photosmidwest

Friday, February 2, 2024

What Are Dead Works

Dead works are works that appear good externally but that spring from a corrupt motive or done for the wrong reason. Therefore they are like filthy garments in God's eyes. It is like a person who is filled with leprosy giving you a first class apple to eat with his leprous hand. Would you take it and eat it? The apple may be good, but it is contaminated with the germs of leprosy in that person's hands. It is the same way when we offer a good thing to God but contaminated with the wrong motive. It could be a prayer, you could sing a solo in a Christian meeting, and your aim may be to get honour for yourself. Well, what is that - a good work or a bad work? - It is a dead work.

It is important for us to understand this. It is well known among believers that "The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sins" (1 John 1:7), but what is not so well known is that "The blood of Christ must also cleanse us from dead works before we can serve the living God" (Heb. 9:14). So, what does the blood of Christ cleanse us from? - Not only sins. It must also cleanse us from the dead works. And therefore it is very, very important for us to have a very clear understanding as to what dead works are. 


First of all, dead works are works done without any joy. In other words, these are works done out of compulsion, or necessity, or for the fear of punishment, or something like that. You know how some of you get your son, for example, to obey you to do his homework when he wants to play out in the field. You force him to come in with a threat of punishing him with a cane if he doesn't listen. Then he sits down with a grumpy face at his table and does his homework. He is not doing it with joy, but he is doing it. The homework is a good thing to do but then it is done out of compulsion.

It is the same way a lot of people pay their tithe; they don't do it joyfully. They do it because they are told by some pastor that if they don't do it they will be punished - that they will get some sickness in their home and then they have to give the money to the doctor at the hospital, if they don't give it to God etc. So, out of fear, they pay their tithe.

Friday, January 26, 2024

Opinion: A response to a Lex Clips video interview by Lex Fridman

The reason for “shotgun marriage” is that the Church will not recognize illegitimacy, so it is better to marry than to burn (in passion). People used to belong to a church of any religion. Now, church membership is low. So there is no Bible teaching amongst the People, thus illegitimate birth, female-headed households, working poor, misplaced financial goals, and low-quality citizens. These Citizens are those who steal, kill, destroy, and lie and are likely to be the Dammed Unbeliever who misuse substances through habit (growing up watching others do this). They don't know to ask God for help. They are unaware of how they come off to the world. They are clueless. Many ๐Ÿ˜ขare uninterested in learning because they lack understanding and learning is frowned upon in their households. Prison is a test to endure and they willingly go. Prison rather than books, learning, literacy, public school ๐ŸŽ“ and college degrees. These Damned Unbelievers are created by The Culture (which replaced the Church) and is designed to harm and cull them out from Godly People. Members of their own race would rather not bother to warn because this type of news & information is unpleasant and has no solution for the Damned Unbeliever and could create a violent reaction. Imagine throwing ice water into boiling oil. Ouch! “If My People who call themselves by My Name would turn from their sins and pray, I will return them back to Me.” The Culture used to produce a cleaner citizen; educated enough to know better than be an offense. We had Books, Radio, TV then Cable. If it couldn't be broadcast on these, it remained unknown.

My Opinion is based on information from the Bible

"Like Simon Magus, whom the early apostles also confronted, the Nicolaitans introduced the concept of using the name of Jesus for commercial gain, dominance and control. After all, the concept had worked quite well in the pagan temples of the vast gentile world, generating wealth and revenue for many societies" (Nicholas and Xmas by C. Franklin).


In a church setting, these people attempted to set themselves up to rule over the lives and faith of other church members. They tried to force others to submit to their arbitrary position of authority that God never gave them and which he hates! The Apostle Peter warned that leaders among the church were not to dominate over the faith of others but rather exhort them to do right.

The elders who are among you I exhort, even as a fellow elder . . . Feed the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight not by compulsion, but willingly; not in fondness of dishonest gain, but with an eager attitude; Not as exercising lordship over your possessions; but by being examples to the flock of God (1Peter 5:1 - 3).

The hierarchical teachings of the Nicolaitans openly reared its head during the Catholic Church's Council of Trent that was held between 1545 and 1563. During the council they stated, "If anyone shall say that there is not in the Catholic Church a hierarchy established by the divine ordination, consisting of bishops, presbyters and ministers, let him be anathema (a person who is to be detested and excommunicated)."

An Evil Structure

The entire top-down church administrative structure of the Catholics, as well as many other churches, owes its survival to maintaining what the Nicolaitans taught. Many "Christian" groups and denominations promote the belief in a strict church hierarchy where control over the people must be maintained and respected. The system they promote feeds on competition and strife among believers in order to take advantage of them at any time.

The Lord not only demands repentance from those who believe the doctrine of the Nicolaitans but also threatens severe punishment if they do not. God warns those who practice such lies, "Remember therefore from where you have fallen . . . or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place" (Revelation 2:5). May the warning be heeded!


Jude

For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.


Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe.


And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.


In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.


In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings.


Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them.


Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.


These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead.


Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

1:8-16 False teachers are dreamers; they greatly defile and grievously wound the soul. These teachers are of a disturbed mind and a seditious spirit; forgetting that the powers that be, are ordained of God, Ro 13:1. As to the contest about the body of Moses, it appears that Satan wished to make the place of his burial known to the Israelites, in order to tempt them to worship him, but he was prevented, and vented his rage in desperate blasphemy. This should remind all who dispute never to bring railing charges. Also learn hence, that we ought to defend those whom God owns. It is hard, if not impossible, to find any enemies to the Christian religion, who did not, and do not, live in open or secret contradiction to the principles of natural religion. Such are here compared to brute beasts, though they often boast of themselves as the wisest of mankind. They corrupt themselves in the things most open and plain. The fault lies, not in their understandings, but in their depraved wills, and their disordered appetites and affections. It is a great reproach, though unjust to religion, when those who profess it are opposed to it in heart and life. The Lord will remedy this in his time and way; not in men's blind way of plucking up the wheat with the tares. It is sad when men begin in the Spirit, and end in the flesh. Twice dead; they had been once dead in their natural, fallen state; but now they are dead again by the evident proofs of their hypocrisy. Dead trees, why cumber they the ground! Away with them to the fire. Raging waves are a terror to sailing passengers; but when they get into port, the noise and terror are ended. False teachers are to expect the worst punishments in this world and in that to come. They glare like meteors, or falling stars, and then sink into the blackness of darkness for ever. We have no mention of the prophecy of Enoch in any other part or place of Scripture; yet one plain text of Scripture, proves any point we are to believe. We find from this, that Christ's coming to judge was prophesied of, as early as the times before the flood. The Lord cometh: what a glorious time will that be! Notice how often the word ungodly is repeated. Many now do not at all refer to the terms godly, or ungodly, unless it be to mock at even the words; but it is not so in the language taught us by the Holy Ghost. Hard speeches of one another, especially if ill-grounded, will certainly come into account at the day of judgment. These evil men and seducers are angry at every thing that happens, and never pleased with their own state and condition. Their will and their fancy, are their only rule and law. Those who please their sinful appetites, are most prone to yield to ungovernable passions. The men of God, from the beginning of the world, have declared the doom denounced on them. Such let us avoid. We are to follow men only as they follow Christ.


Jude

Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”


These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.


They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.”


These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 


Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. 


The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.


Sunday, August 14, 2022

Blog about your favorite topic for cash

 

Copymatic Is A Huge Boost For Your Writing Career

One of the most important skills a writer can have is to be able to craft convincing, compelling copy. But it can take time and considerable skill to master that ability. Copymatic, available on-demand with the power of the internet, aims to bridge the technology gap between great copy and lousy copy by giving you a massive shot of writing talent!

Reasons to use copymatic

If you're a writer, then you know how important it is to have a great editing and proofreading tool. Copymatic is the perfect solution for anyone who wants to improve their writing skills. Here are just a few reasons why you should give Copymatic a try: 1. It's free to use. That's right, there are no fees or subscriptions required. Just sign up and start using Copymatic today. 2. It's easy to use. Simply paste your text into theCopymatic window and click the 'Edit' button. From there, you can make changes and see your results in real-time. 3. It's effective. Copymatic can help you spot errors and correct them quickly and easily. You'll be surprised at how much better your writing will become after using this tool! 4. It's backed by a team of experts. The Copymatic team is made up of experienced writers and editors who know how to improve your writing. If you ever have any questions or need help using the tool, they're always happy to assist. 5. It comes with a satisfaction guarantee. If for any reason you're not completely satisfied with

How does copymatic work?

Copymatic is an AI-based writing tool that helps you improve your writing skills by providing feedback on your grammar, style, and vocabulary. It also gives you suggestions on how to improve your writing.

Example of how to implement copymatic

If you're a freelance writer, then you know how important it is to get your name out there. And one of the best ways to do that is through guest blogging. But what if you don't have the time or energy to search for guest blogging opportunities? That's where Copymatic comes in. Copymatic is a service that sends you targeted guest blogging opportunities straight to your inbox. All you have to do is sign up, and they'll start sending you leads that are tailored to your interests and expertise. Not only does this save you time, but it also increases your chances of getting your work published on high-profile blogs. And that can only be a good thing for your writing career.

Conclusion

iframe src="//rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?o=1&p=45&l=ur1&category=primediscounted&banner=15JPEDP96DVN393Z8N02&f=ifr&linkID=7b1459e251585280c07ed3f766c62486&t=buymyamazon-20&tracking_id=buymyamazon-20" width="192" height="53" scrolling="no" border="0" marginwidth="0" style="border:none;" frameborder="0">

Telegraph Barack Obama

Video - CNNMoney.com

starbulletin.com | Local News Hawaii