All posts in category Devotional

This is a place where you can find short biblical challenges to start your days. Find promises, exhortations, comfort and great training that will help get you through your days.

What is the Bible?

The Bible

Written by: George J. Elling

The word “bible” simply means “book.” It has sometimes been called “The Book” or “The Good Book” because it is the most widely published book of all time and because of its content.

Actually, the Bible is not really a single book. Its content was written over a period of about 1,500 years by approximately 40 authors. The subsections of the Bible, also called “books”, consist of various types of literature; from historical narratives to poetry, proverbs, letters, and prophecies. These books are grouped into two main sections: The Old Testament, originally written almost exclusively in Hebrew, and the New Testament, originally written in the common Greek of the first century A.D.

The first 5 books are called the Books of Moses, or the law (“Torah” in Hebrew). They tell us about the creation of man, how we came to be separated from a personal relationship with God, and the consequences of that. They also tell us about the beginnings of God’s plan to bring us back to Himself.

First God called a man, Abram (later called Abraham), to have faith in Him. From the descendants of this one man, God promised to bring blessing and created a nation known today as the Hebrew or Jewish people. Early in their existence, the Hebrews became enslaved in Egypt. So, God called another man, named Moses, to lead the Hebrew people out of slavery and give them laws and regulations to become the nation known as Israel. In this process, God entered into a covenant with the Hebrews such that they would become a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation” with the task of revealing God’s Word to others. The history of Israel and God’s revelations through them make up the rest of the Old Testament until we come to the time of Christ, the Messiah.

Many people do not realize that the word “Christ” is a title and means the same thing as “the Messiah”. The term “Christ” is from the Greek and “Messiah” is from the Hebrew. Translated into English, these terms mean “anointed one.”

As God had sent a deliverer to lead the Hebrews out of slavery in Egypt, God spoke to the Hebrew prophets, priests, and kings about a coming anointed one who would be a deliverer to redeem all people of all nations from their bondage to “sin”, i.e., their acts and attitudes that fall short of God’s holiness and perfection. This sin is what separates us from God and from each other leading to conflicts. The Bible says:

“for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God;”
Romans 3:23

The arrival the Christ and the consequential changes brought about in people’s lives is the story of the New Testament. The New Testament describes Christ’s coming as Jesus of Nazareth, his ministry on earth, his death on a cross, his resurrection to new life, and the development of the early church. The New Testament ends with prophecies of things to come.

The New Testament tells us that Jesus Christ’s death redeemed us from our sins and through his resurrection we are given new life, His life, in and by the Holy Spirit.  That is, we can now have a spiritual rebirth through the spirit. The Bible says:

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 6:23

Thus, the Bible is sometimes referred to as “the gospel” which means “good news.” Yes, the Bible has some hard things to say about us, and the people whose stories it recounts. But it also tells us how we can now be reborn spiritually, and in the future, experience a resurrection to life with God eternally and restoring the relationship we were created to have with Him.

How do you avail yourself of this opportunity for new birth, for a spiritual reset? The Bible says:

8 “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 
9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 
10 “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 
11 “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 
12 “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 
13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Romans 10:8-13

You can call upon the name of the Lord by prayer. Prayer is simply talking to God by faith, out loud or silently in your heart. Express to Him your need for a Savior, or Redeemer, and invite Christ into your life to change you into the person He would have you to be. Then thank Him for His death on the cross for the forgiveness of your sin and for the promise of the Holy Spirit in your life. You will now experience a new life, Christ’s life in your heart.

To grow in your understanding and to express worship to God and to experience fellowship with other believers, seek out a good Bible-teaching church and go there. Ask God to lead you to the right church. As with anything new, it will take some time for you to adjust to what God is doing in your life now that you have placed your faith and trust in Christ. Also, spend some time reading the Bible each day to better understand what is happening in your life. I’d recommend that you start with the New Testament section of the Bible, the section that recounts the Life of Christ on earth and the teachings of the early church. In time you will learn about the Old Testament section of the Bible that recounts what led up to the arrival of Christ on earth and it will give you more foundation for your faith.

Additional Notes about the Bible Quotes:

The words after the biblical quotes, for example, “Romans 10: 8-13”, refer to where the quote came from in the Bible. First is the name of the book within the Bible (Romans 10: 8-13). In this example, the book is called “Romans.” The numbers after the book’s name refer to the chapter and verse, or range of verses where the quote is found (Romans 10: 8-13). In this example, it is chapter 10, verses 8 through 13.

If you are not familiar with the books of the Bible you can look them up in the table of contents in the front of most Bibles.

-GJE

©Mark Davis 2021

Continue Reading:

2 Comments
by gje49 on May 28, 2021  •  Permalink
Posted in Devotional, Discipleship, George Elling, The Holy Scriptures
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by gje49 on May 28, 2021

https://christiansareus.com/2021/05/28/what-is-the-bible/

Tough Encounters

The events of recent days have tried many people’s patience and understanding. We are seeing it all; from the sickness of the Covid19 virus to marches in the streets, to rioting and looting, and political intrigue. In the midst of it is easy to lose a focus on what being a Christian is all about.

Written by: George J. Elling

The events of recent days have tried many people’s patience and understanding. We are seeing it all; from the sickness of the Covid19 virus to marches in the streets, to rioting and looting, and political intrigue. In the midst of it is easy to lose focus on what being a Christian is all about.

Some side with a particular political or activist group. Some side with the police and others with the call to defund the police. Some identify with this racial or ethnic group and others with a different group. There are plenty of viewpoints to go around. As we all respond to people and the issues of the day here are a few things to keep in mind from a Christian perspective.

What has been happening is Nothing New nor a Surprise to God

There have been intergroup misunderstandings, dissentions, inequities and wars since the beginning of human history. Education, politics, police, armies, etc. cannot solve the basic problem of people’s hearts. Only God can change us from within. That is why Jesus told a very religious and pious man that he needed to be “born again” or “born from above” (John 3). God is in the business of changing us.

Also, remember that all of what comes your way is “filtered through the hands of God.” He knew this was going to happen and is with you through the midst of it.

“…and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”
Matthew 28:20b

Act as God did, out of Love

“For God so loved the world that He gave…”
John 3:16a

God was under no obligation to rescue us and save us from ourselves. He acted from a pure, self-giving love. This type of love always has a cost. This is why God’s actions to save us are referred to in the Bible as redemption and as God “paying” a price for our redemption.

Jesus instructed us to love as He loved, and to go so far as to love even our enemies.

If we are to have this type of giving love for enemies, how much more should we have this love for those who simply disagree with us or advance a different cause? Also, note that we are to pray for those we believe persecute us. Some of our problems are because we are not praying for those we disagree with.

See people and people-groups as God does – See them from Above

Our basic perspective is very limited. All we do is see things from our natural limited point of view and time on this earth, which is all too brief and self-focused.

Paul wrote that he no longer saw people after the flesh, i.e., from the viewpoint of a natural man who is without the Spirit of God in his life.

“Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh:”
2 Corinthians 5:16a

Instead, Paul urged the following:

“1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
“2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
“3  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
“4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”
Colossians 3:1-4

Our present and future is not to be that of the natural man or woman who has not been born again of the Holy Spirit. We are to see people from the perspective of God and eternity. Our own rewards and glory will come when Christ is revealed again in all of His glory.

Resolve to be an Ambassador who is a Peace Maker

An ambassador is someone who represents another person or a country. An ambassador does not represent himself or his own self-interests. As we interact with others, we need to keep in mind that as a Christian we are to be ambassadors for Christ.

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:20

Christians are to be God’s ambassadors to bring about reconciliation between God and man and between men. Jesus taught his disciples:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”
Matthew 5:9

And,

10 “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 
12 “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven:”
Matthew 5:10-12a

A peace maker is one who brings reconciliation. We should ask ourselves what would Christ have us do to reconcile a person to God and to bring about reconciliation between people we interact with.

Your actions are not to focus on You, but about the needs of Others

Your needs will be met in Christ:

“But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” 
Philippians 4:19

With your own needs met in Christ you can move forward with confidence in helping others.

Listen carefully, you don’t know the Whole Story

Each person you meet is coming to you with a lifetime of experiences, both good and bad. They are most likely acting out of that compilation of cultural inputs, teachings, successes, failures, rejections, and hurts. So, listen carefully to understand before you try to speak. This isn’t about you winning a Harvard style debate. It is about you being an ambassador for Christ (see above).

19 “…Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20 “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” 
James 1:19b-20

God is at work to Change You as much as He wants to Change Them

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
Philippians 2:12

Each believer is called upon to apply the Word of God in everyday situations as part of “working out” or the “out working” of his or her salvation. As noted above, God knew you would be in an interaction with whoever it is that you are interacting with today. Now is the time to be the man or woman God intends you to be.

James teaches us:

22 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 
23 “For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 “For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 
25 “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
James 1:22-25

God will bless us through interacting with others in a godly way in spite of tough or challenging circumstances.

Count it all Joy

James wrote:

2 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 
3 “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 
4 “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” 
James 1:2-4

God is more interested in you becoming a complete man or woman in Christ with Christ in you (Colossians 1:27) than He is in your “solving” whatever challenge you are facing. The trial or challenge you face helps accomplish this goal. Therefore, rejoice in challenges as an opportunity to grow as a person and help fulfill the mission of Christ.

“And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name (Christ’s name).”
Acts 5:41

You also may be helping to fill up what was “lacking” in Christ’s suffering on behalf of others in the body of Christ. Paul wrote of himself:

“Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:”
Colossians 1:24

What you are going through is not without purpose for your life and others.

Take Courage!

As stated in the beginning of this essay, Jesus told His disciples that:

“…and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”
Matthew 28:20b

The apostle Paul was so convinced of his life being “in Christ” that he could therefore confidently say:

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Philippians 1:21

In life, or death, Paul’s life was safe in Christ. Yours is too if you have received Him into your life.

Abide in Christ

Trying to do any and all of the above will be futile self-effort if you are not abiding in Christ. Give up on your self-efforts to control people and situations. You are not God. Give up on trying to have an immediate answer for everything and focus on Christ and His word. Jesus told His disciples:

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
John 15:5

Some ways to abide in Christ include:

  • Read and meditate on God’s word
  • Memorize God’s word
  • Listen for God’s voice
  • Pray for God’s direction, for the needs of others, and to be an instrument of His love.

-GJE

©Mark Davis 2021

Continue Reading:

4 Comments
by gje49 on May 3, 2021  •  Permalink
Posted in Devotional, George Elling
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by gje49 on May 3, 2021

https://christiansareus.com/2021/05/03/tough-encounters/

Create In Me A Clean Heart

You know it took a post from a dear friend on Facebook to make me think about this passage. She said that she had just moved to a new area and that she had no history there and she was looking forward to getting a new start there. I know that where she was before she didn’t have the “cleanest record” (not legally speaking, just the way that people thought about her – I didn’t personally judge her about what happened in her past) so she was going to a place that had no idea of her past and I am not one to tattle on her – by now I’m sure your mind has already started to grind away imagining things that she may have been guilty of – DON’T.

Ps 51:2 – 15 [KJV]
2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

I looked this passage up as it just came to mind as I read her post. The main verse that I thought of was verse 10; “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” This passage is part of the prayer that the psalmist, David was praying to God, asking for forgiveness for his sin of adultery with Bathsheba.

I’m sure, well, reasonably sure, that you weren’t reading this after having committed adultery yourself, but as you read this, imagine all of the other sins you are guilty of instead. Even if it is just telling a little lie, the Bible says that even if we are guilty of “thinking about” murdering someone, they are guilty of the actual act of murder. I know, that doesn’t really sound fair, does it?

That being the case, if you think about just the thought of a sin as being just a minor “infraction” (even though most people wouldn’t even think of that as even being a sin/ infraction), and the actual act of murder would, obviously, be a major infraction, your could replace that with any of our bad thoughts, similar to any of those things, and that would make any of us, assuming that you are not in jail as you read this, as guilty of murder as the person in jail for murder – Most of us more than one time a day, especially after driving through a busy city on the way home from work.

Back to the topic at hand…

As I was reading through this passage, I was thinking of myself and, as the Holy Spirit has a tendency of doing, He was convicting me of the sins that I had committed and, as I read it through for the 4th time, I was full on crying as I was ashamed of myself for those sins and many more that kept coming to the surface.

I wonder how many of you out there in cyber-land might fit into the same category. As you read through this, I challenge you too to put yourself in my shoes and dig deep into your own memory and read the passage again (and again, and again…) until you can say with a clear conscience that God can look into your soul and see that it is clear of all sin and you can have a nice talk with Him, one on one.

I pray that this has helped you as much as it has me.  Let me know below, in the comments, what you think…

Thought: “When we feel least like praying is the time when we most need to pray.”

R. A. Torrey from “How to Pray” (1900)

© 2017 Mark Davis

 

Continue Reading:

 

3 Comments
by Christians Are Us on April 3, 2017  •  Permalink
Posted in Devotional, Discipleship
Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Christians Are Us on April 3, 2017

https://christiansareus.com/2017/04/03/create-in-me-a-clean-heart/

Happy 4th Birthday!

Happy 4th Birthday, ChristiansAreUs.com!!!

Happy 4th Birthday or
Happy 4th Anniversary!!!
October 1, 2012 – 2016

(or whatever you call it)

I hope that you all have enjoyed the last 4 years as much as I have. Having the experience of writing, publishing, editing, and especially doing all of the research for the articles that I wrote  and searching and finding all of my guest-authors that have given me the rights to reproduce their articles that grace some of the pages of our ChristiansAreUs.com’s web site. It truly has been an experience that that I expected God to give to me, but rather a journey that I would give my life to relive.

In 4 years we have reached some statistics that some bloggers might pay for.

We have:

  • Reached 184 different countries
  • 120,000 Page-hits
  • 82.13 Page-hits averaged per day
  • Greatest Hits/Day = 10,123
  • Over 700 people signed up to automatically receive new article as they come out.
  • More than 200 people who LIKE our Facebook page.
  • … and much, much more…

If this happens to be your first visit to our site, please, take some time and check out what we have to offer and, if you don’t find what you were looking for, feel free to use our Contact Us page to let us know what we are missing and I will personally see what I can do to get it for you or at least let you know why.

If you are familiar with our site, then be sure to come back again and definitely spread the word about the site to all of your friends and fellow-churchgoers.

Regardless, thank you for participating in our celebration for 4 years of being God’s Internet broadcasting servant.

Thank You!

Featured articles for you to review:

1 Comment
by Christians Are Us on October 4, 2016  •  Permalink
Posted in Devotional
Tagged , , ,

Posted by Christians Are Us on October 4, 2016

https://christiansareus.com/2016/10/04/happy-4th-birthday/

HELL: Who Will Be in Hell?

There are two choices… as the picture says: there is Hell, which is directly related to everlasting punishment. The other option is life eternal.

Keep Reading:

End Times Prophecy Report

END TIMES DESTRUCTION: Only for the wicked and the lost.END TIMES DESTRUCTION: Only for the wicked and the lost.

“And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night”
–Revelation 14:11

Most people do not think much about hell.

Little wonder: it’s not a very nice neighborhood.

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone”
–Revelation 21:8

Perhaps that’s why so many fables are constructed about a place God’s Word declares will be the final resting place for many.

“for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat”
–Matthew 7:13

One of the biggest fables about hell is that it will be filled with the most evil people ever born. Many believe…

View original post 808 more words

1 Comment
by Christians Are Us on September 5, 2016  •  Permalink
Posted in Devotional, Salvation
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Christians Are Us on September 5, 2016

https://christiansareus.com/2016/09/05/hell-who-will-be-in-hell/

How Many Churches Did Jesus Establish?

Recently, I had a reader ask a question that I thought was pretty good and a very viable question at that.

Note — I want you all to know that if a person comments on a post on this blog, it does not automatically end up becoming a new post for me.  The only reason that I repost this text is because I thought it might edify other members of the Bride of Christ – The Church.

And now on to the lesson:

Good day sir, please i have a question for you. how many Churches did Christ build in the bible? Mathew 16:18

Wow – thank you so much for your question.

I’m not exactly certain where you are going with this question but I think I will attempt to answer more than just your initial question as well as an other question which many others (as well as you might fall into this category as well) have asked regarding this text. I’m sorry ahead of time for the probability for this answer being a bit long but I believe for a complete answer to your question, it is required.

You reference, Matthew 16:18:

[KJV] And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Just breezing through this text, one would presume that it is indicating just one church, Peter’s, correct? The Catholic Church believes that Peter was the founder of their faith also being their first pope. That is strange considering that Peter lived in the first century A.D. and the Catholic Church wasn’t founded until nearly 400 A.D. You do the math.

Actually, many believe that this text is indicating that Jesus is telling Peter that He will be building His church on him (Peter), believing that the Greek word for “Peter” and the Greek word for “rock” is the same greek word, “Petra” (G4073 πέτρα petra (pe’-tra) n.).

Here is a brief study on the original words that were used in this verse. The belief is that the verse (belief of the above statement) is stating that Peter is the head of the Church from that point forward; There is one Church (branching into many other sects), the Roman Catholics, that believe this such statement.

Here is the truth to this verse:

The Greek word for “rock” is: G4073 (Strong’s number), πέτρα (the Greek spelling), petra (English translation), (pe’-tra) (the pronunciation of the word in English), n. (indication of the type of word it is, in this case it is a noun – person, place, or thing.)

  1. (properly) a mass of solid rock (such as a solidly massive foundation or as jutting upward for hewing out a large family chamber tomb).
  2. (person) The Solid Rock (of Ages), Jesus, Yeshua.
  3. (Note) The solid rock is in distinct contrast to a piece of rock or a rock fragment.

The Greek word for “Peter” is: G4074 (Strong’s number), Πέτρος (the Greek spelling), Petros (English translation), (pe’-tros) the pronunciation of the word in English), n/p. (indicating that this could be used as a noun or a pronoun, indicated by context, not personal preferences – in this case it is used as a noun.)

  1. a (piece of) rock.
  2. as a name, Petrus, an apostle.

Notice the differences between these two words.

The word “petros” is being used as the “name of an apostle”, but if it were looked at as a form of rock, it would only be a small piece of rock… not much to put a church on.

The word “Petra” is being used as “(person) The Solid Rock (of Ages), Jesus, Yeshua”. If it were looked at as a form of rock, it would be a massive amount of rock, such as a foundation (bedrock).

Comparing the two, it, in my mind, and I think it is obvious the way the accurate translation should be, it should be the “rock” that is being used in this instance to build the Church upon is Jesus, The Solid Rock, The Bedrock, The Foundation of our Faith.

I have to answer your question as: There is only ONE Church being created in the verse, Matthew 16:18. The Church is NOT the Catholic Church, but rather the Church of Christians.

Christ-ian – literally means “little Christs” or “Christ-like, following Christ’s teachings and lifestyle”.

Where Peter was very instrumental in the early Church, especially in reaching the Jews with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul (previously Saul) was the Apostle to the Gentiles. Neither of which started their own sect or “religion” under their own names. They only spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

(All specific references to words used in the Bible come from, Mickelson’s Enhanced Strong’s Dictionaries of the Greek and Hebrew Testaments)

–Mark

©2016 ChristiansAreUs.com

Additional Reading:

11 Comments
by Christians Are Us on March 22, 2016  •  Permalink
Posted in Devotional, Discipleship
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Christians Are Us on March 22, 2016

https://christiansareus.com/2016/03/22/how-many-churches-did-jesus-establish/

Having Done All To Stand

 

Having Done All To Stand

Ephesians 6:13-17 [KJV]
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Also, Please Read:

4 Comments
by Christians Are Us on December 14, 2015  •  Permalink
Posted in Bible Verses, Devotional
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Christians Are Us on December 14, 2015

https://christiansareus.com/2015/12/14/having-done-all-to-stand/

Conversation Regarding Abortion

A conversation that I saw on Facebook:

The names have been changed to protect the participants
(all except me).  Writing styles have been preserved to retain
the integrity of the conversation. I do not take responsibility
for the style or wording of said comments.

Ohio House Passes A Bill Making It Illegal To Kill Someone With A Heartbeat

Ohio House Passes A Bill Making It Illegal To Kill Someone With A Heartbeat

Person 1: “Hey ladies, you get pregnant remember that is a child, how about JUST SAY NO…DON’T BE A MURDERER.”

Person 2: “Hey mama. . . I don’t think there is a single person who would disrespect your choice in being against abortion as a personal choice. However, I would ask if you really feel you have a right to make that choice for another woman?”

Person 1: “No it is up to them to make that choice and live with that knowledge and believe me living with the fact your a murderer scars you for life.”

Person 2: “But you agree that women have the right to make that decision, correct”

Person 1: “right or wrong that is up to the person. I know what I believe and I would never want push my beliefs on others, however, I do not want others to mandate, make laws against, or push their beliefs upon me. Therefore I do not believe my taxes should go on funding murder in an way or form….and if people chose to do this horrific practice so be it let them pay the price for now and in eternity. But I don’t understand the why for abortion, when birth control is cheap and free in health dept. I feel if your willing to open your legs, then a person is responsible for taking precautions, why are so many women willing to sleep around and not use anything, the mind set is its easy and they make themselves believe that it is not a child in their womb when they get pregnant but the lie they believe does not make it true. Watch the ultrasounds of a baby at 4,6,8,14 weeks they are a human being, and their lives mean just as much as the women carrying them. I am a mother I could never ever imagine having murdered my child because I felt they may get in my way or plans… Thank GOD for I have my children, imagine if I had chosen differently.”

Person 3: “People only wish to protect children that are wanted. when it becomes a child that is unwanted that’s when people objectify it and give it no right. Even though I believe a woman should have the right to choose… Abortion is a very selfish thing. like Mother Teresa once said, abortion is a mother declaring war upon her child and if a mother can not love her child how are we supposed to love one another. And I know people say abortion is good for medical issues… But to me it still seems very selfish. we don’t have a right to choose who will live or die and in the end it’s those without a voice that suffer the consequences of a forced choice”

Person 2: “I think the arguments are valid and I’m not trying to debate the morality of abortion. My main concern is that I don’t believe I have any right to tell another woman what to do with her body, and I definitely wouldn’t support laws or people in power who are trying to take away that right. I think if you want to share your views on why not to choose abortion, then share your stories, support organizations who help women who are in tough situations and pregnant, etc.. . but don’t try to take away the choice from women.”

Person 3: “I would and do support a law like and as an adult, a women has so many choices to prevent pregnancy. Where as, like that craigslist murder…there’s no justice. There’s no way to protect that life and I will always choose the life of a child over that of an adult. And we may not have a right to tell person what not to do, but we have a right to speak up for the voiceless and not let our rights endanger each other. There are families that want that life.
Women fight so hard for rights…and abortion.
Yes, women have their rights, but what about the right of that child? What about all the avenues to prevent pregnancy, or avenues to give up a child. Just because the government says something’s okay doesn’t make it right, much like just because you can do something doesn’t make it right.”

Person 3: “I get super peeved about this topic…because it’s an excuse to not take accountability, do proper prevention, or truly understand what love is…sacrifice. So, super peeved.”

Person 1: “I think the biggest issue here is that so many people chose abortion like it was an aspirin for a headache. They are stupid and lazy and don’t want to take precautions for their actions, I cant and do not support stupidity or laziness. 85% of abortions could have been prevented! I am sick and tired of ignorant people fighting for it saying its a women right to choose…why did not that same woman choose to prevent instead of going around not taking precautions….and don’t argue that no healthcare or money cause obama supposedly gave us free healthcare…NO EXCUSES anymore but still women choose the right to legally murder….it sickens me! take responsibility. This is not a moral issue this is an issue of the lazy, stupidness, and dumbing down of our Country! If we take morals out of the issue and look at this logically then we see women are stupid!”

Person 1: “Person 3, you are so right people are selfish and feel they are right but we all know its just a cop out for stupidity….”

Person 2: “I’m not going to debate your opinions but I do feel they’re simply that. Opinions rooted in personal beliefs. I don’t think science has yet decided the hard line in which a pregnancy changes from a group of cells to a child so ultimately it’s left up to personal interpretation. I get that. Again, I’m not trying to argue on the morality of abortion itself. I’m just trying to stress that it is a hugely personal decision between a woman and her doctor. And the right for it be that should be protected.

ME: You know, I would never vote for any politician that supported having speed limits on our roads. How dare they tell me what to do! How dare tell me how fast or slow I have to go or what is “safe” for me. I will decide that as I drive! People do it all of the time out there, so I know I’m not the only one that feels this way.

Now, seriously, I don’t feel this way but the reasoning is the same. You just don’t want someone to “limit” you as to what you can or can’t do. It all comes down to your reasoning at the time something happens, and because you feel you want to do something one way, you don’t want someone else (anyone) to tell you that you can’t do it your way and anyone who supports that view be damned!
Many of us that believe that there is a God (or to some, a “higher power”), believe that at some time we are going to be held accountable for the things that we say and do. We happen to believe that there is a God in Heaven and that He will judge us at some point (hold us accountable for our actions)… we know this because it is told to us in His Words to us, the Holy Bible.
Scientists have no more power to determine when we become “a person” with rights than you or I. How we know that we are actually a baby human at the time of conception is this:
Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you;” God speaking here…
Job 31:15 “Did not He who made me in the womb make him, And the same one fashion us in the womb?” Job speaking here…
Ps 76:6 “By You I have been sustained from my birth; You are He who took me from my mother’s womb;” The psalmist David speaking to God here…
Is 44:24“Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, “I, the LORD, am the maker of all things, Stretching out the heavens by Myself And spreading out the earth all alone,
25 “Causing the omens of boasters to fail, Making fools out of diviners, Causing wise men to draw back And turning their knowledge into foolishness,” The prophet of God, Isaiah, to the nation of Israel, referring to the greatness of our God… That includes the “wise men” of today’s day and age as well…
Ps 119:73 “Your hands made me and fashioned me;” Again, the psalmist David, speaking of God again…
Job 10:10 “Did You not…
11 “Clothe me with skin and flesh, And knit me together with bones and sinews?
12 “You have granted me life and lovingkindness; And Your care has preserved my spirit.” Job speaking to God here…
Ps 139:13 “For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb.
14 “I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.” The psalmist David speaking to God again… And by the way, His “works”, namely here, the human body, is so wonderfully made that science still can’t figure it all out. How then can we/the scientists “figure out” when we change from a bundle of cells to a human life – it happens when we start changing from two cells and developing into a human body (life)… It is obvious to David that he can feel it in his most inward parts, his soul (the place where, if we are honest to ourselves, we find the honest truth), that this “thing” is much bigger than any man and something that NO MAN can do! He feels that he has “experienced” it, in a sort of way – he knows.
As you can see by reading all of these excerpts of the Bible they all point to how and Who formed us in our mother’s womb and how we, as mere humans cannot (or should not seriously) do anything but praise God for the life he has created, being the human body, and by all means, we have AB-SO-LUTE-LY NO RIGHT to terminate the development of one of these tiny humans, a creation that God has formed, and has plans for later in life to carry out. That is no less than spitting in the face of God – how dare we say that WE have the RIGHT to go against what God has said! Just because it is inconvenient for us at the time to have a baby. Regardless the circumstances of the conception, this baby is still a human life that God had a reason for creating (which we may never know), and we have the right to tell God what is good for us?
You are fortunate that your mother didn’t say, when you were conceived, that she had no use for you at the time and terminated you!
 –Mark
Would anyone like to add to this?  Comment below:
©2015 Mark Davis

Leave Your Comments Here

'CLICK' to SHARE on Facebook

‘CLICK’ to SHARE on Facebook

‘CLICK’ to SHARE on Facebook

Continue Reading:

6 Comments
by Christians Are Us on April 6, 2015  •  Permalink
Posted in Devotional
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Christians Are Us on April 6, 2015

https://christiansareus.com/2015/04/06/conversation-regarding-abortion/

Mary Had A Little Lamb

Lamb

We’ve all heard the poem “Mary Had A Little Lamb”, but most of us only know the first part of it. Click on the link to see how the story ends up. It’s really a shame about that little Lamb…

Mary had a little Lamb,
His fleece was white as snow.
And everywhere that Mary went,
The Lamb was sure to go.

He followed her to school each day,
‘Twasn’t even in the rule.
He made the children laugh and play.
To have a Lamb at school.

And then the rules all changed one day,
Illegal it became;
To bring the Lamb of God to school,
Or even speak His name.

Every day got worse and worse,
And days turned into years.
Instead of hearing children laugh,
We heard gun shots and tears.

What must we do to stop the crime
That’s in our schools today?
Let’s let the Lamb come back to school,
And teach our kids to pray!

–Author unknown

IF YOU AGREE, PLEASE PASS IT ON!

Continue Reading:

3 Comments
by Christians Are Us on December 5, 2014  •  Permalink
Posted in Devotional, Quotes
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Christians Are Us on December 5, 2014

https://christiansareus.com/2014/12/05/mary-had-a-little-lamb/

Why Did Jesus Fold the Napkin?

This is one I have only seen circulating a couple of times, so; if this touches you, you may want to forward it.

Place Setting with Folded Napkin

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection?

I never noticed this before … In the Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes.

The Bible takes the entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and placed separate than the other grave clothes.

Early ‘on the first day of the week’, Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran back and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved (John).

She said, ‘They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him!’ John 20:2

Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple (John) outran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen clothes lying there, but he didn’t go in.

Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying to the side by itself.

Was that important?

Absolutely!

Is it really significant?

YES!

In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day:

The folded napkin had to do with the ‘Master and Servant’, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.

When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it.. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.

Now, if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table.

For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, ‘I’m done’.

But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because………..

The folded napkin meant, ‘I’m coming back!‘

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren,
concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not,
even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,
even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord,
that we which are alive and remain unto the
coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:
and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:
and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

He is Coming Back!

©2014 Mark Davis

Leave Your Comment Here

 

 

Continued Reading:

184 Comments
by Christians Are Us on November 19, 2014  •  Permalink
Posted in Devotional, Quotes
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Christians Are Us on November 19, 2014

https://christiansareus.com/2014/11/19/why-did-jesus-fold-the-napkin/

« Older Posts
%d bloggers like this: