One in Messiah (Christ) Congregation

Gal. 3 [28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Messiah Yeshua / Christ Jesus.

Shabbat Shalom

Feb. 14, 2009

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We are now in the 18th day of the 11th month, Sh'vat שְׁבָט

Zech. 1 [7] Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, (Sh'vat)

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Some News:

Surge of anti-Semitic attacks in UK - London-based Jewish charity says Gaza offensive sparked dramatic increase in anti-Semitic attacks

The number of anti-Semitic attacks on British Jews rose sharply after the start of the conflict in Gaza, a Jewish charity said Friday.The London-based Community Security Trust, which monitors anti-Semitism and works to safeguard the Jewish community in Britain, said 250 anti-Semitic incidents were recorded in the four weeks after Dec. 27. That compares to 40 incidents from the same period the year before.

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6 held over Valentine's attacks near Taj Mahal - Demonstrators in India object to Western influence, overt displays of love

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St. Valentine's Day has "NOTHING" to do with the God of Israel or any scripture.

Another Catholic connection

There are just too many accounts of this pagan day on the internet. Here are just a few, read this later if you want.

The Feast of Lubercus

The first interpretation has this celebration originating as a pagan tradition in the third century. During this time hordes of hungry wolves roamed outside of Rome where shepherds kept their flocks. The God Lupercus, was said to watch over the shepherds and their flocks and keep them from the wolves. Every February the Romans celebrated a feast called Lupercalia to honor Lupercus so that no harm would come to the shepherds and their flocks. Also during Lupercalia, but in honor of the goddess Juno Februata, the names of young women were put into a box and names were drawn by lot. The boys and girls who were matched would be considered partners for the year, which began in March. This celebration continued long after wolves were a problem to Rome.

St. Valentine's Day

As Christianity became prevalent, priests attempted to replace old heathen practices. To Christianize the ancient pagan celebration of the Feast of Lubercus, the church officials changed the name to St. Valentine's Day. To give the celebration further meaning and eliminate pagan traditions, priests substituted the drawing of their Saints names for the names of the girls. On St. Valentine's Day the priest placed saint's names into an urn or box. The young people then drew a name from the container. In the following year, the youth was supposed to emulate the life of the saint whose name he had drawn.

By the fourteenth century they reverted back to the use of girl's names. In the sixteenth century they once again tried to have saintly valentines but it was as unsuccessful as the first attempt.

While it can't be proved historically, there were seven men named Valentine who were honored with feasts on February 14th. Of these men, two stories link incidents that could have given our present day meaning to St. Valentine's Day.

One of these men named Valentine was a priest during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Valentine was revered by the young and old, rich and poor, with people of all walks of life attending his services. At this time Emperor Claudius was heavily recruiting men to serve as soldiers for his wars without much success. The men preferred not to leave their wives, families and sweethearts to fight in foreign lands. Claudius became angry and declared that no more marriages could be performed and all engagements were cancelled.

Valentine thought this to be unfair and secretly married several couples. When Claudius found out, he threw Valentine in prison where he died. Friends of the priest retrieved his body and buried it in a churchyard in Rome.

Another version had St. Valentine jailed for helping Christians. While Valentine was in prison he cured a jailer's daughter of blindness. Claudius became enraged and had Valentine clubbed and beheaded on February 14, 269 A.D.

Yet another story claims that Valentine fell in love with the jailer's daughter and wrote her letters that were signed "From your Valentine."

All of the seven Valentines eventually evolved into one. In 496 Pope Gelasius declared the day in honor of St. Valentine. Through the centuries the Christian holiday became a time to exchange love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. Lovers' quarrels come under his jurisdiction and, naturally, he is the patron saint of engaged couples and of anyone wishing to marry.

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Catholic site verifies ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia

The Origins of St. Valentine’s Day

A quick quiz: St. Valentine was:

a) a priest in the Roman Empire who helped persecuted Christians during the reign of Claudius II, was thrown in jail and later beheaded on Feb. 14.

b) a Catholic bishop of Terni who was beheaded, also during the reign of Claudius II.

c) someone who secretly married couples when marriage was forbidden, or suffered in Africa, or wrote letters to his jailer's daughter, and was probably beheaded.

d) all, some, or possibly none of the above.

If you guessed d), give yourself a box of chocolates.

Although the mid-February holiday celebrating love and lovers remains wildly popular, the confusion over its origins led the Catholic Church, in 1969, to drop St. Valentine's Day from the Roman calendar of official, worldwide Catholic feasts. (Those highly sought-after days are reserved for saints with more clear historical record. After all, the saints are real individuals for us to imitate.) Some parishes, however, observe the feast of St. Valentine.

The roots of St. Valentine's Day lie in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, which was celebrated on Feb. 15. For 800 years the Romans had dedicated this day to the god Lupercus. On Lupercalia, a young man would draw the name of a young woman in a lottery and would then keep the woman as a sexual companion for the year.

Pope Gelasius I was, understandably, less than thrilled with this custom. So he changed the lottery to have both young men and women draw the names of saints whom they would then emulate for the year (a change that no doubt disappointed a few young men). Instead of Lupercus, the patron of the feast became Valentine. For Roman men, the day continued to be an occasion to seek the affections of women, and it became a tradition to give out handwritten messages of admiration that included Valentine's name.

There was also a conventional belief in Europe during the Middle Ages that birds chose their partners in the middle of February. Thus the day was dedicated to love, and people observed it by writing love letters and sending small gifts to their beloved. Legend has it that Charles, duke of Orleans, sent the first real Valentine card to his wife in 1415, when he was imprisoned in the Tower of London. (He, however, was not beheaded, and died a half-century later of old age.)

Enough, already...... I digress

Again, St. Valentine's Day has "NOTHING" to do with he God of Israel or any scripture.

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Topic: Back to the Basics

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Did you know we are all related? Always nice to meet new relatives.

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Apostle Paul writes: We are the offspring of God; we are all from "one blood".

Acts. 17  [24] God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
[25] Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

[26] And (God) hath made of "one blood" all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

[27] That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

[28] For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

[29] Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

[30] And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

[31] Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

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We are from Adam

Gen. 1 [27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

 

We are from Noah

Gen. 9 [19] These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread.

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Now that I have established we are relatives,

let's talk.

I thought I would share with you today my talk I had yesterday with students of the Alternative Learning School

Here is how it went:

Date: Feb. 13, 2009 - 10:30 a.m.

Location: Alternative Learning Center - 408 Century Court, Franklin, Tennessee 37064

Speaker: Angelo J. Bennetti

       Minister of One in Messiah Congregation  http://OneinMessiah.net

Contact information: angbennetti@comcast.net - (615) 333 -7373

Subject: Time to "Save the World", one person at a time!

 

Below, please find a few topics you may want to think about as you travel the road of life.

Actions, choices and decisions we make, (knowingly or unknowingly) in our lives, have reactions which produce both good and bad consequences which can affect many others. We can also be affected by the choices others make as well. Concentrate on actions that lead to positive consequences.

Did you notice the jail up the road from here? Jails are packed with people who regret the choices they made and their records may be tarnished forever. Some people may never get out of some jail for their crimes. Just imagine a whole life spent in a jail. This is a very sober thought to ponder.

Let's talk:

·                     How old are you today? "Time waits for no one". Remember when you were...years old? (Grammar School, High School, College and so on...) most things change, friends etc.

·                     Are you a member of any religion?

·                     "Peer Pressure"

a.   What are your types of friends?

b.   What are your types of role models? (Sports, music, movie stars)

c.   Are you a follower or a leader? You better think about yourself, your friends may not be thinking in your best interest, when they want you to do something you know is not right.

·                     Where do you spend your time when not in school or work? Hobbies?

·                     How do you speak and treat others? Do you keep your word? (parents, relatives, friends, strangers) Words can give life or death.

·                     Do you know what your type of dress promotes, generates and produces?

·                     Sexually immorality - transmission of sexually transmitted diseases

·                     Drinking / drugs - (Driving under the influence) (Driving over the speed limit) Just think, you will never get a DUI if you don't drink and drive.

Using drugs is illegal and always leads to problems in school and later in life, getting and holding a job. Drinking under age is illegal.

·                     Smoking: (think of all the money you can save) if you smoke, you may have started smoking because all your friends do or because you grew up in a house where lots of people smoked. Some people try smoking because they are curious or bored. 

Cigarette Smoking is the major cause of emphysema. When exposed to cigarette smoke, the air sacs of the lungs produce defensive cells, called macrophages, which “eat" the inhaled particles. But macrophages are stimulated to release materials which can destroy the proteins that let the lungs expand and contract. (Simply put, your body is coming against itself) Also smoking is very bad if you have asthma. Cigarette smoke also damages the cilia, tiny hair-like projections in the bronchi that “sweep" foreign bodies and bacteria out of the lung.

·                     Skin cancer - Exposure to too much sun causes most of the wrinkles and age spots on our faces. The sun's rays, which are called ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays (UVA and UVB rays) damage your skin. This leads to early wrinkles, skin cancer and other skin problems. Being in the sun often over time, even if you don't burn, can lead to skin cancer. A tan is the body's desperate attempt to protect itself from the sun's harmful rays.

Tanning booths are not safe - Tanning booths use UVA rays. Makers of the booths may claim that they are "harmless", but in fact, UVA rays are the strongest, most penetrating, and will cause irreversible damage to the skin.

·                     Your attitude - Are you a motivational or lackadaisical person?

·                     Do you have short term goals to reach your ultimate goal?

·                     Dishonest, Lying, Cheating, Irresponsible, Stealing - (mp3's, music, videos) - Pornography

·                     Not paying bills - lunch, drinks, videos, music, movies, etc.

·                     Are you not showing up for school or work on time? Learn what being punctual means.

·                     Education - The more education you have today, the better you will be in the future. Take one day at a time. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

 

Law-abiding and moral people cause less trouble for themselves and others as opposed to people who are irresponsible or promiscuous.

No matter what anyone tells you, be the best you can be.

"You can do it"

Make a difference!

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Now I will translate my talk above into scripture.

 

"It is nice to know God can change anyone who wants a change in their life"

 

Heb. 7 [25] Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

 

Pss. 103 [11] For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. [12] As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

 

Isa. 1 [18] Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

 

Mic. 7 [18] Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

 

[19] He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

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Let's talk about a few verses pertaining to the way of the wicked, the way of the ungodly, the way of the froward, workers of iniquity and transgressors.

 

Prov. 13 [15] Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

 

Pss. 5 [5] The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

 

Pss. 1 [6] For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

 

Pss. 146 [9] The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.

 

Prov. 4 [19] The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

 

Prov. 10 [29] The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

 

Prov. 12 [26] The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

 

Prov. 15 [9] The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

 

Prov. 22 [5] Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.

 

Prov. 13 [2] A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.

 

Prov. 22 [12] The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.

 

Isa. 1 [28] And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together,

 

and

 

they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.

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We are at war - We have a mutual enemy - old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan

Whether you know it or not, you have a enemy worst the the terminator who is after you. (remember that movie?)

 

1 Pet. 5 [8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

 

Jas. 4 [7] Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

 

Rev.12 [7] And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, [8] And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

[9] And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

[10] And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

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[11] And they overcame him (the devil) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

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[12] Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

[13] And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
[14] And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
[15] And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
[16] And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

[17] And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of  Yeshua the Messiah / Jesus Christ.

 

Eph. 2 [2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

 

2 Cor. 4 [3] But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  [4] In whom the god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

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In the scriptures, the words backslider or backsliding, only pertained to Israel, when they left the Lord. These words never pertained to any other peoples of the any lands.

These people were nerver with the Lord. Examples: the Chanaanite, the Pherezite, the Jebusite, the Gergesites and many other peoples.

"Backslider or backsliding"

 

Amos. 3 [2] You (Israel) only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.

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The backslider

Prov. 14 [14] The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

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backslidings

Jer. 2 [19] Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

 

מְשֻׁבָה יִשְׂרָאֵל  backsliding Israel

 

Jer. 3 [6] The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.

[8] And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.

[11] And the LORD said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah. [12] Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.

[14] Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:

[22] Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God.

 

Jer. 5 [6] Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities:

every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased.

 

Jer. 8 [5] Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.

 

Jer. 14 [7] O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.

 

Jer. 31 [22] How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.

 

Jer. 49 [4] Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, saying, Who shall come unto me?

 

Hos. 4 [16] For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place.

 

Hos. 11 [7] And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.

 

 

H4878 משׁבה  משׁוּבה  - m^eshûbâh  meshûbâh - mesh-oo-baw', mesh-oo-baw' -  apostasy: - backsliding, turning away.

 

BDB Definition: 1) turning away, turning back, apostasy, backsliding

 

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Hos. 14 [4] I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.

H5637 סרר - sârar - saw-rar' - A primitive root; to turn away, that is, (morally) be refractory: -  away, backsliding, rebellious, revolter (-ing), slide back, stubborn, withdrew.

 

BDB Definition: 1) to rebel, be stubborn, be rebellious, be refractory - to be stubborn, rebel (substantive)

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Some people get taken out of the book permanently:

"TWO" books

Exod. 32 [32] Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

[33] And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

 

Pss. 139 [14] I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

[15] My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

 

[16] Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

 

Phil. 4 [3] And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

 

Rev. 13 [8] And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

 

Rev. 17 [8] The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

 

Rev. 20 [12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

[15] And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Rev. 21 [27] And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life

 

Rev. 22 [18] For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

 

[19] And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

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These lists below will inform you, what will keep you out of the Kingdom of God

Very important, read slowly

 

1 Cor. 6 [9] Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived:

neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, [10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

reviler: to speak abusively

extortion: the crime of obtaining money or some other thing of value by the abuse of one's office or authority. oppressive or illegal exaction, as of excessive price or interest: the extortions of usurers

 

Gal. 5 [19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;

Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, [20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, [21] Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

lasciviousness: lustful thoughts by way of  lascivious photographs - pornography

emulations: a desire to equal or excel ( in a bad way)

revelling: indulge in boisterous festivities, partying

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Reward for serving God

We get rewarded according to our works, whether good or bad.

 

Pss. 19 [7] The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
[8] The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
[9] The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
[10] More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
[11] Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Rev. 22 [12] And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

 

Rev. 20 [12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. [13] And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

 

Ecc. [13] Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

 

 [14] For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
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Have you been "called" to "save the world", like the Lord was?

 

John 3 [17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that "the world through him might be saved".

 

 

Anyone can be a sinner. It takes a "real" man and woman to make a stand for God and do what is right!

 

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Shabbat Shalom