Grow In God's Grace

2 Peter 3:18

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever.

Much has been written concerning God's grace, which is His favor. His unmerited gift that was shown to mankind as well as the love gift that keeps on giving. Additionally, God's grace is His gift that leads to eternal life that comes through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23). God's grace was given to reestablish an intimate relationship with man where justice was demanded, but mercy took its place.

That being said, believers are indebted to grow in the grace and knowledge of God and draw closer to Him in obedience to His righteousness. This is because of His unmatchless love for man. We grow in the grace of God as He continues to bless us with His favor, love, and mercy. God's grace is His endless love.

Believers grow in God's grace through studying and meditating on His Word, communicating constantly with Him through pray, and yielding control to the Holy Spirit. When reading God's Word ask the Holy Spirit for divine interpretation of what He is saying and His intended application for your life. This is gaining knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

God's grace is sufficient; His mercy suits our case and is everlasting.

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Man's Laws verses God's Moral Laws

Genesis 1:27; 2:7,21-23

I raise the following questions in light of the many states in these United States of America changing the definition of marriage. There is a landmark case before the court in Detroit Michigan attempting to overturn the ban on gay marriages in the State of Michigan as well as the pressure being put on the Arizona Governor to veto a bill which allows business owners to refuse services to gay and lesbian couples or people. Also, the ban on same sex marriages in the state of Texas was over turned. These states join the many other states that have over turned the long standing definition of marriages being recognized between a man and woman.

That being said, these questions come to mind that I would like an answer, and they are:

1.     When does man's law trumps God's moral Law? Reference these scriptures (Genesis 1:27; 2:7,21-23; Romans 1:22-32). God instituted marriage between man and woman. Same-sex marriages is not of God.

2.     How can one judge/man go against the will of the people? The people voted against changing the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman.

3.     How effective is our voting rights? Null and void if one man/person is allowed to force his/her will upon the masses.

4.     Is this not a democracy where the majority rules?

5.     Isn't the rights of the majority being taken away if the ban on same-sex marriage is over turned?

6.     During creation, God created male and female of every creature so they could reproduce, How can two of the same sex (parents) reproduce a another human?

7.     Will the children of same-sex couples be raised believing in God? If so, what will they be taught about the institution of marriage? And What will they be taught when it comes to  the section in the Bible/scripture when God speaks against it? Will the parent say that's not what God intended and there is no punishment  for this sin.

Let me say, all scriptures are given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).

God also states in the Ten Commandments that "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me (Exodus 20:3). Man is being deceived by Satan and his lies just as Eve (man) was deceived by Satan in the Garden of Eden which resulted sin entering the human race and man's fall, which broke the harmonious relationship between God and man. Christ our Lord and Savior restored that relationship through His death, burial and resurrection.

Man has set himself up to be a god and this is proven by his humanistic thinking, which is what he feels is right he should be allowed to do. Also, man in his humanistic reasoning feels that he is the highest authority. Wrong! Wrong! God is the highest authority and what is spoken in His Word is the highest and final authority.

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Thanks

I just want to say thank to all who are following me, reading and commenting on my posts.

Again, thanks.

Dr. White

Blessed To Be A Blessing

Psalm 32:1-2

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imparted not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is not guile.

Our scripture text makes a profound statement regarding believers' salvation in that we have been forgiven by God the Father and our sins covered through the blood of His Son Jesus Christ. That being said, believers are to share these blessings by witnessing Christ with lost souls so they too will be blessed with God's gift of salvation which in and of itself carries the greatest blessing one can receive-Salvation.

Believers are blessed with spiritual gifts to edify the body of Christ, which is to use your God given gift in working for the Lord. Some are blessed with the gift of singing, which is to be used to glorify God; just as it is with the gift of serving others. When serving others God is pleased because this emulate His compassionate care of providing for others.

It is noteworthy to say, many are blessed materially and financially and they too are to bless others with their giving. The more we give the more God gives back to the giver.

We are blessed with God's favor so bless others and glorify God in doing so.

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In All Things Praise God

Hebrews 13:15

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.

Today's scripture text offers sound advise regarding offering praises to God constantly because He is worthy of all honor, worship and praises. The scripture also encourages us to offer praises to God regardless of the situation. If we are experiencing troubles, praise God. When sickness occur, praise God, heartache and pain, praise God; just simply praise Him. Whatever the situation is it could be much worse; therefore, take comfort in knowing that God of the universe is in control and as promised will never leave nor forsake His own. He asks that we cast all our cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7) and leave worry and concerns behind.

Offering sacrifices of praises to God regardless of what we may be experiencing is recognizing that He is the God of our salvation, our refuge, our high tower and is worthy to be praised (Psalm 46:1). This mean God is our all in all. This in of itself is praise worthy. It is just good to give thanks to God as this is a form of worship.

When we can praise God in the midst of trouble is evidence of one's spiritual growth as well as one's relationship with God. As praises go up to God blessings come down from Him.

Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him.

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Show Brotherly Love

1 John 4:7

Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

Our scripture text makes a profound statement regarding brotherly love as it is one of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). It also states that love is of God and all believers are to emulate God's love. This is because God first loved us while we were enemies of Him. He loved us to the point that He gave His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for the sins of the world. In doing so, God the Father provided salvation to all who believe in Jesus Christ. Upon receiving salvation, God the Holy Spirit resides in every believer. It was love that compelled God to do what He did. This is because love is the very nature of God.

God the Father gave His Son, the Son gave His live, and God the Holy Spirit lives in every believer to guide the believer into holy living and directs our paths. Nothing but love!

Given what God done for us it is imperative for all believers to show brotherly love to our fellowman as God imparts His love to us daily. In return believers are to love God and others.  Loving others is showing one's relationship with God.

This question comes to mind, How can we say we love God whom we have never seen and do not love our brother whom we see daily?

Let's love everybody; God does.

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Passionate For Good Works

Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Our scripture text answers an implied question of why did Christ shed His precious blood to redeem man from sin? The appropriate answer is because of God's love for man whom He created in His image and likeness to be in fellowship with Him. Sin destroyed that fellowship, but Christ restored that fellowship. In doing so all believers are redeemed to purity because God is holy and pure. Therefore, to become children of God we too must be pure and holy. The second part of the answer is believers are redeemed to do good works for the Lord and be eager to do so.

The question now becomes, What are some good works that believes do for God? Believers share the gospel of Christ with lost souls of the world. Believers commit themselves to living holy lives before God while manifesting the love of Christ in his or her life. Believer give aid to the poor and needy as this is part of God's provisional care. Believers give his or her time, talent and tithes to the Lord to serve others and build God's kingdom. Believers make intercessory prayer for others and self whether petitioning and or praising God.

Believers become zealous for God and to do His will.

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Display The Shield Of Faith

Ephesians 6:16

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

What is faith? Faith is one's belief. One's belief that there is a God who created all that is seen and unseen (Genesis 1:1) A belief that Jesus Christ is God's Son who was born of a woman and died on the cross at Calvary. In doing so He took away the sins of the world and all who believe in Him is saved. Faith is the ability to see the invisible as though it is visible. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of thing not seen, which authenticates the above statement on faith.

That being said, faith the size of a mustard seed one can move mountain, which is life's seemly unmoveable situations. Faith leads to righteousness because believers are able to stand on God's Word in the face of all manner of evil and wickedness that the world brings. Faith enables believes to stand alone if necessary and declare the truth of God's Word in spite of some times being persecuted for Christ's sake.

Believers are being persecuted in many ways and in many places today for their faith in Jesus Christ. Let me encourage all to stand firm on your faith because of your faith you have victory through Christ that was won on Calvary's cross.

Fight on and stand firm in your faith as it is your protective shield.

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The Promises Of God

Isaiah 41:10

Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee, yes, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

The setting for today's discussion is God promising His help to His chosen nation Israel. What we know of God's promises is that they are kept. God is offering reassurances to His people to fear not nor be dismayed simply because He is with them.  This reminds me of the phrase, if God be for you who can be against you. This is true because when you have God He is more than enough. 

Isaiah 51:17 solidifies God's help for His people by stating, No weapon formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment them shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of Me, saith the Lord. What this means is that all believers both then and now is protected by God Himself under His mighty wings of protection. Even those who speak evil against God's people will suffer His judgment. This is because of God's righteousness and all believers have the righteousness of God through His Son Jesus Christ. What a mighty God we serve!

Just as believers during Isaiah's day faced oppositions and many of life's crises so do believers today and generations to come, but all believers have the assurances of God's protective promises. Believers can take comfort in knowing that God is faithful to His promises.

Rely on the promises of God because He is true to His Word.

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What Is The Continent Of Believers' Hope?

Psalm 33:18-22

Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heat shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

As we conclude our three-part series on Biblical hope which is an assured hope that is based on God the Father, Jesus Christ our Savior and God's Word all of which leads to a sure foundation that leads to eternal life.

That being said, the content of believer's hope is based on God's love, grace and mercy. God's mercy spared us from being eternally separated from Him. God's grace and mercy is imparted to us as believers experience suffering while here on earth, but believers have an assured hope that one day our suffering will be no more. This is because God will have wiped away all tears, sickness, pain and suffering and all believers will have been washed in the blood of Jesus Christ our Savior.

The content of believers' hope is based on the fact that we have a home not made with hands and whose builder is God Himself  (Hebrews 11:10). The content of believer's hope is that we will be caught up with Jesus during the rapture and we will see Him as He is and will become like Him (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Philippians 3:20-21). Believers have a confident hope that when we get to heaven we have a crown of righteousness waiting for us (2 Timothy 4:8). Lastly, the content of believers' hope is eternal life (John 3:16; 6:47; 1 John 5:11-13).

Scripture encourages all believers to refrain from placing our trust and hope in material things and other men as both are short lived.

We can conclude then that the content of believers' hope is salvation which leads to eternal life and having glorified bodies like Christ our Savior.

Hope in God.

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