Christian Living
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The Old and New Covenant
| September 1, 2017What is the source of our justification?
Romans 8:6 says: For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
We can know whether we are living in the Old or the New Covenant by whether we are walking in life and peace. In the Old Covenant, the continual focus was; Do this, don’t do that, and you will be accepted by God. This is called the “spirit of bondage” leading to fear (Romans 8:15). Fear, insecurity, condemnation, and discouragement are the fruits of trying to find acceptance with God with our own performance. No matter how sincere or diligent we are, this mindset will always lead to death. Our good will never out-weigh our bad. Any righteous works we do to make ourselves acceptable to God will always be repulsive to Him (Isaiah 64:6).
Living in the Stronghold of Deception (Part 3 of 8)
| September 1, 2017If we don’t allow the cross to work in our lives, the foreskin of our heart remains. This causes us not to see or understand God’s ways. We then keep eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and we stay in our worldly wisdom. Let me explain.
Under the Abrahamic covenant, every male child had to be circumcised on the eighth day. Why the eighth day? Eight represents new beginning. This represents the new covenant, which is the circumcision of the heart. Genesis 17:14 says, The uncircumcised man child whose flesh of the foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
Church Rules or No Church Rules
| September 1, 2017Is it God’s will for churches to create rules and standards? I wonder if I am incredibly brave for asking this question. Maybe I am incredibly crazy. Or perhaps, I am a little bit of both.
I have actually thought a lot about questions regarding the church and making rules. I finally felt that I should take an honest look and try my best to find the answer. Many of you have encouraged me and blessed me for searching. May we continue to be gracious toward each other, even if our opinions differ!
A Robe of Righteousness
| July 1, 2017Jesus told this parable:
When thou art bidden [invited] of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; and he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. (Luke 14:8-10)
Living in the Stronghold of Deception (Part 2 of 8)
| July 1, 2017Genesis 3:6: And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof and did eat, and gave unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
At that time, the wisdom of this world entered the hearts of mankind. They became self-conscious. They wanted to fix their condition by the wisdom of this world, by sewing fig leaves together and making themselves aprons. To this day, we want to save ourselves by the wisdom of self or of this world. It doesn’t matter in what form this wisdom comes, as long as it is not in God’s wisdom. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin [wisdom of this world], that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe (Galatians 3:22).
If We Walk in the Light
| July 1, 2017If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. Those are powerful words found in 1 John 1:7. It is a verse that tells us a lot about God.
First, God wants us to walk in the light. What light? Him. God is light, and in him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). God is always light. The path we walk on is always lit if we walk with Him. If we walk with God, we will have fellowship with Him. Always remember, when we are walking with God, that He does not need us; rather, He wants us. He wants our fellowship, and our companionship. Amazing, isn't it?
The Joy of the Lord
| July 1, 2017And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. (1 John 1:4)
Do you experience joy in your everyday life?
As believers, as followers of Jesus Christ, we are commanded by the Word of God to rejoice and be joyful. First, let us understand that this joy the Bible describes is not experienced by everyone. It can only be experienced by believers.
Living in the Stronghold of Deception (Part 1 of 8)
| May 1, 2017When God moves an individual or a group of people to do what He has called them to do, God Himself is the author of it, and these people are led by the Holy Spirit. This threatens Satan’s kingdom. It stirs up the demonic world of spiritual wickedness in high places. If we think we can battle this spiritual wickedness with our own carnal power, we will be utterly defeated, and the work of God will cease. I am not being negative; I am being truthful. I have seen it happen.
Two Men: One Religious, One Humble
| May 1, 2017During one of Jesus’ sermons here on earth, He began to tell a parable. In His story, He was specifically targeting a group of people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others (Luke 18:9).
His parable began by introducing two men who entered the temple to pray. Both of these men seemed to be good. The prayers of the two men, however, were very different.
Emotional Wounds
| May 1, 2017Emotional wounds are just as painful and real as physical wounds. Both wounds require time to heal. Neither one can be hidden or ignored. If I'm dealing with a physical wound on my hand, I fear that people will try to shake my hurting hand; so I pull back, stay away from crowds and hide in the shadows. If I'm dealing with an emotional wound in my heart, I will fear that someone will come too close, rub against my pain and hurt me all over again. For that reason, I'll build a wall around my emotional wound and live in a prison cell without bars. I feed my wound through all kinds of addictions; I’ll protect those same wounds by losing my temper and staying in control of everyone's life around me.
The 6,000 Year Old Race
| March 1, 2017This morning, the Lord has been speaking to my heart.
Joe, all those who have been born of the Spirit are in a race, a race that began 6,000 years ago in the Garden of Eden.
In this race, your top goal is to pass the Message of Faith on to the next generation. Do not get distracted by the world and all of its temporary possessions. Do not get distracted by the runners next to you. Keep your eyes on the goal!
Healing and Trusting
| March 1, 2017I have a question for you today. If you had the choice between hearing the truth that could save your life and change your world, or hearing what feels good even though the implications could destroy you or kill you, which would you choose?
It sounds really simple, when you think of it that way, but what many people do not realize is that every day they persecute people who are trying to save them. Every day they reject people who are trying to give them truth that will change their lives forever for the better, trying to show them true love. This love doesn't always feel like love. Sometimes real truth hurts, but in the long run, we ought to be grateful for it.
What is your Life?
| March 1, 2017Through His Spirit, God wrote: For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away (James 4:14).
When I was young, I thought fifty years of age was old – very old; I thought it would take a long time to get there. But as I write, I must tell you, I am just seven days away from turning fifty. It all happened so quickly!
Baptism: Sprinkling, Pouring, Or Immersion?
| February 13, 2017Without a doubt, baptism is a very important requirement for the one who becomes a believer. Yet, it is also one of the most misunderstood topics in the Bible. What did Jesus mean when He said to "baptize"? Some churches sprinkle, some pour water on a person's head, and some only baptize by immersion or putting one completely under water.
Keywords: amish, amish voice, baptism, bible discussion, map ministry, mission to amish people | 0 comments
No More Wasted Years
| January 1, 2017Just a simple line spoken over me, but such grace and wonder it held. "The things of the past, the pain, the mistakes, are not a waste. God will use those things in a wonderful way."
I always knew God was able to use everything in our lives for good, even the bad things, but I still had a mindset that suggested that some seasons of my life were simply wasted, thrown away, and irretrievable. I found myself unable to move forward as I wanted to because I wanted a do-over. God doesn't give us do-overs, my friends. He gives us something better! He gives us second chances, yes, but He gives us something much better than that. He has the ability to make something totally wonderful, beautiful and new from our mistakes and from our sin! The only thing we need to do is to confess it, repent, and give it to Him!
Are you Afraid?
| January 1, 2017What are you afraid of? It seems like everyone has a fear of something. You could be afraid of the dark, or maybe you have a fear of snakes or spiders. Maybe it’s a fear of the future, of the unknown, or the fear of being alone. Most, if not all of us, probably have at least one of these fears. Fear can be a good thing, warning us of danger. For example, let’s say we are on the way to church on a Sunday morning, and suddenly we see a horse galloping down the road toward us. The horse is not pulling a buggy, and no one is in control of the horse. It is apparent that this a runaway horse. So, how do we respond?
What Does it Take for God to Forgive You?
| January 1, 2017Suppose you saw Jesus sitting down and talking with someone. Curious, you sneak up and eavesdrop, and you are surprised to hear them talking about you!
If this would happen, what do you think Jesus would be saying about you? Would He be praising you for your good works and faithfulness? Would He be speaking of your need to repent and turn from sin or from dead works?
Praying Women
| November 1, 2016There are very few things as powerful as praying women. The tenacity of a woman praying for those she loves is a force to be reckoned with! Today I would like to address something that can hinder this force.
Do you ever feel like you are praying and praying to no avail? One of the most powerful forces in making sure your prayers bring change is to make sure your heart is properly aligned with the Lord. I'll give you an example. For years I have prayed that my husband's priorities would be lined up with God’s, that he can keep God first, me second, the children third, etc. But for years this has been an area where the enemy keeps attacking our family in one way or another, bringing much frustration and hurt.
Do Not Harden Your Heart
| November 1, 2016Paul starts Hebrews 3:7 by writing, Wherefore as the Holy Spirit says... and then quotes Psalm 95:7-11. By quoting Old Testament scriptures to these New Testament Christians, Paul is making it quite clear that the Holy Spirit still speaks to us today from the Old Testament. In fact, in I Cor. 10:1-11 he tells us the things that happened to the children of Israel while they journeyed in the wilderness were written for our admonition so we could be warned and learn from the mistakes they made. The danger of hardening our hearts is as great today as it was for the children of Israel in the desert. We need to heed the solemn warnings in the Old Testament against sin and hardening of our hearts, as well as those in the New Testament. All were given to us by the Holy Spirit, and these warnings are as applicable to us today as they were to Israel at that time.
What is This Thing Called Repentance?
| November 1, 2016Matthew 3:1-3: In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Grace Alone No More
| September 1, 2016We recently received a letter in the mail from a lady named Grace. Grace shared her testimony and a little bit of her troubled past with us. She gave us permission to share them with you. She would like us all to pray for her. Please take a moment to read her story below:
A while back, I was seeking help from a counselor. I was miserable on the inside and I poured out my heart to him. At one point, I was in so much pain that I fell to the floor and began pulling at my hair; I somehow received relief from the pressure on my head.
All I Need
| September 1, 2016I am sitting here in bed miserable. My mouth and ear are in pain from a toothache that won't go away after three days. I finally couldn’t take it anymore, and tonight I broke down. The funny thing is, the pain is not the only reason for my breakdown.
You may ask yourself, "Okay, why is she getting so personal?” I would encourage you to hold on for a bit. I have something important to say. I will try to put it into words.
What Separates Christianity From All Other Religions?
| September 1, 2016Let’s start with some questions, before we dig into What Separates Christianity From All Other Religions.
First question. If I sat across the table from you, and asked, do you—with great confidence—know what you believe about Christianity? What would you use to back up your answers?
How do your beliefs differ from 4,200 other religions in the world?
How do you know you have the right belief(s)?
Would you change your beliefs, if you knew they were wrong?
Let Go
| July 1, 2016The way to heaven is simple, yet narrow, and most won’t be going there, according to what Jesus said (Matthew 7:14). Even a whole lot of good, nice, religious people will miss eternal life—even though they think that they are good Christian people. See the parable of the ten virgins with lamps, for example (Matthew 25), or read when Jesus told about the many people who did good and wonderful works and called Jesus “Lord,” yet ended up eternally lost (Matthew 7:21-23).
Mighty Warrior Princess
| July 1, 2016Good morning from gorgeous Kentucky! I have some things on my heart that I am excited to share with you! That being said, let's just dive right in.
I have a lot of friends in a lot of different places, and I have listened to quite a few women. As you know, many of us women face similar issues. Many of us feel trapped in various circumstances beyond our control. The enemy loves to make women feel trapped and unfulfilled.
Who is the Holy Spirit of God?
| May 1, 2016Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come (John 16:13).
The Glory of the Cross
| March 1, 2016And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly….He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night. Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him (John 13:27, 30-32).
What Must I do to be Saved?
| December 30, 2015(V-7) … . which are saved hath saved usnowwe know And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God... Revelation 20:12Do you believe?Does it scare you when someone says to you: I got saved?
The answer oftentimes is yes, and there are various reasons why. Here are some of them:
Those who get saved leave the Amish. For that reason, many Amish people have associated those getting saved with excommunication and leaving the Amish church.
To say I got saved, means that I can live any way I want to and still go to heaven.
Getting saved and having assurance of my salvation means that I am filled with pride.
Satan's Domain
| December 30, 2015WHERE IN THE BIBLE DID GOD GIVE SATAN DOMAIN OVER THE EARTH?
If our answer is to be one of faith, we need to look at relevant verses in the Holy Bible, and then we need to believe those verses.
On the sixth day of creation, after God created terrestrial (earth-based) animal life, Genesis 1:26-28 says: “[26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. [27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. [28] And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.â€
The End of the Age and the Coming of the Lord
| October 30, 2015Time as we know it is rapidly moving into its final stages. What once was a daily routine of quiet serenity and peace in many Christian homes in the West is now rather an atmosphere of shaking, with families being sifted to the core, and this combined with global upheaval, apostasy, and lawlessness. Many are now in fear of what is coming; others remain in denial and blissful ignorance, clueless of the coming crisis.
