‘Be on your guard’ 2 Peter 1:1-18

Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written
both of them
as reminders
to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. 

I want you to
recall the words spoken in the past by the holy
prophets and the command given by our Lord and Saviour
through your apostles.

Paul writes to stimulate , motivating, rousing to action both his early readers and us to wholesome thinking,

wholesome means good like in food nutritious and nourishing to the body and so here to and for the soul.

However Paul writes for the spiritual welfare and concern for his readers to recall the God-inspired Old Testament and Jesus commands to His disciples

 

Above all,
you must understand that in the last days
scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say,

“Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 

But
they deliberately forget that long ago by
God’s word
the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.

 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word
the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire,

being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

Be ready and aware that there will be some who try to distract and detract you from God’s word, will, way even questioning God’s choices

but we must hold on and remember that God will hold all people to an account.

 

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends:

‘With the
Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

 The Lord
is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.

Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

The Lord gives people time to turn and repent before it is too late ,

which is why He is awaiting the right time to give as many as possible the opportunity to turn to Him.

 

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

There will be a day when God will judge the earth in His righteousness and in His truth.

 

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?
You ought to live holy and godly lives 
as you look forward to the day of God
and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.13But in keeping with his promise
we are looking forward
to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

As a result of this impending judgement day we need to be ready living a holy godly life but what does this mean?

We need to live holy – set apart lives for God the Lord not for ourselves in every area of our lives.

We need to live godly lives which means following God’s way and the perfect example in our Lord Jesus Christ as in Philippians 2. (see below)

 

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort
to be found spotless,
blameless and at peace with him.  Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience
means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

We need to make every effort, which means to exert ourselves push ourselves on like in a race to be found spotless without blemish or mark, blame free and at peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross.

 

Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by
the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. 

Having been warned now we may be wise and aware to be prepared and watchful to prevent us from being tricked by false teaching which is against God’s word

risking our security in our Lord Jesus Christ and risk to get drawn away.

 

But grow in the grace and
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

To him
be
glory both now and forever!
Amen.

We need to be growing, every increasing and emerging more and more in the grace and beauty,

knowledge and understanding of our Lord who is in control of our lives as we live for Him outing Him in first place,

Jesus who is our Saviour dying for us, taking the punishment we deserve upon himself.

Giving Him Jesus the glory in all we do and putting him in His rightful place in our lives, not just today but also tomorrow and in the future.

 

 

Philippians 2

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility
value others above yourselves,⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who, being in very nature^[ God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature^[] of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!

⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Do Everything Without Grumbling

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky   as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Be Thou my visi…

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best thought, by day or by night;
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father and I, Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise;
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart;
O King of glory, my treasure Thou art.

O King of glory, my victory won;
Rule and reign in me ’til Thy will be done;
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall;
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

I love this, the original version!

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/ns/345#ixzz2TxQjenhb

“Arise, My darling…

“Arise, My darling, My beautiful one, and come with Me!”

Song of Songs 2:10

A wonderful example of a bridegroom to his bride ~ long may it last!

title=”Marriage” target=”_blank”>http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o6ut-SUHe74/UMtwASj9fFI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/SWNfkyc9Cak/s1600/marriage-takes-three.jpg

Man with no arms or legs shares gospel with Oprah

http://www.crosswalk.com/video/man-no-arms-legs-goes-on-oprah-to-share-the-gospel.html

Man with no arms or legs shares gospel with Oprah

http://www.crosswalk.com/video/man-no-arms-legs-goes-on-oprah-to-share-the-gospel.html

Man with no arms or legs shares gospel with Oprah

http://www.crosswalk.com/video/man-no-arms-legs-goes-on-oprah-to-share-the-gospel.html

Man with no-arms or legs

Paste a Video URL

Incredible message – goes on Oprah to share the gospel

‘Remember His Chains’: Prayer Event for Pastor Saeed Abedini – Join Us!

Living as the LORD’s brought out people

Following the LORD’s timetable

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work,but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns.  For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Exodus 20:8-11;

Then the Lord said to Moses, ¹³ “Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.

 “‘Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death;those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people.  For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day is to be put to death. The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. ¹⁷ It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’“

When the Lord finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the covenant law, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.

Exodus 31:12-18

 

“Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. ¹³ Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns, so that your male and female servants may rest, as you do.  Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.

Deuteronomy 5:12-15

 

“If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
    and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
    and the Lord’s holy day honorable,
and if you honour it by not going your own way
    and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
¹⁴ then you will find your joy in the Lord,
    and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land
    and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.”
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken

Isaiah 58:13-14

 

Who is in charge of the rhythm of your life?

To whose beat of the drum do you march too?

 

1. Words of command
   

• A timetabled day
  
• A holy day
  
• A stopping day
  
• A God-ward day
  
• A community day
  
• A modelled day
  
• A blessed day
  

   

Applying the fourth commandment today in the 21^st Century – follow Jesus example who kept it perfectly

‘For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath’

Matthew 12:8

 

• A warning of two extremes to avoid Joyless legalism
  
• Joyless disregard
  

 

If not the result will be God’s perfect command becomes joyless and burdensome

 

1. Enjoy the Sabbath by trusting the LORD of the Sabbath
   

• Resting
  

  “Come to me all you who labour and are heavy burdened I will give you REST, rest for your souls”
  

  Sunday is the market place for the soul – under God’s smile with God’s people in God’s house
  

• Remembering
  

  Depend on God for everything
  

  The first three commandments:
  

  ‘No other gods beside me’
  

  ‘No idol’s (anything we put in God’s place even our use of time)
  

  ‘Treasure His name’ – it is SPECIAL
  

• Anticipating
  

  The perfect eternal rest yet to come in heaven – Sundays are a foretaste of heaven and meeting with believers at other times too!
  

 

Listen to God’s word and say “YES, so…” then ask God in prayer, on your knees, what He wants you to do having heard the word.

 

My soul finds rest in God alone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmx9p6vAL1g

The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG7hVInkfes&feature=share&list=PL490221BDA8E52EF4

 

Nothing noble is attained easily

These in white robes-
-who are they, and where did they come from?”
“These are those who have come out of the great tribulation!”

Revelation 7:13-14

Revelation 7:13-14 

In John’s vision the noble saints, shining in white garments and bearing the symbols of battle and victory, had come, not out of ease and soft circumstances; not out of experiences of luxury, from cosy homes, from favoured spots and congenial conditions. Rather they had won their nobleness:. . . 
  in hard circumstances,
  in fierce struggles,
  in sharp temptations,
  in bitter sorrows,
  in keen sufferings.

Some of us grow impatient of our difficulties and hardships. We brood over them, and come to think that we have not been fairly dealt with by God. Some of us resent our trials, and think that God has not been kind or just with us. 

A young man told of his hard trials and losses, his sore bereavements and sorrows, his severe disappointments and struggles, and of the wrongs and injustices he had suffered from those who ought to have been his friends. But all that had seemed so hard, meant an opportunity for this young man to grow into manly strength and heroic Christ-like character.

Those who have the battles and the trials, and overcome in them, shall wear white robes and carry palm branches. They shall be among the victors at the last. Nothing noble is attained easily. The crowns of life, can only be won on the fields of struggle!

 

“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.

Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life!”

Revelation 2:10

 ”All who overcome will inherit all these blessings,

and I will be their God, and they will be My children!”

Revelation 21:7

J.R. Miller, “The Glory of the Commonplace”

 

Reading this, I am reminded too of other Bible verses stating why we face trials and how that produces changes in us to godliness and become more Christ like for The Day He appears

 

Not only so, but we
also glory in our sufferings,

 because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 

perseverance, character; and character, hope. 

And hope does not put us to shame,

because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts

through the Holy Spirit,  who has been given to us.

Romans 5:3-5

And to follow Jesus example and finish the race going on to the goal – heaven…

 

 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in^[Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus
took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. heir destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Phillipians 3:7-21

Nothing noble is attained easily by J.R. Miller, “The Glory of the Commonplace”

Is or was it good for me to be afflicted?

If I was not afflicted, I would not depend on the LORD but on myself.

 

‘because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

he chastens everyone he accepts his son;”

Hebrews 12:6

 

“Before I was afflicted, I went astray,but I keep your law.”

Psalm 119:67

 

“It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.”

Psalm 119:71

 

“I know, O LORD,that Your judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.”

Psalm 119:75

 

So experiencing trials, affliction and discipline from God and troubles in life do not blame God but thank Him that He counts us worthy to bear His name.

 

God is love.

Whoever lives in love lives in God,

and God in them.

This is how love is made complete among us

so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment:

In this world we are like Jesus.

There is no fear in love.

But perfect love drives out fear,

because fear has to do with punishment.

The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

 

1 John 4:16-17

 

‘Dear friends,

<strong>do not be surprised </strong>at the fiery ordeal that has come on you;<strong>to test you</strong>, though something strange were happening to you.

Rejoice inasmuch <strong>the sufferings of Christ</strong>,so that you may be <strong>overjoyed his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of <strong>the name of Christ, you are blessed for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.However,<strong>if you suffer as a Christian do not be ashamed,</strong> but &lt;<strong>praise God </strong>that you bear that name. For it is;for judgment to begin with <strong>God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not <strong>obey the gospel of God And

,”If it is hard for the <strong>righteous to be saved</strong>,<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

So then,those who <strong>suffer according to God’s will</strong>;should <strong>commit themselves to their faithful Creator</strong> and <strong>continue to do good </strong>

1 Peter 4:12-19

 

Just as Jesus did in obedience he went willingly to the cross subject to the Father’s perfect will – I/we too must be obedient.

 

“http://sacollinsvogan.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/be-joyful-in-hope-patient-in-affliction-faithful-in-prayer-romans-12-v-121.jpg”&gt;&lt;img class=&quot;size-full wp-image aligncenter&quot; id=&quot;i-3279&quot; alt=&quot;Image&quot;

 

Affliction causes my eyes to look upwards to see The Lamb, Jesus upon the throne in the throne-room&amp; in heaven, at the Father's right hand – preparing a place for me.

 

‘And if I (Jesus) and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me, where I am.’

John 14:3

 

Be ready for Christ Jesus return – like a thief in the night, there will be no warning.

 

‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,

let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.

And let us <strong>run with perseverance the race marked out for us,</strong>

<strong>fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.</strong>

For the <strong>joy </strong>set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and

<strong>sat down at the right hand of the throne of God</strong>.

<strong>Consider him</strong> who endured such opposition from sinners,

so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

 

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement

that addresses you as a father addresses his son?

It says,

 

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,

and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

because <strong>the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son</strong>.”

 

<strong>Endure hardship as discipline;

God is treating you as his children.</strong>

For what children are not disciplined by their father?

If you are not disciplined—

and everyone undergoes discipline—

then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.

Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it.

How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!

They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best;

but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.

Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

 

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.

“Make level paths for your feet,”

so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

 

<strong>Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy;

without holiness no one will see the Lord.

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God

and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

See that no one is sexually immoral,

or is godless like Esau,

who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.

Afterward, as you know,

when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected.

Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.

 

You have not come to a mountain that can be touched

and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm;

to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words

that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them,

because they could not bear what was commanded:

 

“If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death&quot;

 

The sight was so terrifying that Moses said,

“I am trembling with fear.”

 

But you have come to Mount Zion,

to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.

You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly,

to the church of the firstborn,

whose names are written in heaven.

You have come to God, the Judge of all,

to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant,

and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

 

See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks.

If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth,

how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?

At that time his voice shook the earth, but now <strong>he has promised,</strong>

 

“Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”

 

The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—

that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

 

Therefore, since <strong>we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,</strong>

let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,

for our <strong>”God is a consuming fire.”</strong>

 

Hebrews 12:1-21

Is it or was it good for me to be afflicted?

If I was not afflicted, I would not depend on the LORD but on myself.

‘because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
he chastens everyone he accepts his son;”
Hebrews 12:6

“Before I was afflicted, I went astray,but I keep .”
Psalm 119:67

“It is good for me hat I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.”
Psalm 119:71

“I know, O LORD,that Your judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.”
Psalm 119:75

So experiencing trials, affliction and discipline from God and troubles in life do not blame God but thank Him that He counts us worthy to bear His name.

God is love.Whoever lives in love lives in God,
and God in them.This is how love is made complete among us
so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment:
In this world we are like Jesus.There is no fear in love.
But perfect love drives out fear,
because fear has to do with punishment.
The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

1 John 4:16-17

‘Dear friends,
do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you;to test you, though something strange were happening to you.
Rejoice inasmuch the sufferings of Christ,so that you may be overjoyed his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.However,if you suffer as a Christian do not be ashamed, but <praise God that you bear that name. For it is;for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God And
,“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
    what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
So then,those who suffer according to God’s will;should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good
1 Peter 4:12-19

Just as Jesus did in obedience he went willingly to the cross subject to the Father’s perfect will – I/we too must be obedient.

“http://sacollinsvogan.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/be-joyful-in-hope-patient-in-affliction-faithful-in-prayer-romans-12-v-121.jpg”><img class="size-full wp-image aligncenter" id="i-3279" alt="Image"

Affliction causes my eyes to look upwards to see The Lamb, Jesus upon the throne in the throne-room& in heaven, at the Father's right hand – preparing a place for me. And if I (Jesus) and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me, where I am.
John 14:3

Be ready for Christ Jesus' return – like a thief in the night, there will be no warning.

‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.
“Make level paths for your feet,”
so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.

You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded:

“If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death"

The sight was so terrifying that Moses said,
“I am trembling with fear.”

But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised,
“Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”

The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our
“God is a consuming fire.”

Hebrews 12:1-21

Burning lights by Chris Tomlin

1. Burning Lights
2. Awake My Soul (with Lecrae)
3. Whom Shall I Fear [God of Angel Armies]
4. Lay Me Down
5. God’s Great Dance Floor
6. White Flag
7. Crown Him [Majesty] [with Kari Jobe]
8. Jesus, Son of God (with Christy Nockels)
9. Sovereign 4:35 $1.29 Buy MP3
10. Countless Wonders
11. Thank You God for Saving Me (with Phil Wickham)
12. Shepherd Boy

Our GOD!

Chris Tomlin & Lecrae
PASSION conference

Why passion?
Passionate for God

Who is God?
CREATOR, ALMIGHTY, SAVIOUR, HEALER, RESTORER, FRIEND, THE LIVING TRUE ETERNAL GOD

Tell the world!

Lecrae

Because He lives I can face tomorrow

David Crowther band

IBS and hormones

IBS and hormones

Link to read a research paper on the link between hormones and IBS

Non-coeliac gluten intolerance (GI)

Personally, I believe gluten causes my digestive symptoms, reactions and fatigue in People Without Coeliac Disease as gluten and symptoms in people without coeliac disease as  gluten is a trigger of digestive symptoms and fatigue ”non-coeliac gluten intolerance”. As a sufferer of what the doctors have resigned to say is IBS in whom coeliac disease had been excluded whose symptoms were controlled on a gluten-free diet.

I eat a daily gluten-free diet, rarely eating gluten free bread or baked goods as I do not find them comfortable in the digestive transit, although small amounts are the key eaten proportionally with fruit, vegetables and proteins, as excess gluten-free could also cause discomfort. My symptoms are worse within thirty minutes of gluten ingestion and had significantly worse bloating, abdominal pain, altered bowel pattern and fatigue, sleeplessness due to the food going through the system causing pain en route. 

<strong>Gluten</strong> is a trigger of  inflammation and/or gut dysfunction in IBS and gluten sensitivity the next is to determine whether it is the/or one of the causes of functional symptoms in patients with a positive anti-gliadin antibodies, and gluten restriction. 

<strong>Mast cells</strong> have been implicated showing increased activated mast cells present in the duodenum, ileum and/or colon of individuals with IBS symptoms.

These are:

• found resident in tissues throughout the body, particularly in association with structures such as blood vessels and nerves, and in proximity to surfaces that interface the external environment
  
• are bone marrow-derived and particularly depend upon stem cell factor for their survival
  
• express a variety of phenotypic features within tissues as determined by the local environment
  
• withdrawal of required growth factors results in mast cell apoptosis
  
• appear to be highly engineered cells with multiple critical biological functions
  
• may be activated by a number of stimuli that are both Fc epsilon RI dependent and Fc epsilon RI independent.
  

Activation

• through various receptors leads to distinct signaling pathways
  
• may immediately extrude granule-associated mediators and generate lipid-derived substances that induce immediate allergic inflammation
  
• may also be by the synthesis of chemokines and cytokines as secretion, occurs hours later, may contribute to chronic inflammation.
  

Biological functions appear to include:

• a role in natural immunity,
  
• involvement in host defence mechanisms against parasitic infestations,
  
• immunomodulation of the immune system,
  
• tissue repair and angiogenesis.
  

 

The trigger in these individuals is believed to be a type of immune stimulating event such as:

• an intestinal
  infection , as in the post-infectious form of IBS
  
• proteins in the gut such as foods and/or microbes that are sensed by the body as being foreign attackers.
  

 

The role of microbes is getting a lot of scientific and research attention whereas food proteins as a cause of IBS, has generally been doubted by research scientists and previously ignored

The presence of genetic markers as for Coeliac disease predicted responsiveness to a gluten-free diet in people with IBS, supporting with my personal experiences. In following a gluten free diet individuals with at risk genetics but who are without proven Coeliac disease, though many had positive testsm with a higher occurrence of these genetics in individuals with augmented mast cells in their intestinal lining, known as Mastocytic Enterocolitis (MCE) or also Mastocytic Inflammatory Bowel Disease (MIBD).

Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that MCE or MIBD are recognised as an inflammatory process in some IBS sufferers as it narrows down the affected area rather than only dietary causes and implications.

Treatment with

• medications
  
• a gluten-free
  
• low fruit, vegetables, dried legumes,
  
• no dairy,
  

The diet results are in a very positive response when I have been similarily diagnosed and treated.

The role of mast cells and gluten in IBS requires research but that costs money, I wish I was Bill Gates and could fund this area of research on the link and affect between mast cells in gastrointestinal disease.

Dysgraphia