Gideon, Barak, Samson … who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised…Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured … Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were … put to death by the sword…destitute, persecuted and mistreated … These were all commended for their faith” – Hebrews 11:32-39 edited
Faith isn’t just shown in receiving of miracles but in staying true and faithful even when you don’t!
– fritz
Posted in Bible Characters, Faith | Tagged Hebrews 11 | Leave a Comment »
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Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions. – Ecclesiastes 7:10
Remembering the “Good Old Days” is a waste of time. You can NEVER go back to what was – but you can go forward to something better if you keep focus.
[T]his one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore … be thus minded – Philippians 3:13b-16a
There is better yet to come!
– fritz
Posted in Faith | Tagged Ecclesiastes 07, Phil 03 | Leave a Comment »
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Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; – Deuteronomy 7:9
Some are up for the challenge – Keep the commandments, love God, and get God’s blessing; and how some really try!
But law condemns for incomplete adherence. Have you ever wanted what someone else had? You haven’t kept the 10Th commandment, you failed the challenge! Have you ever worked on Saturday? You haven’t kept the 4Th commandment, you failed the challenge! Actually, are there any of God’s commands you have done from your heart without some failure? Me neither!
There’s no balance scale to see if more good is done than bad – laws, even our own, don’t work that way. Example: Stop at five (5) traffic lights but run one (1); can you still get a ticket?
James puts it this way:
“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.” – James 2:10-11
We can’t even keep his commandments one generation, much less to a thousand!
So we have blown that deal! Our only hope is to find an alternative; fortunately there is one!1
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. – 1st Timothy 1:15
– fritz
1 – Post from 09/23/2010 Alternate Righteousness
Posted in Commandments, Righteousness | Tagged Deuteronomy 07 | Leave a Comment »
