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Morning Devotional...

       


We read in the book of Proverbs, "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it and are safe.."

Charles Wesley, shortly after his conversion in 1738, sat one summer day in his study.  Suddenly, a little bird, persued by a hawk, flew in through his open window and sought refuge in his bosom, where the baffled hawk dare not to follow.  This incident led to the writing of the familiar hymn:

                  Jesus, Lover of my soul, Let me to Thy bosom fly,
                  While the nearer waters roll, While the tempest still is high;
                  Hide me, O my Savior, hide, Till the storm of life is past;
                  Safe into the haven guide, O receive my soul at last.

The second stanza of the hymn also states, "Other refuge have I none."  How true this is, and what a blessing for the believers to know that he has One to whom he can come for comfort and safety.  Yes, the name of the Lord is a strong tower.  David knew this, and when he went out to meet Goliath in battle, he discarded all the usual weapons made by men, and said that he was going against the giant in the Name of the Lord God of Israel.

Here was safety far better than Saul's armor, and weapons far superior to Saul's sword.  As believers, we can know refuge and safety in Christ, and experience victory in the Name of the Lord.

              The word "strength" comes from a word meaning "twisted together."  Our strength comes in the intertwining of our lives with the Lord.       

Good Girl Janet, It is so nice that Pat is having all the moderators take turn at posting New Every Morning Thank you for the devotional.

I just got back from taking Gloria home from the airport and It is OK that I want to drop half of my hours with her to do other things.

Wel Good night all, sleep well.

Talk to you tomorrow.

hey! how is everyone? good i hope.... i'm just jumping in here before i have to get to bed tonight.... but i have somewhat of a problem but not really a problem more of a thought that is questionable..... I've always heard that if someone is once saved they are always saved how can this be with sin in the world? since is says that god can't look upon sin how can someone who has been saved and have sinned enter the kingdom of heaven? like my sister she was saved when she was younger and now lives a life of sin.... how can she enter the kingdom of heaven with sin in her life or can she but then if she can't why can't she because she was saved and no one can take u away from god right?? i dunno i've been pondering over this for awhile and got the "courage" to ask someone and they directed me to here to ask... so i am! what do ya'll think???
well i bettered get to bed ttyl
Sarah

Hello Everyone

I was away for the weekend.  When we got back, we unloaded the car, went out to eat at a Chinese Buffet and then went for coffee.   The first thing I did was read the paper to see how the storm was in Florida.

Then came home and have been trying to "catch-up" on the reading here.

Thank you Soni for the hug!

Marilyn, I'm glad for you that a bit of stress has been relieved for you with Gloria accepting fewer hours from you.

I'm on my way to bed, but Mom and Dad, I pray that you have a good day tomorrow and deliver all the little ones safe to school.  I pray that everyone else remembers that school is now back in session and STOPS for the flashing reds lights on those chrome yellow vehicles!

Night all.

Nice devotional, Janet.  I am getting an early start reading this tonight. 

Sarah, I am certain that others can give you an answer to your question.  It is something that troubles many believers.  Here is what I believe:

John 10:28-29, which reads, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand."

The person must have experienced salvation to begin with or this will not apply. 
Mathew 7:20    "By their fruit you will recognize them."

I hope that her life did change in the beginning and truly showed a love of God.  Sometimes people fall away for a time.....if her Salvation was genuine, then she will return to her faith. 
Trust in God's word, Sarah. 

God Bless,

Liz

Janet thank-you dear.  That was lovely.

Sarah, Hello dear. I have also heard this one "Once a Catholic always a Catholic., also once an Anglican always an Anglican.

I was baptised as an infant and confirmed into the Anglican church some years later. Then I became a Born again many years later.  I still feel myself to be an Anglican although I  worshipped in the Pentecostal church for some years. When we moved home through circumstances, I was welcomed back into the local Anglican Church and they bring the sacraments to me in my home.

Sarah here is hope for your sister:-

"Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6

God says "Return unto me and I will return unto you." Mal 3:7

"and I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto Me with their whole heart." Jer 24:7

Marilyn.  Praise God for sorting out your problem.

Sue and Liz Hi 

Amen Sue re the children and safety for them on the journies to and from schools.

Blessings in Jesus' Name.
Jenny.

Tamar (Genesis 38), with Rahab a harlot and Ruth a Moabitess, is an ancestor of King David. Along with Bathsheba an adultress, and Mary who conceived before marriage, they are in the chosen line that leads to Jesus. Now they shine with a Glory which they could never have imagined in their time.

What the world rejects ignores and casts aside ..You use.

                      Intercessory Prayer.

Take possession of Your little things, empty and soiled,
What is faded and humped, awkward and inconsequent:
You are their Creator too.Derek Webster.

We are home.  We stayed with one of the children and visited each family - remember I have four children so all this takes time.  Such wonderful visits, we are so privileged to have the family within driving distance. 

Janet:  Thanks for the nice devotional.  And, for the happy surprise picture of Beth's birthday. 

Marilyn:  Yes, I wore the compression stockings all the way home - still some swelling.  I caught a sentence from someone that you had a fall and do hope you are mended from that scare.  You don't need that! 

Papa John:  You have been in New Guinea as well as Belgium in your missionary work.  I know the Belgians could use you once again    - did I write that correctly? 

Larry:  We went through a horrendous line in Chicago after taking luggage off the conveyor belt and lifting all onto a cart then through customs and then a further line to send luggage on to next plane and many lines and very long walks.  Travel isn't for sissies anymore.  I hope you are feeling better today.

Soni:  So you have already had a bit of snow.  I say congratulations on your creative honor! 

Jane:  Thanks for praying for our travel, I always say a pray and really do not feel uneasy about a plane but have had a few moments of fright over the years in travel.  Love to look at the clouds and "see" faces.  I am so happy that you called and caught your granddaughter at the right moment so you could have another connection. 

Jenny:  The weather in Cornwall was horrendous for those folks, wasn't it?  Such a beautiful place.  I watched the BBC while in Brussels. 

Etta Sue:  Personal cards such as you are making are a wonderful gift!  It is good to be back. 

Much to do today as Don has to get driver's license replaced, his veteran's card replaced, speak to bank about what they have not done for us, go to post office and pick up 6 weeks of mail 
I have boxes to unpack that we stored our clothes in the basement to free up closet space, a ton of laundry, friends to chat, more groceries, and so forth.  With the loss of Don's wallet in our street mugging in Brussels, we have so many necessary things to do and so just will take one thing at a time.  It is surprising what you carry in your wallet.  We are still a little groggy and this is taking longer to adjust. 

I need to get my life on track once more and most of all stop doing "too many thing" so I can put more time in for the important things. 

Peace, Carol

Good day to all,

     Janet, Thank you so much for the wonderful words this morning.. So nice to see you..


     I have been out a few days, I had cosmetic surgery last week and haven't felt to great.. I am glad this first part is done.. I got a small infection in my lip from it but I am feeling better, and I look alot better..I am not sure when I will be going to get the rest of it done.. Maybe next month..

   
     I have some problems with my camera teleconverter so I will busy today trying to get it worked out today, i hope it hasn't ruined my other lens trying it.. The man at the camera made the mistake , so they will have to get it straightened out for me..


      I pray you are all well and that God is working in your lives as he is mine..

YOU WROTE:
The second stanza of the hymn also states, "Other refuge have I none."  How true this is, and what a blessing for the believers to know that he has One to whom he can come for comfort and safety.  Yes, the name of the Lord is a strong tower.  David knew this, and when he went out to meet Goliath in battle, he discarded all the usual weapons made by men, and said that he was going against the giant in the Name of the Lord God of Israel.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I can still remember the first time I read & fully understood this verse about David. It was an "AHA" moment...God had revealed Himself to me. 

I finally realized what David meant.  David knew he was fighting with the power of Almighty God.  He didn't need all of the cumbersome armor.  He picked up 5 smooth stones.   My question:  Why did he pick up five when he only needed one?

David was mad because his God was being mocked and when David entered battle, he knew that he was fighting in the name of God, who was/is all powerful.  He really knew that he would win. 

"For if God is with us, who can be against us." Romans 8:31 

Too bad I don't always remember this in my times of need or times of trouble.  I AM living in the name of the almighty God.

Thank you Janet,  for the wonderful reminder.

"The name of the Lord issss...... a strong tow...eer."  There's a song in there somewhere.

PS  I still have not figured out how to put a quote into that little box I've seen used by y'all...one day maybe!

Good Morning Such good answers for sarah Thank you Liz and Jenny. Back to work at Gloria's thismorning, I will continue withthe 6 days until she gets another caregiver hired for 3 of those days.  That was sure a relief to get that all sorted out. 48 hours per week was just too much, I will be down to 31.5 hours per week between Gloria and Fay. Sarah is going to tell her client that I will take over for her.

As you all know my DIL, Sarah is int he nursing program, well this year she is in OB and Pediatrics. So she is going to many places, hospitals, clinics, etc, doing her lab work and doesn;t have the time to  take care of her client.

Anyway TMI here so I will get busy and get ready for work.
I have rambled on too much.

TTYL

Here's me again..


                               For Our Larry

Can't stop but I just keep thinking of you Larry.  While I was eating my lunch you popped into my mind.  Are you feeling a bit better today?  I do pray in the affirmative.

God bless you brother.

Jenny.

Good morning, and thank you all for your kind words today.  I'm glad the devotional spoke to you.

Pat, that was a good newsletter---thank you for all you do to keep this wonderful site up and running for all of us to enjoy.  Don't overdo now; remember--we have a date coming up soon!    I can hardly wait!  I will email you today with more information.

Thank you all for helping answer Sarah's question, and I hope more of you will also comment.  I tried to answer it, but she had more questions, so I asked her to come here with the questions so she could get others' perspectives on it.

We had our swim---it feels SO good---I love the water! 

I have some things I have to do this morning, will be back later.

Here I am all ready to go to work and Gloria just called and wants to sleep in this morning, so I am coming bak here to you all.

Pat I enjoyed the new letter thank yo so much.

Today is the day us four women go to the Gaither's Family Resources Center.  The camera batteries are charged.  I am charged.  Just waiting for 10:30 a.m. to come around so I can walk over to Ivalou's and we can leave.  

Yesterday WAS a day of work for me.  Seems that when I was employeed I didn't work on Labor Day.  Now I am retired and I worked on Labor Day.  I mowed, weed-eated, filled the holes where the groundhog/opposum made with dirt, did other little things outside.  I showered, wrapped a gift, and fixed lunch.  The trap man came...another man came with him and we discovered that he is a second-cousin to my son, Tony.  That side of Tony's family has never been close and most of them live in a 15 mile radius.  The opposum is gone and then man left me some rocks to put in the corners which I hope deters the wild ones from getting under the deck.  I was doing my jigsaw puzzles when Tony came in on his Harley.  I was pleasantly surprised because Charlene was with him...her maiden voyage with him on his Harley.  I know they will enjoy many hours together on the Harley.  By then it was time for supper and TV.  That was my holiday!

Now I am off to see Janet's party pictures.  Thanks for the devotion today, Janet.


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"Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday, and all is well."

QuoteI've always heard that if someone is once saved they are always saved how can this be with sin in the world? since is says that god can't look upon sin how can someone who has been saved and have sinned enter the kingdom of heaven? like my sister she was saved when she was younger and now lives a life of sin.... how can she enter the kingdom of heaven with sin in her life or can she but then if she can't why can't she because she was saved and no one can take u away from god right?? i dunno i've been pondering over this for awhile and got the "courage" to ask someone and they directed me to here to ask... so i am! what do ya'll think???

Sarah - believe me, this is not a new question!  Many, many have asked it.  But it's also a very, very important question, and it's one that needs to be answered.  I'll try.
Someone on here (I can't look right now) quoted Philippians 1:6, which says, "being confident of this one thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."  That's a very good verse from which to get the answer.  First of all, it says that any "good work" (genuine work of salvation) is begun by God, not any human being.  Then it goes on to tell us that such a work of God will also be kept going by God until Jesus Christ returns to take us to Himself.  So - one thing we can be sure of - a true work of salvation never fails.  However, it's impossible for us human beings to judge the work of God in the soul - we don't know for certain if it is God's work or just man's work (imagination, wishful thinking, etc.). 
So - I don't know, you don't know, nobody but God knows - whether what your sister experienced or anybody else experienced - was really God's work.  If it was, she'll return to Him, confess her sin of waywardness, and be restored.  But she's in a dangerous position, because even she doesn't really know it was God's work to begin with.  But what she can - and should - do is to call upon Jesus Christ, confess her sin, and return to Him.  Jesus said, "He that comes to Me I will not in any way cast out."  Her eternal safety depends on whether she comes to him that way, so she dares not delay.
We are always trying to figure out whether someone is truly a Christian or not.  We shouldn't be. The remedy every time is to come to Him, bow before Him, confess to Him - NOW.  Never mind trying to figure out what happened in the past.
It's terribly dangerous, though, to stray and wander away from Christ, even for a day, because the only way we can prove our salvation is to continue to come to Him every day, every hour.  He loves us, and He will always receive us.  But don't get presumptious - don't take Him for granted, because, if you do, you may simply be proving that you never loved Jesus at all.
Hope this all helps at least a little.

By the way, you asked about a sinful world and our sinful selves.  How can a Christian who sins still be in the kingdom.  We can because it is God Who saves and not we ourselves.  It is due to Christ on the Cross that we can be forgiven, and that Sacrifice was SO great that all our sins - past, present, and future - are forgiven once we come, bow at His feet, repent of our sins, and trust Him as Savior.  Once that transaction is completed, His forgiveness is forever.  But we need to be absolutely certain that it has been completed.  We can fool ourselves with wishful thinking, imagining that God is merciful even though we haven't repented, etc.  The answer?  Come to Him NOW.

Al, that is a GREAT explanation!  I know Sarah will appreciate it, and I do, too!  Thank you.

Well Done Al.

Way to go Al.   You seem to be in the question answering business ! ! !  I certainly appreciate the answers you have given me.

Al,
    Thank you for that great explanation of being saved.. My sister Kelly accepted Christ the week she died and all I know is that I rejoice because  she became  saved  although I still feel so bad about her having lived her 42+ years on earth so lonely without GOD
   Pastor, what gets to me is that when I know I have sinned and fell short, that even after I repented  of my sins I still feel convicted of them, Is this something we all feel??

Alma, I am not Pastor Al but would like to comment.

It is the Holy Spirit that convicts of sin.  When we read 1 John 1:9  we see that if we confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  Then we need to accept His forgiveness.  It is the enemy who keeps putting our face in it after we are forgiven. 

John 3:17 is a favourite verse of mine  He came not into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him should be saved.  The condemnation comes from the enemy.

Have a God day and God Bless.

Judy

Alma, I'm not Al, but it was explained to me that we have a much harder time forgiving ourselves and believing in the cleansing power of the blood than we have in trusting God to forgive us.  We have to be willing to forgive ourselves, determine not to repeat the sin, and go on with our lives without guilt.  My pastor told us that if you get to thinking about a certain sin you committed, after you have asked God to forgive you, and you go to God and say, "God, you know that sin I committed?"  God will answer, "No, I don't!  It was cast into the sea of forgetfulness.  I have forgotten it, and so should you!"

That helped me a lot.  Hope it helps you, too.

I have just been over to Beth's doing stuff for her---laundry, putting away things, carrying out trash, etc.  Now I am going to take her to town to do some errands.  Be back later!

Dear Janet and Judy,


     Thank you so much for your great answers, I really appreicate it.. I have had a hard time forgiving myself for the mistakes I have made.. I know I have truely repented and recognize where I missed it..

      I beleive you are right about the enemy keeping it in  my face.. I will try like you said and ask God about it when I start to dwell to help  me let this  go..


     Sometimes I wonder if  our minds are our own worst enemy..

     God bless you both , Alma

Well, since Al gave his theological viewpoint on Eternal Security, I have to give an opposing view.  In the Assemblies of God, we do not hold that once you are saved, you are always saved.  This is a theological issue that can be argued from both sides, but I just wanted to put my two cents in from my side.  Please forgive the length of this post, as I'm putting on my Professor's hat 

In view of the Biblical teaching that the security of the believer depends on a living relationship with Christ (John 15:6), in view of the Bible's call to a life of holiness (1 Peter 1:16; Hebrews 12:14); in view of the clear teaching that a man may have his part taken out of the Book of Life (Revelation 22:19); and in view of the fact that one who believes for a while can fall away (Luke 8:13); each of these things seem to point out that it is possible to lose one's salvation.

In order to explain this better, four points need to be emphasized:

1.  Salvation is available for every man (2 Peter 3:9; John 3:16; Romans 10:11-13).
2.  Salvation is received and kept by faith (Ephesians 2:8; Philippians 3:9; Hebrews 10:38; 1 Peter 1:5; Romans 3:28; Galatians 2:20, 21).
3.  Continued sin will adversely affect the believer's faith (1 John 1:8; 3:8; Romans 3:5-8; 1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Hebrews 3:12-14; 12:1).
4.  The believer's salvation is forfeited by rejecting Christ (John 17:12; Hebrews 10:38; 1 Timothy 4:1; 5:12, 15; 1 John 5:16; 2 Peter 2:20; Hebrews 10:26, 27; 6:4-6).

I. Salvation Is Available for Every Man
Two questions may be asked: "Are some predestined to be saved and others to be lost?" and, "Who are the elect?" The answer is clear when it is recognized that the message of the gospel is one of "whosoever will." No one reading the New Testament can miss the impact of this great truth.

However, in Romans 9-11 there are some statements that seem to imply that man's free will is excluded in the matter of the believer's salvation and that God in His choice of the elect exercises His divine sovereignty entirely apart from man's volition. For example:

(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)...Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.... I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.... Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth (Romans 9:11, 13, 15, 16, 18).

When this passage is considered in the light of all that God's Word teaches concerning election, however, it is evident that man's will is involved in his election. Jacob was chosen before having done good or evil, but God's choice was on the basis of what He foreknew Jacob would do.

This truth is brought out in Peter's letter to "the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia." These believers were recognized to be "elect according to the foreknowledge of God" (1 Peter 1:1, 2).

This same truth is stated in Romans 8:29. Paul wrote, "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son."

God determined beforehand the conditions on which He would show mercy. And on the basis of His foreknowledge believers are chosen in Christ (Ephesians 1:4). Thus God in His sovereignty has provided the plan of salvation whereby all can be saved. In this plan man's will is taken into consideration. Salvation is available to "whosoever will."

II. Salvation Is Received and Kept by Faith
The Bible clearly states that we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8 ) and that the just shall live by faith (Hebrews 10:38; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Habakkuk 2:4). As the believer's salvation is received, not by an act of righteousness but by an act of faith, so the believer's salvation is maintained, not by acts of righteousness but by a life of faith!

Being a Christian then is not a matter of works; it is a matter of faith. This must be emphasized. In no case is the sinner accepted by God on the basis of any good that he has done. He is saved totally and solely by grace through faith. By faith he accepts the fact that Christ died in his stead. By faith he throws himself upon the mercy of God and accepts Christ as his Saviour. By faith he sees himself clothed with the righteousness of Christ--a standing imputed to him through no merit of his own (Philippians 3:9). He knows that he is accepted through faith, and this knowledge gives him peace and joy.

The believer's state must not be confused with his standing, however. He stands secure because of faith. His standing is the result of God's grace which he has accepted by faith. He stands justified, clothed with the righteousness of Christ!

The believer's state, or the working out of the righteousness of Christ in the believer, is another matter. It involves spiritual growth, a progressive sanctification by obedient cooperation with the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:5-7; Romans 6:12, 13; 8:13; Colossians 3:1-5). During this maturing process the believer must learn by his mistakes as well as by his victories. Nevertheless, his security is never in doubt as long as his faith in Christ is steadfast, for he is kept by faith.

His spiritual growth varies in excellence and degree according to the yieldedness and attention he affords to the Spirit who is at work within him. Yet all the while as the perfecting processes go on, he is credited with the perfection through the imputed righteousness of Christ by faith. Through the process of "becoming conformed" he is secure; his salvation is sure. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).

The believer's security, then, is solely through faith, both in the receiving of salvation and in the keeping of salvation. This security is made possible through the mercy of God in imputing the righteousness of His own Son to the fallible and faulty believer as long as he maintains a living faith in Christ. "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5:21).

III. Continued Sin Will Adversely Affect the Believer's Faith
The Bible makes it clear that in this life Christians do sin and that the Christian's recourse when he has sinned is forgiveness through Christ (1 John 1:8, 9; 2:1).

On the other hand, it is unnatural for a Christian to continue in a life of sin. That is, as long as he has the life of Christ within him, he cannot habitually sin. (See 1 John 3:8, 9 where the Greek tense is the continuous present.) The one who practices sin is of the devil. Whoever is born of God does not practice sin, does not keep on habitually sinning. He cannot keep on sinning the way the child of the devil does. Instead, the Christian should grow spiritually and lay aside sin, recognizing that continued sin will adversely affect his faith.

Does this imply that a Christian can sin and still be saved? The first impulse of many may be to say that he cannot. Yet it is necessary in this connection to consider the fact that worry, pride, envy, and bitterness are accepted as common failings. Few would suggest that believers committing these sins are lost.

Moreover if it be insisted that God demands present sinless perfection from believers, then the question must be raised: "Is man's standing in Christ based upon his own righteousness or upon the righteousness of Christ imputed to him by faith?" If man is saved only as long as he maintains a flawless life, then salvation is not of grace, but of works!

Then too if man is accepted by God only if he is without fault, Christian living is not free from condemnation as Paul insisted in Romans 8:1. It is rather a continual exercise in soul-searching and penance, full of fear and condemnation and void of the joy and confidence that a knowledge of salvation can bring. (See Romans 5:9-11 where it is clear that the God who loved us enough to provide for our salvation loves us enough to provide for us all the way to glory. This assurance gives us joy in Him.)

A related question is: "What would happen to a believer who commits a sin at that moment Jesus returns?" Those who maintain that a Christian cannot commit a sin and still be saved would teach that such a believer is lost and doomed for eternity. What despair!

The believer is not in a revolving door, moving in and out of the grace of God! He is secure in the hand of God, and neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate him from the love of the Father!

This must be said, however, with further emphasis that it is not the natural thing for the Christian to sin. He cannot keep on sinning the same old sins. Having been born of the Spirit, the believer is a new creature for whom old things have passed away and new things have come (2 Corinthians 5:17, NASB).

It is thus now unnatural to sin. The old life is a thing of the past, a latent force within, subdued and reckoned dead by the new Presence (Romans 6:11). What was the custom and practice before now becomes unnatural and contrary to the new impulses of the heart.

"He that is born of God," John said, "cannot sin [or keep on practicing sin]." That is, sin is foreign to the new nature. The new nature that is ours by faith does not sin. Thus when the old nature temporarily and unexpectedly regains ascendancy, the whole new being revolts against this unnatural intrusion. The immediate recourse is to Christ.

As the believer who has sinned turns to Christ, he turns not with the despair of a lost soul, but with the secure knowledge that as a son of God he has an Advocate with the Father--who is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse from all unrighteousness. Thus the believer exercises his prerogative as a child of God, never needing to doubt his standing, which he knows is based upon the infallible righteousness of Christ by faith.

Having stressed the sovereignty and grace of God, it is also imperative to bring the free will and responsibility of the believer into focus. God does not withdraw the power of choice from the person who believes. By the exercise of free will the believer becomes a child of God, and by the continued exercise of free will he remains a child of God. To keep on believing is the believer's responsibility.

The believer must also be careful that he does not take a light attitude toward sin. He dare not use the grace of God as a license to sin.

"Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" asked Paul (Romans 6:1). The answer is an emphatic negative. Paul knew and taught that continued sin will adversely affect a believer's faith, and faith is the very thing that makes a relationship with God possible.

Continued sin becomes presumptuous, high-handed, and is evidence of rebellion. (See Numbers 15:30, 31.) Rebellion is the opposite of the trust and obedience of faith.

Believers must be on guard constantly, "looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God" (Hebrews 12:15). The Bible's exhortation is: "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves" (2 Corinthians 13:5).

Why such precautions and concern? These repeated warnings are meaningful only when it is recognized that the loss of faith means the eternal loss of the soul. For while it is true that the believer's salvation is not earned by his righteous deeds nor his salvation maintained by them, it is equally true that as the believer obtains his salvation by faith, so he can lose it by unbelief!

Sin and unbelief are closely related. Sin jeopardizes faith, and loss of faith means loss of standing. Hebrews 3:12-14 bears this out. The writer warned the brethren against unbelief which will lead to a departure from the living God. He mentioned the deceitfulness of sin as the cause of unbelief and reminded them that we are partakers of Christ only if we hold the beginning of our confidence unto the end.

Standing in Christ is by faith. Remove faith, and there is no longer any standing. This is why Scripture admonishes the believer to "take heed . . . lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief" (Hebrews 3:12).

IV. Salvation Is Forfeited by Rejecting Christ
God does not let anyone go easily. (See Romans 10:21 where Paul was speaking of Israel, but the principle applies.) But a believer can be lost if he disregards the continuing checks of the Holy Spirit and reaches the point where he rejects Jesus as his Saviour.

It is possible to believe for a while and in time of temptation to fall away (Luke 8:13). It is possible for the weak brother to perish for whom Christ died (1 Corinthians 8:11). It is possible for a name to be written in the Book of Life and then removed from the Book (Revelation 22:19).

It is not always possible to determine whether a person has already turned his back on Jesus as his Saviour. Therefore it is well to leave judgment of these matters in the hands of the omniscient God. Of this we can be certain, however; if God does not give up in His efforts to bring the prodigal back, neither should the church of Jesus Christ. Too often people write off an individual when God has not written him off at all.

The Bible does recognize the possibility of forfeiting salvation, but it never ceases to offer hope for anyone who wants to respond to the entreaty of the Holy Spirit. Jesus' invitation is without qualification. He speaks to all when He says, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

Again the Bible speaks to all when it says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).

Sorry for the length of this post, but wanted to explain my theology/viewpoint...  The important point through out this though is the state of the person at the time they die or when Christ returns.  They need to be in right relationship with him. 

Although I do remember a good Baptist Pastor friend of mine with whom I would have endless discussions would say in response, "Faith that falters before the finish had a fatal flaw in it from the first." 

September 7   

Revival: Blessing on Our Terms

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me,
let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."
-Matthew 16:24

Here is what grieves me, and I believe this also grieves the Holy
Spirit: My hearers rise to this call emotionally, but they will not
confirm it by a corresponding change in their way of life. Their
goodness is like the morning clouds-by 9:00 o'clock the sun has burnt
off the fog. This is what happens to many people's good intentions.
They rise emotionally to an urgent message that we become a New
Testament church, that we become a model church, that we have the
order of the New Testament and the power of the Holy Spirit in order
that we might worship, work and witness. Emotionally they rise to it,
but they will not confirm their emotions by corresponding changes in
their way of life.

They want to be blessed by God, but they want God to bless them on
their terms. They look pensively to God for victory, but they will
not bring their giving into line. They will not practice family
prayer, rushing off without it. They will not take time for secret
prayer and will not forgive those who have wronged them. They will
not seek to be reconciled to those with whom they have quarreled.
They will not pick up their crosses and say, "Jesus, I my cross have
taken, all to leave and follow Thee."  Rut, Rot or Revival: The
Condition of the Church, 146-147.

"Lord, may my desire for You rise above emotions. I do want to be
blessed of You, both personally and in my ministry. I commit myself
this morning to a willingness to take my cross and follow You-and to
take the necessary action to come on Your terms. Amen."

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An old man, probably some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the park bench.  He didn't move, just sat with his head down staring at his hands.  When I sat down beside him he didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if he was ok.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb him but wanting to check on him at the same time, I asked him if he was ok.  He raised his head and looked at me and smiled.
"Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," he said in a clear strong voice.

"I didn't mean to disturb you, sir, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were ok," I explained to him.

"Have you ever looked at your hands." he asked.  "I mean really looked at your hands?"

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them.  I turned them over, palms up and then palms down.  No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point he was making.

Then he smiled and related this story:

"Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years.  These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.  They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor.  They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child my mother taught me to fold them in prayer.  They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots.  They dried the tears of my children and caressed the love of my life.  They held my rifle and wiped my tears when I went off to war.  They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent.  They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son.  Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special.  They wrote the letters home and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse and walked my daughter down the aisle.  Yet, they were strong and sure when I dug my buddy out of a foxhole and lifted a plow
off of my best friends foot.  They have held children, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.  They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body.  They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw.  And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.  These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of my life.  But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home.  And He won't care about where these hands have been or what they have done.  What He will care about is to whom these hands belong and how much He loves these hands.  And with these hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ.
                                   ***************
No doubt I will never look at my hands the same again.  I never saw the old man again after I left the park that day but I will never forget him and the words he spoke.  When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and wife I think of the man in the park.  I have a feeling he has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.  I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel his hands upon my face. 
Thank you, Father God, for hands.

Eternal Security.  Hmm.  That is a topic that can be discussed endlessly, with no one ever changing their minds.  Not that minds necessarily have to be changed. 

I believe "once saved, always saved."  In situations like Sarah's sister it could be that 1) she was never saved to begin with (only God truly knows), 2) she was saved but never let Jesus have complete control of her life 3) she was saved, but the world slowly crept in and for whatever reason became more attractive than Christianity.

I believe the answers given are much better than anything I could do, so I will end my input there. :-)

It is rainy rainy rainy rainy rainy here.  Did I mention that it is raining.  It started yesterday afternoon and has not let up.  It is supposed to rain through the night taper off sometime tomorroow afternoon.  we took the animals to the vet, went to the library, and ended up at Bernard's parents where we have done nothing but lay around!  Anyway/   The creeks/rivers are starting to come out of their banks, and this will cause some localized flooding.  Nothing like you see in the flat areas, mind you, maybe a road covered here and there.  There are distinct advantages to living in the mountains!!

My FIL has just asked me to look something up on the Internet, and seeing how this is his computer, I suppose I should.

laters
karmat

Skief - and anybody else who's interested - I have a rather simplistic answer to it all:  if my continuing salvation depends upon what I do -at all - then I'm bound to fail.  I'm very, very thankful that it doesn't depend upon me, but upon God Who is faithful.  Faith in Christ is, after all, faith in Christ, not faith in Al Moak.

Thank you Professor Mike and Pastor al all good explainations.

Home now and defrosting my fridge with my hairdryer so I can get my food back into it. I can see the coils under the freezer in my frostless fridge, and they were covered in ice.

Back to what I was doing.

TTYL