Modern Reformer
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  • My Blog
    • Helping in Turkana
    • Iceland overview
    • Day 1 in Iceland
    • Photos from the Amsterdam Trip
    • Trip of a Lifetime
    • Our Journey
    • This World Stinks
    • The Elements Shall Melt
    • False Prophets- - AMEN!
    • Death of the Church
    • Who was the last prophet sent by God?
    • Write the Vision
    • Fast Food Christians
    • Jesus Wept
    • The Demise of the Protestant
    • Considering Memorial Day
    • Judas
    • The Downfall of a Civilization
    • Divine Business
    • A Futuristic Short Story
  • Questions
    • Prophecy >
      • What is the point of the "Great Tribulation" if all of the Christians will be raptured?
      • How Do We Prepare for the Great Tribulation?
      • Many preachers say Jesus is coming soon, while there are no clear signs of it. Is it a scare tactic to make people do what they want?
      • Is it true that the Bible says that no one goes to heaven until Jesus comes back?
      • What does the Bible say about Jesus' Second Coming?
      • When does the 2nd Resurrection Take Place?
      • How will Jehovah God save Israel when he brings all nations against it ?
      • When the kingdom of God is established, in what manner ( physically or ?? ) will everybody who obeys Jehovah God will become like Adam ( they will no longer be males and females but all males ) ??
      • Spiritually, What are we on the verge of?
      • When did the 70 years desolation spoken by Jeremiah begin?
      • What is meant by Rome being called the Antichrist?
      • In the book of Daniel 11:21-24, is the despicable man that is mentioned here was Antiochus Epiphanes IV?
      • What is the difference between the Babylonia that were mentioned in the Old Testament and the Babylonia that was mentioned in the book of Revelation?
      • What are the comparison of the verses Ps 83:1-8,Ez 38:7-16, Zech 14:2-3,and Rev 20:8-9--are they the same in meaning?
      • Of that Day and that Hour
      • How Will Jesus' Second Coming Happen?
      • Will the End Times Battle Be Fought With Weapons
      • Biblically speaking what will the world be like after Armageddon?
      • End Times and Sodom and Gomorrah?
      • At which trumpet will Michael and his angels boot Satan and his angels from heaven to earth?
      • When does/did Jesus Christ's reign as King of God's Kingdom start?
      • Is the Beast in Revelation the Antichrist?
      • Jesus Would Return as He Left?
      • What do you think Jesus meant that if God had not shortened those days, no flesh would survive?
      • What are You Looking Forward To?
      • Is This the Beginning of the Apocalypse?
      • What does Jesus Mean When He Says This?
      • Evidence of the Signs of the Times?
      • What will the Kingdom Accomplish?
      • How Will the Scoffers Feel when Jesus Comes?
      • What is the Significance of the Word "Presence."
      • Why Does My Mom Say We are in the Last Day?
      • What Exactly do People Think the Apocalypse is?
    • Doctrine >
      • Can a person worthy of Heaven be OK with others going to Hell?
      • Can the theory of "being born a sinner" and the theory of "age of accountability" exist at the same time? How and why?
      • According to the Bible, why is everyone born a sinner?
      • Do those don't hear about Jesus go to hell?
      • How is Christ the Wisdom of God?
      • Why does the Soul of the Dead Sinner need to be Oppressed?
      • What did Jesus mean when He said: The Way, the Truth, the Life?
      • Is the Fire of Hell Literal? Why?
      • Did Jesus Redeem Everyone? Is Everyone Saved?
      • If a baby or infant died ....he'll become an angel?
      • What is Biblical Faith?
      • Do You Believe in Hell?
      • Water Baptism and Spirit Baptism, which is more important?
      • Question on Death, Sleep, Resurrection?
      • What is the soul?
      • The Rapture
      • Is John the Baptist going to heaven?
    • General Questions >
      • How can the Gospel transform individuals and the society today?
      • Why are dogs not allowed in heaven according to the Bible?
      • Question about Islam and Christianity
      • Is a Person Who Hasn't Heard About Christianity a Sinner...?
      • Are Saints in Heaven Free...?
      • Question on John the Baptist
      • Thief on the Cross Question
      • Does the Bible has a mention about the secret societies like...?
      • Is the Garden of Eden still on earth (hidden from mankind ) ?
      • Does the Bible prove all other religions false?
      • Why do Muslims hate Jews ?
      • What do you think of the Interpretation of Gen. 2:17?
      • Did God Hate Esau from the Womb?
      • What is your opinion of the theological terms kingdom of heaven and kingdom of God?
      • ​Please can you explain Colossians 2:14-17, where it's says "do not let anyone judge you"?
      • What do you mean by Regeneration..?
      • Is it literally mean that Turkey is the seat of Satan?
      • I'm a Christian but I don't like to go to church...I pray and read my bible in the house....what the bible teaches about fellowship?
      • Abraham the father of Isaac and Ismael...he was Jew or Hebrew..?
      • I'm a believer. I pray that I might win in lottery,sweepstakes, casino...I won....is this a sin?
      • Please Explain Romans 10:9,10
      • Can We as Christians be Guilty of Choosing Barabbas over Jesus?
      • What is the Purpose of Satan?
      • Why would God do this? And then punish Israel for it?
      • Is the Roman Catholic Church a true church established by Jesus Christ?
      • What is Heaven Like?
      • How long (on average) does it take one to join your religion?
      • Is a judge performing his duties in a courtroom violating Jesus' command, "Do not judge"?
      • How is it that even the demons "knew Him to be the Christ." How did they know?
      • Who is Jesus claiming to be in John 8:24 and what does it mean to "die in your sins"?
      • Does the Bride of Christ have to die first?
      • Can We as Christians be Guilty of Choosing Barabbas over Jesus?
      • What about Holidays?
      • What is a Biblical Family?
      • How do We Treat Family Members Who Say They are Christians but Don't Acts Like It?
      • What is the Second Death?
      • Question on the Parable of the Two Sons
      • Christ came that we would have life abundantly correct?
      • Who is the Son of Perdition?
      • What are your thoughts on Psalm 137:9?
      • What is the difference between the DOOR in Rev 3:8 and the DOOR in Rev 3:20 ?
      • Out of the Seven Churches in Revelation, which would you say is the closet to your church?
      • What is the main message in the book of Amos, what value does it hold for today’s modern society?
      • Gospel of Thomas question:
      • Question on Tithing
      • Are some people never going to be resurrected from the dead?
      • Does God Love Unconditionally?
      • What Percentage of the Bible Do You Have to Know?
      • Do you keep the Sabbath?
      • Why was Man Excluded Because No Wedding Garment?
      • It is the Day of Atonement...Will you offer a prayer & agree in prayer for their salvation?
      • Did Noah Keep Bees in the Ark?
      • As the Pope's 9-letter surname, Bergoglio, has the word GOG bang in the middle of it, I wonder if biblical?
      • Who is Peter talking about in 1 Peter 4:18?
      • What is the purpose of pigs?
      • Please explain how the meek inherit the earth?
      • Do You Know the Names of Jesus' Two Sheepfolds?
      • Is Jesus in His Human Body in Heaven?
  • Meditations of Joy
    • Overcoming Lack of Confidence to Connect and ‘Fit In’ Part 1
    • All Things in the Name of Jesus
    • The Treasured Life
    • Afflicted in Faithfulness
    • Making All Things New
    • Instinctive Trust
    • #721 Extracting the Precious from the Worthless
    • Some Keys to Dealing Faithfully with Criticism and Conflict Part 2
    • Some Keys to Dealing Faithfully with Criticism Part 1
    • Facing Change and the Unknown in Confidence
    • Glorify Thy Name in us, O LORD
    • Remembering Who We Are
    • Deliverance through Overwhelm
    • Finding Stability
    • Resurrection Power At Work
    • Diamonds in the Night (Revisited)
    • Final Faithfulness According to the Will of the Father Part 2
    • Final Faithfulness According to the Will of the Father
    • The Expanse of Jesus Prayer
    • The Reality of the Joy Set Before Him
    • The Determination To Do His Will
    • Choosing the Will of the Father
    • He Sustains the Weary with a Word
    • I am willing
    • Looking Forward: Making Isaiah 40.27-31 my own Part 2
    • Looking Forward: Making Isaiah 40:27-31 my own
    • Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 5
    • Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 4
    • Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 3
    • #698 Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 1 A Dear Brother wrote out the main things he was learning in the past year. As I read them I realized that that the Lord was teaching me along similar lines. First he shared: 1. “God’s
    • Looking Back on Lessons in this Past Year Part 1
    • Our True Source of Stability in Trying Times Part 2Blog
    • Humble Yourself Under the Mighty Hand of God
    • Our True Source of Stability in Trying Times
    • Thriving in the house of God
    • Living the Divine Dimensions of Their Love
    • Make Room for the Blessing! Part 2
    • Make Room for the Blessing! Part 1
    • Dealing with ‘What If’ Part 1
    • Abiding in Their Love
    • Serving by Night
    • Serving By Night
    • Tenacious Love Part 2
    • Tenacious Love Part 1
    • Reverence for God is an Access to Wisdom and Confidence
    • The Practice of Praise
    • Separate the Precious from the Worthless
    • Therefore I Will Remember You Part 2
    • Therefore I Will Remember You Part 1
    • #676 Only One Thing is Necessary
    • Antidotes for Personal Unrest Amid Unfolding Events of our Day Part 3
    • Antidotes for Personal Unrest Amid Unfolding Events of our Day Part 3
    • Antidotes for Personal Unrest Amid Unfolding Events of our Day Part 2
    • Antidotes for Personal Unrest Amid Unfolding Events of our Day Part 1
    • Pliability and Surrender Part 2 In the Care of the Shepherd
    • Pliability and Surrender Part 1 in the Hands of the Potter
    • The Choice to Rejoice
    • Dealing with Reaction to Criticism Part 3
    • Dealing with Reaction to Criticism Part 2
    • Dealing with Reaction to Criticism Part 1
    • Courage to Go Forward
    • Facing Challenge Equipped with His Armor Part 3
    • Facing Challenge Equipped with His Armor Part 1
    • The Holy Ground of Challenge
    • What We Remember, What We Forget
    • The Answer to Anxiety Part 3
    • The Answer to Anxiety Part 2
    • The Answer to Anxiety Part 1
    • Paul’s focus in Prison: Part 6b Resurrection power Beyond Our Comprehension
    • Paul’s Focus in Prison: In Awe of His Resurrection Power Part 6aBlog
    • Paul’s Focus in Prison: Part 5a Never give up praying for one another!
    • Paul's focus in Prison: Part 4 Guarded!
    • Paul’s focus in prison Part 3 Going forward with Passion
    • Paul’s focus in prison Part 2
    • Paul’s Focus in Prison Part 1
    • LIVING Hope and Joy
    • Arms Wide Open
    • Diamonds in the Night (Revisited from 2017)
    • “Yet Thou art Holy”
    • Resolutely Going Forward
    • Passover Love
    • Praying for a Word to Give the Weary
    • Content Whatever Lot I See Part 2
    • Content Whatever Lot I See Part 1Blog
    • A Night Journey to Peace Part 2
    • A Night Journey to Peace
    • Trusting His Choices
    • Peace Amid the Storm
    • Love is Patient
    • Proving His Name to His Glory
    • Watching in Hope
    • Glorifying His Name Begins with the Realm of Thought
    • "Father Glorify Thy Name"--Possible when we Let Him Love us
    • Father Glorify Thy Name Possible when we Let Him Love us
    • Father Glorify Thy Name Part 3 (A roadblock to be aware of)
    • Father Glorify Thy Name Part 2 (Practical application)
    • Father, Glorify Thy Name
    • Finding His Joy
    • The Blessing of Over-and-Over-Testings
    • Redefining Our Perception of Rejection
    • The Source of all Encouragement
    • Casting our Care and Leaving it There
    • Setting our Face Like Flint
    • Accepting God’s Will for our Beloved Brethren
    • Our Home in Every Challenge: Seeing Beyond the Illusion
    • Call to Consider: His Amazing Provision
    • Call to Consider: His Amazing Provision
    • Sure Proof of His Divine Provision
    • Some Lessons from David in Absalam's Rebellion and Unresolved Conflict
    • His Glory: Permission to Prune
    • His Glory: A Call to Re-focus
    • Trade in the Old Thinking for a New Song!
    • A Practical Look at the Armor of God
    • Resting in His Provision
    • His Perspective from the Heights, Borne on the Wings of the Eagle
    • What Would Jesus THINK?
    • The Joy of Wholeheartedness Part 2
    • The Joy of Wholeheartedness Part 1
    • The Joy of His Love Empowering us to Love Part 2
    • The Joy of Overcoming Irritation: Divine Love Empowering us to Love Part 1
    • The Joy of the LORD is your Strength: Sending Portions!
    • Finding Joy Part 2b: The Joy of the LORD is your Strength: Eat and Drink!
    • Finding Joy Part 2a: The Joy of the LORD is your Strength
    • Finding Joy: The Joy Set Before Us Part 1
    • The Refuge of His Wise and Loving Power
    • Facing the Challenge in the Beauty of Holiness
    • Facing the Challenge with Praise, Prayer and Perspective
    • Enthroning Him upon our Praise
    • Yet You Are Holy
    • Yet You are Holy
    • Another Look at “Arise, Let us go hence”
    • “My Peace” When We Feel Alone
    • “My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 5
    • “My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 4
    • My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 3
    • “My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 2
    • “My Peace” Amid the Storm” Part 1
    • A Prayer for the Power of His Penetrating Gaze of Love Part 2
    • A Prayer for the Power of His Penetrating Gaze
    • Trusting Enough to Get Out of the Boat
    • The Answer to Resistance: Trusting His Provision in the Process Part 2
    • The Answer to Resistance: Trusting that what He allows is GOOD.
    • He Knows What We Need, a Call to Praise Amid the Unknown!
    • My Heart is Fixed
    • My Heart is Fixed
    • The Creative Deliverance That Surrounds Us
    • How to Rejoice in the Midst of Whatever Happens Part 4
    • #547 How to Rejoice in the Midst of Whatever Happens Part 3
    • How to Rejoice in the Midst of Whatever Happens Part 2
    • How to Rejoice in the Midst of Whatever Happens Part 1
    • Our Prayerful Song in the Midst of Whatever Happens
    • #543 What Brings Us Peace No Matter What Happens
    • Freedom from the Trap of Old Thinking
    • Freedom from the Trap of Old Thinking Part 2
    • He Restores my Soul
    • “Look up and Let Go”
    • Nothing Shall Offend
    • Moment by Moment Deliverance from Fear
    • We Will Continue to Praise Him in the Midst of Every Circumstance
    • We Will Continue to Praise Him in the Midst of Every Circumstance Part 2
    • We Will Continue to Praise Him in the Midst Every Circumstance
    • Trust in His Perspective Frees us from Every ‘Prison’ Part 2
    • Trust in His Perspective Frees us from Every ‘Prison’
    • Run through the Open Door
    • Dwelling in ONE Master
    • Dwelling in His Shadow and Watching from the Wings
    • Dwelling in the Obedience of Christ
    • Overcoming Some Old Habits of Thought
    • Setting our Minds for Surrender Each Morning
    • Some of Peters Advice for Relationships in these Last Days
    • What Helps us to Accept Every Experience
    • His Leading through the Valley
    • Being His Valiant Warrior
    • Our Valiant Warrior
    • Living Deep-rooted Attachment in Christ
    • Keep on Sowing!
    • Surely the LORD is in the place
    • Red Sea Advice Part 4 The Red Sea Response
    • Red Sea Advice Part 3 The Red Sea Reaction
    • Red Sea Advice Part 2
    • Red Sea Advice Part 1
    • A Call to Peace
    • But Then on The Third Day
    • He Endured the Cross Part 3 Psalm 22 NIV
    • He Endured the Cross Psalm 22 Part 2
    • He Endured the Cross Part 1
    • The Cup that Crystallizes Part 3
    • The Cup that Crystallizes Part 2
    • The Cup that Crystallizes Part 1
    • The Yoke that Gives Us Rest
    • Proper Use of limitation, A Call For Balance
    • Another Lesson in Making Room for Their Surpassing Power Through the Proper Use of our Limitations
    • The Posture of Waiting and Trust that Allows Him To Demonstrate His Surpassing Power
    • To Demonstrate His Surpassing Power 2
    • To Demonstrate His Surpassing Power
    • WE will get through this!
    • Delight to do His will
    • I Know the Plans I Have for You
    • But for a Moment
    • Wake me up, Lord
    • We are a Team!
    • When we feel alone
    • The One Next Step
    • Trusting the Love that Stabilizes Us Through Every Storm
    • Triumph Over Appearance
    • The Joy of His Abundance
    • Express Gratitude
    • Numbering our Days
    • Expressions of His Love
    • The Breadth of His Provision
    • His Faithfulness Behind Every Challenge
    • He Stands at the Door of our Hearts
    • Your Tender Mercies Give Me Life
    • The Craftsmanship of His Workmanship in us
    • With You Wherever You Go
    • Listening to His Voice Amid the Physical Challenge of Shingles
    • A Refuge Better than People Pleasing
    • My Prayer in the Morning
    • They Will Not Prevail
    • When Things Don't Go My Way
    • How To Be a Refuge Like Him
    • A Very Present Help in Trouble
    • How to be a Refuge Like Him
    • Humble Yourselves Under the Mighty Hand of God
    • On Which Side Will We Dwell?
    • The Light That Shines on Our Challenges
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 6
    • Plow My Thoughts
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 5
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 4
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 3
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts Part 2
    • Rewriting our Negative Memories and Thoughts
    • Stand in Awe in the Midst of Depression
    • Patient Waiting in the Face of Challenge
    • Our Expectation and Refuge in the Face of Fear
    • His Way of Escape
    • Healing the Root of Fear pt 2
    • Healing the Root of Fear
    • Weeding Day
    • Another Aspect of Wash Day!
    • Wash Day!
    • The Cup of Blessing Which We Bless
    • Our Abba Father
    • Accepting the Gift and Passing it On
    • Accepting the Gift of His Training
    • Open Our Eyes to See
    • The Breath of Forgiveness Part 2
    • The Breath of Forgiveness
    • Living Each Moment for Him
    • Diamonds in the Night
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 7
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 6
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 3
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 3
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 2
    • His Word that Sustains us in Times of Weariness Part 1
    • Faithful in the Hour Part 1
    • Delight in His Delight
    • The Beauty of Brokenness Surrendered to Him
    • How to Never Give up Part 2
    • How to Never Give UP part 1
    • Whatever We Do Part 2
    • Whatever We Do
    • Resurrection Power At Work
    • Tested by the Word of God
    • Waiting on the LORD
    • My Dad Road Sign
    • The Amazing Privilege of Being Coached by the Most High God
    • Casting Both Circles of Care Upon Him
    • The Heart of Deliverance
    • Say Amen!
    • Amen
    • Trusting Where He Leads
    • Made Strong to Listen
    • This is Who I AM
    • The Mindset of Deliverance
    • Strongholds
    • Your Love Has Conquered My Resistance
    • Our Stability Amid These Times and Seasons of Change
    • Precious in the Sight part 2
    • Precious in the Sight of the Lord
    • His Battle
    • Looking to Him
    • Proving Him Holy
    • Rejoice in the Road
    • The Divine Ectetera
    • Waking up to Hope in God in the Present Moment
    • Hiding His Word in Our Heart
    • The Power of Acceptance
    • The Power of Listening From His Love
    • The Gift of Spiritual Eyesight (In Relationships)
    • The Gift of Spiritual Eyesight Part 2
    • The Gift of Spiritual Eyesight
    • The Past and Present Reality of Deliverance
    • Willing To Trust
    • Quieting the Noise So We Can Hear His Knock and Receive Feasting in Place of Empty Snacking
    • An Olive Tree in the House of God
    • Our Choice at Break of Day
    • From Accusation to Acclamation
    • The Pure Joy of What Is
    • Arise and Eat
    • Power Over the Pit
    • His Altar (The Dimensions of Love)
    • Living The Dimensions of Love
    • The Dimensions of Love
    • All My Springs are in You
    • Crucified with Christ--A Prayer
    • Psalm 22 on the Cross to the Ninth Hour
    • The Mind of Christ Revealed on the Cross Part 2
    • The Mind of Christ as Revealed on the Cross Part 1
    • Stop and Savor His View
    • The Final Hymn
    • The Keeping Power of the Father and the Son part 3
    • The Keeping Power of the Father and the Son part 2
    • Keeping the Power of the Father and the Son part 1
    • Father Glorify Thy Name
    • She Has Done What She Could
    • The Megaphone of God
    • Teach me to be an influence that honors You
    • Fill Me with Your Willingness and Skill
    • The Greatest Reality Amid any Overwelm
    • Seeing Something New
    • Trusting Him Anew
    • The Power of the Yoke of Jesus
    • How to be Humble
    • Building Faith to Prepare for Any Collision
    • Opening the Door of our Language to God
    • Safe in His Compassions
    • Who He Is in Every Experience
    • Continual Praise
    • Beside Still Waters
    • Faith and Hope in the Midst of Challenge
    • The Beauty of Flaw Wrapped in Perfection Revisited
    • Empowering Love
    • Discovering the Hidden Treasure
    • Thoroughly Known
    • Very Present Help
    • Not by Might
    • Under His Wings I Trust
    • Aiming at Eternity
    • What to Forget, What to Remember
    • Ready to Turn My Life Around for God
    • Triumph Over Circumstances--Don't Kill the Messenger
    • Waterlogged and Triumphant
    • Escape from Stress When We Don't Understand
    • Escape from Stress, Equipped with Hinds Feet
    • Surely the Lord is in the Place
    • Escape from Stress When We Fail part 2
    • Escaping from Stress When We Fail part 1
    • Escape From Stress When We don't Understand
    • From Stress to Peace Part 1
    • Step by Step Escape from Stress
    • Making Room to be Filled
    • Making Room to be Filled
    • The Power to Love When We Cannot
    • The Power to Love When We Cannot
    • Overcoming Illusion
    • The Blessing of Overwelm
    • Jesus is the Door
    • In Perfect Faithfulness
    • The Space to Choose
    • Discipline, Not Condemnation
    • Discipline, Not Condemnation
    • The Voice of our Risen Lord
    • Passover Perspectives: A Night of Watching
    • Passover Perspectives: The Protection of the Father in the Midst of the Cross
    • Passover Perspectives: The Deliverance that will Never Be Forgotten
    • Passover Perspectives: No Fear
    • Passover Perspective: The Far Reaching Power of His Sacrifice
    • Passover Perspectives: Living Unleavened
    • Passover Perspectives: Eating on the Run
    • Passover Perspectives: The Fires that Proved Him Faithful
    • Passover Perspectives: The Power of his Sacrifice
    • Passover Perspectives Exodus 12: The Keeping of the Lamb
    • Passover Perspectives: A collective celebration
    • Passover Perspectives: A New Beginning
    • A Prayer for God's Glory
    • Road Sign
    • The Beauty of Perfection
    • Every Hour
    • What will we put in the Relationship Box?
    • Discovering His Everlasting Love
    • His Timing and Strength in Every Phase of Life
    • Trusting Him in Every Valley
    • Trusting the One Who Pours the Cup
    • Smallest Beginning, Greatest Gift
    • Thoroughly Known, Thoroughly Pursued
    • Red Sea Rule #10
    • Red Sea Rule #9
    • Agreeing with God
    • Red Sear Rule #8
    • Red Sea Rule #7
    • Red Sea Rule #6
    • Red Sea Rule #5
    • Red Sea Rule 3 & 4
    • Red Sea Rules #2
    • Red Sea Rules--part 1
    • What Great Honor
    • What do you see?
    • The Power of a Living Faith
    • Awe for God in the Face of Fear
    • No Trial Will Ever Be Too Severe
    • The Work of the Gardener and the Architect
    • Wisdom Out of the Whirlwind
    • Hold On
    • Dwelling in Hope: The power of what we expect and believe
    • Conflict as a Call to Loving Action
    • Trusting His Infinite Wisdom
    • Emotion Management through The Power of Discretion
    • Do Not Delay; The Golden Moments Fly
    • Delight in the Lord
    • Loving New Part 2
    • Loving New
    • To Change the Paradigm
    • My Yoke is Easy, My Burden is Light
    • The Way of Escape
    • Equipped to Face Whatever Comes
    • Time to Trust part 3
    • Time to Trust part 2
    • A Time to Trust
    • Words of Wisdom
    • Wake Up New and See the Bigger Picture
    • Weeping and Finding
    • Resurrection Legacy
    • His Seamless Garment
    • Resurrection Legacy
    • Compelled by Love
    • Test of the Dream Part 3B
    • Test of the Dream --Part 3
    • Test of the Dream --Part 2
    • The Test of the Dream
    • The Love of God in Christ--part 2
    • The Love of God in Christ
    • Shedding Light on Discouragement
    • No More Re-Runs and No more Previews
    • No More Re-Runs
    • Triumph of Trust
    • With You Always, Day by Day
    • Triumph over Temptation
    • Step by Step
    • The Lord, My Confidence --part 2
    • The Lord, My Confidence--part 1
    • Seeking the Face of God and Christ
    • My Always Faithful God
    • The Answer to Overwhelm
    • Every Knee Shall Bow
    • Free to Experience the Intentions of God
    • Finding Bread at Midnight
    • Faithful Wounds
    • Battlefield Strategies
    • Take Time to Be Kind
    • Oh Magnify the Lord with Me by the Power of Thanksgiving
    • What do You Expect?
    • Unlikely Battlefield Strategies Part 2
    • The Miracle of Acceptance
    • Crisis Control
    • When Things Don't Go My Way
    • The Power of Pure Choice in Christ
    • Let the King of Glory In!
    • Whose Wall Do I Trust?
    • The Power of Thanksgiving
    • The Postures of Possiblities
    • If You Trust Me Let Go
    • Barefoot!
    • Holy Ground: Accepting the Mission
    • Holy ground: Facing the Fire
    • After the Battle
    • Accessable
    • Surrender in Awe and Wait in Joy
    • The Strength of our Spiritual Root System
    • Space to Trust
    • Full of Sap Part 3
    • Full of Sap Part 2
    • Full of Sap
    • The Mind of Mature Persistence part 3
    • The Mind of Mature Persistence part 2
    • Mind of Mature Persistance
    • Expect the Unexpected
    • Hearing Through the Ears of Jesus
    • Our Memorial Legacy: Keeping the Feast
    • Our Memorial Legacy
    • The Heart of the Father
    • The Cattle on a Thousand Hills
    • Patient with Process
    • He is Risen! Continue to Seek
    • Never Out-Numbered--Never Give Up!
    • Never Out-Numbered
    • Gathering Forces No Match For the Lord of the Harvest
    • The Power of Sanctified Choice – A Testimony
    • The Power of Sanctified Choice on the Cross
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 8
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 7
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 6
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 5
    • Jesus' Last Prayer part 4
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Love in Action


Br. Gilbert Rice

Our remarks this afternoon do not examine the root meanings of love, nor the various Greek words so translated. They will not be technical; they may not even be scholarly. But I hope they will be practical because when we talk about love in action we’re striving to speak about the practice or its manifestation. We hope to explore the manifestations or love in our relations one with another, and consider expressions made or problems created which may indicate inaction or love.

Our text is possibly somewhat strange for a consideration or this subject, coming from the 5th chapter of James, verse 16. You know if we have love for one another and love for the Lord it means that we love self less. We hope that we will eventually come to love self not at all. Here the apostle, speaking in relation to specific matters, lays down a general principle that many of us have followed for years in our testimony meetings. His counsel is, "confess your faults one to another and pray one for another that ye may be healed. The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." This sounds like strange advice, something like belittling one’s self. This admonition causes us to consider—What attitude will a confession of this kind, confessing our faults one to another, create in ourselves? We admit that to the natural minded, this kind of admonition sounds like strange counsel.

The perspective of the scripture is that none of the Lord’s servants is striving to convince us of his abilities to stand alone, to serve alone, nor to be strong alone. Rather the apostle is striving to develop a brotherhood in the complete meaning of that word. A brotherhood that loves one another, that will do and give and die to serve one another. And in this broad aspect of the brotherhood, we are thankful that the saints of the early age had in mind the complete brotherhood, even of those that were to come to a knowledge of the truth, in this, our time. Our aspect of this should be similar. A brotherhood that will assist and help and use what they know of one another, that is, of other members of the brotherhood, for their assistance and growth. Now it is reasonable to conclude that there are things which we know about one another, specially if we have known one another as long as is the case with many of you; and some of these things are not complimentary. Some of these unfavorable things that we know about one another are as a result of our experiences in mistakes, in failings, in irritations, in strivings. We consider the mistakes of others so we may assist, help, use what we know for good, for their assistance and growth. We do not want to contemplate on the unfavorable things with the thought of exalting ourselves above our brethren.
You know, it is possible that if we use a mirror with the wrong thought in mind we will come away rather pleased with what we have beheld. If that mirror forms a comparison between ourselves and our brethren, sometimes because of our self-approbativeness, we may find that we are semi-satisfied with what we have wrought. But if we use the mirror for its true purpose of enabling us to make a comparison between ourselves and the perfect pattern, which is really the only logical basis of comparison to those who are striving to be like our Head, then we find that we are not well pleased with the findings of this examination.

James seems to have given us divine advice, and therefore we are convinced it is good advice. Taking the first person, then, (and I would recommend that you do so yourself in your examination)—when I confess my faults to you, it conveys to you the understanding that I have been watching myself and have made some consideration of the perfect pattern and have determined that there is a lack in me. That such watching, scrutiny, has revealed to me my shortcomings, which, I trust, you have uncondemningly observed, if indeed you have observed them. It assures you that others may be striving and failing as you may be, and this might be one of the principal encouragements that each of us can draw from hearing someone else reveal his awareness of his mistakes. It assures you that I want to do better and it tells you that subsequent failings of my own will not be approved any more than past failings. It gives you an opportunity for prayer on my behalf, which was of course the specific point of the reference in James 5:16. It doesn’t assure that you are going to pray on my behalf, but it gives you the opportunity of having knowledge of a specific. It assures you that I do not expect to find acceptance in my own strength, else I would be satisfied with past accomplishments. It testifies that I will not rejoice in your faults, expressed or unexpressed, even as I would not like you to ridicule me for my mistakes, expressed or unexpressed.

And yet how long do you think I might come to a testimony meeting and express from my heart the awareness I have of my mistakes; how many of these points of helpful conclusion will be your profitable experience, and how will such confession of mine aid toward your sanctification, if you don’t believe my confession; if you don’t believe my heart statement; if you don’t believe my expressed feelings? If, instead, you think I am merely trying to gain your sympathetic ear; or if instead, you think I am not really doing an adequate job of fighting and after all just must not have been called by God; if instead, you think that I am weak and not overcoming because of lack of application; and if you conclude, perhaps properly, that I am always failing in the same test; if instead, you detect. and dwell on inconsistency with previous statements or actions on my part, which is entirely possible; if, in any of these points any of us concludes or judges or condemns another, then the love of the brotherhood is not functioning as it should. We’re talking about love in action. It’s not a one-sided thing. Love in action involves everyone. The love that believeth all things good should not be inactive.

Now some of the things that I might confess would not be good things, but the itemization and the realization of the lack is good, because it indicates a knowledgeable point of application to remove those things. And so it is that we are admonished, having love, to believe all things, and we know that we can properly qualify this with the thought to believe all things good. How inclined will we be to express the sentiments of our heart one to another if we are compared on the basis of our admitted mistakes and judged (condemned) by one another because of those confessions?

I believe we all know that we are not to condemn one another, but sometimes our manner can be such of condemnation, even without words. We all want to feel the warmth of fellowship, partnership in spiritual blessings and we all want to feel the warmth of growth and prosperity in the truth, to experience stimulation of our minds in the truth, to feel true closeness to His people. But we can prevent this experience for ourselves or we can hinder others participation in the full blessings of the truth, by lack of the warmth of heartfelt love.

Is it truly possible for any of us to draw near to God and not draw near to His people? This was apparently a subject that John considered in his association with the early brethren, because he comments specifically on this thought. The question was, Is it truly possible for any of us to draw near to God and not draw near to His people? 1 John 4: 20, "If a man say I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar; for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen. And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also."

Does not love for our brethren create within us the fortitude to tolerate the brethren? Are we able to forebear them or avoid them or hold aloof from them? Is this the depth of love’s effect upon our attitudes? Surely it must be deeper, warmer, more personal than this. Do we get help but refrain from giving encouragement? This brings us to a consideration of a point we have been only touching the fringes of: what brotherly love really is.

Bringing this to our notice in Corinthians, Paul calls to our attention the closeness of the brotherhood and suggests certain emotions should be shared by every member who claims to be a participant in the body of Christ. Whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it, or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. And the reason for this is, ye are the body of Christ and members in particular. Now this suffering, of course, can have its many aspects, and it has over the years of the age; but, indeed, personal attachment, interest, concern, is part of participating in the brotherhood, sharing the things of the truth, recognizing life’s experiences, and striving to encourage one another to overcoming in each of the experiences that has caused suffering.

There is a sizeable variance in the way that each of us was found be-fore we were drawn to the Lord. This difference might be broadly described as a difference of character, a difference of attitude, because of the varying backgrounds. Character might be described as the aggregate of distinctive qualities belonging to an individual. The stamp of individuality is impressed by nature, impressed by education and habit. Characteristics, traits, refinements, attitudes, appearance, demeanor, impressions we convey, these may be things we would sum up as constituting our character. Now you can see that just at this convention there have been different characters among us. That is, each of us as individuals displays varying qualities. Some may be outgoing and enthusiastic from an outward appearance; some may be more reserved. These qualities of character might all be valued and appreciated and acknowledged, without any ridicule or disparaging thought just because there is this variance.
How did we get to be what we are in respect to these elements of character? We probably got them by heredity, by environment, by education, by training and economic situation. We got them from parentage, that is, interest that our parents showed in us, the understanding and love that they manifested in us. And we got our odd or varied qualities of character from religious influences, from other bondages, from all sorts of disciplines, or lack of discipline. We got them from being granted responsibilities, or from being protected from responsibilities when growing up. But the Lord has one common, finished character in mind; and that is why each of us is engaged in the perfecting of character. There are certain distinctive qualities which the Lord designs to develop in all his children during the Gospel Age. We may say, then, that there is one common character.

We don’t mean identical characters, but characters which have in common all the needed qualities, faith, hope, love, justice, wisdom, peace, sobriety, moderation. The Apostle Peter refers to some of these in 2 Pet. l:4-7. At the same time there are certain distinctive characteristics which we may possess even after entrance into the school of Christ, which he will want us to remove under his hand and instruction. So there are certain objectives, and there are certain things that we have with us that are not desirable. Just because we have been called and have made an intelligent response to this call does not mean that all of the things that we inherited through Adam’s family have evaporated. This does not mean that we have been able in the first year, or the first ten, to divest ourselves of these qualities, undesirable though we recognize them to be. Some of these the apostle refers to in  Romans 1:28-32—envy, pride, back-biting, mercilessness, being implacable or disposed to not forgive, boasters, pitilessness. We have eliminated from that list given in  Romans 1:28-32 those elements which are unlikely to be with us after we entered the school of Christ, and listed just those which we might still be fighting against.

Now if you’re not still fighting against envy and pride and backbiting and mercilessness, a disposition to be unforgiving, never boasting, and never lacking in pity, you may be ahead of most of us and perhaps closer to the goal. Remember we said that these are qualities of character which may be prevalent with us after we have heard the call and make an intelligent response. If some of these are still with us, this should not signal discouragement or despair, but rather a recognition of the need for application to the heart to perfect a character that would be more pleasing in the sight of the Lord.

It is not to be wondered at, it is not to be astounding to us, that we may have to fight against such things, for Paul has said in 1 Cor. 1: 26-31 that God has pursued a strange procedure in the calling of His elect. He has decided not to call the well-born and the things that are, but rather to call those that are low-born and who, in the world’s estimation are not, that the glory and the accomplishment of this New Creation might properly reside in His workmanship. So it is that we find cause for our possessing qualities of character that we want to put away. The Lord has through His Holy Spirit promised us power and strength that we might be perfected if we will be rightly exercised. So we must conclude that we have a task before us of fighting and development and improvement before the Lord finds us acceptable for that which is reserved for the overcomers. And if this be so with us, reason teaches that it also may be so for our brethren, that they also may be aware of the work that is still to be done in them.

We will not be victorious in this narrow way if we strive merely for the polish or the surface character, or for powers of restraint so we can keep from manifesting our heart’s characteristics. This isn’t going to be acceptable to the Master workman. This is kind of like the thought of grinning and bearing it, but still having the turmoil within. What we need is to perfect and purify and cleanse the heart from these characteristics, so the service of the Lord and the accomplishment of His will is the very epitome of our desire and objective.

Jesus possessed a perfect character and He proved completely obedient and completely loving and faithful by the trials that He endured, faithful unto death. It’s not the same with us. We do not have a perfect character, nor do we have a perfect organism to withstand the test without mistakes, but we are perfecting a character, we are striving to develop the desired qualities. The qualities of character must be the same as He possessed, but on this side the vail we lack the perfection of organism in which to express them perfectly.

In previously discussing this subject, some brethren thought we overstressed our essential need of the same qualities of character that Jesus had. Our thought is not that we must manifest them perfectly but that we need to have and actually achieve the perfect intention, the perfect desire to manifest them and then, having this perfect intention, we can identify when we have fallen from the achievement of this accomplishment. We must reach this perfection of intention before we will be granted perfect spiritual bodies in which to accomplish His will perfectly. So if there is in any of our intents that inclination to do what we want to do, or do what someone else wants us to do which is contrary to what the Lord would have us do, this would be displeasing to Him. It’s the intent that we are striving to align fully, and striving to avoid unloving practices as much as we can.

The apostle says, "As many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ." That is, we are developing or incorporating into our characters, Christlikeness. It’s just like it was with Jesus. He said, "I have a baptism to be baptized with and how am I in difficulty till it be accomplished." With this status of the Master’s objective we must get the proper focus. When Paul says, "As many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ," this is not to say that we have completed the activity, but that we have begun to knowledgeably progress in this work. It will be completed in the fruition of our labors, if we continue this baptism.

Paul again says we should "put on the new man and put off the old man with his deeds." Peter joins with counsel concerning the manifestation of love, which is love in action. In  1 Peter 3:8 he says, "Finally be ye all of one mind having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, sympathetic, courteous." Now we know that when he says "finally," he doesn’t mean that we should postpone this until old age. But he’s drawing to our attention that this is the objective of our moulding of a character in relation to the body oneness. "Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren be pitiful, sympathetic, courteous." He continues in  1 Peter 3:9, riot rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing, but contrariwise blessing, knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing."

Notice here that the apostle makes reference in V. 8 to our being "courteous". It would be a great mistake were we ever to conclude that courtesy is a deceptive manner of conduct. Some might suggest that frankness, saying it like it is, or as we see the matter, or as we think it is, is the procedure. However, the apostle counsels us to have our best manners in the brotherhood so that we might encourage one another, and remain ourselves in a position to receive encouragement from others. To make a conclusion that it is wrong to be courteous in a time of difference or misunderstanding, in substance indicates that in our hearts we have judged and condemned both the thought and attitudes and actions of another toward us, and is assuming that they are covering or hiding what we may judge to be their real sentiments. If we think that it is not appropriate to be courteous we have certainly become involved in improper logic. The judging of others would be that which particularly displeases the Lord in this matter. Hard words, strong talk, which seem to have little courtesy involved in them, may often betray the fact that a judgment has already been made.

Some have suggested that it is wrong to conceal or hide our feelings or our thoughts or our conclusions about brethren when we are unfavorable toward them, that to conceal our feelings is deceptive. But this conclusion that to conceal our feelings is deceptive, I believe itself to be grossly wrong. It is not wrong for us to conceal our feelings or conclusions when they are not favorable, though let us not conclude that such concealment is a manifestation of love. At most, concealing our conclusions could be simple justice, or wisdom, or both because so often such thoughts or feelings are incorrect, and if you conceal that which is incorrect this is a happy doing. It is not hypocrisy to conceal a judgment or deduction of our own and act as though we didn’t feel that way. Our conclusion may be possessed in direct violation of Divine law, which is judging, failing to believe our brother’s expressed good intentions or other similar principles that we would want to adhere to, but have temporarily failed to heed. How many times have we later learned of our erroneous conclusions, and having restrained our words and actions, are most thankful we have only our conclusions to correct, and to seek forgiveness for, and have not also the responsibility for the effect such wrong words might have had on the others with whom we shared our conclusions?
Have you ever done that? Have you ever found at the close of a convention or at the close of a Sunday or the close of a telephone conversation, all of a sudden it strikes you hard that you have got to go to brother so-and-so or sister so-and-so and tell them forthright that you have told them something that was not right. It was not accurate, it was not proper, it was not just, it was not wise. Has that ever happened to you? If it has, you know of the value of concealing your personal opinions and judgments, because we are not yet enthroned to be the judge.

There will seldom be an occasion when we may rightfully be discourteous to our brethren. We may think discourtesy is required but we have probably made an improper conclusion. We may think we have to overly criticize a brother’s conviction. But seldom does the Lord arrange that there is no other way to accomplish correction or improvement. We suggest that it is proper for us to remember that the Lord doesn’t require or ask us to step out of line or act out of the bounds of love to correct another, or bring mistakes to their attention, no matter who we may be or who we may think we be. The Lord does not require us to adopt methods of discourtesy, condemnation or busybodying in others business to correct others. How is the matter going to be taken care of then? Well, first, let us consider: is the Lord doing anything about it? And if, so far as we can see, the Lord may not be doing anything about a matter we seem to think is of so great importance, the next question might be, do you think the Lord could do something about it? Well, of course the answer is obvious. Let us keep in mind that the Lord has unnumbered agencies and avenues open through which He can overrule and accomplish all the testing, all the perfecting, all the correcting of His people that He sees to be needed without our acting beyond the bounds of love and the conduct which love would dictate. And you know we are striving to consider love in action.

Sincere courtesy should be felt and expressed, it may appear to be unattainable but in our relationships with one another there never is a need for friction and animosity. Oh, I know we’re not in utopia. And I’m not suggesting that friction or animosity will never be experienced while we are yet in the flesh. But don’t you really believe that there is never a need of it? There is never a need for strained feelings, though they may exist without a need. Love should be without partiality, and this is an activity too, without partiality. In brief, this means that we treat all the brethren the same way, the same basic way at least. we are as patient toward all, as kind toward all, as courteous toward all, as solicitous with all of their well-being, as anxious to greet all with the same cordiality, as anxious to assist all. It is expected that there will be different manifestations, even as there was with Jesus in his manifestations toward the apostles. But the basic appreciation of one another should be the same.

In  Matthew 18:16 Jesus gave some good advice in connection with our in-the-body relationships. The fact that there were conflicts is apparent from Matthew 18:15. It’s quite possible that Jesus saw some differences, which led to this counsel. "If thy brother shall trespass against thee go and tell him his fault between him and thee alone. If he shall hear thee thou shall have gained thy brother." We recognize in our association with our brethren that our very differences do contribute to the creation of misunderstandings, difficulties, and sometimes even to animosities. Jesus apparently knew this was then true and would be true in the future, for he gave this far-too-seldom-used advice. But what kind of advice is this? What kind of a formula is it? It is not a device which Jesus suggested to assure victory of one over the other in a dispute. Perhaps this is one reason it is seldom used, because it is not a formula whereby one can gain a victory over another. It is rather a method to restore brotherly love conditions, and that is the result when the procedure is properly used, and a victory is gained over our own self, with a vow to serve in greater diligence.

What is it that refrains us from following Jesus’ advice? Why is it that if we have a variance we cannot go to our brother and strive to gain a restoration of the attitude of brethren in the brotherhood? Surely that which restrains us is not the prospect of accomplishing some-thing good. That which restrains us is not the doubting that Jesus knew what he was talking about. Could it be lack of humility? Could it be we might find we had imagined that a wrong had been done that was never intended? And this would mean we were incorrect in thinking we were trespassed against. Yes, there is a lot of imagination among the best of us, but just a little imagination travels so far, so quick. Or down inside might we be refrained from following Jesus’ advice because we are ashamed to admit we carry a grievance against our brethren which is attributed to the flesh? And so let us not hold against our brethren acts of omission or commission that we have reason to believe those who have aggrieved us are repentant for. Let us not hold these things in our hearts against them, if we know they are repentant for them. To require a face-to-face acknowledgement of facts and whereas might really be feeding self, and striving to be proved the victor.
Is our love for our brother so slight as to allow no effort in compliance with Jesus’ instruction? Really, how do we love? How deep do we love? Do we love enough to comply with the divine wisdom?

We believe that love also has an important function involved in the hearing of evil communications. How do you feel when someone confides to you secret information about another’s faults or mistakes? Do you feel appreciative when you have now received privileged information? Do you feel appreciative of the information, do you feel warm and tender-hearted toward the informant? Do you feel grateful for inclusion in the inner circle? For in substance, this is now where you are, in the inner circle. But with you, in this inner circle are the attitudes of the flesh. There is really no cause for gratitude, for in us has been planted a seed of corruption, a seed which will corrupt unless identified for its true nature and rooted out. To be selected as a recipient for this kind of privileged information is uncomplimentary when properly identified. The conclusion has been begged and reached that you feel more kindly and sympathetic to the informant than you do to those who are the topic of the discussion. And therefore in the emotional aligning of support for a position, and the schoolboy method of choosing sides, you now have been found as an ally. Really that is the true analysis of the situation if we will permit ourselves to see it and acknowledge it.

Did you ever stop someone from further speaking to you about another’s attitudes or shortcomings or wrong-doings (something you did not need to know for your own protection or for the protection of your ecclesia)? It is an interesting experience. It is good if we can control and stop our interest in such things and help others to control theirs. Of course their first reaction is that you have sided with the one about whom the conversation was to have been, and against the present communicant. However this need not be true, or should not be true if we are really pursuing the counsel of scripture. "He that answereth or concludeth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly unto him." So we can with firm scripture have a closed mind to the entertainment of a topic and still be fully free from rendering a judgment for or against whom the controversy would have involved. Such a termination of the conversation does constitute the mildest form of a rebuke to your communicant and this will seldom improve your immediate attitudes, the it will doubtless assist those who will in the future contemplate upon your restraint to hear.

This too would have been love in action, but it means love for the word of the Lord, and love for its principles and less love for self. And when any of us have come to the attainment where we can prefer not to hear ill even about those with whom we differ, there may be an opportunity for us for future service in the kingdom.
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(G. rice-8)
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