Sower

"Rejoice always, Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Pray without ceasing has always been easy for me to understand. Don't let up. My prayers are more like a conversation throughout the day, with the line always open. Good one and thanks, Jayne...

And all the more as the day approaches. "And he that winneth souls is wise".... Pray. Open mouth. Acknowledge God. He will speak....... Good stuff, VA....

I reckon my destiny (a predetermined state or end) is in God's hands. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10) As to my call I'd say it changes (I believe) according to my growth in Christ. From called to repentance/salvation, called to become a husband/father, and member of a body of believers. Growing in the word, called to be a carpenter, and the call to be a help through my craft to those in some need I could fill. 40+ yrs ago I went on my first visitation and witnessed my first stranger accept Christ as savior and profess Jesus as Lord. I've maintained that urgency/call to share the good news to anybody any place any time any way. I witnessed a large lack of concern from members back then to share what scripture encourages us, to spread the gospel. Most say they were not called to preach. Pew sitters. Comfortable. No desire to simply share their own testimony to the lost. I'm no preacher for sure. But I prayed that I never get that comfortable. God answered that prayer. My call is the same as everybody who was lost and then was saved. They heard the gospel and believed. The call to share the good news as we heard ourselves. It came from some faithful brother/sister who took the time to talk to us about God, sin, salvation, and the freedom in Christ. Why do most listen to the enemy's lies/deceptions that they can't share, embarrassed/shame. Lies. Deceptions. We can do all things in Christ. A universal call to share all the word to all the world. God talking through us. "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise"

Explain, please... Thanks, NConly

“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.” "Be still, and know that I am God" I agree tatwo. God says if I love him, I will keep his commandments. I also believe and try to practice the presence of God throughout my day. Getting cleaned up and assembling together is very important. And God tells us to do that. But I can't get 'revved up' at the worship service. I see my brothers and sisters, clay like me. Pretty on the outside. But how does it appear to God, who see's my inside, my heart? I remember what God said about the man who cried, "Be merciful to me a sinner". "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom" "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee" “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

"Rejoice always, Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Nothing New. Americas past, having to fight wars for freedom, is mostly forgotten by today's generations. . . . . .

How the Symbolism of the Swastika Was Ruined Written by Fact-checked by © Nikhil Gangavane/Dreamstime.com The earliest known use of the swastika symbol—an equilateral cross with arms bent to the right at 90° angles—was discovered carved on a 15,000-year-old ivory figurine of a bird made from mammoth tusk. The ancient engraving is hypothesized to have been used for fertility and health purposes, the pattern similar to one that is found naturally occurring on the mammoth—an animal that has been regarded as a symbol of fertility. From its earliest conception, the symbol is believed to have been positive and encouraging of life. The modern name for the icon, derived from the Sanskrit svastika, means “conducive to well-being.” It has been used by cultures around the world for myriad different purposes throughout history: as a symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism; as a stylized cross in Christianity; in ancient Asiatic culture as a pattern in art; in Greek currency; in Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture; and on Iron Age artifacts. While the symbol has a long history of having a positive connotation, it was forever corrupted by its use in one cultural context: Nazi Germany. In 1920 Adolf Hitler adopted the swastika as a German national symbol and as the central element in the party flag of the National Socialist Party, or Nazi Party, which rose to power in Germany the following decade. By 1945, the symbol had become associated with World War II, military brutality, fascism, and genocide—spurred by Nazi Germany’s attempted totalitarian conquest of Europe. The icon was chosen by the party to represent its goal of racial purification in Europe. Hitler and his Nazi Party believed that a line of pure Germanic ancestry originating in the Aryan race—a grouping used to describe Indo-European, Germanic, and Nordic peoples—was superior and that other, less-superior races should be ousted from Europe. Ancient Indian artifacts once owned by Aryan nomads were found to frequently feature the swastika, and the symbol was co-opted from its ambiguous historical context in the region to exert the dominance of so-called Aryan heritage. Since World War II, the swastika has become stigmatized as a symbol of hatred and racial bias. It is used frequently by white-supremacy groups and modern iterations of the Nazi Party. Along with other symbolism employed by the party, the use of the icon has been outlawed in Germany. Today we have had the rainbow...a sign from God to remember his promise, but now used to represent evil.

I so often find it amazing how after hearing a sermon at church, and receiving one of my devotionals in my emails, they both address the same topic I had been concerned with. Like gears from different sources that mesh together to bring about a common understanding of the word. For myself the devotionals I receive expound the word of God, Neighbor. In layman terms, like you said to 'inspire, reveal, encourage, point out something, edify etc. And to verify to me how we all experience similar ups and downs, and learn how God has provided his word to show us how we can apply his wisdom to our situation we're in. The two I receive are both from old friends I have known for years, working class guys just like us, who are led to reveal their thoughts to bless others according to God's word. Gives me new insight so often that bless me. And receiving them in the morning gives me a great start on the day ahead. "devotions as compared to God's inspired word the Bible" The devotionals I receive are the word of the bible as revealed from another brother sharing these nuggets of truth. Not compared to the word but led by the word from the word to bless others, as says the word to do. Thanks Neighbor...

"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over" Psalm 23:5

"is pure energy for me".......... Work is the best narcotic!

Perhaps the holy spirit gave conviction. I also awoke enthused, in theo, and ready for some work...... "enthused": First attested from 1827. Back-formation from enthusiasm, from Ancient Greek ἔνθεος (éntheos, “possessed by a god”), from ἐν (en, “in”) + θεός (theós, “god”)

I keep folding money in the door pocket of my truck for any spirit led moving to share. I can relate to having without but nothing like the homeless are today. And, It's amazing how the door pocket keeps getting filled up. Encouraging, empathy, thinking but by God's grace go I. I tend to gravitate to the less fortunate, and not just in worldly goods. I also believe our walk, witness, is very important to get an ear. But it is the word of God that saves and not my walk. I try to let people know the gospel is GOOD NEWS, and not condemnation. I have recently been reading a book, ck it out... The author, Matt Mikalatos emphasizes the gospel is good news, and the importance of telling/sharing it. Yes, there are consequences of sin, but man o man, there is also blessedness in the believing. That is what people are looking for but don't know where. Looking for something to ease the pain. Matt brings out to try and get on their level, what's bothering them, their need, listening to them. This can bring about my stored scripture memory verse applicable to their situation. In other words, I shouldn't just start off telling them they're sinners in need of a savior. But answer their questions first and how God loves them and wants what is best for them. Understanding that repentance is simply a change in thinking, which changes actions. Knowing truth, the word, changes things. And they listen. I've found witnessing daily to delivery drivers by talking about how blessed we are beats complaining about the insane government's. Good news is always welcome. Bing Crosby..... You got to ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive E-lim-i-nate the negative And latch on to the affirmative Don't mess with Mr. In-between You got to spread joy up to the maximum Bring gloom down to the minimum And have faith, or pandemonium Liable to walk upon the scene To illustrate his last remark Jonah in the whale, Noah in the ark What did they do, just when everything looked so dark? Man, they said we better ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive E-lim-i-nate the negative And latch on to the affirmative Don't mess with Mr. In-between No, do not mess with Mister In-Between Do you hear me? Oh, listen to me children and-a you will hear About the eliminatin' of the negative And the accent on the positive And gather 'round me children if you're willin' And sit tight while I start reviewin' The attitude of doin' right (I know, kinda dumb, but I like it:) "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things"

Well said, my thoughts exactly Neighbor. I do not worship my bible(s). I worship the Word, Jesus Christ, the author of the scriptures. My bible given me decades ago has coffee stains, cigarette burns, beer stains, sweat , and tear stains. It has faded and dirty somewhat bouncing around on my truck dash. But it was always available. I read it when I need it, no mater the circumstances. In my shop it gets full of saw dust. It's been rebound three times, the last time took the book binders four months. It's a book, paper and ink. I take what I have read in that published bound collection of pages and hide it in my heart. It may eventually fall apart again, but I have others to replace it. Same words can be found. You don't fight demons. God, HIS word, does this. You can only do all things IN CHRIST. God defeated the enemy and he has all authority. Even the apostles with Jesus fled the devil at times. As a young believer I got into studying devils-demons, unclean spirits, satan, intensely late at night. I was consumed by what I was learning in a book by Jesse Peen Lewis. About warfare and what they can not or can do to lost/believers. Then one night it happened. About 2-3 o'clock in the morning studying at the kitchen table I was overwhelmed by a crushing dread/fear/terror. I knew at an instant I was surrounded by evil, oppressing me, freaking me out. (my obsession woke/drew them) Went to bed and was followed. Prayed till I slept. My wife confronted me in the morning. She had woke up during the night and also felt the oppression and evil presence in our bedroom. I learned (later from older believers) I had basically called the evil down by excessive interest/study in this enemy. I should have been studying the victor at the cross instead, LORD Jesus. Since then at least 30 yrs ago I have never had that experience reoccur. I learned what the shield of faith was. I carry it in my heart, hidden, in my mind/memory. And learned what God says about spiritual warfare. I keep the whole armor on. I use what God said, never in my own strength... I have kept my focus on Jesus. Take every thought captive, resist the devil. Submit to God. Strive to do the right thing. I have kept the word in my heart, and God has kept the enemy off my back. I focus on God's word and not the defeated one..... PS: EVERY time I miss the mark, sin, I agree with God, (I) have sinned, no matter how it happened, nor the influence. Not in my wildest dreams could I blame ANY sin on anything but self. I MISSED! I sinned. I confess it.

As a young believer for many years I lived in Proverbs also. Succinct and to the point, understandable like, now. And those verses/nuggets of wisdom have showed up in my life over the years, and will continue till I'm home. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.