LightShinesInTheDarkness

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. (Philippians 3:20,21; 4:1) (When it seems as though the present is mostly darkness, weariness and sorrow, fix your thoughts on the future. Joy in the present may be scarce---especially in a time of apostasy, as it was for Jeremiah---but eternity with Jesus will make it all worthwhile. Rest is coming; and the more closely we walk with the Lord, and the more faithfully we do His will in this life, the more welcome the prospect of that rest becomes!)

For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened---not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (2 Corinthians 5:4-10)

The LORD is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him. (Psalm 28:7) THE BATTLE IS THE LORD'S (*Original song) 1. Summon Your power, O LORD our God, and lead Your soldiers in triumph: Not to the wise, nor unto the strong, but to the humble and pure the battle belongs! Mercy and grace our wars shall win: Jesus our Shield, without and within... The battle is His; or do you not know? The Lord your God is with you wherever you go. 2. Guard us today against the world and thwart its rulers' devices! Weak in ourselves, because of the fall, we who believe in the Lord are greater than all! He's able to break the draw of sin, and to subject our nature to Him: The battle is His; or do you not know? The Lord your God is with you wherever you go. 3. Help us to keep Your word by faith, that we may give You the glory! To You, our God---and only to You--- blessing and honor and praise through Jesus is due. What can prevail against the LORD? Counsel of man? Temptation or sword? The battle is His; or do you not know? The Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (Repeat.) *The melody can be found by searching for The Battle Is The LORD's (Original song) Lyrics in description on YouTube. Blessed be the Lord, Who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. (Psalm 68:19)

...God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7 ESV) ...God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV)

Beware of any group, movement, sect, church, denomination, etc, that has its own book in addition to the Bible, or which adds to or takes away from the teachings of the New Testament, or has a "pet" doctrine---some teaching that it exalts and emphasizes above others or to the exclusion of others. We wrestle not against flesh and blood; and the demons have not given up trying to steal, kill, and destroy sheep by any means possible: If anything they are becoming more intent because the body of Christ has become so feeble, and because the demons know that their time is getting shorter. Their captives and servants come to you with smiles and nice sounding words and plausible arguments, but spiritual discernment and the knowledge of the Bible exposes them for what they really are. Don't flirt with heretics and apostates, and do not be wooed by them: They do the devil's work, albeit unwittingly. They'll draw you away with one teaching that seems mild or noble enough, (like Sabbath keeping, or keeping the Ten Commandments---as they are given in the Old Testament, rather than as they are amplified by Jesus in the New---or keeping the Passover) but it's a gateway drug which will lead into more---and more serious---heresy. It's like bait for a fish. Once you've taken the bait, they'll slowly work to reel you into their ideology and away from everyone who disagrees with you, and to secure your loyalty to their group, instead of Jesus Christ. And their emphasis will be on obedience to the teachings and practices of the group, for the approval of the group, rather than to the Lord and the teachings of Christianity, to please God and to have His approval. And unfortunately, given the generally wretched condition of the Church and its lack of spirituality, the spiritually hungry and thirsty whose needs are not being met by the mealy-mouthed, unprincipled, non-denominational "party churches", may seek out "deeper" religion in sects and denominations which are more Scriptural, conservative, and apparently pious. The problem with these groups is that their sound doctrine is laced with other, unScriptural, unspiritual junk, with a religious form. The former and the latter are really just two forms of apostasy---a more worldly form, and a more religious, Pharisaical form, departing from the teachings of the faith in opposite directions. Knowing your God well is the best way to discern what (and who) is not of Him. And if you don't study His word for yourself, and you don't obey Him and faithfully apply the truth that you already know to your life, you're not going to have the discernment you need, or that you may think you have. And pay attention to the Holy Spirit. If He alerts your spirit that something is not right about what you are hearing, beware. Evil people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:13) Just a reminder... Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. (Galatians 5:19-21) They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. (Galatians 4:17) If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. (1 John 4:20,21) The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions. (1 Timothy 1:5-7) ...Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. (Ephesians 4:13,14) Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism...puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head... If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world (speaking to Jewish believers who had been under the law of Moses), why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations---"Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch"...according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. (Colossians 2:16-23 ) I appeal to you brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, "I follow Paul," or "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? ...For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another "I follow Apollos," are you not being merely human? (1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 3:3,4) ...Peter stood up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as He did to us, and He made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will." (Acts 15:7-11) But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?" (Galatians 2:11-14) ...If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. (Galatians 5:18) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God... (1 John 4:1) I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (Romans 16:17-20) Amen.

I know that many Christians will wash their robes, and may even be doing so now, and that they will be victorious in the time to come; and I know that not all the saints are rebelling against God, and that there are still some who really do love Jesus, even in this last hour when the love of many has grown cold, and most of the rest are lukewarm. He knows who they are and where they are. So I am not utterly discouraged. It is not for the majority that I persevere in word and prayer, but for the precious minority.

I was going to give this post a thumbs up, but I decided to just say "Amen" instead, because while I agree, I thought a thumbs up would seem like I thought this was a light thing, or that I was somehow happy about the fact, which I am not. The Church has become like a city with broken down walls: All her enemies just hop right over and plunder her, robbing her of truth, multiplying within her like a virus or a cancer, and making her sicker and weaker. There's nothing to prevent them: The Church has lost her discernment because of her rebellion, and does not know her God anymore.

The Jesus I know... Had no form or majesty that we should look at Him, or beauty that we should desire Him (Isaiah 53:2) Was a man of sorrows (Isaiah 53:3) Loved sinners, but did not forebear reproving them or warning them of the consequences of their sin; nor did He ever make light of, partake in, or approve of sin Was a man of peace, but had a divisive message that left no room for compromise between serving God and serving the sinful nature, and Who offered only one way to heaven: Himself Did not promise unconditional eternal security (!) Would leave ninety-nine of His sheep to seek out one that went astray Was not violent and did not condone or preach violence of any kind Is, among other things, love Always spoke the truth, whether or not it was to the preference of His audience Is holy and righteous Was and is zealous for His Father's house (formerly the Jewish temple, now the Church) Did not and does not flatter Was and is not political, nor does He encourage or support disobedience to or the overthrowing of governments, unless the disobedience is a matter of having to obey God rather than man Did not and does not show partiality Fulfilled the law of Moses, and does not command or desire Christians to keep the law of Moses Lived to do His Father's will and to serve others, rather than Himself Promised those who would follow Him tribulation in this world, not a good time or material prosperity Has eyes of flaming fire and a face like the sun, and is coming back in His glory (not as He was, but as He is) to destroy and judge the earth, take vengeance on His enemies, and reward His saints Is the true God and eternal life (1 John 5:20) Is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8) (If Jesus were to preach in your church today, in another form, would you recognize Him? Or would He be a heretic to you? Revisit the teachings of the New Testament and test them against what your church teaches---or doesn't teach---and find out how well you really know your God.) "Whoever has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." (John 14:21 ESV) He (the antichrist) shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. (Daniel 11:32 ESV)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:10-12)

But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. (Titus 3:9-11)

I've said all I have to say about this subject. I'm sorry that you and others are confused about it, but God will have to sort that out for you; it is not for me to do, nor is that the purpose of this thread. Hopefully He will. Now kindly desist in respect for the purpose of this thread, as laid out in the original post, and do not derail it. If you continue to post heresy on this thread, you will have the Lord to answer to for it.

THE PATIENCE OF CHRISTIANITY INVOLVES ACTION (A word of exhortation) If you revisit the word "patience" and the New Testament's teaching about it, you'll see that patience does not merely refer to the virtue of patience, nor does "patience" mean sitting back idly and "waiting to collect", but working, and maintaining what you have worked for. Much like the 11th chapter of Hebrews about faith, our "patience" as Christians involves action and perseverance. So whether you're waiting to be gathered up to meet the Lord in the air on the day of His return, or preparing to go home to be with Him before that time, let your patience be fruitful. "As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience." (Luke 8:15 ESV) ...To those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, He will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. (Romans 2:7,8 ESV) For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love that you showed for His sake in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:10-12 ESV) Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. ...As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. (James 5:7,8,10,11 ESV) Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and Godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to His promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by Him without spot or blemish, and at peace. (2 Peter 3:11-14 ESV) 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. And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9 ESV)

The doctrine which Christians are to follow is New Testament doctrine. The Old Testament is beneficial for wisdom and instruction also, but not as far as keeping the commandments and practices of Judaism goes. Whatever God wants Christians to follow is in the New Testament; and the purpose of this thread is to exhort Christians to be obedient to the teachings of the New Testament, which is the doctrine of Christianity---the perfect law of the new and better covenant---not of the Old. If you want to encourage Christians to keep the law of Moses (God forbid), you can start your own thread to do so (may God have mercy on you if you do); but this is not the place for it, as the original post states, so kindly refrain.

The "word" to which James was referring was the teachings that Jesus had given to His apostles to give to the world along with the gospel message (Matthew 28:20), and has nothing to do with the law of Moses, which Jesus Himself fulfilled. The law of liberty which James referred to was the law of Christ---the teachings of Christ, and the doctrine of Christianity, not Judaism. What things carried over to Christianity from the law of Moses, including the amplification of the ten commandments, as Jesus amplified them, are in the New Testament. James may not have had the epistles that we have, but he did have the teachings of Jesus; and the "word" which Christians are to be doers of is all of the New Testament's teachings, which we have been given by God through His apostles. That's all I am going to say about this subject. If you want to keep the Sabbath and follow OT teachings, because you really believe the Lord wants you to, that's between you and him, and He'll have to show you otherwise. But do not teach others to do so on this thread.

If you have not already done so, please read An Important End-Time Message To The Saints in the Prophecy forum. Even if you do not accept the message now, hopefully you will remember it when the events begin to take place, as they are soon to do, and it will benefit you in the future. (The thread is locked, but the post can still be read.) May the Lord bless you.

The Christian race is a marathon, not a sprint, and definitely not a cakewalk. (If you think it's a cakewalk, you're not running the race as you should be or think you are.) The doctrine of the New Testament is full of self-denial, sacrifice, persecution, perseverance, striving, prudence, work, and vigilance. It is not full of self-indulgence, play, ease, personal glory, and material prosperity. (How did you learn Christ?) Never forget that you are on a spiritual battlefield. You are not on a playground. This world is a playground for those who are in darkness. It is not a playground for the children of light and the soldiers of Christ. Sugar is not a substitute for salt! God is still holy. His people should still be holy. A Christian's works should be the fruit of his or her faith, not a substitute for it. Sung lies are no more pleasing to God than spoken ones, no matter how pretty the words and the melody are. (Think about what you are singing.) If you want to celebrate the resurrection of Christ, live the resurrected life every day in obedience to Him. Christianity is composed of individual Christians. If you want to see a change in Christianity, be the change. You may persuade your brothers and sisters to choose likewise; but even if not, you must follow Jesus.

I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; No turning back, no turning back. The world behind me, the cross before me; The world behind me, the cross before me; The world behind me, the cross before me; No turning back, no turning back. Though none go with me, still I will follow; Though none go with me, still I will follow; Though none go with me, still I will follow; No turning back, no turning back.

Alas, it's already too late for most, my friend. They've chosen to stray and will not choose to return. Their hearts have been dulled and hardened by making the wrong choices. It's terribly sad to see a Christian who starts running the race well turn off course to compromise. But even though most have chosen themselves and become lukewarm or cold, not all have. And if even one sheep is worth enough to Jesus for Him to die for it, and to leave the ninety-nine to search for it when it strays, then even one sheep is worth our energy and potential persecution to warn and to exhort, even if it is in vain for the majority and we ourselves do not see the fruit of our labor until the Day of Judgment.

The words of the Lord can be bitter to us because of our sinful nature; but when we choose to submit to Him, He makes them sweet for us. If we remember that it is our sinful nature that makes us pucker and wince at His word and His will, when we do pucker and wince, we can be wise to choose what is bitter but good, rather than what is sweet and bad. If the Lord's words are bitter to us, we can be sure that it is because the desire and attitude of our heart is crooked, and we need to bring it into alignment with those of His Spirit. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (1 Corinthians 4:11 ESV) How sweet are Thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. (Psalm 119:103, 104 KJV) And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord! This shall never happen to You." But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a hindrance to Me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man." (Matthew 16:22,23 ESV) (Tell that to your sinful nature the next time the Lord's word makes you pucker and wince!)

Why don't Christians stand out from the world anymore? 1. They've adopted and been influenced by the world's ways and attitudes, and are not living according to all of the teachings of the New Testament, or keeping in step with the Holy Spirit as they should be 2. The occupation of the Church has shifted from saving and sanctifying people to pleasing and entertaining people, and its focus from Christ and the world to come to having personal comfort and pleasure in the present world 3. The "pastors" don't preach or insist upon the teachings of Christianity that are unpalatable to the sinful nature or "incompatible" with contemporary secular lifestyles and attitudes Brothers and sisters, 2 Timothy 3:1-5 is here: You're in the midst of it. And if you don't realize this, you're probably a part of it. The way things should be: "They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, so I have sent them into the world." (John 17:16-18 ESV) The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. (1 John 3:1 ESV) Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. ...When anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible... (Ephesians 5:8-11, 13 ESV) "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16 ESV) Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. The time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you... (1 Peter 4:1-4 ESV) For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake... (Philippians 1:29 ESV) We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then, let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. (2 Thessalonians 5:5,6 ESV) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2 ESV) Know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:19,20 KJV) ...Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:31-33. 11:1 ESV) No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. (2 Timothy 2:4 ESV) ...Women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess Godliness---with good works. (1 Timothy 2:9,10 ESV) The way things ARE: ...Lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. (2 Timothy 3:2-5 ESV) You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (James 4:4 ESV) You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. (2 Corinthians 6:12 ESV) ...People will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2 Timothy 4:3,4 ESV) Be sure that you're not receiving the grace of God in vain, and that your Godliness is true Godliness---based on the word of God and faith, and coming from His Spirit---and not a facade.

Remember, sisters (and brothers): The spirit behind feminism is the same spirit who deceived and murdered the first woman. (Keyword here: DECEIVED.) God loves women. Satan hates them. Grace, not feminism, is the empowerment of a Christian woman. The "wisdom" of the world is folly with God. The Creator's order and way is the only order and way that pleases Him, and the order and way that is best for His creation. Believe your God, trust His wisdom, and prove it for yourself. (And yes, I am a woman. Not that this would be any less true, wise or authoritative if a man had written it, but it would probably be less well received.) Submit yourselves, therefore, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7) For everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world---our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4,5)

(Remembering to be doers of the word and not hearers only.)

WHAT MAKES A WOMAN BEAUTIFUL What makes a woman beautiful is not a pretty face, but a heart that--- by beholding--- reflects Jesus by God's grace; Not painted eyes or ruby lips, but eyes that look to Christ, and lips that speak discreetly, with virtuous advice; Not jewelry to decorate or clothing to display, but modesty that shows the light, eclipsing not its rays; Not dominance or selfishness, but grace to yield and serve--- giving others what they need, and not what they deserve... To be a loving mother, and a submissive wife, devoted daughter--- or to live a pious single life; To hold the tongue with self-control and not to give it rein to gossip, quarrel, or have its say when wisdom would refrain; Caring not what others think about her "foolish" ways, but only what her Master knows, and that she has His praise. "...For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." (1 SAMUEL 16:7) "...For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God." (LUKE 16:15) Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. (PROVERBS 31:30)

Apostasy kills like hypothermia, not like a gunshot. A warm, sleepy Christian who is comfortable in his or her apostasy is practically impossible to restore to zeal and righteousness---spiritually numb beyond the point of being able to care. Be careful whom you choose to serve: The Lord, or your own desires---for the one you make a habit of choosing is the one whom you will love and to whom you will be loyal; and be careful that your Christian works are not fig-leaves for spiritual nakedness, or wood, hay, and stubble. Spiritual laziness and unholy compromise will give you an easier and more pleasurable life in this world, while draining your life away. "I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you." (Revelation 3:1-3) "For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. ...Those whom I love I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent." (Revelation 3:17,19) Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world---the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions---is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

...Wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith... ( 1 Timothy 1:18, 19)