Motives for wearing worldly clothing

In terms of "fashionable", in what definition should we determine as fashionsable? In Titus 2:12 that we are to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. Proverbs 11:22 Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. In Romans 12:2 says: "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." That in 1 Timothy 2:9 says " women are to dress modestly, with decency". Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Peter says in 1 Peter 3:3 that a woman's " beauty should not come from outward adornment". A woman's motives for wearing such outfits are determine by God as explained in Proverbs 16:2. Church do not need rules but Christians needs rules from within our hearts. Legalism can't produce a pure heart. Rules do not protect us from sin because rules are basically guidelines that will help you avoid sinning. Jesus had a problem with the pharisees who were very legalists and they had about 613 rules to protect God's commandments. Jesus said in Matthew 5:8 "God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God." God wants our hearts more than He want us to follow rules. If we give our hearts to God, then we will know what is worldly and what is spiritual.

Military

The Bible did SAY that God did appointed all rulers ESPECIALLY Egypt and Rome. Even Jesus submitted to the Roman Government. This topic is NOT easy to accept. Romans 13:1-7 (NIV) Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. By reading that and other verses in the Bible. God is the one who began the process of government. Jesus was put to death by non-Israelites (Roman Government). Throughout the New Testament, Jesus did not once rebuked the Roman Government regarding how they run their government. As a citizen of United States and as Christians, (in my opinion) we are to focus on the social, economic, political and military crises which confront our lives require us to reaffirm our view of God as love, and the godly life as the way of peace. To love God is to treat people lovingly. (Leviticus 19:18, I John 3). Christ taught us to love our enemies, instructing us that war, both within and without, is sin and an expression of human failure. (Matthew 5, James 4). As Christians, we can commit ourselves to work more actively for public policies that reduce militarism, war, and political and economic inequities. We must work persistently and faithfully for a more peaceful and equitable world community. This are is about getting involved in our civil responsibility simply by voting and finding ways to help our fellow citizens regardless if they are Christians or not. God governs the world (Isa. 40:22-24), the nations (Isa. 40:15-17), and us (Proverbs 16:9). 2 Timothy 2:4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. Matthew 8:8-10 (Coversation between Jesus and Centurion) The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. Regardless what country (USA, Canada, England) you live in, the question of whether a Christian should join the military is a controversial one in some Christian circles. Should Christians be willing to fight with deadly force to defend their nation and families in a time of war or does God require us to always "turn the other cheek" and be "conscientious objectors."? In the Old Testament of the Bible, God did approve of military system. The Old Testament heroes. It was God’s Holy Spirit that moved Jephthah to go to war (Judges 11:29), and which enabled Samson, armed only with the jawbone of an ass, to kill 1000 Philistines in mortal combat (Judges 15:14-16). Even the prophets of God recognized no divine regulation against killing the enemies of God or Israel. Samuel the prophet personally killed (and even dismembered) King Agag the Amalekite after King Saul had refused to do so (I Samuel 15). The prophet Elijah personally killed 450 prophets of Baal (I Kings 18:20-40)! The New Testament proclaims that David was "a man after God’s own heart" (Acts 13:22), and Psalm 51:11 confirms David had God’s Spirit in him, but David was also a man who killed so many men in combat that one could hardly number them! Jesus dealt personally with a Roman centurion who had great faith (Matthew 8), and God’s Spirit drew a centurion to the Apostle Peter in Acts 10. Neither officer was told by God to "get out of the military" as a condition of serving God. These examples also show that God can and does work with people who are in the military. God has given human governments the right to fight wars for self-protection and as a means of justice. Scripture is clear in teaching that God still ordains government as the guardian of order and justice in society. In my spiritual thoughts, God still gives government the authority to punish evildoers, even by waging war, when necessary (Romans 13:1-4). God gave this power to governments because of His mercy. Otherwise, evil people would dominate. Without governments, that allow lawless people to dominate the world in a deadly fashion. According to Romans 13, it is sometimes necessary to enter war and should be at the last resort. As Christians, we believe in the sanctity of human life. And when we talk about war, that’s the central issue, isn’t it – concern for the loss of human life? The Bible is clear that human life is precious, because we were created in God’s image (Genesis 9:6). Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the Lutheran theologian in Nazi Germany who was executed for opposing Hitler said 'The church knows nothing of a sacredness of war. The church that prays the "Our Father" asks God only for peace.' James 4:1-3 speaks of the origin of war. James speaks in the context of believers and how conflicts happen within the church body, but he uses the language of warring happening between people. It speaks of how war comes from the evil nature within all humans. Everyone is one between the conscience and the flesh. God has graciously given people a conscience that tells them the difference between right and wrong (Romans 2:15). The subject of civil government pervades both the OT and the NT. It is an aspect of God’s providence and a fact of biblical history. One basic theme of the Bible is that civil government is ordained by God. The Christian is faced with the fact that the NT is silent on the specific question, does Christian responsibility to obey the God-ordained government include taking the life of others, possibly even fellow believers, simply because those individuals are soldiers of another nation? There is no “proof text” which settles that question. There is no clear direct commandment from the bible that Christians are to avoid joining military. Christians are still bound personally by a higher priority established by a higher authority. By Grace of God has made each Christian a member of the Body of Christ. The responsibility to fellow believers is abundantly clear in the NT. 1. As a Christian, it is my responsibility to trust God. Some may feel that the noncombatant believer leaves to others the defense of the nation. While I would not deny the responsibility to participate in such defense as far as conscience allows, my views differs from fellow citizens. Christians should be as concerned to pray for the security of their nation as they are to guarantee its military defense. 2. It is my responsibility to serve my government as far as conscience and my commitment to Scripture allows. As a Christian, I am not to go out of the world (1 Cor 5:9–10) though I am “not of the world” (John 17:15–18). Rather I have been sent into the world. I will pray and search for ways to serve my country without conflicting my beliefs. 3. As a Christian, it is my responsibility to serve my fellow citizens. Serving my fellow citizens and my government may well involve going into life-threatening situations knowing that I will not be bearing arms. I do not have to use weapons but I can serve the military to help in need. My service may involve medical support, work in an office, be a mechanic, engineering or any kind of non-combat related service or at least serve as a chaplain. There are ways you can serve your country as citizens. Many of Christians I know are in the military and serving in non-combative situations. Again, this is a spiritual issue for Christian believers. Whether we agree or not about the war or simply having a military, we should honor and respect our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who are serving for our country. If we don't do that, we are not loving Christians. There's probably no easy answers in this topic.

Easter

Easter reminds me this: During Jesus' ministry, Jesus spoke of His coming death. "Destroy this temple," Jesus said, referring to His body, "and I will raise it again in three days." Jesus also declared that the Father would raise Him up on the third day. In Romans 1 we read that the Spirit of God declared Jesus to be the Son of God with power "by his resurrection from the dead." Hebrews 9:14 tells us that Father, Son and Holy Spirit all had a part. The Father received the offering of the Son through the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ, who is God, the blameless and sinless Son, offered as the Lamb of God, without spot and without blemish. The redemptive price was paid by the Son to the Father through the Spirit. Christ through His death and resurrection, every legal hindrance has been met and satisfied. There is nothing that can keep me from assurance except my own faith. Its not about thinking our way into salvation or to reason our way into salvation. The only way to get in is to believe Him with my heart which is sealed by the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 9:15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. Hebrews 13:20 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep. 1 John 2:25 And this is what he promised us—even eternal life. Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Work of Holy Spirit

Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Jesus said in John 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. 1 Corinthians 1:2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours. 1 Corinthians 1:24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 1 Corinthians 7:15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. Galatians 1:15 But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love. Therefore we are Christians in united spiritually: Philippians 1:27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel. Colossians 2:5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. Galatians 5:22 The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness gentleness and self-control. Ephesians 4:3-6 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Doctrine of Salvation

God controls everything, and everything is predestined. Nevertheless, the following must be admitted, despite the mystery of apparent inconsistency to our fallen minds.If you are damned, it's entirely your own fault, and not God's fault at all (though God controls everything). This is hard to understand, because sin is darkness and confusion. If you are saved, it's entirely God's doing, and not to your credit at all. I have studied Determinism and I am leading towards "self determinism" simply because we RESPOND to the Holy Spirit quicken us to be saved. In 1 John 4:15"If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God." There are Christians who "always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth" (2 Timothy 3:7) In 1 John 4:2-3 says "This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world." Over the years, I have come to conclusion is that: Sinners have free will. Christians don't have free will. Just like Demons have free will that Angels don't. I am a sinner because it is my fault (through Adam), and not God's fault at all (though God controls everything). We fell through our free will. Free will simply means that a person is free from external coercion. A person is free to make whatever decisions he/she want apart from any external coercion. The unregenerate (unsaved) have that freedom. A spiritually dead person cannot will himself to live anymore than a physically dead person can will himself to come back to life. If the dead person (spiritually or physically) is to come back to life he/she will have to be resurrected by God. In the spiritual realm this means he/she must be born from above. John 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Romans 8:11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. 2 Corinthians 3:6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit. Ephesians 1:13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. Its a choice in matter of responding to the Holy Spirit's conviction in our hearts to be saved. Jesus said in John 16:8 "When He (Holy Spirit) comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment." Later in the New Testament, 1 Thessalonians 1:5 "because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction."

Behave while debating

Depends on the situation because God knows what happened. In 1 Timothy 6:4 When a person have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions. God always unites and the devil always divides. It is the Holy Spirit that leads our thoughts and shapes our character. Proverbs 22:10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended. Proverbs 23:29 Who has strife? Who has complaints? Proverbs 26:21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. Proverbs 30:33 For as churning the milk produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife." If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. —Second Corinthians 2:10–11 How do we go from here after forgiveness is the REAL question. Galatians 5:16- 17 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. Then in Galatians 5:22-23 "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. So, how will one person behave while debating? Regarding people responding to my views, their views are more child-like by attacking like a child as Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 14:20 "Brethren, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults." In 1 Corinthians 13:5 says "Love does not act unbecomingly"; which means a Christian should demonstrate godly love and have real credibility.

Spiritual Gifts: Motives of use

I know there are people speaking in tongues today but not many are able to interpret them. Tongues can be practiced in a matter that should be consistent with the Bible. Tongues spoken in private is permissionable because it is "in private between God and the person" and no interpreters are needed. Only God knows and understands. This all come down to common sense when we are using our spiritual gifts such as tongues that God provides for us to use at HIS discretion, not ours. Paul explained in his letters that the manifestations of the Spirit were given to everyone for the profit to all. Any selfish motives toward the gifts of God can destroy God's blessings' purposes and usefulness. I have seen some abuses in this area which bothers me over the years that the abuses are not managed correctly. I have seen churches who lack "stewardship of spiritual gifts" meaning they have trouble managing their own spiritual gifts. Spiritual stewardship is looking at the members spiritual gifts and to look at their lives spiritually in from God's perspective. In I Cor 12:29-31, Paul addresses the issue of tongues and other gifts. “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts.” Gift of Interpretation: Interpretation of tongues (1 Cor. 12:10), hermeneia glosson -- that is, old word, here only and 14:26 in N.T., from hermeneuo from Hermes (the god of speech). Cf. on diermeneuo in Luke 24:27; Acts 9:36. In case there was no one present who understood the particular tongue it required a special gift of the Spirit to some one to interpret it if any one was to receive benefit from it. Notice Paul's list of "gifts," 12:8-10 and v. 28; tongues (ethnic languages) is listed last, showing that they were the least desirable of all the gifts (cf. 14:5). If the gift of tongues is active today, no church should forbid it. However, it must be done in the proper way. Going back to verse 27, “If anyone speaks in a tongue, two - or at the most three – should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.” This is where I fault most churches that promote speaking in tongues, there must be an interpreter. If there is no interpreter, the speaker remains silent and speaks only to God and himself. If there is no one to interpret, the speaker does nothing but edify himself. Going back to the concept of the church as a body, a body has every part that it needs otherwise it is considered handicapped. The church likewise should have every gift it needs. There shouldn’t be many churches who truly have people gifted in tongues that don’t have an interpreter. God will provide an interpreter if there is someone speaking in tongues at your church. Otherwise, it would be a church that is missing a part. The Bible offers no clear proof that tongues have ceased. Many of you feel strongly one way or another about the issue, as do I. I do suggest that you take God’s word on it and where things are clearly spelled out, that the churches obey it. The best thing is to testify of Christ, preach the gospel, apply his Word to the whole of life and thought, and do not forbid tongues, as long as they meet the conditions established by Paul to prevent their misuse. Of course, those conditions cannot be met today, but if tongues were "active" today, they no doubt would be something like Paul laid out in 1 Cor. 14:18. True spirituality is defined as humility and love for one another shown by actions, not by any "supernatural ability" one might think he has (see all of 1 John).

God is in Control

How can anyone be a Christian and not fully aware of the sovereignty of God? Sovereign God is the absolute, infinite, unqualified ruler in all realms in heaven, earth and sea. God governs the world (Isa. 40:22-24), the nations (Isa. 40:15-17), and us (Proverbs 16:9). God is absolutely powerful, that God is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, that God is immutable, never changes, that God is all wise, perfectly just, holy, righteous. God is ruling all things to work together for our good and His purpose. Romans 8:28-29 "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Proverbs 20:24 How can we understand the road we travel? It is the LORD who directs our steps. When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future. Eccl 7:14. In Proverbs 16:9 We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. We have freewill completely and God will only interfere when needed simply because God is in control and He will allow us to have freewill only if its according to His will. The "freewill" is always subject to God's sovereignty and His divine freewill. The key is that God is ALWAYS in control even in our own freewill. All circumstances are work for heavenly good and called to His purpose. Even though we can not see the purpose for the trials we are going through, we can trust absolutely that the Lord is in control of all things. Every trial in our life is a furrow being plowed by the Lord, that we grow in faith, and learn to trust ever more confidently in the Lord. The Christian walk is a fight of Faith, we have to understand that living (walking) by faith, we accept purpose and plans of God however He sees fit. 1 Cor. 10:13, "These has no testing taken you but such as is common to man; but God will, with the testing, also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” Jesus said: Matthew 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny ? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. Ezekiel 7:5 "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Disaster! An unheard-of disaster is coming. Acts 4:24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. Christianity today is so entangled with "reasonings" without biblical support. People can "reason" all they can about their freewill but we cannot ignore the Word of God. Proverbs 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Proverbs 20:24 A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way? Proverbs 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. Jeremiah 10:23 I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. Romans 8:27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. We can ignore those verses regarding our "freewill" if want to but since God said He is IN CONTROL, He is in control. In NIV, the word "choose" is only mentioned 66 times. One example, Jesus said in John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Romans 8:20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope Ephesians 1:4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. James 1:18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

Tithe, giving and heart

"Tithe" is not being used in the New Testament. We never see the word "tithe" in the New Testament because it is from the Old Testament (the Law). Therefore tithe is from the Law. In the New Testament, we see the words "give" or "giving" or "cheerful giver" because they are related to grace. (see Mark 12:41-44, Romans 12:8). Two kinds of giving are taught consistently throughout Scripture: giving to the government (compulsory), and giving to God (voluntary). Giving money to the government is compulsory as Jesus said in Matthew 22:21 "Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." Tithes were not primarily gifts to God, but taxes for funding the national budget in Israel. Because Israel was a theocracy, the Levitical priests acted as the civil government. So the Levite's tithe (Leviticus 27:30-33) was a precursor to today's income tax, as was a second annual tithe required by God to fund a national festival (Deuteronomy 14:22-29). We in America pay between 20 and 30 percent of our income to the government--a figure very similar to the requirement under the theocracy of Israel. On giving: Let's look at this from God's perspective. Christian's submission to God is to be accepted by God, and must be sincere from the heart. Whatever is done out of habit is not approved. "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:17). God wants us to declare ourselves alive in the Spirit, confession that there is a new life within us. "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Galatians 5:25. The concept of 2 Corinthians 8:9 is actually about giving and sharing. There were those who made a lot of money wanted to help those who did not make a lot of money. 2 Corinthians, Chapter 8 is about giving. Those early Christians in the early church did a remarkable thing; no one told them they had to share and give in the manner that they did. They had just been filled with the Holy Spirit who would help them to be more like Jesus and to walk and live as He would in a loving and giving manner. While we as Christians are not under a legalistic law that gives us specific details on our giving, again, we are indeed commanded to be giving people, and we ought to look for opportunities to give. In Proverbs 21:2 says, "People may think they are doing what is right, but the Lord examines the heart." (NLT) Everything belongs to God, who calls the church to live in faithful stewardship of all that God has entrusted to us, and to participate now in the rest and justice which God has promised. Also keep in mind that financial income and expenditures do not determine the quality of a church. Quality is measured by the Christ-like living of those who submits to a local church because they love Jesus Christ.

Without Love

God is looking for Christians who will worship and obey Him from their hearts, minds and bodies. Christ through the Holy Spirit produces power, love, a sound mind through us. Without Christ, we are nothing. Along with love and under the control of the Holy Spirit, the power of love and Holy Spirit flows through us. The only way the spiritual gifts are going to operate is love. Love is the key. God is love. He gave us two commandments. We are to love God and others. With the Holy Spirit and love, I will walk in the Spirit, Christ produces the fruit. And out of that fruit comes whatever the ministry of the gifts Christ wanted us to use. This is God's design, and this pleases Him to do so that our human weaknesses creates community. How have we viewed our weaknesses to this point? What weaknesses and/or past experiences do we need to be honest and open about in order to help others? “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others.” I Peter 4:10 (NIV) Be the person who faces the circumstances as spiritual challenges and glorify God for giving you strength. What is crucial to true success and accomplishment is having the right motivation and being faithful to God. This will result in God's approval of our lives, in His blessings and undertaking, and in spiritual growth and fruitfulness. 2 Corinthians 1:5 (NIV) For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. It is not US that is doing the ministry for Jesus Christ. It is Christ through the Holy Spirit produces power, love, a sound mind through us. Christ helps us. Without Christ, we are nothing. Along with love and under the control of the Holy Spirit, the power of love and Holy Spirit flows through us. "No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love."

God's sovereign

How can anyone be a Christian and not fully aware of the sovereign of God? Sovereign God is the absolute, infinite, unqualified ruler in all realms in heaven, earth and sea. God governs the world (Isa. 40:22-24), the nations (Isa. 40:15-17), and us (Proverbs 16:9). God is absolutely powerful, that God is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, that God is immutable, never changes, that God is all wise, perfectly just, holy, righteous. God is ruling all things to work together for our good and His purpose. Romans 8:28-29 "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Proverbs 20:24 How can we understand the road we travel? It is the LORD who directs our steps. When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future. Eccl 7:14. In Proverbs 16:9 We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. We have freewill completely and God will only interfere when needed simply because God is in control and He will allow us to have freewill only if its according to His will. The "freewill" is always subject to God's sovereignty and His divine freewill. The key is that God is ALWAYS in control even in our own freewill. All circumstances are work for heavenly good and called to His purpose. Even though we can not see the purpose for the trials we are going through, we can trust absolutely that the Lord is in control of all things. Every trial in our life is a furrow being plowed by the Lord, that we grow in faith, and learn to trust ever more confidently in the Lord. The Christian walk is a fight of Faith, we have to understand that living (walking) by faith, we accept purpose and plans of God however He sees fit. 1 Cor. 10:13, "These has no testing taken you but such as is common to man; but God will, with the testing, also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”