I'm Following Jesus – Page 1599 – Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

King James Bible Study – “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:34

Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Chapters: Book of I Timothy
Message: Fight The Good Fight of Faith

Hello My Friend,

I apologize for being so late with this, I had a power failure today. I do not have to tell you that there is a grave danger among the Church, many churches are succumbing to the wiles of the devil by conforming to the world in subjection to their demands. I saw one church welcoming their first transgender pastor, who is a man, but identifies himself as a woman. Recently, a bill was passed in New York that forces churches to go against their beliefs about abortion and other sexual immoralities, and hire those who refuse to abide by their faith. We are not to succumb to the demands of the world, we are to succumb to the Word of God, and if that means we face persecution for it, then so be it. Why? Because if we do not get a handle on it, God will. So many people want God in their lives, but are not willing to succumb to His Word, and this the exact reason why judgment starts with the Church. In many cases, God judges the Church by purging out the ungodly, the false teachers, and anyone who causes anyone to do anything contrary to His Word.

“Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;” – I Timothy 1:7-10.

“nor whereof they affirm.” Everything I say from my own words I affirm it by placing Scripture next to it. Am I always correct? No. And anyone who tells you that everytime they say something about God they are correct has a bigger problem. However, when I discover that I did something wrong then I will tell you, and give you the correct response. We are taught many things through religion, some of them down right untrue, and yet we ignorantly believed them because we did not know any better. The Book of I Timothy was written by Paul to Timothy. The timeline about 63 AD. The purpose of the letter was to address some of the problems which existed in the Church. What we are to learn from the book is, not every church is a genuine church of Christ, we are to live our lives by the example of the true Church. Paul sent Timothy, whom Paul saw as his son in faith, to put some order in the church in Ephesus. He encourages the church to pray for one another and places the importance of authority and roles within not only in the Church, but in their lives as well.

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.” – I Timothy 2:1-4,8-15.

“Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.” Subjection; The act of vanquishing and bringing under the dominion (governing and controlling) of another. Just as Christ is the Head of the Church, husbands are the head of the wife. And this is all the result of what happened when Eve fell into temptation first then influenced Adam. Women may not always agree with what they are being taught by the men of the Church, but need to be respectful of them. This does not mean that women are not to have a say or an opinion, or teach God’s Word, it does mean that they are to respect the men of the Church by subjecting themselves to their authority.

“nor to usurp authority over the man,” Usurp; To seize and hold in possession by force or without right. There are way too many women running churches, and dragging them into the ground. You see, women have a lot of influence over men, look at what happened with Adam, Abraham, Samson, even Ahab. Godly women are a great help in the Church because they have that nurturing, disciplinary character within them, and that enables them to be a great help in the Church. However, ungodly woman can be a great threat to the Church because they have that, controlling, power driven character, and that enables them to destroy the Church. “Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.” – Proverbs 14:1.

“Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing,” This means that women too can be saved through their faith in Christ. By God sending Jesus through a woman, this enabled women to have the same opportunity to learn of, and accept the Gospel themselves. “Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.” – Genesis 3:16.

It is important that the church teach the right doctrine and set the right example for the church, whether we are a preacher, teacher, or janitor, we are representing Christ, and need to always present ourselves as such. There is only one doctrine to follow, and that is Christ. You may not realize this, but churches have bylaws to follow and if you want to join the church you must agree to the bylaws. While everyone ought be welcome to come to church and grow in Christ, every member ought to be likeminded, and likewise every church ought be under the same authority, Christ. Paul warns of the false doctrines that will take over the church, and this was before Catholics and Mormons.

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” – I Timothy 4:1-6,10,16.

“Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats,” Did you ever hear of a Christian Wiccan? Yes, there are people who practice witchcraft proclaiming they are Christian. Catholics forbid anyone serving in their church to be married, and yet allow gay priests (go figure). Mormons and Muslims are not allowed to eat pork or shellfish. Some Baptist and Jehovah’s Witness forbid observing holidays. These are religions that have departed from the faith, coming up with their own doctrine, but all lead to hell, not salvation by grace alone through Jesus Christ, and we need to avoid them at all cost.

“If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” – I Timothy 6:3-9.

“which drown men in destruction and perdition.” The root to all false religion is money, churches make a fortune teaching doctrine that either appeals to the lost who seek God in their lives or are so strict that it puts them in bondage to it. Not every church or even person in the church who professes Christ knows Christ as their Saviour, only God knows who are His, and while we certainly have our own faults, only we can show the true Christ in us by our godly works. “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” – I Timothy 6:12.

Today’s Prayer: God, It is still amazing to get up every morning knowing that it is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me. He has turned my life completely around as I learn the truth from Your Word and live in obedience to it. Lord, I know I am going to mess up, but I am trusting You to lead me and guide me in whatever will that You have for me. Show me the way, help me understand, and never let me cease from developing that personal relationship with Christ that shows me I can do all things through Him. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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