faint not...

6 One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. ~ Galatians 6:6-10 (ESV) 6Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 7Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (KJV)

Peace & Reconciliation

15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. ~ Matthew 19:15-16 why are we so afraid to do this? we are called to "speak the truth in love to one another" people are hurting, are sinning eggregiously against each other---and what do we do? we gossip, we get angry, slander the offending party, we keep it in, we harbor bitterness. THIS SHOULD NOT BE!!! we all know horror stories of this from Christians and non-Christians--- brothers, not speaking to each other for years, spouses in a cold war with one another if the gospel is true (which I firmly believe it is), it is good, radical, healing news which can meet these challenges head-on---but we must yield to grace! we must be willing to take bold steps to do what is needed including 'confronting someone who has sinned against us' i do not say this with any self-righteousness (i don't think). I'm 41 years old, have been a Christian since i was 16, but i feel like it's only been in the past year that some of this is finally sinking in to my thick head...i suspect i'm not the only one out there. So, if you have something against someone, as jesus said: "leave your gift at the altar, go and be reconciled to that person" If they get defensive, learn from them. if they reject you, remember people rejected the Lord Jesus too and he was perfect! if the don't repent, you've done the right thing...you can forgive and not hold on to bitterness which will only eat you alive anyway and keep you ineffective as a person! if they choose to accept your confession, then you will experience the sweet joys of reconciliation--you've won a brother or sister back --- a friend...then you've experienced real joy first hand---you've tasted the love of God in Jesus!!! "there is no fear in love; perfect love casts out fear" ~ 1 John 4 "bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ..." ~ Galatians 6 "don't leave me hollow, I'm tired of feeling low, feeling low..." ~ Switchfoot

Is masturbation a sin?

For you have died

3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your [1] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. ~ Colossians 3:1-4

your treasure

"Where your treasure is, there will be your heart also." The Gospel according to Matthew

good works vs. good doctrine?

"[W]e must remind ourselves that the Catholic righteousness by good works is vastly preferable to a protestant righteousness by good doctrine. At least righteousness by good works benefits one’s neighbor, whereas righteousness by good doctrine only produces lovelessness and pride." Herman Bavinck, Reformed Theologian thanks to Howard Davis who posted this on his facebook page today.

to gather up all things in him

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, ⁴just as he chose us in Christ^* before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. ⁵He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. ⁷In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace ⁸that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight ⁹he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, ¹⁰as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
~ Ephesians 1:3-10
New Revised Standard Version