1 Corinthians 13:4- Love suffereth long, and is kind; Love envieth not; Love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Perseverance and trust in God even during times and environments of hardship, trials, storms, temptations etc. Are a show of love. It is another way Christians can show their love to God.

Shalom

1 Corinthians 12:12 (KJV) For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

The body of Christ is the true image of unity in diversity, almost every tribe; past, present or future has a stake here.
No matter how absurd you think your God-given talent is, it can contribute to the body of Christ, no matter which gift(s) of the Spirit you are endowed with, there is a place for you to fit in snuggly.
We are one; tightly bonded and knitted together just as the human body is one and fully self sustaining, so is the body of Christ.
We belong to Christ and Christ belongs to God, Her is the Author and Finisher of our faith.
Peace.

Warning!
Long read

Lessons from Lazarus

John 11

The story of Lazarus contains essential lessons that are invaluable to anyone who wants to walk with God.

We can deduce from this passage that about four to eight days after the news of Lazarus' sickness came to Jesus, Lazarus died... Now hold on.

John 11:5 (KJV) Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

Jesus loved Lazarus. There is no logical way Lazarus would have been around Jesus long enough to be loved by Jesus that he will not know a thing or two about faith and prayer.
We do not know what sort of illness he was under or how long, but let's assume it was an infection or maybe something like malaria or cholera. None of these kill instantly. So the timespan between the start of his illness and when the news was sent to Jesus was probably not short.
It is plausible that in this timespan, Lazarus and his sister's were not sitting about idle, they were probably praying, exercising their faith and believing in the Heavenly Father for healing.

But despite all these; the love Jesus had for them, their faith and prayer to God etc. The scripture says Lazarus still died. It must have been heart crushing to his sisters.
Isaiah 14:27 (KJV) For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

There are times that no matter what we do or how we do it, it seems like God is not paying attention. I want to encourage you, don't lose faith, never give up, His ways are not ours neither His thought. God is always mindful, as shown here...
John 11:14 (KJV) Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
Jesus was many miles away from their location but He knew exactly Lazarus's condition.
God always comes through, no matter the weather no matter the prevailing circumstances.

And another piece of advice, when it seems like everything you are doing is in futility, just start thanking God, trust me you can never go wrong thanking God. Also, profess your submission to His will, ask Him to take charge of your circumstance. It works.

Let's see the concluding part of Lazarus saga.
John 11:44 (KJV) And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
John 12:10-11 (KJV) But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

Wow! Out of Lazarus's death came life to many. His story which would have been a tragedy became an inspirational and evangelical one. Lazarus didn't need to go around preaching, anyone that heard his story was compelled to follow Christ.

God knows what He is doing, He is the master strategist. Don't give up.

Peace

Kobojunkie:
So what do we do?

Ignore Jesus Christ so we can follow Paul?
Or
Do we ignore Paul to follow Jesus Christ?

There is no need to ignore anyone, Paul was talking to believers who were already married before accepting Christ. As Christ says except on the ground of sexual immorality we should not divorce. In order to maintain that command and avoid confusion in the church, Paul gave this instruction.
If you read the book of 1 Corinthians you will discover that Paul himself was not married and he even advised that we shouldn't except we can't control our passion.
So no need to ignore any part of the scripture as all scripture are inspired by God.
Peace

Peace.

1 Corinthians 11:26 (KJV) For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.


It is impossible to talk about the death of Jesus with talking about His Resurrection. His death also symbolizes our death, to sin and to the world. The Passover is a fellowship of communion with Christ, there is no such thing as to much of it. It doesn't lose it's effectiveness due to overuse, provided you do it in faith and in the right way.

Shalom

Kobojunkie:
Jesus Christ literally said that marriage was optional were His followers are concerned, and in Luke 20 vs 34 - 36 He declared that marriages are of this world and not of the Kingdom of God.

So how then can a one be sanctified by that that is of this world? How can a one, by choosing to doing that which of this world (and not sin) be made righteous by it?

Idk bro, but that's what the scripture says.

ThePlainTruth:


Si-down there, when you meet someone possessed with one or all of these demons, you will come back and say thanks for the above post.

This post portrays demons as positive and acceptable things and also putting blame on Jews for making demons seem bread, then you expect me to sit down?
May God gave mercy on this generation.

1 Corinthians 9:3-4 (KJV) Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
Have we not power to eat and to drink?

God has given us the power to do all things, but not all things should be done

For everyone concerned, the above post is a pile of crap!

HedwigesMaduro:
"Demon" and "friendly" are not words you use in the same sentence.

Oxymoron

1 Corinthians 8:1

Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.

This is literally the base of atheism.

1 Corinthians 7:14 (KJV) For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

I just love God, He makes provisions for every circumstance, nothing catches Him by surprise.

1 Corinthians 6:12 (KJV) All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Just because I can do something, I doesn't mean I should.
Only through living by God's guidance can we do the things that are needful.
Seek God's face every step of the way

Please does this make sense to any body?
Why is Naija so innovative when it comes to importing but turn out total nutheads when it comes to exporting.
Una dey cripple una economy.

Proverbs 18:21 (KJV) Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

The tongue (figuratively), is one of the most powerful told The Creator has endowed man with. The ability of speech is a life and death level power. But God did not make a mistake.

Matthew 21:21 (KJV) Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

What we see here is what we call the activating power of faith. Faith is a trigger that unleashes the powerful and world changing power in the tongue. The tongue on it's own is already powerful, but then the addition of faith, that's just giving wings to a tiger. Brethren we must daily surrender our lives to God, only through Him can we maximize the positive impacts of our tongues and eliminate the negative impacts.
Shalom....

Daily prayer for divine guidance.
America is really leading in this aspect, I mean it's like now publicly condemnable to call out someone for being gay.
It's unnatural.

Peace...

1 Corinthians 4:13 (KJV) Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

I just want to encourage someone today, no matter what you are going through because of Christ, you are not alone.
God is not wicked, He won't forget your labor for Him.
Keep on living am upright life and trust in your maker.

Shalom

Peace


1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (KJV) Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Everyone who has received Christ in faith is the Temple of God. Therefore as per the demands of the above passage, any one that defiles such will be destroyed. This does not only refer to external entities, of the Temple decides to defiles itself, it will also be destroyed, this is a very scary thing.
Brethren, there are many things that defile a person; your words, your thoughts, your actions etc. Let us strife to live holy and righteous lives as the gracious God gives us ability. Amen.

Shalom

1 Cor. 15:14
And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.

The assurance of all faith for disciples of Christ is the Resurrection of Christ. Without the Resurrection then there would have been no need, no difference btw religions and following Christ.
If God could do it, He made a public declaration and confirmed it, there is nothing He says that He cannot do.

GlorifiedTunde:
This is aesthetically poor and noisy!

Who's the terrible interior decorator?

Ouch!

Peace...

Sometimes, I like to stretch my imaginations to it's limits thinking of so many wonderful and mysterious things, but then I read passages like this:

1 Cor. 2:9
But as it is written:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

One can't help getting excited, no matter how much you stretch your mind. Think of the complexity of the human mind. The human brain is vast, immensely vast and intricate. If Good can design the Human Brain, then there is no fear for me, I am assured of good things.

Just raise your hand wherever you are and bless God for His immenseness and mindfulness of us.

Shalom

1 Corinthians 2:15
But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.

Disciples of Christ, just Incase there is any body that those this detestable thing, I bet in the name of the Holy Spirit of God, stop it.

Romans 14:4
Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

You do not own anybody, in many cases, it is not your business if they are in the right or wrong. Let every man live to God. The only reaction we can do is prayer, for the individual and for yourself. He who thinks he is standing should take her least he falls.

May the God of Grace help us to over His truth. Amen

Shalom.

Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.

We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Romans 15:1 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/rom.15.1.NKJV

We do not live for ourselves let us live pleasing loved to God, doing as He commands.

MaxInDHouse:

It depends on the level of your knowledge in the deep things of God. Of course Satan and his world packaged the sinful act so that a layman won't suspect that he is sinning against God.
I'm sorry my friend it's EVIL, but the world has made it like an obligation for it's children only God's children were given the wisdom to unravel the mystery. If you want to know how it's making billions guilty of bloodshed today i'll oblige and the holy spirit will help you gain the insight but that is if you allow the spirit of truth to guide your thinking faculty.
Are you ready to dig into God's word the Bible on this matter or you don't want us to go that deep? Proverbs 2:1-5

Please enlighten me, I'm all ears

Workch:
If you read the Bible by yourself, you will become an atheist. If pastors read for you, you will remain a Christian.


Numbers 1:48-53
For the Lord had spoken to Moses, saying, “Only the tribe of Levi you shall not number, nor shall you take their census among the sons of Israel. But you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings and over all that belongs to it. They shall carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it; they shall also camp around the tabernacle.read more.

Good point, even the scripture says the letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life.
When you read the scripture, don't do it with a theoretical mindset, invite the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ said He will guide is into all truth, open your heart to God, pray on submission, and for guidance, I hope that will help.

Okay back to the topic.

And a man of the house of Levi went and took as wife a daughter of Levi.
Exodus 2:1 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/exo.2.1.NKJV

So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and He said: “Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And look, he is also coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.
Exodus 4:14 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/exo.4.14.NKJV

Bro, as you can see here, Aaron and Moses were from the tribe of Levi. Later, God set apart Aaron and his entire Lineage to be priests. Clear? No? Priests are a subset of Levites okay? When we mention Levites, priests are also included.
But understandably, in OT times the priest would eat from the offerings and sacrifices. So the other Levites could get there tithes.
Now, sacrifices aren't made or permitted any more. Pastors set apart monetary offerings for Church maintenance, so doesn't it make sense that a pastor should go after tithes, after all, The husband man is the first partaker of the harvest.
Ultimately, bro, it is up to you, do what you know is right, life is personal. But try to advance continually by taking positive things from every opportunity. Have a nice day bro.

Workch:
Do you have to check Wikipedia for who Levites are?
It’s in the Bible, do you read your Bible?

You Christians are funny

I thought you were an atheist?

Also, I mean support as in obedience.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.
Romans 13:3 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/rom.13.3.NKJV

Generally, doing what is good.

MaxInDHouse:


The first highlighted:

There are over 42,000 different religious sects all claiming Christians today but only one out of all belongs to Jesus. They are globally known as Jehovah's Witnesses today and they will never ever protest against any constituted authority no matter what happens!

The second highlighted:

True Christians are never to SUPPORT any human government. So we neither vote them in nor vote them out of power because our own government is from above. All what Jesus commaded us regarding them is to give them what rightfully belongs to them {Matthew 22:21} so if they call for honour, fear, taxes, tribute, curfew, registration, census and likes we must obey! Romans 13:7

But when they come against what rightfully belongs to our God which is "WORSHIP" we must obey God rather than men! Act 5:29

May you have PEACE!

Voting is an obligation, you know the meaning of that right?

Please bros and girls, be warned, whatever a man sows, the same he will reap.
If you are an atheist fine. Don't try to distort the truth for those who want to worship their maker.
God has given free choice, use it wisely.

Here are some

Workch:
Levites are descendants of Levi, the third son of Jacob I.e. 3rd tribe of Isreal.
Even Jesus couldn’t collect tithe because he wasn’t a descendant of Levi but Judah (fourth son of Jacob).

Yours pastors are scamming you because you don’t know your Bible. I am an atheist but I know this

I smile at this, bro, check Wikipedia for levite okay?