Some of your bibles may have a heading for this section of scripture that says something like; dealing with sin, conflicting natures, or something similar. It is clear from the context that Paul is saying the LAW of God was created for those who are Spiritual people but I in my human flesh am the opposite, a sinner.
All of us are like Paul! Until the Holy Spirit does His work in us, convicts of our sins and we repent and make Christ Lord and Savior of our wretched lives we are but sinners incapable of practicing good.
In our text v.24-25, above Paul makes ends this portion of scripture with an important reminder:
He (we) are wrenched in our natural states
Only Christ can deliver us from eternal death
Even then there will be a conflict
Our Spiritual Minds will want to serve God
While our natural flesh will still desire to serve the world
I pray today that you have yielded to the Holy Spirit’s call. That one day will rejoice together in paradise praising our Savior all day long.
Planned Parenthood is the nation’s largest provider and promoter of abortion. In 2019, Planned Parenthood performed 345,672 abortions. Only 4,279 patients were referred to outside agencies for adoptions; therefore, abortions outnumbered adoption referrals by nearly 81 to 1. According to their 2019 annual report, Planned Parenthood received $616,800,000 from taxpayers and made a profit of $110,500,000.
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2,947,655 and Counting
Number of abortions performed worldwide so far this year and counting.
This corresponds to approximately 125,000 abortions per day.
In the USA, where nearly half of pregnancies are unintended and four in 10 of these are terminated by abortion [1] , there are over 3,000 abortions per day. Twenty-two percent of all pregnancies in the USA (excluding miscarriages) end in abortion. [2]
Lord Jesus, following Your example and command, we pray for our enemies today. We ask first that You would saturate our lives with the Holy Spirit’s power and might. Send Your love flowing through us, and forgive us for holding on to anything that could hinder our prayers. We release any hateful emotions that can quench Your Spirit in our hearts. Then give us wisdom as we seek how to bless, to love, and to pray for this new administration.
We pray for you to bless them and to orchestrate events in their lives that will leave their hearts exposed before you. As You characterized blessing in the Beatitudes, we pray that You would give them a poverty of spirit that recognizes their deep need for You. We pray they will discover Your comfort in times of mourning, and they would be humbled before You—in Your way and Your time. We pray You would show them mercy before it is too late—knowing we were all God’s enemies before You extended mercy to us—and that they would, in turn, be merciful to others.
Lord, we pray that instead of lusting for pure evil, they would hunger and thirst for Your purity and righteousness, become advocates of Your justice and that their warring spirits would be changed into peacemaking. Remove the façade of well-being; tear down the lies that have deceived them; and hedge their ways until they can see no way out but up. We pray You would show them the futility of what they are doing because in opposing God’s kingdom and in their darkness, they are often oblivious about the true reasons for their behavior and resulting consequences. Reveal to them any deep hurts or traumas in their own lives that may be contributing to their destructive actions. Amen. – (Modified From Crosswalk.com)
States Are Leading the Way
As the nation commemorates the 48th anniversary of Roe v. Wade (the Supreme Court decision legalizing elective abortion nationwide in 1973), pro-life and pro-family Americans take heart that their voices are still being heard in state capitals across the country. The “wave” election of pro-life Republicans in 2009 inaugurated a new era in pro-life state laws: More pro-life state laws have been enacted in the 11 years since that “wave” first took office in 2010 than in the previous 37 years since Roe.
Top Stories •Joe Biden Received Communion at Catholic Church Despite Celebrating Abortion Two Days Before •New York Times Calls Joe Biden “Most Religiously Observant” President in 50 Years, But He’s Pro-Abortion •South Dakota Gov Kristi Noem Introduces Bill to Ban Abortions on Babies With Down Syndrome •Sarah Huckabee Sanders Runs for Arkansas Governor to Take on the Radical Pro-Abortion Left
More Pro-Life News •Bishop Slams Joe Biden for Promoting Abortion: He “Denies Unborn Children Their Right to Life” •Tennessee Governor Bill Lee Tells Kamala Harris: You’re Wrong, Abortion Isn’t Health Care •Washington Post “Fact Checker” Admits They Won’t Count Joe Biden’s False Claims •Catholic Bishop: “It’s a Scandal” for Joe Biden to Say He’s a “Devout” Catholic But Support Abortion
Twenty-One Reasons That the Handwriting Is on the Wall for the Abortion Industry
For forty-eight years, the United States has enshrined the legal right to abortion. Millions of unborn lives are taken by abortion each year in America alone, and this practice appears only to be on the rise. However, the abortion industry is in serious trouble, and the single greatest reason for this is that there is a holy God who reigns in heaven. Read today’s article from Dr. George Grant, pastor of Parish Presbyterian Church in Franklin, TN, to consider why time is running out for the industry driven by abortion and the culture that has far too long tolerated this evil
In this portion of scripture, Paul is describing the Man of Lawlessness and the coming “Day of the Lord.”
Our text in the picture above combined makes a clear and convincing argument that God is not sitting on the sidelines while the world is running amuck in chaos. Despite what the naysayers and poorly read theologians think, God and God alone restrains evil.
Today I offer an article/sermon from John Macarthur and Grace to You ministries on the subject. May it bless you greatly.
There is a popular show on TV called The Walking Dead. Although I have never seen an actual episode, the commercial made it clear it is all about the aftermath of an apocalypse and zombies.
While the bible does not specifically refer to the unsaved as “zombies” but when we really think about it that is exactly what we were. Those apart from Christ are walking about the earth with no hope, children of wrath, just waiting for the day of eternal judgment.
SERMON
Today’s sermon comes from Voddie Bauchman, who at the time was Pastoring a church in Houston, TX but now is Dean of Theology at African Christian University in Zambia.
Voddie Baucham: The World, the Flesh, and the Devil
To become a Christian is to be enlisted in a war, one that is fought on three main fronts. In this session, Rev. Voddie Baucham will remind us how the world, the flesh, and the devil work against the kingdom of God. He will explain why battle, struggle, and hardship should not surprise us as Christians.
•Missouri is the First Abortion-Free State After Last Abortion Center Stops Killing Babies •Parler Sues Amazon for Shutting Down Its Servers After Pro-Life Conservatives Join It •Joe Biden’s Inauguration Theme is “Americans United.” But He’ll Force Americans to Fund Abortions •More Than 1 Million Babies Have Already Been Killed in Abortions Worldwide This Year
•President Trump Slams Twitter for Suspending Him: This is “Banning Free Speech” •Twitter Starts Massive Purge of Pro-Life Conservative Accounts, Claiming “Harmful Activity” •Google Deletes Parler From App Store After Twitter Bans President Trump, Pro-Life Conservatives •Twitter Suspends President Trump’s Account After Falsely Claiming He Promoted Rioting, Violence
More Pro-Life News
•30 Conservative Groups Blast Amazon, Google, Facebook and Apple for Censoring Conservatives
•Joe Biden Hires 14 Execs From Big Tech Firms That Banned Trump and Pro-Life Conservatives
•Abortionist Calls Pro-Life Activist Lila Rose a “Terrorist” for Saying “Abortion is Violent”
•Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Signs Pro-Life Bill Saving Babies From Abortions
•President Trump Will Not Attend Pro-Abortion Joe Biden’s Inauguration January 20th •Joe Biden Nominates Gina Raimondo Commerce Secretary, She Legalized Abortions Up to Birth •Twitter Refuses to Remove China’s Tweet Celebrating Forced Abortions: “Not a Violation of Our Policies” •Tucker Carlson: All Trump Voters are Not Terrorists Just Because Some People Rioted
As many of you know our other ministryFaith Buildersdeals in foundations work quite a bit. So today’s bible verse was especially of interest to me.
This is the last of Jesus’s prayers before he sets off for Gestenime. It is often addressed as the High Priestly Prayer. The prayer can be broken down as follows:
Christ begins by praying for Himself –v.1-6
Jesus prays for His followers – v.6-19
Jesus expands His prayer to include all who will come to faith in Him –v.20-26
It is the final part v.20-26,which we will look at today, as it is most applicable to us today.
BREAKDOWN
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; Jesus extends His prayer to not only those who have heard Him directly but those who will hear Him through the teachings of the Apostles and the Preaching of the Word of God.
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. Christ prays for Unity of Faith, so that those not yet saved may not be discouraged by disunity.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: Glory here has been misused to be said that Christ gave diety (even a smaller version) but that is falsely interpreting the Greek here. Christ instead is saying the strength, the honor the ability to relay the Good News Gospel Message, the Father gave me, I have passed on to them.
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Christ and His TRUE followers are one, this gives them the advantage that the world can never have.
24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. The doctrine of God’s Eternal Nature is clearly seen here as well as a glimpse of the doctrine of election. God’s Grace has been extended to us from eternity past. Just when that was, can not be said the bible only refers to it in the manner above.
25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. Jesus makes it clear those of the “world” know not God, but He does and the Apostles (and by context those that follow) know Him, His only begotten Son.
26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. Love, John later writes in 1 John 4:8, that God is Love. It is that Agape love, unconditional Love of a Father to Son, that Jesus declares will indwell His followers setting them apart from all mankind.
APPLICATION
Prayer is always a good thing. Prayer should not always be about asking for something for yourself or others. Sometimes it should just be about acknowledging God’s Greatness:
Acknowledge God’s Eternality
Particularly in my adorations, I must acknowledge:
That he is an eternal God, immutable, without beginning of days or end of life or change of time.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God; Psalm 90:2(ESV)the same yesterday and today and forever.Hebrews 13:8(ESV)
Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away; but you are the same, and your years have no end. Psalm 102:25-27(ESV)
You are God and do not change; therefore I am not consumed. Malachi 3:6(ESV)
Are you not from everlasting, O LORD my God, my Holy One?Habakkuk 1:12(ESV)You are the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth, who does not faint or grow weary, whose understanding is unsearchable.Isaiah 40:28(ESV)
Before we delve into Chapter 5 we need to address the issue of why God is worthy of Adoration and Praise, as well as what the differences between the tow are.
The bible is full of references to God’s worthiness to be Worshiped and Praised, Psalm 145:3,being just one example. When we consider as a whole the Love, Mercy, Sacrifice (Calvary) and Promises of God no other god is more worthy or even in the same conversation. God’s divine attributes and accomplishments, His ongoing providence for His elect warrant an esteemed response (Adoration and Praise) with solemn purpose.
The Life of true holiness is rooted in the soil of awed adoration -J. I. Packer
A child of God should be a visible beatitude for joy and happiness, and a living doxology for gratitude and adoration. – C.H. Spurgeon
People only have true understanding when they look at everything from God’s perspective. Authentic wisdom begins when we understand that God is to be the object of our devotion, our adoration, and our reverence. – R.C. Sproul
Adorationis; The act of paying honors to a divine being; the worship paid to God; the act of addressing as a God. While Praise is, The expression of gratitude for personal favors conferred; a glorifying or extolling.
The differences are subtle, Adoration infers a intense reverence while Praise is an expression of approval. Some of you are questioning Praise teams and such at this moment. Adoration and Worship are closely linked while the two are different from Praise.
Confused yet 🤷♂️. Praise is the joyful recounting of all God has done for us. It is closely intertwined with thanksgiving as we offer back to God appreciation for His mighty works on our behalf. Worship, however, comes from a different place within our spirits. Worship should be reserved for God alone (Luke 4:8). Worship is the art of losing self in the adoration of another. The following article may help in understanding:“What is the difference between praise and worship?”
CONTEXT
Okay, all that to get to Rev Chapter 5 and our actual text for today v.11-13. If we needed further evidence that God was worthy of Adoration and Praise the bible tells clearly the day is coming when all creation will do just that.
v.11 –And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
v.12 – Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
v.13 –And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
The fours beast and 24 elders v.8 fall down before the lamb of God (Christ) and begin singing a new song of adoration and praises to Christ Jesus proclaiming His worthiness to execute righteous judgement v.9.
Verse 11, begins the response of the unfathomable number of angels to the song by the beasts and elders. They cry out in unison v.12Worthy and deserving is the Lamb that was sacrificed to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” (AMP). Soon they are join by all creation, And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them,
It is matter of joy to all the world, to see that God deals with men in grace and mercy through the Redeemer. He governs the world, not merely as a Creator, but as our Saviour. The harps were instruments of praise; the vials were full of odours, or incense, which signify the prayers of the saints: prayer and praise should always go together. Christ has redeemed his people from the bondage of sin, guilt, and Satan. He has not only purchased liberty for them, but the highest honour and preferment; he made them kings and priests; kings, to rule over their own spirits, and to overcome the world, and the evil one; and he makes them priests; giving them access to himself, and liberty to offer up spiritual sacrifices. What words can more fully declare that Christ is, and ought to be worshipped, equally with the Father, by all creatures, to all eternity! Happy those who shall adore and praise in heaven, and who shall for ever bless the Lamb, who delivered and set them apart for himself by his blood. How worthy art thou, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, of our highest praises! All creatures should proclaim thy greatness, and adore thy majesty. – Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
APPLICATION
There are many ways in which we can daily show Adoration and Praise to God> Here are just a few:
Get Involved: Help the least of these in your community, Matthew 25:31-46
Share the Gospel: The uncompromised Gospel, not your testimony the Gospel, Matthew 28:18-20
Study: to show yourself approved and worthy of being a servant of the Lord, 2 Timothy 2:14-19
Pray: Be in the mindset to rejoice and pray in every circumstance, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 especially when it comes to the Adoration of God:
Introduction to Adoration
Of the First Part of Prayer, which is Address to God, Adoration of Him, with Suitable Acknowledgements, Professions, and Preparatory Requests
My spirit being composed into a very reverent and serious frame, my thoughts gathered in, and all that is within me charged in the name of the great God carefully to attend the solemn and awful service that lies before me and to keep close to it, I must, with a fixed attention and application of mind and an active lively faith, set the Lord before me, see his eye upon me, and set myself in his special presence, presenting myself to him as a living sacrifice, which I desire may be holy and acceptable to God and a spiritual service; Romans 12:1(ESV) and then bind this festal sacrifice with cords up to the horns of the altar, Psalm 118:27(ESV) in such thoughts as these:
Let me now lift up my heart, with my eyes and hands, to God in heaven. Lamentations 3:41(ESV)
Let me now with confidence enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for me through the curtain, that is, through his flesh. Hebrews 10:19-20(ESV)
Let me now attend to the Lord with undivided devotion, 1 Corinthians 7:35(ESV) and let not my heart be far from him when I draw near to him with my mouth and honor him with my lips. Isaiah 29:13(ESV)
Let me now worship God, who is spirit, in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. John 4:23-24(ESV)
About a month before the great December conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, NASA researchersannounced a separate, unexpected discovery: evidence of light in deep space without an explainable source. After studying photographs taken by the New Horizons space probe, which is now 4 billion miles away but still beaming footage to Earth, NASA came across an unexplained “glow.” It was in areas particularly distant from the known sources of light, such as stars and galaxies, and from sources of reflected light, such as dust particles.In fact, one astronomer told NPR that the amount of unexplained light was about equal to the light coming from sources they could identify.
The NPR article described the “problem” this creates for scientists: “… for 400 years, astronomers have been studying visible light and the sky in a serious way and yet somehow apparently ‘missed half the light in the universe.’” The choice astronomers face is either to double-down on the known explanations for light or be open to new ones…
One of the very first things Joe Biden has promised to do as president is abolish girls’ sports. It’s a ludicrous thing to make a priority, but the former Obama VPinsists — like most liberals — that “transgender equality is the civil rights issue of our time.” It’s the fair thing to do, Biden argues. But is it? New research in the British Journal of Sports Medicine says no…
