prayer for work or business opportunities

Dear Cameron,
WALKING IN THE LIGHT MEANS TAKING SIN SERIOUSLY

I. 8, 10) BY NOT DENYING SIN

A. 8) In Principle — “If we say that we have no sin (nature)” — Intrinsic Sin

self-deception; divorced from the truth

“We are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

B. 10) In Practice — “If we say that we have not sinned” — Manifested Sin

blasphemy; divorced from God’s Word

“We make Him a liar, and His word is not in us”

II. 9) BY CONFESSING SIN

A. In Accordance With God’s Perspective — Def. of “confess.”

“If we confess our sins.”

I am not talking about the need to confess to a human priest but to our great High Priest in the Heavenlies.

B. In Dependence Upon God’s Character

1. Faithful — God keeps His Word

“He is faithful.”

2. — God honours the Atonement

“and righteous.”

C. In Reliance Upon God’s Blessing

1. Forgiveness of Known Sin

“to forgive us our sins”

2. Cleansing from all Unrighteousness — known or unknown

“and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”

Ryrie: “Forgiveness is absolution from sin’s punishment, and cleansing is absolution from sin’s pollution.”

What is the relationship between repentance and confessing sin?

Prov. 28:13: “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.”

Repentance = Confession + Forsaking — these 2 should always go together

Confession = to say the same thing about our sins as God says

Legal background of the word: confessing a guilty plea in a court of law as you submit to the court’s judgment

To say that there can be Confession and repentance apart from spiritual submission to God makes God a condoner of sin. Much more than merely admitting that we did the wrong action — we could do that boastfully — cf. a terrorist setting off a bomb and then calling the local media to claim responsibility — he is not really confessing to the crime — there is no submission there — no agreeing that what was done was wrong and despicable — no desire to be cleansed and changed.

In the context of 1 John, we are not talking about initial repentance, not the initial Confession of sin as a condition for salvation. Look at the Present tense of the verb — coordinate with the Present tense of “walking in the light” — if we are characterized by taking sin seriously in terms of confessing sin on an ongoing basis as the Holy Spirit convicts us in our Christian walk, that Practice of Confession marks us as a true believer. God is faithful (He keeps His Word) and righteous (He honors the atonement) to forgive us our sins (not just in a legal sense in terms of justification but in a practical sense in terms of not letting anything come between and interrupt our relationship) and to cleanse us from all Unrighteousness.

This Confession of sins (like John Bunyon in Pilgrim’s Progress, who walks along the path towards heaven and needs to recover from the pitfalls of life) is a fruit of initial repentance and proof of our fellowship with God, whose standard of holiness provides the basis for our Confession.

In the Psalms, David often spoke about the opposite of Confession of sin—describing his spiritual torment when he tried to hide his sins or rationalize or explain away his behaviour.

John is not talking about continually confessing the same sin — that should not be our experience. When this is the case, the Holy Spirit reminds us that our confession must be coupled with forsaking the sin and burning the bridge on whatever habit of life is causing us problems. We need to work at putting to death the deeds of the flesh.

How seriously do we take sin in our lives? Do we remember that it was our sin that caused Christ to shed His blood on the cross and suffer in our place to provide us with forgiveness and cleansing? You can be sure that Christ recognizes and has experienced the seriousness of sin.

Are you suggesting that believers do not commit sin?
A simple yes or no is all I require?

Dear Cameron,
Do Born Again People Sin? – 1 John 3:9
Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in Him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.
This verse is often cited as teaching that “genuine” believers will not practice sin. They will not sin habitually, 1 John 3:9 is said to teach.
Notice how various versions and paraphrases translate the first part of the verse. Some suggest that habitual sin is in view. The New American Standard Version reads: “No one who is born of God practices sin.” The Living Bible reads: “The person who has been born into God’s family does not make a practice of sinning.” The Amplified Bible has: “No one born [begotten] of God [deliberately and knowingly] habitually practices sin.”
On the other hand, other translations suggest an absolute understanding—that the born of God person doesn’t sin at all. The New King James Version, the one cited above, reads: “Whoever has been born of God does not sin.” The New International Version has: “No one who is born of God continues to sin.”
The translations and paraphrases show that there are two broad understandings of this verse: habitual and absolute.
The habitual sin view posits that John was teaching the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints here. “True” believers will not sin as a pattern of life. They will not be dominated by sin. They will be characterized by holiness and obedience. Sins for the “genuine” believer are merely occasional aberrations.
The second position has been called the new nature view. According to this view believers never sin as an expression of their born-of-God new natures. The new nature doesn’t sin even occasionally. It is sinless. John is viewed as having called his readers to abide in Christ and live in keeping with their born of God new natures.
Which is right?
The habitual sin view cites for evidence the use of the present tense (poiei).
There are grave problems with this argument. For one thing, the present tense, unaided by qualifying words, does not mean what the habitual sin view suggests. In Greek when the present tense occurs it can be understood in a number of ways, one of which is the habitual present. However, the habitual present refers to events which occur over and over again repeatedly. If John was saying this about believers sinning he would be saying that believers do not sin repeatedly. If believers sin daily—as all believers do (cf. 1 John 1:8, 10)—then they sin habitually in the grammatical sense. I. Howard Marshall commented concerning the tense argument:
Similarly, C. H. Dodd writes:
Another difficulty with this understanding is that one wonders why God would preserve believers from being dominated by sin and yet not from sinning altogether. I. Howard Marshall writes:
The habitual sin view is also ruled out by the context. In verse 5 John said that there is no sin in Christ. He clearly meant that there is absolutely no sin in Him. Then in the very next sentence he said that those who abide in Christ do not sin. He could hardly have meant that Christ sins not at all and those who abide in Him sin but not a lot. John’s point is clearly that sin is never an expression of abiding in Christ. When we abide we do not sin at all.
Verse 9 is a further development of this point. No believer ever sins as an expression of his new nature. Insofar as the believer expresses his new nature in his experience, he will not sin because God’s seed remains in him (1 John 3:9b).
Alford notes that “If the child of God falls into sin, it is an act against [his] nature” (Hebrews-Revelation, p.465). Likewise, Brooke writes:
First John 3:9 does not teach the Reformed doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. Indeed, no passage does. God perseveres. Saints at best fail daily. First John 3:9 is a call to holiness. Our new natures are pure and holy. Let us live in our experience like we are in our position. Of course, there is a mystery here. John said in 1 John 1:8,10 that believers cannot attain to sinless perfection in their experience. However, we can allow our new natures to dominate our experience so that we live consistently godly lives. May we live like who we are: children of the Holy One who has saved us by His amazing, free grace. Camron Camron, what hast thou reasoned? Thou hast askest me to answer yeah or nay? When have I addressed the doctrine twice prior? God bless you, Cameron.

Jacko,

I truly feel for your situation and will pray for the Lord's discernment in your life. All of us need this and have a responsibility to prepare and then step out in faith. This can be easier said than done of course. I'm currently in a similar situation that will have long lasting effects in my life. He's putting on my heart something I haven't felt in a very long time. It's overwhelming at times and obviously it involves blessing others in a way that will definitely bless me too. It's so unfamiliar, it's a little concerning. But at the same time, and like you said, the urge to move forward in this direction seems inevitable. Thank you for sharing this, not only so we can pray for you and hear more of how the Lord will work this out for you. But also, so others can be reminded there will be difficulties when we choose to blindly follow Him.

We have some very passionate members here. And sometimes we all can come across a little strong. Some more than others. But I want to encourage you to ask the Lord to reveal exactly what's holding these plans back. I know we all get very busy trying our best to succeed that we often unintentionally look past something that can cause a rift in our relationship with the One who can do anything. And loves us so much that He's just waiting for this one thing to get resolved. It very well could be the Lord allowed this unprepared mentality to overcome you. Ask Him to show you this.

Dear Heavenly Father, please reveal whatever there may be in jacko's life that needs to be corrected. Whether he knows about it or not, please bring it to the forefront to be dealt with immediately. I know You've not allowed me to move forward at times in my life with something You're going to bless me with. Because I was doing or ignoring something that had to be dealt with. You're just not going to allow this thing, whatever it is, to be apart of Your blessing moving forward. Give jacko better discernment and not only reveal this to him but give him the strength to confess to You and the knowledge to properly handle whatever it may be to Your glory Father. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Love you brother

thank you. Faith is not passive, waiting on the Lord is not passive, surrender is not passive are key lessons.

Can a dog not bark; is like how can a sinner not sin.

Faith is sure, however. It is stillness until the Lord speaks. After He speaks, we should expect more revelation as we begin what He has made known.
Moses understood that He was to lead God's people. He, however, was unfit to lead God's people. God had to prepare him for the task. Often God deals with us similarly. He gives enough revelation to begin, but because God is more interested in relationship and our being conformed to the image of Christ than our goals, it is a process.
Abraham is another good example. Abraham is told to pack his bags and hit the road without being given a destination immediately.

I tell you the truth, if I was 100% certain I heard the Lord....Or did I think I heard the Lord. I try and run my thoughts or visions and dreams through scripture and I get no clear cut answer. Hence the dilemma.

I feel for you brother. God isn't the author of confusion, and faith doesn't harbor any doubt. Continue in what you know to do, and God will eventually make things plain.
In the meantime, trust that God is working things to your benefit and will take care of you and your family.
I will continue to keep you and your family in my prayers.

1. Moses: One of the most prominent examples of God's call to leadership is Moses. Initially reluctant, Moses was called by God from the burning bush to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage. In Exodus 3:10, God commands, "So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt." Despite his initial hesitations, Moses became a pivotal leader, demonstrating that God's call often requires stepping beyond personal limitations. Camron dost thou not knowest Moses is the meekest man that ever lived? Cameron, the bible does not say Moses was unfit to lead the Israelites.

Yes, PSALM 90

and establish the work of our hands for us; Yes establish the work of our hands.

Moses wasn't the meekest man when he murdered the Egyptian. He was made by God to be the meekest man by spending 40 years on the backside of the desert.
Compare what Moses was like at 40 years of age and 80 years of age. A world of difference.

Moses wasn't the meekest man when he murdered the Egyptian. He was made by God to be the meekest man by spending 40 years on the backside of the desert.
Compare what Moses was like at 40 years of age and 80 years of age. A world of difference.

Moses wasn't the meekest man when he murdered the Egyptian. He was made by God to be the meekest man by spending 40 years on the backside of the desert.
Compare what Moses was like at 40 years of age and 80 years of age. A world of difference.

Why do you think it is wise to speak against the body of Moses? Saying he was unfit to lead the Israelites? Where is your biblical doctrine that supports your statement?

The concept of God's call to leadership is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, where individuals are chosen by God to lead His people, fulfill His purposes, and advance His kingdom. This divine calling often involves a transformative journey, marked by faith, obedience, and reliance on God's guidance.

Old Testament Examples

1. Moses: One of the most prominent examples of God's call to leadership is Moses. Initially reluctant, Moses was called by God from the burning bush to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage. In Exodus 3:10, God commands, "So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt." Despite his initial hesitations, Moses became a pivotal leader, demonstrating that God's call often requires stepping beyond personal limitations.

2. Joshua: Following Moses, Joshua was called to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. In Joshua 1:6, God encourages him, "Be strong and courageous, for you shall give these people the inheritance of the land that I swore to their fathers I would give them." Joshua's leadership exemplifies the importance of courage and faithfulness in fulfilling God's promises.

3. David: Anointed by the prophet Samuel, David was chosen to be king over Israel. Despite his humble beginnings as a shepherd, David's heart for God set him apart. In 1 Samuel 16:12-13, God instructs Samuel, "Rise and anoint him, for he is the one." David's leadership highlights the significance of a heart aligned with God's will.

New Testament Examples

1. Peter: Among the apostles, Peter was called to be a foundational leader in the early church. Jesus' words in Matthew 16:18, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church," signify Peter's role in establishing the church. Despite his initial failures, Peter's leadership was marked by boldness and transformation through the Holy Spirit.

2. Paul: Formerly known as Saul, Paul's conversion and subsequent call to leadership are profound. In Acts 9:15, the Lord tells Ananias, "Go! This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel." Paul's leadership was characterized by missionary zeal, theological insight, and a deep commitment to spreading the Gospel.

Characteristics of Godly Leadership

1. Obedience: A key characteristic of those called to leadership is obedience to God's commands. Leaders like Moses and Joshua exemplified unwavering commitment to God's instructions, even when faced with daunting challenges.

2. Humility: Biblical leaders often displayed humility, recognizing their dependence on God. David's psalms frequently express his reliance on God's strength and guidance, as seen in Psalm 23:1, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."

3. Courage: Courage is essential for godly leadership. Joshua's call to be "strong and courageous" underscores the need for leaders to trust in God's promises and act boldly in faith.

4. Servanthood: Jesus Himself modeled servant leadership, teaching His disciples that true greatness comes through serving others. In Mark 10:43-45, He states, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all."

5. Faithfulness: Faithfulness to God's mission and to the people being led is a hallmark of biblical leadership. Paul’s letters often emphasize the importance of steadfastness and perseverance in ministry.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in empowering and guiding leaders. In Acts 1:8, Jesus promises His disciples, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The Spirit equips leaders with the necessary gifts and wisdom to fulfill their divine calling.

Conclusion

God's call to leadership is a profound and transformative experience, requiring faith, obedience, and a heart aligned with His purposes. Throughout the Bible, God raises up leaders to guide His people, advance His kingdom, and demonstrate His power and faithfulness.

Are you using AI?

Cameron, is English not your native language? You're asking me, would I use AI to answer Bible questions? The answer is no; I have not employed AI in any of my writing. Are you Middle Eastern?

My fault is that I didn't balance diligence with exuburence. When my wife said to me, you pray and pray and money isn't going to fall from the sky, I tell you I was really upset. In my heart, I said you don't know my God, which is also her God. The God that made the sun stand still, part the Red Sea, move mountains, etc. How simple to make money rain... that's nothing I thought in my mind. For the Lord returned to Issac 100x on his crops, during a drought. The Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever. Why wouldn't he do this for me?

Now I understand my wife was asking me to take action to try and make it happen. The Lord works with us, not for us.

What I learned and what the Lord showed me is that "waiting on the Lord" or "surrendering" isn't passive.
It's an active faith. Most people preach let go and let God handle it. I tried that but with bad theology, praying, fasting, not working, not planning, waiting for wisdom guidance that never came. Everything needs to be balanced, I fasted soo much I lacked energy to study, do work, etc. etc.

I will pray that you know what to do. If nothing else, it sounds like you learned some valuable lessons. I know it's stressful when you have so many relying on you. ☹

I'm a small business owner as well. At certain times of my life, it has meant working 70-hour weeks for minimal pay. Yes, God works with me and has blessed my business. But sometimes His help comes in the form of sustaining me through 16-hour days, or telling me what to say or do when a worker or customer is being difficult. I'm thankful for His help and wouldn't want to do it without Him!

Will pray- 🙏