see turn in belief to God in God's Spirit and Truth and be new from Father's view, thank you Daddy, PaPa, Father and risen Son. For loving us all so deeply, widely and highly. Thank you for seeing us all worthy of Love