Prayer based on Revelation 6:9-11
Opening the fifth seal reveals what is happening in the throne room and what must happen to the saints living on the earth in the future.
Father, we exalt You for Your revelation to us in this passage. You are good in all that You do.
When Jesus broke the fifth seal, John saw an altar (a structure on which the priest killed animals and offered them to God) (Exodus 38:1-2) And under the altar, were the souls of the saints slain for the Word of God and their testimony. They asked how long before You avenge their blood. They were given a white robe and told to rest a little longer until the complete number of martyred saints arrive. Paul tells us that the saints who have died are with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8 and Philippians 1:23). The persecution of the saints will continue through the centuries. Many will suffer and die for their testimony before Christ returns. (2 Timothy 3:12, John 16:33)
Father, thank You for revealing Your plans in Your written Word. Keep us by Your power so we will be a living testimony of Your Gospel. May we suffer well and please and honor You in all we do. May we experience the joy that comes from living for You. Amen.
Questions for reflection and meditation: 1. What does God reveal when Jesus breaks the fifth seal? 2. Where are the saints that have died before us, and what are they doing? 3. What do white robes symbolize? 4. Is it true that all Christians must suffer? Why or why not?

Prayer based on Revelation 6:9-11
Opening the fifth seal reveals what is happening in the throne room and what must happen to the saints living on the earth in the future.
Father, we exalt You for Your revelation to us in this passage. You are good in all that You do.
When Jesus broke the fifth seal, John saw an altar (a structure on which the priest killed animals and offered them to God) (Exodus 38:1-2) And under the altar, were the souls of the saints slain for the Word of God and their testimony. They asked how long before You avenge their blood. They were given a white robe and told to rest a little longer until the complete number of martyred saints arrive. Paul tells us that the saints who have died are with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8 and Philippians 1:23). The persecution of the saints will continue through the centuries. Many will suffer and die for their testimony before Christ returns. (2 Timothy 3:12, John 16:33)
Father, thank You for revealing Your plans in Your written Word. Keep us by Your power so we will be a living testimony of Your Gospel. May we suffer well and please and honor You in all we do. May we experience the joy that comes from living for You. Amen.
Questions for reflection and meditation: 1. What does God reveal when Jesus breaks the fifth seal? 2. Where are the saints that have died before us, and what are they doing? 3. What do white robes symbolize? 4. Is it true that all Christians must suffer? Why or why not?

Prayer based on Revelation 6:9-11
Opening the fifth seal reveals what is happening in the throne room and what must happen to the saints living on the earth in the future.
Father, we exalt You for Your revelation to us in this passage. You are good in all that You do.
When Jesus broke the fifth seal, John saw an altar (a structure on which the priest killed animals and offered them to God) (Exodus 38:1-2) And under the altar, were the souls of the saints slain for the Word of God and their testimony. They asked how long before You avenge their blood. They were given a white robe and told to rest a little longer until the complete number of martyred saints arrive. Paul tells us that the saints who have died are with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8 and Philippians 1:23). The persecution of the saints will continue through the centuries. Many will suffer and die for their testimony before Christ returns. (2 Timothy 3:12, John 16:33)
Father, thank You for revealing Your plans in Your written Word. Keep us by Your power so we will be a living testimony of Your Gospel. May we suffer well and please and honor You in all we do. May we experience the joy that comes from living for You. Amen.
Questions for reflection and meditation: 1. What does God reveal when Jesus breaks the fifth seal? 2. Where are the saints that have died before us, and what are they doing? 3. What do white robes symbolize? 4. Is it true that all Christians must suffer? Why or why not?

“Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” (Deuteronomy 32:3-4)
It is a thrilling exercise to note all the holy and gracious attributes attached to the name of God by the writers of Holy Scripture. In our text, for example, taken from the song of Moses, God is called a “God of truth.” According to the prophet Isaiah, the Lord is a “God of judgment” (Isaiah 30:18).
David called God both the “God of my righteousness” and “the God of salvation” (Psalms 4:1; 68:20).
In the New Testament, Stephen called Him “the God of glory” (Acts 7:2). Paul called Him both “the God of hope” and “the God of patience and consolation” (Romans 15:5, 13) when he wrote to the persecuted believers in the great capital of the Roman Empire.
To the carnal Christians in Corinth, He was called “the God of all comfort” and “the God of love and peace” (2 Corinthians 1:3; 13:11), and to the suffering believers in Philippi, Paul identified Him as “the God of peace” (Philippians 4:9).
The apostle Peter called Him “the God of all grace” (1 Peter 5:10), and the writer of Hebrews recognized Him as both “God the judge of all” and “the God of peace” (Hebrews 12:23; 13:20).
Our God is, indeed, the God who is all in all to His people. He is the God of truth and righteousness, of peace and love, of patience and comfort, of hope and grace, glory, and salvation. “Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints” (Revelation 15:3). Is He, above all, “Lord of all” in us who know Him? HMM
https://www.icr.org/article/14046/?utm_source=phplist10629&utm_medium=email&utm_content=HTML&utm_campaign=May+31+-+All+in+All

​

Everyday Verse

Jeremiah 33:3
ESV

• Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

KJV

• Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

NLT

• Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

In a universe of billions of stars, think of the power of God who made them and knows each of their names. Think of all he knows that we don't. Think of all he has seen that is not in our history books. Think of all he has done and can do. Add to this that he invites us to speak to him about the things of our heart and you understand the great expanse of his grace and the very limited knowledge of our minds.
God wants us to seek him and call out to him. He wants to answer us and tell us about things beyond our human comprehension. He longs to draw us close so that we can know him. Like a scared child calls out to a loving father in the next room, we too can call on him knowing that our Father will answer, protect, and comfort us. Even more than that, our Father will reveal to us things that would be impossible for us to know without his grace.
This was originally spoken to Jeremiah about the fate of Jerusalem. However, this promise is true in special ways for us as well. God wants us to call to him. God often waits for us to ask before he blesses us what he longs to give us. Yet we lack the ability to comprehend and receive all the great truth about God. He is simply too big and too glorious for us to fully apprehend him in his grace.

Quote of Prayer

Wesley L. Duewel

" Prayer is God’s ordained way to bring His miracle power to bear in human need."

Let's Pray:
May You teach us the lesson of cheerfulness, O God. We are too easily irritated and cast down. We let little troubles and difficulties discourage us. Our joy is too easily overclouded. Our song of gladness, too easily turns into a dirge. We fret ourselves needlessly, and fail to rejoice always. Sorrows come over us like a flood, and bury us away beneath their dark waves. Our gladness is too easily turned to sadness, as life's cares and trials come upon us.
We hear You bidding us be of good cheer, because You have overcome the world — telling us that though we have tribulations we may have peace in You. But the lesson is not easy. It is hard for us to keep the song always in our heart, and the sunshine always in our face — when there are so many cares.
We come to You, pleading that You will teach us how always to be cheerful. Help us to such a strong, quiet, firm faith in Jesus — that no matter what may come into our life, we may ever rejoice. Rescue us from disheartenment, no matter how great its cause may appear to be. Help us to cast every burden on You — sure that You will sustain us in carrying it. Help us to learn to rejoice even in disappointments, knowing that if we could see all as You see — we would find beauty and good in everything which seems to us painful and dark.
We desire to be ministers of cheer to others. Forbid that we should go out with sadness in our faces, which shall cast a shadow on other lives. May we be sunshine to others. May we show to all the world what grace can do in making us messengers of gladness. We ask this in the name of Him who overcame the world and can give us peace. In Jesus mighty name I pray, amen.

My wife attends a Reformed Baptist community. I am a former member there prior to my conversion. I had the below conversation with a member there after he posted something on Facebook criticizing Eastern Orthodox views on Icons.
Article Posted:
https://warhornmedia.com/2023/04/19/eastern-orthodox-apologists-bait-and-switch/?fbclid=IwAR1_ktWJ_S79vAmu2e7EftU9ZcC2lngK-ZBcAh8pcFnxe8By8IIV1pFYpxw
Him: "Stay With the Bible"
Me:
The difficulty in staying with the Bible is how to interpret the Bible.The Church hadn’t settled how to properly understand the Trinity until the early 325 ( Nicaea), didn’t formally recognize the first canon of scripture until 382( Rome) the proper nature of Christ until 451( Chalcedon) and the use of icons until 781 (Nicaea 2). Before the councils Christians often disagreed because of the lack of clarity in scripture itself. Even with icons, some were okay with it and some were against it. The Church ultimately settled that icons were appropriate because Christ had taken on flesh. The point of the councils was to clarify things that were not evidently clear.In my opinion, the heart of the issue is the concept of perspecuity ( clarity) of scripture which I think is what fundamentally separates Protestants from Orthodox (& Catholic). That is that Protestants basically believe the proper interpretation of scripture is evident where Orthodox ( & Catholic) argue that we can not properly understand all of scripture apart from the Church’s interpretation.
Him:
I disagree. The councils were only needed to correct errors that had risen. That doesn’t mean that the church didn’t have a consensus. That is completely false, and a Catholic straw man of the Church, capital C. And I believe God can and did speak with perspicuity to His creatures. He also chose to use the most common language possible at the time. There is nothing complicated about the language. The church also did NOT accept the icons as you suggest. Here is a video source that that explains with sources.Also, there are a vast number of opinions, interpretations, and denominations within the Catholic system. Even popes have disagreed over the centuries. And today, the pope could be considered a universalist. To suggest anything contrary is evidence of not fairly studying history, especially history that doesn’t agree with your presuppositions.
https://youtu.be/AkNuganI0JA📷YOUTUBE.COMVenerating Icons: A Protestant CritiqueVenerating Icons: A Protestant Critique
​
Me:
Thanks for the response.I agree that Councils were needed to correct errors but disagree with the general consensus part. Athanasius was one of the only Bishops in the East to reject Arianism and was persecuted for it. Also, the Early Church Fathers had a consensus that baptism was regenerative and that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist, so an argument from consensus is two edged in this regard.If scripture is obviously clear how do you account for the dozens of branches of Christianity?If scripture is clear on most things it seems that disagreement shows:a) one denomination is more inspired than others or are better at reasoningb) people who disagree with proper interpretation have malicious motivesc) Jesus doesn’t think it’s important for the church to be unified on doctrineDo you hold one of these or something different?In terms of Catholic Dogma there is one official set. Things that are not dogma (The extent of God’s role and human freedom in predestination for example) are open handed and Catholics can hold varying opinions on those.Of course the average Catholic might believe anything but Church teaching itself is cohesive.If you’d ever like to discuss this in person I’d be glad to. It might be easier and be less likely for misunderstanding.Peace,Ryan
Him:
what is your responde to the video?No denomination is inspired. The church and humans can err. It is very clear and true. We must always go back to all of Scripture. It is grace that brings Biblical clarity. And those trusting in Christ alone to the glory of the Triune God have doctrinal cohesion because they are essential. Christ’s church is completely unified, regardless of the different names (Ephesus, Corinth, Galatia).There are essentials of the faith that unify Protestants. That’s not debatable. It is the gospel that separates the false Church of Rome, and the true catholic Church who trust in Christ apart from any works.
​
Me:
I liked that Ortland seemed very sincere, thoughtful and seemed to act in good faith. His approach was very good and I think all can learn from his gentle approach.That being said I think he is in over his head. I think he is genuinely trying to understand but this isn’t his background and he misunderstands writings of the Fathers.I think this podcast episode breaks down his misunderstandings much better than I can.You said the Gospel separates Protestants from Catholics. How do you define the Gospel?https://podcasts.apple.com/.../the.../id1354647807...📷PODCASTS.APPLE.COM‎The Counsel of Trent: #703 - Gavin Ortlund on Icons (REBUTTED) on Apple Podcasts‎The Counsel of Trent: #703 - Gavin Ortlund on Icons (REBUTTED) on Apple Podcasts
​
Him:
He has a phd in historical theology. I think to say that He is in over his head is quite the charge that is sincerely incorrect. What is your defense of your claim against a fellow professing Christian? Is it one podcast? I will listen to the podcast this week. I am not surprised at a difference of opinion with church history. It isn’t the defining category for salvation.The Gospel is the Holy God saving sinners by grace through faith in Jesus Christ’s life, atoning death, and resurrection.Ephesians 2:8-98 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Me:
It is my opinion, which you asked for. I certainly don’t know more than him on this topic but the apologists on the podcast do which is why I said he is in over his head IMO.I agree, and Catholics with this as the Gospel message.
Him:
It is the Gospel message. So do you believe that you could commit a sin today that could remove you from being justified and having peace with God (Romans 5:1)?
Me:
I do believe people, including myself, can commit a sin leading to eternal death. If “eternal security” is a necessary part of the Gospel then most Protestant denominations do not believe the Gospel as most believe one can fall out of peace with God either through sin or apostasy.
Him:
What if you never went to mass again by choice, does that matter at all?
​
Me:
Yes, I would say intentionally missing Mass in the situation you explained is a huge problem spiritually.
Tue 4:18 PM
Him
Do you believe you are justified by the Roman Catholic sacraments of the church?
Enter
Me
U gotta answer my question that I asked earlier first and then I’ll answer. Do you believe that those who don’t believe in “once saved always saved” believe in the Gospel?
Enter
Him
It actually wasn’t a question originally. No, eternal security is not a saving doctrine, but it is consistent with most heretical groups because I assure you, if any man had the ability to lose their salvation of grace, that absolutely will 100% of the time.
Enter
Him
they* absolutely will
Enter
Me
Enter
Me
So you said the Gospel is what separates Protestants fro m Catholics. However, both believe in your definition of the Gospel.
Enter
Me
To answer your question about sacraments In a sense I believe we are saved through sacraments. Sacraments aren’t magic so it’s not as if receiving the sacraments without faith justifies a person but I do believe they are normative in salvation. We view salvation as a process. Initial salvation is faith alone but final judgment includes faith working through love
Enter
Me
Philippians 2:13 is my reasoning on that. All good works are a result of Gods grace at work in the Christian. They are done by Gods grace 12 Therefore, my beloved, fas you have always gobeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for hit is God who works in you, both to will and to work for ihis good pleasure.
Enter
Him replied to you
Original message:
So you said the Gospel is what separates Protestants fro m Catholics. Ho…
I don’t believe that is what the church teaches. That faith in the gospel message, apart from anything else is all that I necessary for eternal salvation.
Enter
Him
I do believe that viewing salvation as a process is a different gospel. It’s similar to Mormonism in that their works will determine the final state of things.
Enter
Tue 5:15 PM
Me
If that’s the case the Bible should clearly articulate that we are saved by faith alone, which it doesn’t say.
Enter
Him
I don’t presume to tell God what He should have written or articulate, but grace through faith apart from works is clear as well as the faith of Abraham. He believed God and it was accounted to Him as righteousness. The Bible doesn’t say Trinity either, as you know.
Enter
Me
That was his initial salvation. 22You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Enter
Him
The working out of the faith is evidence of the faith existing already.
Enter
Me
From James 2
Enter
Him
Where does it say initial salvation? That’s not in the Bible either.
Enter
Me
Neither is Trinity
Enter
Me
The concept is there
Enter
Him
A person is justified before men by their works, but not by God. That’s the point of James
Enter
Me
So people are justified by men through faith and works?
Enter
Me
Before men
Enter
Him
Through works, because men can’t read hearts
Enter
Me
The chapter is not saying that. It’s saying that saying we have faith without having works is a faith that does not justify because that facility is dead
Enter
Him
Saving faith will have works associated with it. If Abraham didn’t believe God, he would not have obeyed.
Enter
Him
He begins the section of the chapter with questions about someone who claims to have faith. This is a man claiming something to another man… the he gives known examples from Scripture they would be common to them. It shows that faith will have works always. We can’t believe that the men saying they are justified actually are if their life doesn’t show any evidence of it. You’re taking it out of the context and putting into a salvific conversation that doesn’t exist and it makes you create categories like “initial salvation”
Enter
Me
Agreed to your first statement about obedience stemming from faith. If “faith will have works always”what happens if a person dies, having trusted Jesus but without a life change?
Enter
Tue 6:00 PM
Me
Enter
Tue 6:18 PM
Him
The thief on the cross is a good example of someone who is with Christ now, without a life change because of time. Someone who says they trust Jesus, but their life isn’t changed, doesn’t have any fruit that their confession is actually true.
Enter
Him
The goats aren’t sheep. They are goats. They are not believers or have faith at all.
Enter
Me
The thief did have a life change, he went from mocking him to asking for his mercy.
Enter
Me
The goats call Jesus u/Lord@
Enter
Me
“Lord”
Enter
Him
False professions of faith are very common. Not true faith.
Enter
Me
How can anyone know they are saved then?
Enter
Him
Yes, people can say whatever they want. That doesn’t mean their profession is true.
Enter
Him
The Holy Spirit testifies to the spirit of His children that they are the children of God. And, He leads them to put to death the sin in their life.
Enter
Him
God will be at work in and through your life.
Enter
Him
1 John also gives some tests of assurance
Enter
Me
Sounds like works
Enter
Him
Which part? Not sinning?
Enter
Me
Life change.
Enter
Him
The Holy Spirit testifies to your heart that you are a child of God. Life change is evidence of faith and if it continues to death, then it’s evidence that they are a believer. If they are doing it not to earn anything and out of pure love for God. The theif on the cross didn’t work at all. He was changed by God
Enter
Me
This is not far from the Catholic position, which is “faith working through love”. The difference is we believe we can choose to leave God through sin or disbelief.
Enter
Me
One should do good out of love for God and neighbor
Enter
Me
Galatians 5:6 for the reference ”For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.”
Enter
3:27 PM
Him replied to you
Original message:
This is not far from the Catholic position, which is “faith working thro…
It is different enough because works are not required for salvation at any moment whatsoever. They earn you no additional grace. Gods grace is already sufficient for Christ to save to the uttermost. Our works are as filthy rags before God. Any pure work is God working through us, and would only be accredited to Him, not to us. As well as any sacraments. If you’re adding anything necessary for perfect eternal salvation to the finished work of Jesus Christ, then you have a different gospel that cannot save. If your faith requires you to do your part to ensure you reach the finish line in Christ, I urge you to repent of the falso gospel and trust only in Jesus Christ, who doesn’t try to save or make people save-able, but saves His sheep perfectly. “Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25
Enter
6:02 PM
Me
I also believe grace is not earned. It is God's free gift. I also believe Christ completed the work once and all on the cross.
Enter
Me
We disagree in the application of that gift. I believe it is given through the life of the Christian through various means, whereas (I think) you believe it happens all at once at the point of belief. Either way it is from God. It's kind of like if a dad gives his kid $1 to put in the collection at church. The $1 is the dad's. The kid did nothing to earn it, but the dad knew that having the kid put the $1 in would have a positive change on the child. Good works are the "$1" in this situation. It is God working through us. We can't even desire to do good, let alone do good, unless God gives us the desire to even will good.
Enter
6:31 PM
Me
This quote from St. Augustine captures it better than I can, " “What merit, then, does a man have before grace, by which he might receive grace, when our every good merit is produced in us only by grace and when God, crowning our merits, crowns nothing else but his own gifts to us?” (Letters., 194:5:19).
📷
Enter
Him
How the free gift of grace is applied to the life of the believer is paramount to salvation. It is a work of the Holy Spirit all at once, which is why the past tense appears so often in regards to salvation. If you’re striving to achieve or maintain or ensure eternal salvation, you believe a different gospel and the wrath of God abides upon you. It’s is grace that saves. Not grace to do works or God working through us. That has nothing to do with salvation and God’s elect. John 6:44. All that the Father gives to me will come to me and I will raise them up on the last day. They will all come and Christ will raise them up. There is no room for, if you strive by grace to complete this work. There are warnings to the believer to remain faithful because saved sinners need warnings. Please do not fool yourself into thinking that there is only a little difference between perfect salvation at once and salvation as a process. The Roman Catholic Church will always be Satan’s number one counterfeit. This is all I’m going to continue with this conversation. I’ll be praying for you.
Enter
Me
Please do pray for me. I will say a rosary for you.

Divine Delay: Embracing God's Perfect Timing

"Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end." - Ecclesiastes 3:11
In our fast-paced world, patience can be challenging to uphold, especially when waiting on God's perfect timing. We often find ourselves in a rush, desiring immediate answers and prompt solutions to our problems. We want things to happen on our schedule, forgetting that God has a divine plan and His timing is always perfect.
While waiting can often be uncomfortable and frustrating, it's important to remember that God's delays are not God's denials. His timing, though often seemingly slow from our limited perspective, is always perfect. As we journey through this article, we'll explore the concept of God's perfect timing, look at scriptural references and stories of hope and patience, and delve into what we can do while waiting for God's plans for us.

Understanding God's Perfect Timing

The Bible tells us in 2 Peter 3:8, "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." This scripture underlines the eternal perspective of God's timing, distinct from our human perception of time. God's perfect timing is a principle deeply rooted in our faith, reminding us that God is sovereign and His plans are perfect.
God's timing is not our timing, and His ways are not ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). This understanding allows us to have peace while waiting, trusting that God's timing, His "kairos" time, is perfect and precise.

Stories of Hope and Patience in the Bible

Various stories in the Bible beautifully illustrate the concept of God's perfect timing. One significant example is the story of Abraham and Sarah. Despite God's promise that they would bear a son, they remained childless for years. Yet, in God's perfect timing, Sarah gave birth to Isaac at a seemingly impossible age. This story reminds us of the need for emotional resilience and patience when waiting for God's perfect timing.
Joseph's story is another testimony to God's timing. From being sold into slavery by his brothers to becoming the second most powerful man in Egypt, Joseph's life seemed a series of ups and downs. Yet, in the end, every step was part of God's plan and timing to preserve the lives of many.

What To Do While Waiting for God's Plan

While waiting on God's perfect timing, we can engage in spiritual disciplines that grow our faith and patience:

• Pray: Maintain constant communication with God, expressing your desires, fears, and hopes.
• Trust: Believe in God's promises and His perfect plan for you. Hold onto your faith even in periods of waiting.
• Serve: Use your current season to serve God and others actively, utilizing your gifts for His glory.
• Grow: Use this time for personal and spiritual growth. Invest in your relationship with God and deepen your understanding of His Word.

The Impact of Positive Thinking and Trust in God's Timing

Faith, trust, and a positive mindset become our guiding forces in our journey through life's varying seasons. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
These moments of waiting and uncertainty often test our patience. But by nurturing a positive outlook, we can see these periods as opportunities for growth and understanding rather than obstacles. Our faith assures us that God is in control and diligently working things out for our benefit (Romans 8:28).
Thinking positively does not only affect our emotional well-being but also our decisions, including our financial ones. By maintaining a positive and trusting perspective, we can approach financial decisions with a clearer mind and more confidence. And by having faith in God's perfect timing, we can cultivate patience, enabling us to make wiser and more informed financial decisions.

Navigating the Obstacles in Trusting Divine Timing

In the quest to understand and trust God's timing, it's common to encounter stumbling blocks that can potentially hinder our faith and patience. Identifying these pitfalls can help us better navigate our spiritual journey. Here are some of the common mistakes we often make:
Impatience: Frustration may rise when our plans don't materialize on our timeline. Instead of waiting patiently, we may rush the process, forgetting that God's timing is perfect and His plans are worth the wait (Psalms 27:14).
Lack of Faith: Doubting God's promises and questioning His sovereignty is another common mistake. Trust in His word is the foundation of our relationship with Him (Hebrews 11:1).
Forcing Outcomes: In our desire to control the situation, we may try to manipulate circumstances to fit our desires. This overlooks that God's plans for us are far superior to our own (Proverbs 19:21).
Resisting God's Timing: Acceptance is key when God's timeline differs from ours. Resisting His timing can lead to discouragement while embracing it brings peace (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
Misplaced Focus: Concentrating too much on what we desire or perceive as necessary can obstruct our trust in God's wisdom. He knows what is truly best for us (Matthew 6:33).
Neglecting Divine Guidance: Deciding without seeking God's guidance and wisdom can lead us astray. Every decision should be bathed in prayer and Godly wisdom (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Discontentment with the Present: Being overly focused on future aspirations can prevent us from appreciating present blessings. Let's learn to be content in every season, knowing that God is with us at all times (Philippians 4:11).
In order to avoid these common pitfalls, it is paramount to bolster our faith in God's promises and trust in His perfect timing. We should seek His wisdom, find contentment in our present situation, and trust that God is working things out for our good. The journey may not always be easy, but the destination will always be worth it.
For those seeking further guidance in these matters, consider visiting Impact Vision for professional counseling services. Their dedicated team can provide valuable support in your spiritual journey.

Conclusion

As we embrace the understanding of God's perfect timing, we can find peace and hope even amidst waiting. Our faith is strengthened, our trust deepens, and we grow closer to God. Let's remember to wait on the Lord with hopeful anticipation, knowing that His plans are worth the wait and that His timing is indeed perfect.
The essence of our faith is not just about understanding God's timing but also about aligning ourselves with it, entrusting our plans to God, and recognizing that He has our best interests at heart. As we do so, we find that we can experience joy, peace, and fulfillment even as we wait on God's perfect timing.

Simon (the zealot), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him). Matthew 10:4 NLT
In Matthew 10 Judas was sent out with another Apostle to heal the sick, to cast out demons, do miracles and proclaim the Messiah has come!

IF they werent blue and the tail was gone it be considered porn.
Tbh I could barely watch the trailer without feeling like it was guilty to watch, it looks like a porn film. The characters are basically naked humans, but with a tail and are colored blue. It creates lust in people, to want to me something more than human and to lust over the blue characters, so sad how bad 'family' movies have gotten. There also was a ton of violence and the whole thing is just made to made ppl lust, think sinful thoughts of impurity and violence. This bible verse is the best one to read before considereing watching any film regardless of the rating, because remember...Hollywoods ratings are not instandard with the Holy Bibles ratings of what is right and wrong, even many of their kids shows make what is wrong look right and what is right look wrong. Philippians 4:8 New International Version Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Seriously take a good look at the trailer and ask ur self is it appropriate? especially to take a child too, if you wouldnt want him to watch porn then why would you let him watch this movie?

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Matthew 7:15‭-‬20 NIV
It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, Philippians 1:15‭-‬18 NIV
This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. 1 John 4:2‭-‬3 NIV
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, Acts 3:19 NIV
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 NIV

“After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.” ‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭4‬:‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬
This is the power of the Holy Spirit, the third of the trinity, which has been sent by God. Because they were filled with the spirit, they were able to preach in boldness.
Many people I feel neglect the importance of the Holy Spirit. But in times of fear, where faith is needed for than ever, this is when the spirit shines the brightest. This is why the spirit is so important, as it strengthens us and guide us in what we do. So please pray for the spirit to walk among yo

Hi all,
​
I'm thinking about building a new rig versus upgrading my old rig. I have an older MOBO (about 5 years old) and figured with all of the updated below parts, my computer repairman mentioned upgrading MOBO and I would want to anyway as I require a extra adapter on my rig to even get wifi.
Below are the parts that would go with it! Any recommendations for a MOBO? I currently have the **Motherboard** [MSI X470 GAMING PLUS ATX AM4 Motherboard] with the following parts below.
​
[PCPartPicker Part List](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/NLtRQ6) TypeItemPrice :----:----:---- **CPU** [AMD Ryzen 7 5800X 3.8 GHz 8-Core Processor](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/qtvqqs/amd-ryzen-7-5800x-38-ghz-8-core-processor-100-100000063wof) $228.39 @ MemoryC **CPU Cooler** [Deepcool LT520 85.85 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/WhWzK8/deepcool-lt520-8585-cfm-liquid-cpu-cooler-r-lt520-bkamnf-g-1) $109.99 @ Amazon **Motherboard** [MSI X470 GAMING PLUS ATX AM4 Motherboard](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/4D7v6h/msi-x470-gaming-plus-atx-am4-motherboard-x470-gaming-plus) - **Memory** [G.Skill Trident Z RGB 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/6jBTwP/gskill-trident-z-rgb-16gb-2-x-8gb-ddr4-3600-memory-f4-3600c18d-16gtzrx) $59.99 @ Newegg **Storage** [Samsung 980 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/f3cRsY/samsung-980-pro-2-tb-m2-2280-nvme-solid-state-drive-mz-v8p2t0bam) $139.00 @ Amazon **Storage** [Toshiba P300 3 TB 3.5" 7200 RPM Internal Hard Drive](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/8PYLrH/toshiba-p300-3tb-35-7200rpm-internal-hard-drive-hdwd130uzsva) $85.42 @ MemoryC **Video Card** [Asus STRIX GAMING OC GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11 GB Video Card](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/4xQG3C/asus-geforce-rtx-2080-ti-11gb-rog-strix-gaming-oc-video-card-rog-strix-rtx2080ti-o11g-gaming) - **Case** [Fractal Design Meshify C ATX Mid Tower Case](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Y6Crxfractal-design-meshify-c-atx-mid-tower-case-fd-ca-mesh-c-bko-tg) $99.99 @ B&H **Power Supply** [EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 GT 1000 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/zQNxFT/evga-supernova-1000-gt-1000-w-80-gold-certified-fully-modular-atx-power-supply-220-gt-1000-x1) $179.99 @ Best Buy **Operating System** [Microsoft Windows 11 Home OEM - DVD 64-bit](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/dKkWGX/microsoft-windows-11-home-oem-dvd-64-bit-kw9-00633) $99.99 @ Newegg **Wireless Network Adapter** [Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCIe x1 Wi-Fi Adapter](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/tTdqqs/gigabyte-wireless-network-card-gcwb867di) - **Case Fan** [Corsair LL120 43.25 CFM 120 mm Fans 3-Pack](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/8KFXsY/corsair-ll120rgb-led-4325-cfm-120-mm-fans-3-pack-co-9050072-ww) $82.99 @ Newegg **Monitor** [Dell S3422DWG 34.0" 3440 x 1440 144 Hz Curved Monitor](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/pvrRsY/dell-s3422dwg-340-3440x1440-144-hz-curved-monitor-210-azep) $389.99 @ Dell Technologies **Keyboard** [Logitech MX Mechanical Mini Wireless Slim Keyboard](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/vb92FT/logitech-mx-mechanical-mini-wireless-slim-keyboard-920-010550) $149.99 @ Adorama *Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts* **Total** **$1625.73** Generated by [PCPartPicker](https://pcpartpicker.com) 2023-05-28 22:08 EDT-0400

For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:8-10).

Christianity features many beliefs and practices that prove very popular. People hear about them frequently; their legitimacy is often taken for granted. The Scriptures commend and justify many such beliefs and practices, but we cannot assume that merely because a belief or practice is popular that it is authorized by and pleases God in Christ. We must test all the spirits (1 John 4:1); we must prove all things in Christ (Colossians 3:17).
A very popular belief, especially among Protestants and Evangelicals, features belief itself: belief in salvation by faith only. According to this view, the only thing that a person needs to do in order to be saved is to believe, or have faith, in Christ. This perspective often reduces faith to a set of propositions to which mental assent is given: as long as one mentally accepts the idea that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, such is sufficient to save. Does faith only make the best sense of what God has revealed regarding faith in the New Testament?
In English, “belief” and “faith” are synonymous yet distinct words. In Greek, the terms translated “belief” and “faith” are come from a single word family: most often “faith” translates the Greek noun pistis; “to believe” translates the Greek verb pisteuo. The Hebrews author provides a compelling definition for belief/faith in Hebrews 11:1:

Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen.

Faith thus involves assurance and conviction; faith is grounded in knowledge about God and what He has accomplished for us in Christ, but is not merely that knowledge itself. One could know many ideas and facts about Jesus without necessarily having faith in Him. For this reason the Hebrews author goes further in Hebrews 11:6:

And without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.

If we would come to God, we must believe that He exists. We must believe that God is the One Who Is, the Existent One, as good of a translation as any of the divine name YHWH (Exodus 3:14-15). Without a doubt we must mentally accept the propositions that God exists, is our Creator, has made Himself known through Jesus of Nazareth, who lived, died, was raised in power, is Lord, and will return (Acts 2:36, 17:23-31, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 1 Peter 4:19). We most assuredly must accept “the faith” as delivered once for all the saints (Jude 1:3).
But can faith rightly be reduced to mere mental acceptance of a set of propositions? James warns against such oversimplification in James 2:19:

Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and shudder.

James is right: the demons constantly confessed their belief in Jesus as the Son of God (e.g. Matthew 8:28-29). The Scriptures extend no hope for the salvation of the demons! While mental acceptance of the proposition that Jesus is Lord is necessary for salvation, it by itself is not sufficient for us to be saved. Our faith must go deeper.
For our purposes the most important element of belief/faith is its demand of confidence or trust. If we truly believe that Jesus is Lord, by necessity, we must recognize that we are not Lord. To believe that Jesus is the Christ demands that we do what He says, just as the earliest audience of the Gospel understood (Acts 2:36-37). Jesus’ question resonates throughout time: “and why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:36).
First and foremost we must put our faith, or trust, in God in Christ for our justification. “Justification” is a big and loaded theological word that means “to be declared or made righteous.” In short, justification involves standing: on what basis can we stand before God?
It is true that many people believe their standing before God is based on their works. They believe that they have done what God wants them to do; if nothing else, they believe their good deeds sufficiently outweigh their bad deeds so as to justify their entrance into God’s pleasure. Such people labor under a delusion! We again turn to James in James 2:10-11:

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is become guilty of all. For he that said, “Do not commit adultery,” said also, “do not kill.” Now if thou dost not commit adultery, but killest, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

All the good deeds in the world mean nothing if we are guilty of a transgression on account of which we stand on trial: if we are on trial for stealing, and we have stolen but have not committed murder or adultery and have proven very benevolent to those in need, we remain guilty of stealing, and are rightly judged as transgressors. This is why Paul says that no one is justified before God by works of the Law in Romans 3:20: all have sinned and all have fallen short of the glory of God, and so on the basis of the Law all would be condemned as transgressors (Romans 3:23). Therefore, our standing before God is based on faith in Christ and what He has accomplished for us (John 3:16, Romans 5:6-11, Galatians 3:11).
In this way the Scriptures teach us that our justification is by grace through faith, and is absolutely not based in our works (Ephesians 2:8-9). We did nothing nor could do anything through our own efforts which could justify us, granting us standing before God, because we have all transgressed His holy laws, and through ourselves cannot atone for our transgression. We cannot earn salvation through our efforts; we do not deserve it, and it cannot be received like we receive a paycheck for work (Romans 4:1-5).
But does this mean that we are saved by faith only? In the New Testament the phrase “faith only” or “faith alone” is found only once, in James 2:24:

Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith.

How astonishing: the only mention of the idea is negated! How can this be?
In James 2:14-26 James anticipates how many would take Paul’s teachings regarding justification by faith further than God intended. James never suggests that man is saved by his works independent of faith, nor does he believe that people can be justified by works of the Law on their own. Instead James illustrates the essential nature of faith as trust: if you believe God is who He says He is, you will then do what He says.
Both Paul and James focus on the example of Abraham, and both center on the Genesis author’s comment in Genesis 15:6 (Romans 4:1-25, James 2:14-26). Paul focused on Abraham’s justification by faith: he believed in God before he received circumcision, and his standing before God was based on his faith (Romans 4:1-25). James focused on Abraham’s demonstration of trust by working in faith: Abraham received promises after proving willing to offer his son on the altar (James 2:21-23; Genesis 22:1-19).
Do Paul and James contradict each other, as many have claimed? Only if we demand a first-century text fit sixteenth-century disputations. When we hear what Paul and James have to say in their own context, we can come away with a more holistic understanding.
Ancient religion was primarily orthopraxic: based in right practice. It was easy for many in Judaism to reduce their faith to confidence in their election and a misguided confidence in their practice of the Law. Among Gentiles it did not matter how one felt about the gods; all that was important was to offer the appropriate sacrifices and prayers and hope the gods provided prosperity and otherwise left you alone. In all such religion the people’s standing was based in what they did. Paul did well to show how misguided such religion proved to be.
Paul and James underscored the fundamental importance of faith while fully affirming that faith demands obedience. Paul began and concluded his letter to the Romans insisting on the obedience of faith by the nations (Romans 1:5, 16:26); James speaks of faith without works as dead, like the body without the soul (James 2:26).
Faithful Christians maintain a tension between faith and works, manifest in Ephesians 2:8-10 and Philippians 2:12-13. We are not saved by our works but are justified by faith so that we can accomplish the good works for which we were created; we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling while God wills and works through us for His good pleasure. There need not be contradiction here; we can understand that nothing we can do can save us and thus put our faith in Jesus Christ for our justification and salvation while recognizing that faith without works is dead, and that trust without obedience is trust in name only.
Throughout Christian history those who have proven faithful to God have recognized that many truths of the faith seem mysterious, difficult, challenging, and do not always fit human logic. People have always been tempted to rationalize certain truths, to flatten them, and to insist on one extreme against another: all such endeavors lead to heresy. God is greater than we are and His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9); many things make sense on the divine level that may seem contradictory on the human level, just like a three dimensional object would look distorted in a two dimensional world. So it goes with those who would insist on extreme and exclusive terms like “only” where God did not provide them and in fact explicitly negated them: they go to an extreme that is heretical. A man is no more justified by faith only than he would be by works only (Romans 3:20, James 2:24)!
Christians are not justified by faith alone. Christians are justified by an obedient faith (Romans 1:5, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 11:1-40, 1 Peter 1:22). Christians can do nothing on their own to justify themselves before God; our justification and standing before God are entirely dependent on His grace and mercy expressed in Jesus (Ephesians 2:1-10). If we believe that Jesus is Lord, we must do what He says; we must prove obedient to His purposes (Romans 6:14-23). May we believe in Jesus as Lord, recognize our justification is by faith, and manifest our trust in Jesus through our obedience, and be saved in Him!
Ethan

And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, Ephesians 4:26 NLT