Subject:
thoughts on Freedom, faith, defense and resistance.
From:
Date:
2/19/24, 14:46
To:
undisclosed-recipients: ;

So many of us are rightly troubled by what is going on in the world right now. It's a global spiritual battle... so much lawlessness, corruption, injustice... It is very troubling and distressing and we all have a right to be concerned and even angry. 


However, we also need to be aware that God is working His Redemptive plan through Israel.

How is he doing that?  In party by allowing various things to happen around the world that puts Israel into a time of DISTRESS that will lead them to RECOGNIZE and TRUST JESUS CHRIST as their MESSIAH.


See Daniel 2:20-22 and realize that OUR SALVATION if of the JEWS (John 4)... starting with Abraham, through Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, David, Solomon and Nathan and ultimately JESUS CHRIST who was born in Israel, was willingly put to death in ISRAEL, rose from the grave, conquering both SIN AND DEATH, ascended into heaven via the clouds, Acts 1:9-11.  Some 50 days after His resurrection the CHURCH began, a MYSTERY, another group called MY PEOPLE, made up of both Gentiles and Jews... the CHURCH was raised up to make a partially blinded ISRAEL jealous, see Romans 9-11.    http://bibletech.net/


Ultimately, God will call out the CHURCH to meet Jesus in the clouds, see Isaiah 26:20; I Thessalonians 4:17 and 2 Thessalonians 2.  We will be taken up, called out, raptured, meeting Jesus in the clouds and going directly to HEAVEN, where we will be for at least 7 years.  Meanwhile, once the CHURCH is removed, along with the restrainer (the Holy Spirit), evil will rise up even more severely than it is now, literally all Hell will break loose on earth, and at the same time GOD'S RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION will be poured out on this planet.


The WRATH OF THE LAMB... We, the church, that is the body of BELIEVERS living by FAITH and TRUSTING JESUS, are NOT subject to that WRATH.  In Isaiah 26:19 the people of Israel who died in faith will be awaken into the 1,000 year reign.  But the church will be changed; 1Co 15:51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed...


1Co 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
1Co 15:53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.

The prophecies concerning the distress of Israel are all lined up: 
Daniel 9-12; Isaiah; Jeremiah; Ezekiel; Rev 6-19; Mat 24; Luke 21; Mark 13; Zechariah 12-14
 
By gathering the following verses I hope to help others in Christ consider how we need to act and endure these things, while growing in faith and having real peace in Jesus.  I first gathered these verses for myself to put things in perspective and to better understand the battle we face.  The WORD of GOD is the basis for our faith and a guide for us to follow, without the Word we will fail.  We really need to read God's Word to understand His will for our lives. 
READ it in a year:  http://bibletech.net/ONE_YEAR  http://bibletech.net/CHRONYR

WE  HAVE TWO VERY REAL "FOES":

1) Satan and his demonic forces (and to a very limited extent those blinded by him and their own lustful desires... they've been deceived and are deluded, pray for them)
2) Our own fleshly nature and immaturity in our faith... we're all in progress.

1Pe 5:8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Distractions, disappointments, discouragement, deceptions, delusions, destruction and "shiny objects", along with the lust of our own flesh, are all used to keep us from doing what is profitable and proper. Are we living in the fruit of the Spirit, or walking in our flesh:


  http://bibletech.net/TRUTH/1096_48_Galatians_05_truth.html
Gal 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
Gal 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
Gal 5:19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
Gal 5:21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Gal 5:24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Gal 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Gal 5:26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.


We need wisdom in how to deal with our FREEDOM, our rights to free speech, to protect ourselves and others against evil,
and how to deal with a government that is hostile towards the Truth of God and in many ways lawless.  We have to consider what
Jesus did, said and what we are really called to do... PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS OF FREEDOM TO THE CAPTIVES OF SIN BY FORGIVENESS IN JESUS.

Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;

OUR MISSION STATEMENT AS BELIEVERS: http://bibletech.net/TRUTH/0957_40_Matthew_28_truth.html
Mat 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

-------------------------------------
FREEDOM;  http://bibletech.net/TRUTH/1096_48_Galatians_05_truth.html
-------------------------------------
Gal 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
-------------------------------------
Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;
(THIS IS A TWO PART PROPHECY...  remember how Jesus stopped reading midway through this?  check the gospel account to see)
Isa 61:2 TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn,

Rom 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Rom 8:19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.
Rom 8:20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope
Rom 8:21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
        (consider Isaiah 11 & 65!!!)
Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.
Rom 8:23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

1Co 10:26 for the earth is the Lord's, and all it contains.  (see also Psalm 24)
1Co 10:27 If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience' sake.
1Co 10:28 But if anyone says to you, "This is meat sacrificed to idols," do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience' sake;
1Co 10:29 I mean not your own conscience, but the other man's; for why is my freedom judged by another's conscience?
1Co 10:30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks?
1Co 10:31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1Co 10:32 Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God;

Gal 4:29 But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also.
Gal 4:30 But what does the Scripture say? "CAST OUT THE BONDWOMAN AND HER SON, FOR THE SON OF THE BONDWOMAN SHALL NOT BE AN HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREE WOMAN."
Gal 4:31 So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman.
Gal 5:1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
Gal 5:2 Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.
         (Circumcision refers to the law, legalism... following rituals and traditions instead of loving others... )
Gal 5:3 And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.
Gal 5:4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

Gal 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Gal 5:14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
Gal 5:15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
Gal 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

2Pe 2:17 These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved.
        
(an excellent description of the isolation of Hell, the outer darkness... the self-loathing, apart for everyone, complete separation!)
2Pe 2:18 For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error,
2Pe 2:19 promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.
2Pe 2:20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become
worse for them than the first.
2Pe 2:21 For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them.
2Pe 2:22 It has happened to them according to the true proverb, "A DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT," and, "A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire."
-------------------------------------

-------------------------------------
WISDOM; ATTITUDES; http://bibletech.net/TRUTH/1110_51_Colossians_03_truth.html
-------------------------------------
Col 3:2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
Col 3:3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Tit 1:15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.

Jas 3:13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.

Jas 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

Col 1:28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.

Col 2:3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Col 2:23 These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.

Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Col 4:5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.

2Ti 3:15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Jas 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Jas 3:13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
Jas 3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.
Jas 3:15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.
Jas 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.
Jas 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
Jas 3:18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Jas 4:1 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?
Jas 4:2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.
Jas 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
Jas 4:4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
Jas 4:5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose. "He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us"?
Jas 4:6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."
Jas 4:7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Jas 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Jas 4:9 Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom.
Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

1Pe 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1Pe 3:8 To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;

1Pe 5:5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.
1Pe 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,
1Pe 5:7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
-------------------------------------

-------------------------------------
PRAYER; http://bibletech.net/TRUTH/1116_52_1_Thessalonians_05_truth.html
        http://bibletech.net/TRUTH/1121_54_1_Timothy_02_truth.html
-------------------------------------
1Ti 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,
1Ti 2:2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
1Ti 2:3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
1Ti 2:4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
1Ti 2:6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.

1Sa 15:22 Samuel said, "Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.
1Sa 15:23 "For rebellion is as the sin of divination, And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king."
1Sa 15:24 Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned; I have indeed transgressed the command of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and listened to their voice.
1Sa 15:25 Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me, that I may worship the Lord."
1Sa 15:26 But Samuel said to Saul, "I will not return with you; for you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel."

Psa 6:9 The Lord has heard my supplication, The Lord receives my prayer.

Psa 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you.

Mat 6:6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
Mat 6:7 "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.

Phi 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Col 1:3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

Col 1:9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
1Th 1:2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers;

1Th 3:10 as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?

1Th 5:17 pray without ceasing;

1Th 5:25 Brethren, pray for us.

2Th 1:11 To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power,

2Th 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;

1Ti 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,

1Ti 2:8 Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.
-------------------------------------

-------------------------------------
SWORDS; DEFENSE; SPIRITUAL WARFARE; http://bibletech.net/TRUTH/1088_47_2_Corinthians_10_truth.html
  - We are in the physical world, but the real battle is spiritual.  
        2Co 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,
  - We have a right to defend against violence and evil, but not if it's simply because of our faith, we need wisdom.
-------------------------------------
Mat 26:52 Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.
Luk 22:38 They said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." And He said to them, "It is enough."
Eph 6:17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
2Co 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,
2Co 10:4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
Rev 13:10 If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.
-------------------------------------
Gen 9:6 "Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man.

Exo 21:12 "He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death.
Exo 21:13 But if he did not lie in wait for him, but God let him fall into his hand, then I will appoint you a place to which he may flee.
Exo 21:14 If, however, a man acts presumptuously toward his neighbor, so as to kill him craftily, you are to take him even from My altar, that he may die.
Exo 22:2 "If the thief is caught while breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there will be no bloodguiltiness on his account.
Exo 22:3 But if the sun has risen on him, there will be bloodguiltiness on his account.

Mat 5:38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'
Mat 5:39 But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
Mat 5:40 If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.
Mat 5:41 Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.
Mat 5:42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

Mat 10:34 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

Mat 26:51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached and drew out his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear.
Mat 26:52 Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.
Mat 26:53 Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
Mat 26:54 How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?"

Luk 22:35 And He said to them, "When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?" They said, "No, nothing."
Luk 22:36 And He said to them, "But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one.
Luk 22:37 For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me, 'AND HE WAS NUMBERED WITH TRANSGRESSORS'; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment."
Luk 22:38 They said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." And He said to them, "It is enough."
Luk 22:49 When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"
Luk 22:50 And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear.
Luk 22:51 But Jesus answered and said, "Stop! No more of this." And He touched his ear and healed him.
Luk 22:52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come against Him, "Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against a robber?

Jn 18:10 Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave's name was Malchus.
Jn 18:11 So Jesus said to Peter, "Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?"

Rom 8:35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

2Co 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,
2Co 10:4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
2Co 10:5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
2Co 10:6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.

Heb 11:32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,
Heb 11:33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,
Heb 11:34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

Rev 13:9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear.
Rev 13:10 If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.

-------------------------------------
AUTHORITY / SUBMISSION ; http://bibletech.net/TRUTH/1059_45_Romans_13_truth.html
Tit 3:1 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,
-------------------------------------
Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;
Rom 13:4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
Rom 13:5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.

Tit 3:1 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,

1Pe 2:13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,
1Pe 2:14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.
1Pe 2:15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.
1Pe 2:16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.
1Pe 2:17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
1Pe 2:18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.
1Pe 2:19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.

1Pe 5:5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.
1Pe 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,
1Pe 5:7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
1Pe 5:8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1Pe 5:9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
1Pe 5:10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
1Pe 5:11 To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.

-------------------------------------
RESIST ; PROCLAIM - SPEAK OUT;  http://bibletech.net/TRUTH/1103_49_Ephesians_06_truth.html
    Act 4:19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge;
    1Pe 5:8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
    1Pe 5:9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
-------------------------------------
Eph 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Eph 6:13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Eph 6:14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,
Eph 6:15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;
Eph 6:16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Eph 6:17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Act 4:3 And they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening.
Act 4:4 But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
Act 4:5 On the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem;
Act 4:6 and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent.
Act 4:7 When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, "By what power, or in what name, have you done this?"
Act 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers and elders of the people,
Act 4:9 if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well,
Act 4:10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by this name this man stands here before you in good health.
Act 4:11 "He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone.
Act 4:12 "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."
Act 4:13 Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.
Act 4:14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply.
Act 4:15 But when they had ordered them to leave the Council, they began to confer with one another,
Act 4:16 saying, "What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
Act 4:17 "But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name."
Act 4:18 And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
Act 4:19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge;
Act 4:20 for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."

Act 4:21 When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened;
Act 4:22 for the man was more than forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.
Act 4:23 When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
Act 4:24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, "O Lord, it is You who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them,
Act 4:25 who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said, 'WHY DID THE GENTILES RAGE, AND THE PEOPLES DEVISE FUTILE THINGS?
Act 4:26 'THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND, AND THE RULES WERE GATHERED TOGETHER AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST.'
Act 4:27 "For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,
Act 4:28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur.
Act 4:29 "And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence,
Act 4:30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus."
Act 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.

Jas 4:4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
Jas 4:5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose. "He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us"?
Jas 4:6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."
Jas 4:7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Jas 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Jas 4:9 Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom.
Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

1Pe 5:8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1Pe 5:9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
1Pe 5:10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
1Pe 5:11 To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.
-------------------------------------

It's hard not to call people who are blind, deceived and rather openly sinning and hostile to what is right various names, but
we have to remember that as long as they are breathing there is HOPE that they will believe, repent and live by faith... WE HAVE
TO REMEMBER CONSTANTLY THAT JESUS DIED FOR THEM BECAUSE HE LOVES THEM... even though most of us are not
very lovable...  THEY ARE STILL MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD... it's hard... pray...  remember that you too are as rotten of a sinner as they are,
but you've been forgiven, and hopefully living by FAITH now...  We need to show mercy as mercy has been shown to us!

Jud 1:22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting;
REMEMBER THIS ABOUT THOSE OF US TRUSTING JESUS:
1Pe 2:10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

Rom 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
Rom 10:10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."
Rom 10:12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him;
Rom 10:13 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."
Rom 10:14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?
Rom 10:15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!"
Rom 10:16 However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?"
Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

share because you care... pray... pray for repentance, for eyes to be open to the truth of Jesus and the Bible...
pray for softened hearts and minds open to see the truth of God.  We need to be lights... it's a daily struggle to walk by faith.
We need to encourage each other... pray for each other... and be kind and merciful.  It will deeply sadden us to see people
reject the truth of Jesus - but keep praying for them... it'll hurt deeply to see people choose to live in sin because of the pleasure
rather than to repent and trust in Jesus... keep praying for them.   If someone openly chooses to sin in clear rebellion to the Word of
God they should not be allowed to fellowship in the body of believers... keep praying for them...

Prayer is the 2nd highest form of love... when you pray for someone else you're LOVING OTHERS more than yourself because you just stepped aside with your requests to put theirs before yours...  pray earnestly for others...  remembering that someone likely prayed for you... and we were blessed because of it.  There's so much we do not see or understand...

1Co 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.


--
feel free to share this... I know... too long... but look at it this way, it's shorter than the Bible,
and you need to read that too! ALL OF IT!!!  :) 

===============================================
"A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education"
      Theodore Roosevelt #26 (1858–1919) - BibleTech.net/ Trust Jesus!
===============================================