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2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. ------------(The sorrow of carnal men about worldly objects, loss of fortune, fame, or friends; which, being separated from the fear and love of God, and faith in his providence and mercy, frequently drinks up their spirits, breaks their proud, rebellious hearts, or drives them to lay desperate hands on themselves.)

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Rom 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? --------(Only God can grant us forgiveness, when we repent and ask through Jesus our Lord.)

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2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. ---------
not willing that any should perish; (not any of the us, whom he has loved with an everlasting love, whom he has chosen in his Son, and given to him, and for whom he has died, and who are brought to believe in him.) (John Gill)

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The first day of the week. The Lord's Day. What are we going to do with it.? Some will sleep in, some will go shopping, some will play. What is the proper thing to do? First we should realize that with out our LORD we are lost. Then what do we have? Does it make a difference? When we stand before our LORD in judgement it will. Think about this as each of us decide how to go about the first day of the week.

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Luk 5:32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." --------The people that follow Christ are not the ones that Christ is talking about here, the one that knows not Christ is the one who needs repentance.

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Luk 15:4 "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?
Luk 15:5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
Luk 15:6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'
Luk 15:7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

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Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. ----------
Ye that are spiritual; (meaning not such who had greater spiritual gifts than others, their ministers, elders, though these may be so called; and to them it belongs to reprove and rebuke, recover and restore backsliders, which they should do in gentleness and meekness; but the apostle here addresses the brethren in general, the several members of the church.)(John Gill)

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2Ti 2:24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,
2Ti 2:25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,
2Ti 2:26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

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Act 3:19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, ------("and the day of mercy shall come from the presence of the Lord", repenting sinners find mercy; and a discovery of pardon is a time of mercy; and when God grants this, he affords his presence.)(John Gill)

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Act 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. -------This is what the bible says about repentence and baptistism. We should listen to what God has told us in His Word. When man decides he knows more than God he gets himself in trouble. Read the words of Act 2:38 and tell me you can not understand what it says. Repent and be baptized in Jesus name for remission of sins.

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Luk 13:3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. -------------(Jesus tells us what we need to do, if we will listen to Him.)

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Gal 3:22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. --------------------(Christ is the author and finisher, as well as the object of it; and therefore here called "the faith of Jesus Christ": and such that have it, to them the promise, or the things promised, righteousness and life are given, which the law could not give; not to them that work, but to them that believe.)

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Ecc 7:20 For there is not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin. -----------(Wisdom is so beneficial, and guards and strengthens a good man, yet no man has such a share of it as to live without sin; there was not then one on earth, there never had been, one, nor never would be, nor has been, excepting the man Christ Jesus.) (John Gill)

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Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, -----------(If we all have sinned then we all have to repent and ask for forgiviness.)

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2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.-------------
(Worketh repentance) --- (A thorough change of mind unto salvation, because the person who feels it cannot rest till he finds pardon through the mercy of God.)

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Act 17:30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, ------------(This points out the sad condition that all men are sinners, and that without repentance they must perish.)

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Luk 15:10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

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Mar 2:17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." ----------(Christ's calling sinners to repentance, and bestowing that grace, together with the remission of sins, which goes along with it, is doing his work and office as a "physician".)

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Mat 9:13 But go and learn what this means: 'I DESIRE MERCY AND NOT SACRIFICE.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." ----------(The "repentance" here designed, is not a legal, but an evangelical one: which is attended with faith in Christ, with views, at least hopes of pardon through his blood, and springs from a discovery and sense of his love.) (John Gill)

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Repent----1: to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life-----2 a: to feel regret or contrition b: to change one's mind ------------
Mar 6:12 So they went out and preached that people should repent.

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Mat 3:1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
Mat 3:2 and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" ---(The doctrine he preached was that of repentance (Mat_3:2); Repent ye. He preached this in Judea, among those that were called Jews, and made a profession of religion; for even they needed repentance.)

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------------A Wonderful Christian and Friend---------

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Heb 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

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Psa 63:3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You.
Psa 63:4 Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.
Psa 63:5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. ----------------
(And my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips; calls for abundant thankfulness; which is here signified by the mouth praising the Lord, and doing this with lips of singing, expressions of joy, songs of praise.)

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Psa 138:1 A Psalm Of David. I will praise You with my whole heart; Before the gods I will sing praises to You. ---------("before thee, O God, will I sing praise"; or I will sing praise to thee, the Son the Messiah.)

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1Co 14:15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. ------------singing vocally only; nor with his own Spirit, with his heart engaged in the work, with grace in it, in the lively exercise of faith, hope, and love, with much spiritual light, knowledge, experience, and judgment, which are very necessary to the due discharge of this duty. (John Gill)

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Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ------(Giving instruction, or causing to understand; these psalms, and the singing of them, being appointed as an ordinance, of God to teach, instruct, admonish, and edify the saints.)

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Eph 5:19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord-------------(Singing, is a distinct thing from prayer, so from giving of thanks, which is mentioned in Eph_5:20 as another duty; it is not a mental praising of God, for it is called speaking, and teaching, and admonishing, but it is a praising of God with the modulation of the voice; and is rightly performed, when the heart and voice agree; when there is a melody in the heart, as well as in the tongue; for singing and making melody in the heart, is singing with, or from the heart.)

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Joh 4:23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. -------- (He must be worshiped with the heart, in spirit and in truth. Spiritual worship can be offered in any land, wherever the soul can humble itself before God.)

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Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ----(If we have love, joy, peace we belong to Christ and we live in that Spirit. So we should always walk in the Spirit.)

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Rom 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ---------Think about it.

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Psa 84:10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.--------- (One day in God's house employed in spiritual exercises, and enjoying communion with him, is better than a thousand days in any of the houses of Satan, of sinful pleasure, or in the houses of sinful men.)

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Psa 122:1 A Song of Ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the LORD." ---------(Here they find spiritual pleasure, enjoy abundance of peace and comfort, and have their spiritual strength renewed.)

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Psa 133:1 A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! -------(As christians we should always try to get along with each other and all be able to lift up one another.)

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Rom 14:19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. --------(Edification is promoted by deeds, by acts of charity, or love; for charity edifies not by bare words but by loving in deed and in truth, by serving one another in love.)

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Rom 15:1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Rom 15:2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. ---------We need to look out for our weaker ones and do every thing that we can to help them to become stronger.

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Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. ----------(When we decide to follow God we can not seek to please men. We have to have our focus on God.)

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Jas 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. -----------(God and mammon cannot be loved and served by the same persons, at the same time; the one will be loved, and the other hated; the one will be attended to, and the other neglected:)

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Mat 6:24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. ------
(either he will hate the one, and love the other; he will have less affection and regard to the one, than to the other;)

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1Jn 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. ------(This is the sum of the evil things in the world; or these following are the objects of sin in the world, or about which wicked men are conversant; even such as are carnal or grateful to the flesh, visible to the eye, and belong to this vain life, or serve to fill with pride and vanity; or these are the main things, which men that love the world most highly value and esteem.)

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1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
1Jn 4:8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
---------(for love is of God: to love one another is the command of God, it is his revealed will, and is well pleasing in his sight.)

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1Jn 4:9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
1Jn 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1Jn 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 4:11 --Tells us the rest of the story, if God loved us we ought to love one another. Is this so hard?

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1Jn 4:9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
1Jn 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
---- (Herein is love,.... The love of God, free love, love that cannot be matched: herein it is manifested, as before; this is a clear evidence of it, an undoubted proof, and puts it out of all question:
not that we loved God: the love of God is antecedent to the love of his people; it was when theirs was not; when they were without love to him.)

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1Jn 3:16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1Jn 3:17 But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

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Gal 5:13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." ---(He calls them "brethren", to testify his affection to them, and to put them in mind of their relation to one another, which required mutual love as it becomes them to love one another, as the new command of Christ, their profession of religion, and their relation to each other, require, so they should show their love by their service; as by praying one with and for another, by bearing each other's burdens, sympathizing with and communicating to each other in things temporal and spiritual; in forbearing with and forgiving one another.)

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Mat 7:12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. ----We have to treat people the way we want to be treated. If we show love then we will receive love. If we do not , how do we except others to not return what we give. Our Lord showed Love and Compassion, why not us.

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Happy

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Mar 12:31 And the second, like it, is this: 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
Mar 12:32 So the scribe said to Him, "Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He.
Mar 12:33 And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."
Mar 12:34 Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." But after that no one dared question Him. -----(This commandment regards love as the former, and requires that it be as that, true, hearty, sincere, and perfect; that it be with singleness of heart, always, and to all men; and that it spring from love to God, and be performed to his glory: and which is expressed in the words written in Lev_19:18 "thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself"; as heartily and sincerely, and as a man would desire to be loved by his neighbour.)------

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Mat 5:43 "You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.'
Mat 5:44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
-----(Do good to them that hate you; such as hate you in their hearts, and discover their hatred by their actions; do not make returns in the same way, but on the contrary, do them all the good you can)----

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Heb 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:----- (Follow peace with all men,.... That are in a natural and domestic relation to one another, being of the same family; and that are in a civil and political one, being of the same nation, city, or society; and that are in a spiritual one, being members of the same church.)Many things serve to enforce this upon the saints; this is most agreeable to all the three divine Persons; to God, who is the God of peace; to Christ, the Prince of peace; and to the Spirit, one of whose fruits is peace; and to the characters of the saints, who are sons of peace, and who are called to peace, and who make a profession of the Gospel of peace. With out it we can not see the Lord.

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Rev 21:8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
--------(And all liars; in common, and particularly such who speak lies in hypocrisy, as the followers of the man of sin, and who are given up to believe a lie, that they might be damned; all lies being of the devil, and abominable to God.)--------

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Pro 12:22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.---Therefore an abomination and a lie are joined together, Rev_21:27;
Rev 21:27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

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Pro 24:17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth; even secret joy should not be indulged, gladness in the heart, though it does not appear in the countenance, and is not expressed in words.

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Psa 37:30 The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, And his tongue talks of justice.
Psa 37:31 The law of his God is in his heart; None of his steps shall slide. --He meditates and speaks of the wisdom of God,and his mouth delivers out wise sayings, and useful instructions, fetched out of the word of God, and founded on experience and observation.

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Col 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. It should be in consistence with the grace of love, therefore evil should not be spoken one of another; nor should there be whisperings, backbitings, or anything said that is injurious to the character, credit, and reputation of another; for this is contrary to love.

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Pro 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. "By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned", Mat_12:37; the tongue is the instrument either of a great deal of good, or of a great deal of evil;

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Jas 3:2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
Jas 3:3 Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.
Jas 3:4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.
Jas 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!
Jas 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
Jas 3:7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.
Jas 3:8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

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What a wonderful smile.

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Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth,.... As unsavoury speech, foolish talking, light and frothy language, that which is filthy, unprofitable, noxious, and nauseous, and all that is sinful.

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Col 3:8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
Col 3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,---- Lie not one to another.... Which is another vice of the tongue, and to which mankind are very prone, and ought not to be done to any, and particularly to one another

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Pro 15:28 The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil. ---He thinks before he speaks, meditates what he shall say, what answer to give to men; whether in things civil, natural, or religious; and what to return to the Lord when he is reproved by him; or what to say in prayer to him, or by way of thankfulness for mercies received from him;----thus an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil things readily and at once, having no concern about the consequences of things.

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Jas 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!
Jas 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
Jas 3:7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.
Jas 3:8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Jas 3:9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.
Jas 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

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Wonderful Pair

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Jas 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
(let every man be swift to hear; not anything; not idle and unprofitable talk, or filthy and corrupt communication; but wholesome advice, good instructions, and the gracious experiences of the saints, and, above all, the word of God.)

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Psa 39:1 To the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, "I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me."
I will take heed to my ways; as every good man should; that is, to all his actions, conduct, and conversation: it becomes him to take heed what ways he walks in; that they are the ways of God,
That I sin not with my tongue; which is a world of iniquity, and has a multitude of vices belonging to it; not only in profane men, but in professors of religion; whom it becomes to take heed that they sin not with it, by lying one to another, by angry and passionate expressions, by corrupt communication, filthiness, foolish talking, and jesting, which are not convenient; by whispering, talebearing, backbiting, and by evil speaking one of another.

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Jas 1:26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.
26 - And bridleth not his tongue; but boasts of his works, and speaks ill of his brethren; backbites them, and hurts their names and characters, this man's religion is vain; useless, and unprofitable to himself and others; all his preaching, praying, hearing, and attendance on the ordinances will be of no avail to him.

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Mat 15:17 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?
Mat 15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.
Mat 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
18- Come forth from the heart: are first conceived and formed there, and then come forth from thence, and are expressed by the mouth; as all idle words, foolish talking, filthy jesting, unsavoury communication, and every word that is rotten and corrupt, or which is done in the life and conversation;

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What a Smile

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Pro 12:17 He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit.
Pro 12:18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
Pro 12:19 The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
- There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword,.... Whose words are like sharp swords, cutting, wounding, dividing, killing; see Psa_57:4; such are the words of false witnesses, who by their false testimonies and perjuries are as guilty of the murder of men as cutthroats; such are the words of slanderers, backbiters, and talebearers,

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Mat 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
Mat 12:36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
Mat 12:37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
Bringeth forth good things; tells his experience, speaks of what God has done for his soul; says many things to the glory of the grace of God;
and an evil man, out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. The "evil man", is a man as he was born; who is wholly flesh, carnal, and in a state of nature; destitute of the Spirit, and having no principle of grace in him:

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Psa 34:13 Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit. The tongue is an instrument of much evil, an unruly member, and needs restraint from all obscene and unchaste words, and from all lying ones; for where such evil speaking is indulged, the fear of God cannot be in that man.

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Eph 6:2 "HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER," which is the first commandment with promise: Today has been set aside by the world to be a day when we honor our earthly fathers. I am sure that if a father does the best he can much good will come out of it.The christian father has an advantage, because he has our Lord and his word. If you let God guide you, you will be able to bring a child up the way God would have them. I hope as a father that my christian ways will stay with my son and his family as he raises them. Let GOD's word dwell in you always. Seek to do God's will, not our will. Have a great Fathers Day

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QUESTION: Will the heavens and earth literally be destroyed at His Second Coming? Will we literally meet Him in the air?
ANSWER: Yes! All of these things are to be taken literally! Note that in 2 Peter chapter 3, where the destruction of the heavens and the earth is foretold, that Peter compared it with what literally occurred when the earth was once destroyed by water. Both are instances of literal destruction! Those who obey and serve God faithfully in this life will literally meet the Lord in the air at His Second Coming (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). There is no reason to infer a symbolic interpretation of this passage!
For Further Information Contact:Truth For The World P.O. Box 5048Duluth, GA 30096-0065e-mail: info@tftw.org

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QUESTION: Why did Moses and Elijah appear with Christ at the transfiguration?
ANSWER: The purpose of the transfiguration is very significant to us today! Moses represented the “law” and Elijah represented the “prophets.” When God said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him” (Matthew 17:5), He was saying that, under the New Testament dispensation, we are not to hear and obey Moses and Elijah (the Old Testament, i.e., the law and the prophets), but, rather, we are to hear and obey Jesus Christ, God’s beloved Son! The Old Testament (represented by Moses and Elijah) would be fulfilled with the death of Christ and taken out of the way (Colossians 2:14).
For Further Information Contact:Truth For The World P.O. Box 5048Duluth, GA 30096-0065

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QUESTION: Jesus was not a sinner. Why was He baptized?
ANSWER: When Jesus came to the Jordan river to be baptized (Matthew 3), John at the first refused to baptize Him saying, “I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?” What John implied by this was, ‘You (Jesus) are without sin and, therefore, do not need to be baptized for the remission of sins, but, I am, indeed, a sinner and have need to be baptized of thee!’ Jesus did not argue with the truth of John’s statement. In fact, He agreed with it in saying, “Suffer (permit) it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus knew the design and purpose of John’s baptism (Luke 3:3), and He approved of it, but by saying “Permit it to be so now,” He is telling John that they, in this one case, must make an exception to this purpose, because He was without sin. Nonetheless, Christ insisted that He be baptized in order to “fulfill allrighteousness.” In other words, God commanded all men everywhere to be baptized and because Christ was, at that time, in the flesh (as a man), in order to satisfy the will of the Father, He, too, needed to be baptized in order to fulfill His will, or all righteousness! Some people today who reject the scriptural teaching of baptism “for the remission of sins,” (Acts 2:38) say, that since Jesus was not baptized for this purpose, neither do they have to be baptized “for the remission of sins.” They, too, want to be baptized (as Christ was) to “fulfill all righteousness.” This could be the case, if they were (as Christ was) sinless, or without sin. But it is the case that they are not without sin, for Paul said in Romans 3:23 that, “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." The logical and scriptural conclusion is that since “all men have sinned,” they (all men) cannot be baptized (as Christ was) solely to fulfill all righteousness, but must be baptized for the express scriptural purpose of “remission of sins,” which, in man’s case, results in the fulfillment of righteousness, or God’s will. Christ was the only one not to be baptized “for the remission of sins,” simply because He did no sin (1 Peter 2:22). There are no other exceptions, because all other men have sinned! Every man must, therefore, be baptized “for the remission of sins” in order to be saved (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:15-16)!
For Further Information Contact:Truth For The World P.O. Box 5048Duluth, GA 30096-0065e-mail: info@tftw.org

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QUESTION: Why did Jesus die?
ANSWER: Jesus came into this world to save sinners (I Timothy 1:15; John 1:29). Though “He knew no sin, He was made to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). The blood of animals could not take away our sin (Hebrews 10:4), so Christ became the only perfect sacrifice, by which we could be sanctified (Hebrews 10:10-12) through His blood, which was shed for many for the remission of sins (Matthew 26:28). Because of our sin (which God hates), we deserved the prescribed penalty of death and eternal separation from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). Either we had to pay the penalty for our sins or a perfect, sinless sacrifice had to be found to pay the penalty for us. Paul tells us (Romans 5:8-9) that God demonstrated His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” Christ paid the penalty for you and me in His death (1 John 2:2).
For Further Information Contact:Truth For The World P.O. Box 5048Duluth, GA 30096-0065e-mail: info@tftw.org

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QUESTION: Can those who sincerely want to know God find Him?
ANSWER: In Revelation 22:17, we read that whosoever will may come! In Hebrews 11:6, it is stated that, “he who cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Without this faith, however, the writer says, “it is impossible to please Him.” The faith that pleases God comes through hearing His Word (Romans 10:17). Therefore, if people sincerely want to know God and prayerfully search for Him, they can find Him, but only in His Word (Matthew 7:24-27; John 12:48). He cannot be found in the religions, books, doctrines, and commandments of men (Matthew 15:9).
For Further Information Contact:Truth For The World P.O. Box 5048Duluth, GA 30096-0065e-mail: info@tftw.org

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QUESTION: Who created God?
ANSWER: The Bible is clear! “Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God” (Psalms 90:1-2). God has always existed!
For Further Information Contact:Truth For The World P.O. Box 5048Duluth, GA 30096-0065e-mail: info@tftw.org

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QUESTION: Why did God not immediately destroy Satan so that we would not sin?
ANSWER: God does not cause man to be tempted to sin (James 1:12-15). Neither did He create man so he would not have the opportunity to express through his actions the likeness of the God in whose image he was made. Indeed, there would be no spiritual or moral value at all in our lives, if we did not have the choice of right or wrong. Even in this, our loving God through His Son graciously provided the church. He did so that we could be made free from sin by the blood of Christ even when we sometimes choose the wrong way. This provision was according to His eternal purpose (Ephesians 3:9-11). God will deal with Satan at the appropriate time according to His schedule (Revelation 20:10).
For Further Information Contact:Truth For The World P.O. Box 5048Duluth, GA 30096-0065

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QUESTION: Did God plan to insert sin into His creation?
ANSWER: No! James 1:13; “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man.” Since God clearly loves His creation so greatly (John 3:16), the insertion of evil into it would be against His very nature!
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QUESTION: Why do we praise God?
ANSWER: To praise God is to express heartily our admiration and thankfulness in prayer and song for what He is; what He has done; what He is doing; and what He has promised to do! We do it, because He is most deserving of it! Also many passages teach that it is the right thing to do. See Psalm 148; Luke 19:37; Romans 15:10-11; Hebrews 2:12.
For Further Information Contact:Truth For The World P.O. Box 5048Duluth, GA 30096-0065

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QUESTION: How do we see (know) God in our everyday living?
ANSWER: We can partially see (know) God through His creative handiwork (Psalms 19:1-4 & Romans 1:20) and come to know Him more perfectly through learning (biblical studies) and obedience to His will (I John 4:6). But humankind cannot see (know) Him in the fullest sense; “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
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QUESTION: What is God like?
ANSWER: We believe none can answer this question fully! There is neither human knowledge, time, nor space that would permit it. Though we may know some things about Him, we can never fully comprehend such concepts as limitless, eternal, and infinite concerning His being and will. Some attributes of God often ascribed to Him are: self-existent, unchangeable, infinite knowledge, total independence, all-powerful, all-present, righteous, holy, and good. Toward us as sinners, He is full of mercy, “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9). In I John 4:8, we are told that He is love! One of the most beautiful pictures of God in the Bible is found in Luke 15:11-32. Here we see our God lovingly concerned about His children and willing to forgive to the uttermost. However, we also see Him described as a God of goodness and severity; goodness toward those who continue in Him, but severity toward the disobedient. He will one day judge each of us by Christ (Acts 17:31) according to our deeds (Revelation 20:12). The nearest one can come to knowing God is through a deep, thoughtful study ofHis Word. This we recommend to you!
For Further Information Contact:Truth For The World P.O. Box 5048Duluth, GA 30096-0065

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When we look at the scriptures from the last two days we can see what God wants us to do, and how we should act. We are to think of other people as being better than ourselves. Why? Don't we think that we are good and think that people will want to be like us. If we think about our selves like that, just think if we thought that the other person is better. Then we learn that if we want to be great we should become a servant. To serve is to be great.

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Mat 20:26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.

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Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Php 2:4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

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1Ti 4:6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. If you read the first 5 verses you will see some of the things that we should be instructed about. If a minister stays with the Word of GOD, he will be doing what he is suppose to do. This is a good minister.

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Col 1:23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Col 1:24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,
Col 1:25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,

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Thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ; a minister of Jesus Christ is one of his making, qualifying, calling, and sending; and who makes Christ, the doctrines respecting his person and offices, his grace, righteousness, and salvation, the subject of his ministry; and he is a good one, who, besides having a good work of grace wrought in him, has good gifts and abilities from Christ, and who makes a good use of them, and freely and fully imparts them for the good of others; and being employed in a good work, he abides in it, and nothing can deter or remove him from it.

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QUESTION: Who are ministers? Are they servants?
ANSWER: Yes! However, most often today the term of “minister” is used to identify the “preacher,” but in the Bible it is applied to all who serve. For example: Christ was a minister (Matthew 20:28)! The apostles were ministers (Romans 15:16)! Preachers are ministers (I Thessalonians 3:2; I Peter 4:11)! His followers are ministers (Mark 10:43)!
For Further Information Contact:Truth For The WorldP.O. Box 5048Duluth, GA 30096-0065

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Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. We are not to do the things that is against God. Things that God has told us not to do we should not even want to be around. Though the flesh is weak, we should always ask God for the strenght to be able to stay away from sin. The world has alot to offer and sometimes what it offers us we can not afford to except. Be on the watch, do what is right, leave the other.

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The Three Men was Killed by a Rocket Attack on Camp Chu Chi. They were Men who Gave There Lives so Others Could Have There Freedom. I hope that I never forget Them.

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Mat 14:17 And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish." Saturday we had our fish fry. Had a good turn out, about 75 people. Had some luck catching fish, but we had bought 40lbs of fish to cook. We had a great time, I think everybody enjoyed being together and the food. What is better than being with Christians having fun and enjoying themselves.The fish that we put in pond last Saturday will be ready to catch about Oct. We will be ready for some more fellowship and good food.

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Luk 16:13 "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." Their meaning is, that two things cannot be done together.
for, either he will hate the one, and love the other; he will have less affection and regard to the one, than to the other; as the service or orders of the one, are less agreeable to him than the others;
or else he will hold to the one; hearken to his commands, obey his orders, and abide in his service;
and despise the other; show disrespect to his person, neglect his orders, and desert his service:

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Mat 23:11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. Why do you think that Jesus would say that who is greatest will be your servant. If some one is always looking out for you and others is he not your servant? When you see that he is thinking about you and trying to do for you is he not the greatest. Some times it is hard to see that some one is looking out for us, because we are so wrapped up in thinking that I am the only one that looks out for me. Sometimes it is good to stop and look around us.

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Mat 20:26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. Think about this, and tomorow we will look at other scriptures that tell us about being a servant.

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I think that forgiveness is the best thing a christian can do. If you show that you can forgive, people around you will know that there is a difference in you. Our Lord Jesus said if a brother sins and ask for forgiveness we are to forgive. He Does. When we read the bible and study forgiveness it is not as hard to understand. As humans we might want what we call justice, but the scriptures says that we should forgive when a person repents.

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1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We have to be of a repented heart when we ask for forgiveness.God will forgive us if we repent and ask for forgiveness.

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Went to Ken,s Fish Hatchery yesterday and bought 400 Ga. Giants, this is a bream that grows about 3 times as big as normal bream. When October comes we should have fun catching them. The trip there and back was real good. Dana and I talked the whole way there and back. Had some great topics. What does fish have to do with my blog?
Mat 4:19 Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." We will have a fish fry next Saturday and the fellowship that we will have will be wonderful. Plus many will bring friends that are not in the church so we will have a chance to reach them. Hopefully they will want to come back to Church , where they can hear the word of God. (Fishers of men). Don't forget today is the Lord's Day.

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Luk 17:3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
And if he repent; if he is made sensible of his evil, and is truly sorry for it, and ingenuously acknowledges it:
forgive him; the injury committed against a man's self; and pray to God for him, for an application of his pardoning grace and mercy to him; and comfort him with the hope of forgiveness with God, by the gracious promises and declarations of pardon made to such persons; drop all resentment and anger, and behave towards him with all sweetness of temper, and affability, and respect: and this is to be done immediately, as soon as a man repents.

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Wonderful Son & Mom

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Mat 6:14 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
If we do what Jesus tells us our heavenly Father will also forgive you; will hear your prayers, and manifest his forgiving love to you:

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Mat 18:22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Christ's meaning is, that a man should be all the days, and every day of his life, forgiving those that sin against him, as often as they repent and acknowledge their fault.

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A wonderful Family

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Lets look at what it is to forgive some one.
Mat 18:21 Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" This was twice the number of times that the custom of that day offered forgiveness, so how many times do we forgive some one?

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1 Jn. 1:7 Tells us that if we walk in the light ( this means to be a Christian, not just a good person). Jesus can only cleanse us when we come in contact with his blood. To do that we have to have our sins washed away. Baptism is the only way to be wash away our sins. 1:8 The only person to live without sin was Jesus. 1:9 If we have become a Christian we can ask for forgiveness and He will forgive us and never hold it against us again.

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1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

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Eph. 1:7 In verse 7 we learn that forgiveness of our sins only comes from Jesus shed blood.
(the forgiveness of sins; of all sins, original and actual, past, present, and to come; and this is through the blood of Christ)

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Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
Eph 1:4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
Eph 1:5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
Eph 1:6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
Eph 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

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To have forgiveness Jesus had to shed his blood on the old rugged cross for us. In the old testament the blood of animals was used as a sin atonement, but it never forgave sin. In Col. 1:14 we find that we have redemption for our sins through Jesus. In Col.1:15 we find He is the image of GOD. In Col.1:16 we find that He was there when the world was made. In Col.1:17 we Find that by him all things consist; he upholds all things by the word of his power; the heavens have their stability and continuance from him; the pillars of the earth are bore up by him,(John Gill) In Col. 1:18 we find that Christ is the head of the Church.

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Forgiveness,
Col 1:14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Col 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
Col 1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
Col 1:17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
Col 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

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Final Illustration
Here is one more example for us to think about! If the men of the church were meeting and I called my wife before them to lead us in a solo, would it be proper for her to do so? What if I, as a man, joined her in the solo and we sang to the men of the church? Would either of these be accepted in the true church of our Lord today? What would be wrong with it if we are not in worship? If she can sing before us, why can't she pray? Again, we are not in a formal worship. If she can sing and pray before us outside of worship, why can't she teach and preach to us? There is more to this problem than an innocent song being sung by an individual or a group. We must wake up and see that we are headed in the same direction that so many denominations have already gone! They were deceived and we are being deceived also! The fact is, God has given us a pattern. He has set order to things in His church. When we worship Him, or come before Him, it must be done according to that pattern. Let's not be caught up in the things of this world, but let us be satisfied with the simple pattern which Christ has given us!

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Would the same people who want choirs and solos be satisfied to just sit in their seats, without standing before another group? Would they be satisfied if everyone joined with them in the song, so that they were no longer heard exclusively? What purpose do these choirs and solos serve? They only add to the perfect pattern which God gave for our singing of praise! What a disturbing thing it is to see how young people today, all over the world, are always the ones involved in wanting such activities! How often do you see older adult Christians pushing to have choirs or solos of their own, which they will perform in? Why are we trying to be like the denominational world? Are we God's people? Are we satisfied with the pattern which He has given us? We must learn to be content with what we have been commanded to do for God. Let's not fall into the snares of the wicked nations among us.

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ARGUMENT 3 - "IT IS NOT FOR ENTERTAINMENT, BUT EDIFICATION!" Over and over we have heard brethren claim that choirs and solos have nothing to do with entertainment. If this is the case, why is it necessary for one group to stand before another? Are the ones in the choir just stretching their legs, or are they wanting to stand in front to be seen? Why is it that we clap after the song is sung? Is this to glorify and praise God, or to congratulate the choir or soloist for the excellent job they did? Who is to receive the praise? Who is to be glorified? It is one thing to tell someone he did a good job and quite another to give him the praise, glory and honor instead of God.

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ARGUMENT 2 - "WE REALLY ENJOY IT!" Another argument which is given in favor of choirs and solos is: “We really enjoy it;" "It encourages me;" "It's fun.” First, let's remember that just because something is enjoyable does not make it acceptable! All sin is enjoyable, but it is not acceptable to God. In Leviticus 10:1-2, Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire to God in their worship to Him. He rejected it and destroyed them! The other problem with this argument is that the emphasis is put on our personal enjoyment. The real purpose at hand is to praise God and teach others. Yes, we are to be encouraged, but are we engaging in worship for our own pleasure? There is a big difference. Encouragement is the result of doing what is right and good. If we are doing it only because we receive pleasure from it, then we are missing the purpose. God is the only spectator in worship! We are all participants. We glorify Him in song collectively to accomplish His Will. If we are not participating, we are not worshiping! No one can worship on our behalf! We must give our own offering to God!

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What about prayer? We would all say that we are worshiping God when we pray to Him in a formal worship service. But, if we close our service, and have another prayer, then are we no longer giving any type of worship (honor, respect, reverence) to God? For our sakes, and to be acceptable to God, we must mean and understand what we are doing! The fact is, when we engage in an act of worship to God whether in formal worship or informal worship, it should be done in spirit and truth, if it is to be acceptable. Because when we purposefully focus on God and give Him homage, we enter into a form of worship to Him.

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ARGUMENT 1 - "WE ARE NOT IN WORSHIP!" The first argument we always hear in favor of choirs and solos is, "We are not in worship!" Is one to believe the following: Christians can collectively sing a song to praise God in a formal worship service, and then close the service a prayer, thus declaring they are no longer worshiping? After closing the service, they can then sing same song and say it is not worship because they had already closed out the formal worship service. Can we turn God to "on or off?" Is there some way to determine whether they are worship or not? Yes, there may be some difference in the level or degree of worship in which one engages, but when we sing praises to God, are we not worshiping Him? Are we to believe that worship only takes place in our collective formal worship services? The Bible does not support the idea that worship only takes place in formal assemblies! In fact, we see that people worship at different times in different places, sometimes individually and sometimes collectively.

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Just wanted to remind you that clicking on title you are linked to Truth For The World. This is a great web site, that the Duluth church of Christ has. I use material from this site with permission. At no time do I change what they have printed. It is well written and every thing is from GOD'S word. I hope you enjoy and learn from my post. Thanks Lonnie

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How do people justify choirs and solos?
As we can see from history, choirs and solos outside the formal worship service to God, as many perversions have. However, as their popularity grew, they eventually took the place of God's pattern for congregational singing. This is why we must address this issue from the standpoint of what is wrong with religious choirs and solos. How do people justify such in today's religious world?

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History also confirms that the early church participated only in congregational singing. Why? Because this was the pattern or example left by the apostles. What is the purpose of singing? First, singing is done to praise and glorify God. Secondly, we again refer to Paul's words in Colossians 3:16. "teaching and admonishing.” Singing is used to teach God's message, and to encourage us, as we are obeying His will. Therefore, in singing, we praise God, teach others, and we are encouraged as we participate.

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What is singing?
Also important to our discussion is the understanding of singing. Choirs and solos fall under this form of worship. Has God commanded singing? If so, what kind of singing? When the early church met together for worship they sang praises to God. In Ephesians 5:19 we read, "speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." Paul also told the Colossian brethren, "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Colossians 3:16). In both of these passages the command is to sing. This singing was done collectively by the entire church, all at the same time. How do we know this? First, these verses confirm this fact. They both use a reflexive pronoun in the Greek, which is to one another. This indicates action being done at the same time by two or more individuals. The idea is you do it to me and I do it to you, at the same time.

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The Bible is our guide in all truth (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Let's see what it says about what worship is. In the Bible, when the word “worship" is used, it refers to showing reverence to God, or to adoring God. It also has the idea of bowing before God. In John 4:24, Jesus said, "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." Here we have outlined acceptable worship by a child of God. Our worship is pleasing to God when it is done in spirit and truth. "In spirit," refers to the right attitude and frame of mind. "In truth," refers to being done truly, according to God's Will, or doing the right acts as God instructed(John 17:17). There are many examples of worship in the Bible. Many talk of God's followers going to worship or assembling to worship. For example, Abraham took his son, Isaac, to a place to worship God. In Genesis 22:5, we read that Abraham left his servants with the animals and went over yonder to worship God. The Israelites also assembled often in the presence of God to worship Him.

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What is worship?
Worship has always been part of the Law of God. From the very beginning of time, God has required His followers to worship Him. What is worship? The Webster's Dictionary gives the following ideas for worship: “reverence offered a divine being; respect or adoration for or devotion to an object; to honor a supernatural power; to take part in an act of worship." So the world defines worship as reverence, respect, admiration, devotion, or honor to a being or object. In our case the Being is God our Creator!

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IS ANYTHING REALLY WRONG WITH CHOIRS AND SOLOS?
Choirs and solos have plagued the religious world since their beginning by man, in the fifth century, hundreds of years after Christ established His church. So why have people, for many years now, been interested in using them to worship God? Is anything really wrong with choirs and solos?

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Proverbs 22:6 does not teach that if our children are trained well they will never depart from the faith! Training a child “in the way he/or she could go” does not mean to train him or her as a Christian. It means to train the child according to, and in concert with, his natural abilities and talents. If we do this when the child is grown he will not depart from that for which he has been trained. To suggest that a properly trained child will never depart from the faith goes too far. In fact, such a suggestion clearly implies that it is impossible for the properly trained one to fall from grace which would be contradictory to such passages as Galatians 5:4; I Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 10:26-29, and many others.

For Further Information Contact:Truth For The World P.O. Box 5048Duluth, GA 30096-0065e-mail: info@tftw.org

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When a man leaves home he is to “leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they two shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). The man is no longer under the tutelage (guardianship, care, protection, teaching, and instruction) of the father. He has left his parents and begun a new home over which he is guardian, caretaker, protector, teacher, and instructor. What that person does after he leaves home should not be a determining factor in the subject situations, because when the child leaves his father’s home to start a new home, the father’s responsibility for the child terminates! He is to rule his own house well, which excludes his child’s house!

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QUESTION: Are the following positions scripturally correct?
1. If a man has but one faithful child he cannot scripturally serve as an elder.
2. If one of a man’s children have becomes unfaithful after leaving home, the father cannot be appointed as an elder.
3. If a man is appointed as an elder, after which one of his believing, faithful children leaves home and apostatizes, the man becomes disqualified at that point.
4. That Proverbs 22:6 says that if we teach our children well, they will always remain faithful.
ANSWER: In I Timothy 3:1 the record says that in order for one to be an elder he must be “One who ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity.” Titus 1:6 says, “having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.” Although in both instances the plural (children) is used, there is no logical or scriptural basis to conclude that the Holy Spirit is teaching that a man with but one faithful child falls short of this qualification. As we look to God’s Word, we often find that the singular and plural of “children” are used interchangeably. For example: In Genesis 21:7, Sarah said, “Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given “children” (plural) suck for I have given him a son (singular) in his old age. Though having but one son, Sara indicated that she had given suck to children (plural). In Luke 14:26, Jesus said we cannot be His disciple if we don’t love Him more than our children (plural). Shall we understand this to mean that one cannot be qualified to be His disciple if he has only one child (singular) to love less than Him? Of course not! Consider I Timothy 5: 9-10: Here a widow could be taken into the number “if she brought up children.” Does Paul imply here that an otherwise qualified widow who had brought up only “one” child could not be taken into the number? Certainly not! How about the slave to be set free at the fifty year Jubilee (Leviticus 25:41). He was instructed to take his “children” with him. But what if he only had one child to take? Could he still be freed? Of course! The same principle is true in Timothy and Titus. And the same principle is true today. For example: If I were to stand before an audience and you, having but one child, were a part of that audience and I would announce to all, “all fathers who have children come forward and I will give you each of you a thousand dollars,” would you come to collect the money? I think so! I know if the situation were reversed, I would be the first down the aisle! Consider this: An elder has two children living under his roof who have been faithful, dedicated Christians for five years. The children cannot be accused of riot or being unruly. Both are in subjection to their father with all gravity. One of the children dies in an accident. The elder’s ability to take care of his own house has not changed. He had the qualifications before the child’s death and he retains the qualifications after the child’s death. Nothing has changed! Clearly, scripture and logic support the conclusion that if a man has at least one child who is a faithful Christian, he is not, thereby, unqualified or disqualified. One who has but one faithful child is as qualified as one who has two or more faithful children.

Daily Reading

QUESTION: Is it scriptural for an elder or deacon to be appointed by his fellow elders and deacons without input from the congregation?
ANSWER: No! Some men in the sixth chapter of Acts were to be selected to perform a particular function within the church. These were not to be elders, but, nonetheless, this scriptural selection process was at the direction of inspired men. These told the disciples in Jerusalem to “select ye out among you” the men to serve. Man can devise no better way! The congregation, under the oversight of the elders, then should make the selection with extremely careful consideration to the qualifications of elders and deacons as detailed in I Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:6-9. Certainly, however, this should not be construed to mean that the present elders who “watch for your souls” (Hebrews 13:7) do not have the right (collectively) to reject from the eldership those against whom valid charges are brought, whether as to qualifications or conduct of life!

For Further Information Contact:Truth For The World P.O. Box 5048Duluth, GA 30096-0065e-mail: info@tftw.org

Daily Reading

Wonderful and Happy

Daily Reading

QUESTION: What is the work of deacons in the church?
ANSWER: The English word deacon comes from a Greek word that means “servant.” Deacons do not rule, nor have authority! They are to serve the congregation under the oversight of the elders.


For Further Information Contact:Truth For The World P.O. Box 5048Duluth, GA 30096-0065

Daily Reading

QUESTION: May women scripturally serve as deacons and elders?
ANSWER: The qualifications for these offices are found in I Timothy 3:1-3 and in Titus 1:6-9. That these unchangeable qualifications relate only to men can clearly be seen in these passages by the use of only masculine nouns and pronouns.
Additionally, both elders and deacons are to be the husbands of one wife (I Timothy 3, verses 2 and 12). Women, therefore, cannot fulfill this God-given qualification!
Also, women cannot scripturally become elders and deacons (deaconesses) because such would result in a violation of I Timothy 2:9-15. This scripture forbids women to usurp the authority that God has given to man. Verses nine and ten read, “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”

For Further Information Contact:Truth For The World P.O. Box 5048Duluth, GA 30096-0065

Daily Reading

The statement in the correspondence course is true. “Nowhere do you read of a preacher (erroneously called a “pastor” by the denominations) being head over a congregation.” The “rule” of a congregation belongs only to a plurality of elders within the local congregation (Hebrews 13:7,17; I Peter 5:1-4). The “rule” of a congregation was not assigned to the preacher. He, as all others in the local congregation, is to be under the “rule” of the elders, and is to be obedient to them within the guidelines of God’s Word!


For Further Information Contact:Truth For The World P.O. Box 5048Duluth, GA 30096-0065

Daily Reading

The word “pastor” is another word used to describe the work of an elder. It is from the Greek word poimen, which means to “tend’ or “feed, or to “take care of.” In Acts 20:28, as Paul is talking to the Ephesian elders or overseers, he instructs these to “feed” the church of God. The word “feed” in this passage is also from the Greek word poimen (pastor). What Paul then is saying to these elders is, ‘you elders are to “pastor” (feed) the church.’ So then, we can see that the elders are the pastors, not the preacher (evangelist). This is, as well, made clear in the passage questioned. Notice that Paul shows a clear difference between evangelists (preachers) and “pastors.” Why does he make this distinction? Simply because the word “pastor” in Ephesians 4:11 refers to elders, not to preachers (evangelists)!

Daily Reading

QUESTION: In light of a statement in your correspondence course that “Nowhere do you read of a pastor (preacher) being head over a congregation,” would you explain Ephesians 4:11?
ANSWER: The thrust of the paragraph in which this statement was made was to show that the denominational world has departed from the scriptural pattern for the organization of the church. The denominations have rejected the divine pattern by assigning the title of “pastor” to the preacher, or the evangelist, thus giving him the rule over the local congregation. First the word “pastor” is never scripturally applied to the preacher or evangelist. The words preacher and evangelist refer to the same function in the church. In other words, the evangelist is the preacher! Note that Paul told Timothy, in II Timothy 4:2, to “preach the word,” and then in II Timothy 4:5, he told him to “do the work of an evangelist.” Therefore, they are the same!

Daily Reading

QUESTION: If one does not meet the qualifications to be an elder is he allowed to do or carry out the duty of an elder if there are no other elders in the church?
ANSWER: A man who is not qualified to be an elder should not conduct himself as an elder. Neither should the congregation accept him as an elder. Even if the man was qualified to be an elder, he could not scripturally function as such, unless there were others also qualified and appointed. The Bible demands that there be a plurality (more than one) of elders in each congregation (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). This does not mean that one who is not qualified to be an elder, but yet is a faithful Christian, cannot lead in worship and participate in collective decision-making relative to congregational matters on an equal basis with the other faithful men in a congregation until such time as qualified men can properly be selected to serve.

For Further Information Contact:Truth For The World P.O. Box 5048Duluth, GA 30096-0065e-mail: info@tftw.org

Daily Reading

QUESTION: Is it scriptural for an elder or deacon to be appointed by his fellow elders and deacons without input from the congregation?
ANSWER: No! Some men in the sixth chapter of Acts were to be selected to perform a particular function within the church. These were not to be elders, but, nonetheless, this scriptural selection process was at the direction of inspired men. These told the disciples in Jerusalem to “select ye out among you” the men to serve. Man can devise no better way! The congregation, under the oversight of the elders, then should make the selection with extremely careful consideration to the qualifications of elders and deacons as detailed in I Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:6-9. Certainly, however, this should not be construed to mean that the present elders who “watch for your souls” (Hebrews 13:7) do not have the right (collectively) to reject from the eldership those against whom valid charges are brought, whether as to qualifications or conduct of life!

For Further Information Contact:Truth For The World P.O. Box 5048Duluth, GA 30096-0065e-mail: info@tftw.org