Patricia

I think that sometimes we go overboard in trying to have charity for the sinner, trying not to cause him to give up. Sometimes we feel we can't chastise anyone else because of our own sin but also we are weak in not wanting to stand up alone for the truth....we fear rejection instead of realising that rejection because of the gospel is a blessing......blessed are the persecuted.

Sexual sin denies the power that Christ has over us.....It also tells the world that Christ is not enough to satisfy our needs and that we must turn to other comfort.......therefore we deny the comfort He has given. We must give all authority of our life over to Christ or we are in denial of him.

Rev. 22 vs 18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book: [19] and if anyone takes away from the words of this book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city and from the things that are written in this book.

People probably avoid talking about death because of fear. If I look at my flesh as a tent, then I can visualise a temporary tired, worn shelter with leaks and not giving much protection from any element and which moves from place to place...never reaching it's true destination. To escape such conditions and to go to the permannt mansion dwelling, constantly in the presence of Christ, is a great expectation and nothing to fear. It is the great prize at the end of our journey here.

Every trial and every hurt actually becomes a blessing...a new opportunity to grow into that unmoveable love....a new chance to pray for and love our enemies. By practicing this, we finaly are set free of grudges and strife. We are at peace with all around us and we can look at every trial as "What is is that God is trying to teach me with this problem?"

Desire, the feeling of unsatisfaction is a good thing if I am desiring the things that pertain to righteousness. If however, through unthankfulness for what God has already done for me, I begin to focus on my needs instead of what I can do for the kingdom, then my faith is erroded. If I focus on what I don't have long enough, my life is corrupted, my thinking becomes futile and my heart darkened. I become a complainer, a negative influence instead of a positive one. God's promises are true and they are more precious than the temporary comforts of this life. They are the great treasure of this life. I think corruption all begins with unthankfulness.

God's glory is that He is good. His goodness called a sinner such as I. His glory has changed my life...changed my heart..I now must give grace to all who have wronged me because God has shown me his excellence...his grace...his mercy. Could I ever forgive as he has? Could I ever sacrafice as he has? Only when he fully takes control....I am looking forward to that time...when I can fully surrender to him and be fully converted.

When we truely know Christ, we can trust him for all we need. His provision is complete...physical,spiritual and emotional. He does not provide for some of his children and not others. His leadership does not fail. He does not take us to a place just to leave us on our own.....Oh what a saviour. There is nothing to fear because He already has the provision made for every trial. He is tenderly watching over each step we take. I am so thankful.

The GIFT of faith is just that, a gift. We can't get it if God doesn't give it to us. Romans 12:3 says God has dealt to every man THE measure of faith. Peter was a man like us,with faults and weaknesses but by faith and grace, he overcame to become a great servant of our Lord. We today have the same grace and faith to tap into but the devil strives to decieve us that things were different then. We are the same church....the same body of Christ as then. Our environment is different than theirs but the power of God is the same. The discrepency is therefore in our mind.

Hello everyone...I am Pat from the tiny town of Cleo Springs Okla. I am so thankful to be one of God's children and am looking forward to learning with all of you...MayGod Bless us all.