STUDIES FROM BRETHREN IN CHRIST


For Those That Search To Know God ...

DATE SUBJECT
9/28/2014 WHY DOES GOD ALLOW EVIL?
11/16/2014 RISING IN CHRIST
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9/28/2014 ~ Why Does God Allow Evil?


It is God that created Light as we may perceive it.
How could a God of Love allow such evil in His creation?


    ① In the Beginning ② He Divided The Light ③ He Created Life    
 


·



  
           
  
 
In Him was no Darkness from the Darkness   In His Given Universe  


"... but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat,
for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." ~ Genesis 2:17


┏► Rebellion.   
And with the introduction of evil, death was, and is, the natural conclusion
for all that embark upon its' path. God does not maintain darkness as it falls away.


... God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And
now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever"
~ Genesis 3:22


Independent awareness for man is to know good and evil,
to be with God, or to be without Him; He calls for our return.


The LORD has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.
~ Proverbs 16:4


The Lord will not stop those of His creation
from choosing life without Him, - as their God and supreme creator.


"... 'I am the LORD, and there is no other; I form the light and create darkness,
I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things.' " ~ Isaiah 45:6-7


The Lord above all created freedom
for existence to pursue its’ own natural course.

 ҉ 
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
~ Proverbs 15:3


"See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, ..." ~ Deuteronomy 30:15

His will is for life to thrive in Him.
His intent is for life to be part of Him and not separate.


... formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain,
Who formed it to be inhabited: "I am the LORD, and there is no other." ~ Isaiah 45:18


Whether above or below, the Lord is there for the glory of it all,
sustaining the life He created. He sets the boundaries of good and evil
and as such, ultimately, life for the good and death for the evil.


... let righteousness spring up together. I, the LORD, have created it.
Woe to him who strives with his Maker! ... ~ Isaiah 45:8-9


He desires the loyal righteous rise over
those doubters declaring their own autonomous superiority.


... And their works are in the dark; They say, "Who sees us?" and,
"Who knows us?" Surely you have things turned around! ... ~ Isaiah 29:15-16


Arrogance finds no home in the humble.
Those that deny Him will find no sanctuary to excuse them.


... who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served
the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. ~ Romans 1:25


The Spirit touches that which is unseen beyond any tangible space.

"Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything,
since He gives to all life, breath, and all things." ~ Acts 17:25


What we worship is that which we put in highest regard. That of the temporal
plane has no comparison to the omnipotence God maintains. By exalting self,
others, things, or a job above God places proper priorities in dire straights.


Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. ~ Psalms 100:3


A good man obtains favor from the LORD,
But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn. ~ Proverbs 12:2


Without possessing a humble presence before Him,
any and all wickedness will find condemnation.


And Moses said to the people, "Do not fear; for God has come to test you,
and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin." ~ Exodus 20:20


Life is a test of the spirit in us and how our souls rise.

... God will never do wickedly, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice. ~ Job 34:10-12

Each gathering soul either reveals light or ensnares darkness.

... God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. ~ 1st John 1:5

The freedom in life, given by Him who is true, is a test of character for all,
as to whether His innate characteristics flourish over self seeking perversions,
delusionally twisting the truth unjustly.

                            Insolence. ◄┛

... Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are those happy
who deal so treacherously? ~ Jeremiah 12:1


Still, it is a mighty challenge to see the truth
of why God allows such evils to persist.


"For My people are foolish, They have not known Me. They are silly children, And they
have no understanding. They are wise to do evil, But to do good they have no knowledge."
~ Jeremiah 4:22

┏► Patience.                                                            
As a Father loves his children, He waits for the revealing of the sons of men.
┗► Hope.                                                                

Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD, They
would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke. ~ Proverbs 1:29-30


Heinous conditions of immorally and the ungodly possessing
no decency or wise virtue fills the ages defiling countless souls.


But this people has a defiant and rebellious heart; They have revolted and departed.
~ Jeremiah 5:23


Rebellion for us is more the norm than the exception.

"Because with lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad,
whom I have not made sad; ..." ~ Ezekiel 13:22


It is those lies, created by mankind, that throw the meek into tumultuous suffering.
He desires that hearts turn to Him in truth so that salvation, in Him, may be had.


"But if they do not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation," says the LORD.
~ Jeremiah 12:17


"... when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand
against it; I will cut off its supply of bread, send famine on it, ..." ~ Ezekiel 14:13


Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people. ~ Proverbs 14:34

Obedience to God expresses the goodness in us.

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. ~ Proverbs 29:2


As many nations that have risen are as many that have fallen.
To disregard God is to invite destruction at no fault of His glory.
The distinction between the righteous and the wicked is as plane as sorrows
over rejoicings. Choices people make cause either the blessings in life
or the calamities of affliction to befall upon the whole.


The LORD is righteous in her midst, He will do no unrighteousness.
Every morning He brings His justice to light; He never fails, ... ~ Zephaniah 3:5


But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His
wrath the earth will tremble, And the nations will not be able to endure His indignation.
~ Jeremiah 10:10


The Lord upholds His creation, even for those that deny Him,
as He shines light and life upon what He has established.


Across all ages, for the temporary mankind conditions or afflictions
that we endure, it will all bear out under His justice as eternity unfolds.


"... if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent
of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it." ~ Jeremiah 18:8


He holds mercy and incalculable blessings for those that turn back to Him.

... Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; Give judgment in your gates for truth,
justice, and peace; Let none of you think evil in your heart against your neighbor;
And do not love a false oath. ... ~ Zechariah 8:16-17


The Lord has made plane in His word what he expects
of the life in us. ~ Love of truth in a clean heart.

↶↷

"But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears
so that they could not hear." ~ Zechariah 7:11


Mankind has more often disregarded even the littlest of His commands
such as kindness to strangers. Without submission to His will,
we reduce to fugitives on the run.

    ↯

... says the Lord GOD. "Repent, and turn from all your transgressions,
so that iniquity will not be your ruin." ~ Ezekiel 18:30


There will be no escape if one does not make
the concerted choice to turn to Him as the Holiest of Holy.


Seek good and not evil, That you may live; So the LORD God of hosts will be with you,
As you have spoken. ~ Amos 5:14


Seeking good has the reward of peace and God given love.

You who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints;
He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. ~ Psalms 97:10


All should be disgusted with the evil that plagues the land of every nation!

Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil.
Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on. ... ~ Proverbs 4:14-17


Evil is a temporary portal to show us how bad it is without God.

                    Emotions engage deep of spirit. ◄┓
... People know neither love nor hatred by anything they see before them.
~ Ecclesiastes 9:1-3


Solomon considered all that he could render, to all, that while ignorance
prevails under the clout of death, and evils rages on, God embraces the good.


... He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good,
and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." ~ Matthew 5:45


"... For He is kind to the unthankful and evil." ~ Luke 6:35

Goodness for the sake of goodness defines God Himself.
In life we must choose to increase our good over being dominated
by the evils harbored in each of us. God does not refuse His blessings
upon all as He waits for our return to rejoin Him in His eternal kingdom.


Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and
light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! ~ Isaiah 5:20


For the liars and thieves that permeate all lands and times, His wrath looms.

Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth
belong to those who devise good. ~ Proverbs 14:22


In truth mercy will be bestowed on those intent on goodness in the face of God.

"For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries,
fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies." ~ Matthew 15:19


"If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door.
And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." ~ Genesis 4:7


To purge evil is a matter of self control and without such destruction is assured.

Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." ~ 1st Corinthians 15:33

The righteous should choose his friends carefully,
For the way of the wicked leads them astray. ~ Proverbs 12:26


Choices determine our will of character
and evil associations diminish our excellence.


Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. ~ Psalms 34:14

What we keep our eye on is what controls our peace or inflames our rage.
He calls for us to come to Him and His ways.


 
    In the   
Presence   
of God's   
Light   


   

 Redemption 
From Sin

      

Fall
 From Grace 

   
         
  
                            

Eternal
Torments



By actions of spirit the soul will be judged

... No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, ...
~ Matthew 6:22-24


Darkness is a choice and must be avoided if God is your calling.

... to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom
you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?
~ Romans 6:16


His word is clear that obedience leads to a righteous life
whereas sin leads to a purposeless death.


... endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,
and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, ...
~ Romans 9:22-24


... and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation ... ~ 2nd Peter 3:15

The patience of God reaches out to both good and evil souls. His longsuffering
offers salvation while He longs for our return to what is good and true.


God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. ~ 1st John 4:16

Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins. ~ Proverbs 10:12

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ~ Romans 12:9

Love simply endures more than can be spoken.
Between evil and good, love is the conquering force.
The suave of love melts all wounds.


Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
~ Romans 12:17


God calls us to be holy and it is a challenge
in overcoming wickedness, yet, He expects us to prevail and flourish.
In our pursuit of Him and His ways, we are His examples of His will.


Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. ~ Romans 12:21

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
~ Ephesians 5:11


By exposing our own sin we are healed. Secret sins are what bury an open heart.
Goodness and honesty is the medicine that heals even the most wicked.
In our deepest thoughts we must be transparent.


... do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God,
but he who does evil has not seen God. ~ 3rd John 1:11


We are the torch carrying Gods own light for those that have not seen.

See that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because
the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
~ Ephesians 5:15-17


He asks that we take care in all that we do
and especially pay attention to His instructions.


Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify
you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless
at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 1st Thessalonians 5:22-23


It is God Himself who sanctifies our body spirit and soul
though Jesus Christ rendering us pure in His presence.


... abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,
having your conduct honorable ... ~ 1st Peter 2:11-12


Most people rage on about one another. Selfish physical desires are
the downfall of all that is decent. By our good works God is glorified.


The evil will bow before the good, And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
~ Proverbs 14:19


Evil souls will have no excuse for the shame that shall bear
down upon them as the righteous will rise to their proper place.


"... To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life,
which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." ~ Revelation 2:7


Warnings have been declared as the bosom of God stands open.
His fruit is eternal.


Reach out for God
That we would choose life over death
Seek good, truth, and peace - turn from evil
Our righteousness would rule over our evil
That our fear of God outweighs our doubts
Mercy in truth is offered by His glorious grace
That we should know salvation is of the Lord

For anyone to return to God, one must reach out beyond self.
Life must be chosen over death. He calls for our state to be of humble
righteousness extending kindness to even those that would hate us. That
our confidence overwhelms all doubt in light of what His salvation offers
to all His faithful servants. Consequence results from the life we hold.


No description can define darkness
that is darker than dark.

Will you come to His call?
He waits in the Light.
⚞✞⚟

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11/16/2014 ~ Rising in Christ

⦿
Darkness consumes all those who refuse to see.


For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust,
that He might bring us to God, ... ~ 1st Peter 3:18

\     |     /
\
  In His light   /
He offers each of us eternal life on a proverbial golden platter.


... reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin,
but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 6:8-11


Christ is an example of how to live by being alive.

... if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life
because of righteousness. ~ Romans 8:9-10

                                     └─> The goodness in us for Love of God.

Our cornerstone is to be “in” Him.
Our death of self holds life in Him.

This sermon, along with being a review,
is also a reminder to all mature Christians not to ignore
what He asks of each of us and how He expects us to live.
~
Righteousness is a matter of Spirit rejoicing that God is in us.
Do we choose to be a devoted friend of God as He returns?
Our choice of desire declares our eternal destiny.

                                                                                               
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
~ 1st Corinthians 15:22


Most wait watching from the outside.

"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." ~ Matthew 16:25

●   ○
Many are dying to live but one must in fact die to be made alive.
Sacrifice supersedes self seeking.


... to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks,
Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ~ 1st Corinthians 1:22-24


All are called and the depth of one’s conviction is how
deeply this call is heard. He sacrificed for us to be able to hear.


"And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me
is not worthy of Me." ~ Matthew 10:38

/   |   \         
... it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now
live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, ... ~ Galatians 2:20


⇾ He demands that we endure.
We cannot be double minded in our walk as true believers.
Jealousy and envy blind many devoured in closed dark hearts.


GOD IN US = OPEN SHIELDED HEARTS

... that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and
the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, ...
~ Philippians 3:10


To know Him is larger than life itself.
Suffering to live eternally is the path we walk.


... raised us up together, and made us sit together
in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ... ~ Ephesians 2:4-7


In the storm of life, is our foundation Christ?
He knocks and the door to His house is the light home.


... all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through
Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, ...
~ 2nd Corinthians 5:17-19


Being reconciled to God refreshes us
to stand unblemished before God Himself.


For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord.
Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's ~ Romans 14:8


Death is a matter of natural events. To see God is to
embrace more than just earth and it’s unobtainable gifts.
Larger than what we cannot have on our own,
He offers true salvation for the humbled faithful.


"Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth!
For I am God, and there is no other." ~ Isaiah 45:22


To awaken to God can only increase one’s faith
~ for love in Him has no end.


The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below.
~ Proverbs 15:24


One can either choose the path of darkness or light
        SPIRIT                 GOD                CHRIST       
W
I
S
 D 
O
M

Seeking Truth of Love Beyond Ordinary

   H
   U
   M
   B
   L
   E

Independent Life

W
O
N
D
E
R

                      
SATAN
COMPLEX

Self-Centered
Arrogantly Proud
Unforgiving

                      
E
X
P
E
R
I
E
N
C
E


Searching for Truth

P   
A   
T   
I   
E   
N   
T   

Obedient Submission to Higher Entity

T
R
U
T
 H 
LOVE
God is mining into His creation of Light to recover His own

... For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him. ... ~ 2nd Timothy 2:11-13


God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord. ~ 1st Corinthians 1:9


For those called, He remains with us steadfast for all eternity.

... Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?
- unless indeed you are disqualified. ~ 2nd Corinthians 13:5


For His light to shine within you,
our obedient confidence is our own self witness.


In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. ~ John 1:4

... "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not
walk in darkness, but have the light of life." ~ John 8:12


To shine in Him we must accept Him in our heart of hearts.

... who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort
those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves
are comforted by God. ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 1:3-5


All can be stretched at times.
Our strength in Him is comfort for others.
~ Trust in Him defines character of Spirit. ~
He gives us the power to float in weakness as we are made strong
enduring through the end of His cause. Our release is our strength.


... casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. ~ 1st Peter 5:7

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation
through our Lord Jesus Christ, ... ~ 1st Thessalonians 5:9-11


He asks that we join in Him together with others unswervingly.

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name,
I am there in the midst of them." ~ Matthew 18:20


To love one another is to shine in His truth of Spirit.

... If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected
in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us,
because He has given us of His Spirit. ~ 1st John 4:12-13

              
God is a Spirit of unending Love.

But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit,
if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. ... ~ Romans 8:9


The Spirit of Christ loves
transcending past the mortal confines of the flesh.


"He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me.
And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him
and manifest Myself to him." ~ John 14:21

                                
For the true disciple,
His love for us is as much as our love for Him and more.


... that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you,
being rooted and grounded in love, ... ~ Ephesians 3:17


And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. ~ 1st Corinthians 3:23

The mature Christian acknowledges that Christ God
Creator of all is in us all. He sent Himself that we may know Him.


For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ~ Philippians 1:21

Many things for consideration envelope the wisdom of God.
True relationship does not neglect submission
to His omnipotence in earnest prayer.


... He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God
does not have life. ~ 1st John 5:10-12

      
To achieve eternal life as sinners,
we must rely on His sacrifice for this life He offers to be ours.


But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have
been brought near by the blood of Christ. ~ Ephesians 2:13


By His sacrifice we are cleansed of what would be held against us.

"... As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father,
so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me." ~ John 6:56-57

       
He requests that we feed upon all that is of His life
accepting the spiritual sustenance of God’s own truth.


... For we, though many, are one bread and one body;
for we all partake of that one bread. ~ 1st Corinthians 10:16-17


In remembrance of Him we have unity.
Christ left us with a simple act of worship
that allows us to intimately become part of His life.


... but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings,
that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
~ 1st Peter 4:13


No suffering is greater than what has been offered.
Spirit will be realized by His own, chosen by each individual
conviction of spirit in pursuit of Him.


For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not
even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?
~ 1st Thessalonians 2:19


How glorious to eventually be in His presence. Our joy is
glory in Him. We wait for Him as He equally waits for us.


... the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles:
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ~ Colossians 1:27


Our hope in Him is our beacon to eternity.

  ●  God was manifested in the flesh   
  ●  Justified in the Spirit
  ●  Seen by angels
  ●  Preached among Gentiles
  ●  Believed on in the world
  ●  Received up in glory

HIS GLORY CALLS FOR OUR RETURN

... God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels,
Preached among Gentiles, Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory. ~ 1st Timothy 3:16


His undeniable truth offers emancipation for all of us
☣ confined to the earth where inert dust is the final result. ☠
Will you choose to be among those patiently waiting at His revealing?


... When Christ who is our life appears,
then you also will appear with Him in glory. ~ Colossians 3:2-4


Our spirit can only enlarge as we gaze
to that which is ahead greater than ourselves.


If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above,
where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ~ Colossians 3:1


Our hearts may join in Him in the covenant of His love.

... in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus
we shall always be with the Lord. ... ~ 1st Thessalonians 4:17-18


Eternity has more significance than passing temporary desires.
Our greatest desire should be our return to God through
the sacrifice of His Son; that we may be humbled
in the face of His greatness beyond measure.

And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.
~ 1st Corinthians 6:14


The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
~ 2nd Timothy 4:22


He remains so be it!

⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐














  ●  Spirit is life
  ●  Live by faith
  ●  In Christ we are made alive
  ●  Reconciled to God through Jesus Christ
  ●  We have to die to live
  ●  In Him is the light of life
  ●  Christ in you is the hope of glory
  ●  In our trials, we are comforted in Him
  ●  Love for one another is key to awakening
  ●  To embrace His life reveals our true essence  
  ●  His Spirit sheds Grace on all that we are














⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐  ⭐

Our hearts will be no less than transparent
at the revealing of His light.


For the crown of life to be had
we must be immersed in Him.
Praise the Lord


Darkness will not survive in His light.

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