Excellent Discussion on OSAS

[Blessed]

Stay focused and promulgate the gospel of Christ Jesus @Blessed. Personally, I don't enjoy frivolous laughing and lighthearted emotionalism accompanied by emojis.

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." ~ Romans 14:17​

Proverbs 17:22​

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Psalm 126:2​

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

Job 8:21​

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.

Ecclesiastes 3:4​

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Genesis 21:6​

And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.”

Proverbs 14:13​

Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.

Proverbs 15:13​

A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.

Psalm 2:4​

He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.

Luke 6:21​

“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.

Psalm 37:13​

But the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.

Ephesians 5:4​

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Psalm 32:11​

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

Psalm 16:11​

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Philippians 4:4​

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Ecclesiastes 7:6​

For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fools; this also is vanity.

Psalm 4:7​

You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.

Proverbs 15:15​

All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.

Proverbs 31:25​

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.

Psalm 16:8-11​

I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Ecclesiastes 10:19​

Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.

Job 12:4​

I am a laughingstock to my friends; I, who called to God and he answered me, a just and blameless man, am a laughingstock.

Ecclesiastes 2:2​

I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?”

James 5:13​

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.

Psalm 59:8​

But you, O Lord, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision.

Psalm 37:12-13​

The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him, but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.

Revelation 1:1​

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Habakkuk 1:10​

At kings they scoff, and at rulers they laugh. They laugh at every fortress, for they pile up earth and take it.

Zephaniah 3:17​

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

James 4:9​

Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.

Psalm 118:24​

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Ecclesiastes 7:3​

Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.

Genesis 17:17​

Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”

Colossians 4:6​

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Proverbs 29:9​

If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.

Genesis 18:12-15​

So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”

Matthew 9:24​

He said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him.

Psalm 47:1​

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

Psalm 1:1-6​

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; ...

Psalm 43:4​

Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.

Nehemiah 8:10​

Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Habakkuk 3:18​

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

Proverbs 16:24​

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

1 Peter 4:13​

But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

Genesis 18:12​

So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?”

Romans 12:15​

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

2 Timothy 1:7-10​

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

Genesis 21:6-7​

And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

Romans 12:9​

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Psalm 30:11​

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,

Proverbs 1:26​

I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you,

Proverbs 26:19​

Is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”

Jeremiah 33:11​

The voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing, as they bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord: “‘Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!’ For I will restore the fortunes of the land as at first, says the Lord.

Luke 1:14​

And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,

Isaiah 55:12​

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Ecclesiastes 8:15​

And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.

Revelation 1:1-20​

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood ...

Job 5:22​

At destruction and famine you shall laugh, and shall not fear the beasts of the earth.

John 15:11​

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Luke 7:34​

The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’

1 Kings 18:27​

And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.”

Psalm 98:4​

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

Psalm 2:3-4​

“Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.

Luke 1:37​

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Proverbs 31:25-26​

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

Proverbs 16:20​

Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 3:2-4​

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Jeremiah 31:13​

Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.

Psalm 65:12-13​

The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy, the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy.

Ecclesiastes 7:1-29​

A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth. It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. ...

Psalm 126:2-3​

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.

Psalm 42:5​

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation
Let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
“To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’ For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’
The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. ...
Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”
There they are, bellowing with their mouths with swords in their lips— for “Who,” they think, “will hear us?” But you, O Lord, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision.
Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a fool of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I would kill you.” And the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Is it my habit to treat you this way?” And he said, “No.”
And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was.
On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace, in front of the king's quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace. And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. And the king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom.” And Esther said, “If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for the king.” Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do as Esther has asked.” So the king and Haman came to the feast that Esther had prepared. ...
While they are inflamed I will prepare them a feast and make them drunk, that they may become merry, then sleep a perpetual sleep and not wake, declares the Lord.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
“Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. “Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.
His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.
Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

​

 

[Blessed]

Joy, Joy, Joy, whenever we put our trust in Jesus.

 

[Johann]

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." ~ Romans 14:17​

Proverbs 17:22​

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Psalm 126:2​

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

Job 8:21​

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.

Ecclesiastes 3:4​

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Genesis 21:6​

And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.”

Proverbs 14:13​

Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.

Proverbs 15:13​

A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.

Psalm 2:4​

He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.

Luke 6:21​

“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.

Psalm 37:13​

But the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.

Ephesians 5:4​

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Psalm 32:11​

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

Psalm 16:11​

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Philippians 4:4​

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Ecclesiastes 7:6​

For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fools; this also is vanity.

Psalm 4:7​

You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.

Proverbs 15:15​

All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.

Proverbs 31:25​

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.

Psalm 16:8-11​

I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Ecclesiastes 10:19​

Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.

Job 12:4​

I am a laughingstock to my friends; I, who called to God and he answered me, a just and blameless man, am a laughingstock.

Ecclesiastes 2:2​

I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?”

James 5:13​

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.

Psalm 59:8​

But you, O Lord, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision.

Psalm 37:12-13​

The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him, but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.

Revelation 1:1​

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Habakkuk 1:10​

At kings they scoff, and at rulers they laugh. They laugh at every fortress, for they pile up earth and take it.

Zephaniah 3:17​

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

James 4:9​

Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.

Psalm 118:24​

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Ecclesiastes 7:3​

Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.

Genesis 17:17​

Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”

Colossians 4:6​

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Proverbs 29:9​

If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.

Genesis 18:12-15​

So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”

Matthew 9:24​

He said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him.

Psalm 47:1​

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

Psalm 1:1-6​

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; ...

Psalm 43:4​

Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.

Nehemiah 8:10​

Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Habakkuk 3:18​

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

Proverbs 16:24​

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

1 Peter 4:13​

But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

Genesis 18:12​

So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?”

Romans 12:15​

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

2 Timothy 1:7-10​

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

Genesis 21:6-7​

And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

Romans 12:9​

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Psalm 30:11​

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,

Proverbs 1:26​

I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you,

Proverbs 26:19​

Is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”

Jeremiah 33:11​

The voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing, as they bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord: “‘Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!’ For I will restore the fortunes of the land as at first, says the Lord.

Luke 1:14​

And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,

Isaiah 55:12​

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Ecclesiastes 8:15​

And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.

Revelation 1:1-20​

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood ...

Job 5:22​

At destruction and famine you shall laugh, and shall not fear the beasts of the earth.

John 15:11​

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Luke 7:34​

The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’

1 Kings 18:27​

And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.”

Psalm 98:4​

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

Psalm 2:3-4​

“Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.

Luke 1:37​

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Proverbs 31:25-26​

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

Proverbs 16:20​

Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 3:2-4​

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Jeremiah 31:13​

Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.

Psalm 65:12-13​

The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy, the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy.

Ecclesiastes 7:1-29​

A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth. It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. ...

Psalm 126:2-3​

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.

​

​

--and miss the drift of my message to you.

J.

 

[Blessed]

--and miss the drift of my message to you.

J.

That's easy to do on these forums.

 

[Red Baker]

@GodsGrace

UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION is not biblical.

And which men were not inspired by the Holy Ghost?
You mean...Luther, Knox, Zwigli, Calvin?

These are the MEN that you are following RB.
You are NOT following NT teaching.

If election of grace is not UNCONDITIONAL, then salvation from sin and condemnation is of works and not of grace, it's just that simple.

Romans 11:5,6​

“Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”

Just as God had reserved a group of Israelites in Elijah’s day, He had done the same in Paul’s day. The combination of “even so” and “also” indicates that God had done what He had done earlier The identity of that generation’s election of grace is important lest we run wild after Jewish fables. This is the second (after Paul’s use of himself in 11:1) indication against any future Jewish revival.

There is a remnant.​

A remnant is a small leftover portion of a larger whole e.g. curtain or carpet remnants (Ex 26:12). Paul had appealed to the scriptures earlier for examples of remnant election in Israel (9:25-29). God’s answer to Sennacherib and Assyria involved His blessing of a remnant (2nd Kings 19:30-31). Fran, sad that you reject the incredible blessing to be chosen and loved by God as a remnant (2nd Thess 2:13)! What a glorious remnant stood for 1260 years against the Whore of Rome and death (Rev 12:17)!

According to the election of grace.​

God reserving men to Himself can only be by grace, for the choice is His without any human merit. God’s election of men to salvation in Christ is for the praise of the glory of His grace (Eph 1:3-6).

1. Whether one or many, as with Noah (Gen 6:7), God’s choice to show mercy is all of grace, not of works wherein man has an active part in his salvation. ( Romans 9:15).

6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.​

And if by grace.​

It is by grace, demerited favor, but the apostle wisely chose to proceed in a definitional argument. Their salvation, and our salvation, is by grace, but it is helpful to define and analyze grace in detail.

Then is it no more of works.​

If it is by grace, then works cannot at all be involved, for the definition of grace is unmerited favor. Paul had taught earlier in this section about Israel that God’s mercy was by His will only (9:15-16).

Otherwise grace is no more grace.​

If works were involved, then it could not be by grace, for the definition of grace excludes works. If you think the language here to be tautology or trite, you do not appreciate grace against works.

But if it be of works.​

It is not by works, earned wages, but Paul simply chose to proceed in his definitional argument. Their salvation, and our salvation, is not by works, but it is helpful to define and reject works.

Then is it no more grace.​

If it is by works, then grace cannot be involved, for the definition of work is to earn by debt. Works and grace are completely and entirely antithetical, as Paul had earlier taught (4:4).

Otherwise work is no more work.​

If grace were involved, then it could not be by works, for the definition of works excludes grace. Thus the apostle gives us one of the clearest examples of grace and works to found anywhere.

then explain the following:

John 3:16
16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

WHO are those persons that can believe in Jesus and be saved?

Many more verses like that one if you need them.
One at a time will do.

Is this your best effort of trying to refute unconditional election of grace? Pitiful indeed! but, what should I expect from those void of truth, and haters of God's grace.

John 3:16 if you knew your bible is a scriptures declaring a biblical truth, it is not a verse based on a condition you will receive everlasting life if you believe....but Jesus is declaring that he who believes in him shall never perish, but are in possession of everlasting life, a present possession of those that believe. But, Jesus also first declares, speaking to a Jew named Nicodemus. that God's love is NOT limited to the Jewish nation only has it was during the OT, but God's loved is for all the world, meaning Jews and GENTILES and AMONG them he does indeed have an elect people, whom he is calling out of each, Jews and Gentiles. The world in John 3:16 is all without distinction, NOT all without exception as you desire it to mean. Read your bible without a hatred for Calvinism, and you might just see the truth, but only if God is pleased to reveal it to you.

World=Jews AND Gentiles. Proof text? No problem.

Romans 3:29​

“Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:” For John 3;16 said clearly for God so loved the WORLD, no longer. limited to teh Jews only as it was in the OT, but even then, only the children of God's promises where the elect, not all of them. Proof? no problem!

Romans 9:7​

“Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.”

One is born again not because they believe, but because they are children of God's oath and promises, period ~ like it or not, you will never change that truth even though you despise it and reject it.

I must now get back and finish working on John 15 that I will post in the morning to you, not that it will do any good, for I'm convince your heart is harden against God's FREE GRACE that whatever one said, will never move your hatred of God's free grace, since you think so highly of your golden calf that you have created and worship.

​

 

[GodsGrace]

we are defectibe whether we leave or stay.

Salvation is a gift. paul was fighting for a prize..

What was the prize?
1 Corinthians 9: 26-27
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.
25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air;
27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.


Paul stated that he fears being disqualified.
DISQUALIFIED means you're out of the race.

If you could save yourself. would not God have told us how?

He did.

1. Believe in God.
2. Obey Him.

But even if you work 23 hours of the day. the one hour you fail makes you unworthy.

That's what YOU teach,,,it's not what the bible teaches....

You should stop creating this strawman since no one is saying what you just posted.

if you keep the whole law. yet stumble ( we stumble on accident, not on purpose) you are guilty of all

Then, by jove, let's not even try at all !
When we get to God, we'll just tell Him we were so worried about failing one time that we just gave up.
Yeah. That's the ticket.

The law keeps us in check if anything. Paul looked and saw he was the chief of all sinners.

Thats the way we should all see ourselves. especially the more we grow in christ. I know I have seen this in my own life..

The closer we get to God....the more we see his holiness and our weaknesses.

We're not under the Law EG.
You keep creating strawmen.

 

[JLB]

Total Depravity - As a result of Adam’s fall, the entire human race is affected; all humanity is dead in trespasses and sins. Man is unable to save himself (Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-18).

Here is what the scripture says about Noah.

By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. Hebrews 11:7


Do you believe Noah was totally depraved?

 

[GodsGrace]

@GodsGrace

If election of grace is not UNCONDITIONAL, then salvation from sin and condemnation is of works and not of grace, it's just that simple.

Romans 11:5,6​

“Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”

Just as God had reserved a group of Israelites in Elijah’s day, He had done the same in Paul’s day. The combination of “even so” and “also” indicates that God had done what He had done earlier The identity of that generation’s election of grace is important lest we run wild after Jewish fables. This is the second (after Paul’s use of himself in 11:1) indication against any future Jewish revival.

There is a remnant.​

A remnant is a small leftover portion of a larger whole e.g. curtain or carpet remnants (Ex 26:12). Paul had appealed to the scriptures earlier for examples of remnant election in Israel (9:25-29). God’s answer to Sennacherib and Assyria involved His blessing of a remnant (2nd Kings 19:30-31). Fran, sad that you reject the incredible blessing to be chosen and loved by God as a remnant (2nd Thess 2:13)! What a glorious remnant stood for 1260 years against the Whore of Rome and death (Rev 12:17)!

According to the election of grace.​

God reserving men to Himself can only be by grace, for the choice is His without any human merit. God’s election of men to salvation in Christ is for the praise of the glory of His grace (Eph 1:3-6).

1. Whether one or many, as with Noah (Gen 6:7), God’s choice to show mercy is all of grace, not of works wherein man has an active part in his salvation. ( Romans 9:15).

6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.​

And if by grace.​

It is by grace, demerited favor, but the apostle wisely chose to proceed in a definitional argument. Their salvation, and our salvation, is by grace, but it is helpful to define and analyze grace in detail.

Then is it no more of works.​

If it is by grace, then works cannot at all be involved, for the definition of grace is unmerited favor. Paul had taught earlier in this section about Israel that God’s mercy was by His will only (9:15-16).

Otherwise grace is no more grace.​

If works were involved, then it could not be by grace, for the definition of grace excludes works. If you think the language here to be tautology or trite, you do not appreciate grace against works.

But if it be of works.​

It is not by works, earned wages, but Paul simply chose to proceed in his definitional argument. Their salvation, and our salvation, is not by works, but it is helpful to define and reject works.

Then is it no more grace.​

If it is by works, then grace cannot be involved, for the definition of work is to earn by debt. Works and grace are completely and entirely antithetical, as Paul had earlier taught (4:4).

Otherwise work is no more work.​

If grace were involved, then it could not be by works, for the definition of works excludes grace. Thus the apostle gives us one of the clearest examples of grace and works to found anywhere.

Is this your best effort of trying to refute unconditional election of grace? Pitiful indeed! but, what should I expect from those void of truth, and haters of God's grace.

John 3:16 if you knew your bible is a scriptures declaring a biblical truth, it is not a verse based on a condition you will receive everlasting life if you believe....but Jesus is declaring that he who believes in him shall never perish, but are in possession of everlasting life, a present possession of those that believe. But, Jesus also first declares, speaking to a Jew named Nicodemus. that God's love is NOT limited to the Jewish nation only has it was during the OT, but God's loved is for all the world, meaning Jews and GENTILES and AMONG them he does indeed have an elect people, whom he is calling out of each, Jews and Gentiles. The world in John 3:16 is all without distinction, NOT all without exception as you desire it to mean. Read your bible without a hatred for Calvinism, and you might just see the truth, but only if God is pleased to reveal it to you.

World=Jews AND Gentiles. Proof text? No problem.

Romans 3:29​

“Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:” For John 3;16 said clearly for God so loved the WORLD, no longer. limited to teh Jews only as it was in the OT, but even then, only the children of God's promises where the elect, not all of them. Proof? no problem!

Romans 9:7​

“Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.”

One is born again not because they believe, but because they are children of God's oath and promises, period ~ like it or not, you will never change that truth even though you despise it and reject it.

I must now get back and finish working on John 15 that I will post in the morning to you, not that it will do any good, for I'm convince your heart is harden against God's FREE GRACE that whatever one said, will never move your hatred of God's free grace, since you think so highly of your golden calf that you have created and worship.

​

I see.
So you ARE Calvinist in your theology?
I seem to remember that you keep repeating that you are not.

You want to be a Calvinist?
Then at least admit it.

And where's your exegesis of John 15:1-2??

As soon as I get that, I'll reply to your verses.
NONE of which represent what the bible teaches...or, I should say,
your explanation of them.

Very Calvinist indeed.

And please stop making such personal statements.
Don't worry about my heart...
worry about yours.
You blaspheme God in every post of yours.
Thanks.

 

[JLB]

It's rather disconcerting to hear someone say that others don't read scripture properly.
I am NOT offended at the teachings of Christ.
I believe what Jesus taught.

Perhaps Calvinists are since Jesus does not agree with them.

Yes. Agreed.


The teachings of Jesus Christ are diametrically opposed to Calvinism.


However, Jesus, John the Baptist, and Paul fought the same “mindset” in the Jews that His teachings exposes in Calvinism today.


The Jews thought that because they were Abraham’s natural descendants that they were automatically saved, because the were chosen; elect.

They believed they were chosen for salvation.


When Jesus exposed the flaw in their thinking they became angry, and called Him names.


Sound familiar?


Example -


Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” John 8:31-33


Keep in mind these are Jews who believed in Him. The elect.


These people had what Paul calls a “stronghold” in their mind… a false believe system formed in their mind that is designed to exalt itself against the knowledge (truth) from God. See 2 Corinthians 10:4.


Their stronghold was this… because they were the natural offspring of Abraham, (elect) they were automatically blessed; meaning they had eternal life, physical health, financial wealth, and God was an enemy to their enemies. The was referred to as the blessing of Abraham.


What they refused to understand and believe was… they must be born again.

 

[civic]

Here is what the scripture says about Noah.

By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. Hebrews 11:7


Do you believe Noah was totally depraved?

No and I do not affirm the doctrine of total depravity which came from Augustine

 

[Administrator]

No and I do not affirm the doctrine of total depravity which came from Augustine

He is definitely not an undercover Calvinist.

 

[Blessed]

The cost of not abiding in Christ is high and leads to an avalanche of devastation to our life here on this present earth.
One bad choice can lead to another and down a trail from discontent and distracted to deception and finally destruction. But there is still hope.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

We need to guard our hearts above all. Remember Satan only comes to rob, kill and destroy. Rob you of the joy in your life. Kill every good thing in you life and destroy your testimony and usefulness in the kingdom of God.

In essence, we choose whether the choices of our hearts will result in destruction or lead us to victory.

Hebrew word for “heart” is leb. It refers to the spiritual, intellectual, and emotional nature of human beings. But it is more than a description of isolated functions. Leb refers to the totality of a person and his or her inner life and character.

The heart can be totally devoted Deuteronomy 4:29

Or it can be “bewitched” or “stolen” Song of Solomon 4:9

God told the ancient Hebrews to love Him with all their heart, soul, and strength Deuteronomy 6:5

God explained that He was looking for a man after His own heart to rule Israel 1 Samuel 13:14; 16:7

He explained that He “searches all hearts” to reveal their true motives 1 Chronicles 28:9

In repentance, the psalmist wrote, “Create in me a clean heart, O God” Psalm 51:10

“Search me, O God, and know my heart,” Psalm 139:23

Knowing God and serving God are activities described in the Bible as being done with “all your heart” Proverbs 3:5

God promises, “You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” Jeremiah 29:13

The apostle Paul said, “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” Romans 10:9

When we are born again our hearts are transformed. The Bible promises that God will give us a “new heart” and a “new spirit” Ezekiel 36:26

But even this transformed heart must be restrained from wandering away from God. That is why we need to guard our hearts. When I was first saved that spiritual conversion was the high point in my live. I came face to face with the claims of Christ and believed that He was the Savior and I trusted Him explicitly. My heart was ignited with a divine passion for God. I came alive spiritually and wanted the whole world to know it. Whatever you call it—conversion, salvation, regeneration—it was the beginning of a brand new-life in Christ for me.

I joined a Non-Denominational Church named "New Beginnings Christian Fellowship." And that's what it was for me, a new beginning. A new start. A new life. But it was just the beginning. My lifelong process of spiritual growth and maturity (theologians call it sanctification) had only began at that point.

I didn't realize it at the time, but I had just embarked on a long journey—a journey of the heart. Something down deep inside me told me this was it— the truth about God—as we Christians believe it. My heart was set ablaze by God’s presence in my life.

As time passed and the journey progressed, I realized that there were many challenges ahead. The road of life is meant to be traveled, but sometimes it can get rough. Starting the race is one thing—finishing it is another. That’s where your heart may well determine the outcome. Guard it well.

How we handle our problems is the key to overcoming them. Our reaction will determine whether our problems become opportunities for personal growth or the means of spiritual and emotional defeat. Learning how to handle life’s problems with the right heart attitude is the first step in overcoming them.

The point that I'm trying to make is if we blow it and backslid and refuse to believe that God is really in control of our lives. Then wrong attitudes push us away from God instead of drawing us to Him.

Running from God is like running away from the one person who can really help you. The more you run, the more He will pursue you like the “hound of heaven.” His grace will keep reaching out to you even when you don’t want it.

Hebrews 6:19 reminds us that Jesus Christ is our “hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." This passage goes on to explain that He has anchored us to the heart of God, beyond the veil into the Holy of Holies in heaven itself. You may have run far enough to pull the links of the chain to their limit, but God will not let you go if you belong to Him. That's how OSAS works.

The tug in your heart is the pull on the chain of the anchor of hope. That restless dissatisfaction in your soul is the stirring of the spirit to draw you back to the God who loves you. Like when the prodigal son came to his senses.

Whether we realize it or not, most of our problems are the result of our own sinful responses to life’s challenges. Only when we face those sins and admit them will we take responsibility to correct them. The Bible calls this process confession and repentance.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

 

[GodsGrace]

Yes. Agreed.


The teachings of Jesus Christ are diametrically opposed to Calvinism.


However, Jesus, John the Baptist, and Paul fought the same “mindset” in the Jews that His teachings exposes in Calvinism today.


The Jews thought that because they were Abraham’s natural descendants that they were automatically saved, because the were chosen; elect.

They believed they were chosen for salvation.


When Jesus exposed the flaw in their thinking they became angry, and called Him names.


Sound familiar?


Example -


Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” John 8:31-33


Keep in mind these are Jews who believed in Him. The elect.


These people had what Paul calls a “stronghold” in their mind… a false believe system formed in their mind that is designed to exalt itself against the knowledge (truth) from God. See 2 Corinthians 10:4.


Their stronghold was this… because they were the natural offspring of Abraham, (elect) they were automatically blessed; meaning they had eternal life, physical health, financial wealth, and God was an enemy to their enemies. The was referred to as the blessing of Abraham.


What they refused to understand and believe was… they must be born again.

Absolutely correct.
Well stated !

I'd also like to add that Calvinism has created a real mess of Christianity.

If God decrees everything (according to Calvinism) and He teaches two different truths...
one to some denominations (the reformed/Calvinists) and one to every other denomination....

HOW can we possibly know which one is right?
We cannot !

We no longer can trust God to give us the truth through the Holy Spirit if we're being told two different truths.

Either God is playing games with us...
or Calvinism, which was never in the early church....
Not at Jesus' time,,,
Not at the Apostles time (Acts)
And not in the teachings of the Apostle
and
Not even in the OT....

Is a total lie made up by some men and which is not to be accepted as truth.

 

[Johann]

No and I do not affirm the doctrine of total depravity which came from Augustine

We were not morally good people either brother, BEFORE our salvation by grace--

J.

 

[GodsGrace]

The cost of not abiding in Christ is high and leads to an avalanche of devastation to our life here on this present earth.
One bad choice can lead to another and down a trail from discontent and distracted to deception and finally destruction. But there is still hope.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

We need to guard our hearts above all. Remember Satan only comes to rob, kill and destroy. Rob you of the joy in your life. Kill every good thing in you life and destroy you testimony and usefulness in the kingdom of God.

In essence, we choose whether the choices of our hearts will result in destruction or lead us to victory.

Hebrew word for “heart” is leb. It refers to the spiritual, intellectual, and emotional nature of human beings. But it is more than a description of isolated functions. Leb refers to the totality of a person and his or her inner life and character.

The heart can be totally devoted Deuteronomy 4:29

Or it can be “bewitched” or “stolen” Song of Solomon 4:9

God told the ancient Hebrews to love Him with all their heart, soul, and strength Deuteronomy 6:5

God explained that He was looking for a man after His own heart to rule Israel 1 Samuel 13:14; 16:7

He explained that He “searches all hearts” to reveal their true motives 1 Chronicles 28:9

In repentance, the psalmist wrote, “Create in me a clean heart, O God” Psalm 51:10

“Search me, O God, and know my heart,” Psalm 139:23

Knowing God and serving God are activities described in the Bible as being done with “all your heart” Proverbs 3:5

God promises, “You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” Jeremiah 29:13

The apostle Paul said, “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” Romans 10:9

When we are born again our hearts are transformed. The Bible promises that God will give us a “new heart” and a “new spirit” Ezekiel 36:26

But even this transformed heart must be restrained from wandering away from God. That is why we need to guard our hearts. When I was first saved that spiritual conversion was the high point in my live. I came face to face with the claims of Christ and believed that He was the Savior and I trusted Him explicitly. My heart was ignited with a divine passion for God. I came alive spiritually and wanted the whole world to know it. Whatever you call it—conversion, salvation, regeneration—it was the beginning of a brand new-life in Christ for me.

I joined a Non-Denominational Church named "New Beginnings Christian Fellowship." And that's what it was for me, a new beginning. A new start. A new life. But it was just the beginning. My lifelong process of spiritual growth and maturity (theologians call it sanctification) had only began at that point.

I didn't realize it at the time, but I had just embarked on a long journey—a journey of the heart. Something down deep inside me told me this was it— the truth about God—as we Christians believe it. My heart was set ablaze by God’s presence in my life.

As time passed and the journey progressed, I realized that there were many challenges ahead. The road of life is meant to be traveled, but sometimes it can get rough. Starting the race is one thing—finishing it is another. That’s where your heart may well determine the outcome. Guard it well.

How we handle our problems is the key to overcoming them. Our reaction will determine whether our problems become opportunities for personal growth or the means of spiritual and emotional defeat. Learning how to handle life’s problems with the right heart attitude is the first step in overcoming them.

The point that I'm trying to make is if we blow it and backslid and refuse to believe that God is really in control of our lives. Then wrong attitudes push us away from God instead of drawing us to Him.

Running from God is like running away from the one person who can really help you. The more you run, the more He will pursue you like the “hound of heaven.” His grace will keep reaching out to you even when you don’t want it.

Hebrews 6:19 reminds us that Jesus Christ is our “hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." This passage goes on to explain that He has anchored us to the heart of God, beyond the veil into the Holy of Holies in heaven itself. You may have run far enough to pull the links of the chain to their limit, but God will not let you go if you belong to Him. That's how OSAS works.

The tug in your heart is the pull on the chain of the anchor of hope. That restless dissatisfaction in your soul is the stirring of the spirit to draw you back to the God who loves you. Like when the prodigal son came to his senses.

Whether we realize it or not, most of our problems are the result of our own sinful responses to life’s challenges. Only when we face those sins and admit them will we take responsibility to correct them. The Bible calls this process confession and repentance.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Great post !

 

[civic]

We were not morally good people either brother, BEFORE our salvation by grace--

J.

Agreed

 

[Johann]

The cost of not abiding in Christ is high and leads to an avalanche of devastation to our life here on this present earth.
One bad choice can lead to another and down a trail from discontent and distracted to deception and finally destruction. But there is still hope.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

We need to guard our hearts above all. Remember Satan only comes to rob, kill and destroy. Rob you of the joy in your life. Kill every good thing in you life and destroy your testimony and usefulness in the kingdom of God.

In essence, we choose whether the choices of our hearts will result in destruction or lead us to victory.

Hebrew word for “heart” is leb. It refers to the spiritual, intellectual, and emotional nature of human beings. But it is more than a description of isolated functions. Leb refers to the totality of a person and his or her inner life and character.

The heart can be totally devoted Deuteronomy 4:29

Or it can be “bewitched” or “stolen” Song of Solomon 4:9

God told the ancient Hebrews to love Him with all their heart, soul, and strength Deuteronomy 6:5

God explained that He was looking for a man after His own heart to rule Israel 1 Samuel 13:14; 16:7

He explained that He “searches all hearts” to reveal their true motives 1 Chronicles 28:9

In repentance, the psalmist wrote, “Create in me a clean heart, O God” Psalm 51:10

“Search me, O God, and know my heart,” Psalm 139:23

Knowing God and serving God are activities described in the Bible as being done with “all your heart” Proverbs 3:5

God promises, “You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” Jeremiah 29:13

The apostle Paul said, “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” Romans 10:9

When we are born again our hearts are transformed. The Bible promises that God will give us a “new heart” and a “new spirit” Ezekiel 36:26

But even this transformed heart must be restrained from wandering away from God. That is why we need to guard our hearts. When I was first saved that spiritual conversion was the high point in my live. I came face to face with the claims of Christ and believed that He was the Savior and I trusted Him explicitly. My heart was ignited with a divine passion for God. I came alive spiritually and wanted the whole world to know it. Whatever you call it—conversion, salvation, regeneration—it was the beginning of a brand new-life in Christ for me.

I joined a Non-Denominational Church named "New Beginnings Christian Fellowship." And that's what it was for me, a new beginning. A new start. A new life. But it was just the beginning. My lifelong process of spiritual growth and maturity (theologians call it sanctification) had only began at that point.

I didn't realize it at the time, but I had just embarked on a long journey—a journey of the heart. Something down deep inside me told me this was it— the truth about God—as we Christians believe it. My heart was set ablaze by God’s presence in my life.

As time passed and the journey progressed, I realized that there were many challenges ahead. The road of life is meant to be traveled, but sometimes it can get rough. Starting the race is one thing—finishing it is another. That’s where your heart may well determine the outcome. Guard it well.

How we handle our problems is the key to overcoming them. Our reaction will determine whether our problems become opportunities for personal growth or the means of spiritual and emotional defeat. Learning how to handle life’s problems with the right heart attitude is the first step in overcoming them.

The point that I'm trying to make is if we blow it and backslid and refuse to believe that God is really in control of our lives. Then wrong attitudes push us away from God instead of drawing us to Him.

Running from God is like running away from the one person who can really help you. The more you run, the more He will pursue you like the “hound of heaven.” His grace will keep reaching out to you even when you don’t want it.

Hebrews 6:19 reminds us that Jesus Christ is our “hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." This passage goes on to explain that He has anchored us to the heart of God, beyond the veil into the Holy of Holies in heaven itself. You may have run far enough to pull the links of the chain to their limit, but God will not let you go if you belong to Him. That's how OSAS works.

The tug in your heart is the pull on the chain of the anchor of hope. That restless dissatisfaction in your soul is the stirring of the spirit to draw you back to the God who loves you. Like when the prodigal son came to his senses.

Whether we realize it or not, most of our problems are the result of our own sinful responses to life’s challenges. Only when we face those sins and admit them will we take responsibility to correct them. The Bible calls this process confession and repentance.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Ever read that poem--"Hound of Heaven" @Blessed?

J.

 

[JLB]

We were not morally good people either brother, BEFORE our salvation by grace--

J.

Do you believe Noah was totally depraved?


Here is what the scripture says about Noah.

By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. Hebrews 11:7

I don’t have a scripture using this term so I went to several dictionaries to see what is an acceptable definition.

I think one of the synonyms were debased, which we have a reference for that in Romans.


For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:26-32

People that are totally depraved or have a debased mind are associated with some pretty evil behavior.


Somehow it doesn’t seem right that we would label Noah as totally depraved.


What are your thoughts?

 

[civic]

Do you believe Noah was totally depraved?


Here is what the scripture says about Noah.

By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. Hebrews 11:7

it says he was righteous just like Job was and several others mentioned in the O.T.

 

[Blessed]

Ever read that poem--"Hound of Heaven" @Blessed?

J.

Sure... It explores the theme of God's relentless pursuit of the human soul, depicting the struggle between the soul's desire to flee and God's unwavering love and grace. It's a long Poem.