Do We Therefore Fellowship With Toxic Believers?

Today's Focus Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-10

2 Thessalonians 3:1-10
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, 
2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.
3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 
4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.
5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 
8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 
9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

LAGNIAPPE:


1 Corinthians 5:9-12
9 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; 
10 I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world.
11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 
12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?


1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

Comprehending God's Peace, Beyond Being Troubled With Cares

Today's Focus Scripture: Philippians 4:4-11


Philippians 4:4-11
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be anxious [troubled with cares] for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble [honorable], whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good repute, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 

LAGNIAPPE:

Philippians 4:12-13
12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Jerry Skinner led call #189 on July 3, 2012 and read the same passage of scripture Philippians 4:4-11.

Hard Times, Good Times, Uncertain Times - "Rejoice In the Lord" - Always

Today's Focus Scripture: Habakkuk 3:17-19  and "Cross the Bridge Daily Evotionals" with Pastor David McGee

Habakkuk 3:17-19
17 Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.
To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.

"Cross the Bridge Daily Evotionals"

Nothing but God - Thursday, July 11th 2013

Habakkuk 3:17-18

"Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls- Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation."
NKJV

After several complaints to God and three chapters later, the prophet Habakkuk comes to an amazing revelation. In his brokenness, he finally realized that God is enough. In His song of prayer to the Lord, he writes of what is to come for the land of Judah. No figs, no wine, no oil, no food, nothing was left all because of their sin. Yet, when faced with the reality of these things, he says something so profound... "Yet I will rejoice in the Lord."

Imagine friend. You're going to barely be able to feed yourself and your family and in the midst of that fear you are filled with the joy of the Lord. This is not a fictional occurrence. This is God at work. His mercies are new every morning. Each breath we take is a blessing from God, but there's more. In His great love, He sent His Son to die for our sins. We can now be forgiven not because we deserve it, but because God desires to show mercy and declare forgiveness. This is the God that Habakkuk clung to in those hard times. This is why he was able to say, "I will joy in the God of my salvation."

Life Lesson: The mercies of God are evident all around us if we take the time to notice them.

Introduced To Grace By Faith Into The Manifested Love of God Through The Death of Christ

Today's Focus Scripture: Romans 5:1-11


Romans 5:1-11

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 
2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 
3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 
4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 
5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 
7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 
9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 
10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 
11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

LAGNIAPPE:

Verse 8 of Romans chapter 5 answers the question, "What did Jesus do for us?" He died for us, and by this manifested His love for us.


(King James Version)
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.



Demonstrate -
v. demonstrated, demonstrating, demonstrates
v.tr. 
1. To show clearly and deliberately; manifest
2. To show to be true by reasoning or adducing evidence; prove
3. To present by experiments, examples, or practical application; explain and illustrate:
4. to evince; reveal the existence of

Synonyms: authenticate, determine, establish, evidence, evince, exhibit, expose, indicate, make evident, manifest, prove, roll out, show and tell, testify to, validate

vs. 8 - demonstrates, commendeth

Strong's G4921 - synistēmi - συνστημι

From G4862 and G2476 (including its collateral forms)

1) to place together, to set in the same place,to bring or band together

a) to stand with (or near)

2) to set one with another

a) by way of presenting or introducing him

b) to comprehend

3) to put together by way of composition or combination, to teach by combining and comparing

a) to show, prove, establish, exhibit

4) to put together, unite parts into one whole

a) to be composed of, consist

Strong's G4862 - sü'n (syn, soon) - σύν

A primary preposition denoting union; with or together, that is, by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, addition, etc.: - beside, with. In compounds it has similar applications, including completeness.

Strong's G2476 - histēmi - στημι

1) to cause or make to stand, to place, put, set

a) to bid to stand by, [set up]

1) in the presence of others, in the midst, before judges, before members of the Sanhedrin;

2) to place

b) to make firm, fix establish

1) to cause a person or a thing to keep his or its place

2) to stand, be kept intact (of family, a kingdom), to escape in safety

3) to establish a thing, cause it to stand

a) to uphold or sustain the authority or force of anything

c) to set or place in a balance

1) to weigh: money to one (because in very early times before the introduction of coinage, the metals used to be weighed)

2) to stand

a) to stand by or near

1) to stop, stand still, to stand immovable, stand firm

a) of the foundation of a building

b) to stand

1) continue safe and sound, stand unharmed, to stand ready or prepared

2) to be of a steadfast mind

3) of quality, one who does not hesitate, does not waiver

Struggles – Do Not Be Distracted Off of the Path the Lord Has Placed Us On

Today’s Focus Scripture: Isaiah 41:6-13

Isaiah 41:6-13

(NKJV)

6 Everyone helped his neighbor,

And said to his brother,

“Be of good courage!”

7 So the craftsman encouraged the goldsmith;

He who smooths with the hammer inspired him who strikes the anvil,

Saying, “It is ready for the soldering”;

Then he fastened it with pegs,

That it might not totter.

8 “But you, Israel, are My servant,

Jacob whom I have chosen,

The descendants of Abraham My friend.

9 You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,

And called from its farthest regions,

And said to you,

‘You are My servant,

I have chosen you and have not cast you away:

10 Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

11 “Behold, all those who were incensed against you

Shall be ashamed and disgraced;

They shall be as nothing,

And those who strive with you shall perish.

12 You shall seek them and not find them—

Those who contended with you.

Those who war against you

Shall be as nothing,

As a nonexistent thing.

13 For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand,

Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.' 

Verse 10 (NASB) -

‘Do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,

Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

The Lord Neither Condemns Us Nor Forsakes Us - Salvation Comes To Our House Every Day

Today's Focus Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Luke 19:1-10

1 He entered Jericho and was passing through.

2 And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich.

3 Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature.

4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way.

5 When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”

6 And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly.

7 When they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”

8 Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.”

9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham.

10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

In Memory of Sterling Knight - A Story of Two Dreams

We love you Sterling and it was a truly and honor and pleasure to have been able to fellowship with you and talk about Jesus and all that He has done in your life over the years.  

We will miss you greatly, but we also rejoice with you while you are dancing with Jesus in Heaven.

*****************************************************************

Sterling Knight is a 96 year old former missionary and a WWII US Military veteran.

This is Sterling's notes on some dreams, one by a young boy named Oscar Hall and the other dream by a man named Ledson in Brazil, and finally Sterling makes a short story out of one of his own dreams.

Enjoy these recollections of Sterling’s encounter with Oscar and Ledson as he recalls the stories and caps off the story of these dreams with a short version of his own dream.

DREAMS – In Sterling’s own words.

LEDSON’S DREAM as recalled by Sterling Knight

I have been a pastor, also a missionary to Brazil for a number of years. When speaking at a church there was one evening I was introduced to a man named Ledson and was asked to take him with me the following two days to churches in the same area where I had appointments. He had been invited to sing and give his testimony in the same churches in the first part of the service. It was truly an unforgettable testimony.

Ledson said that he had been living with a woman without having been married to her. Then one night he had a dream in which someone came to him and said, "Ledson, if you continue in the life you are living you are going to hell." Also he was told of certain sins he was guilty of including the fact he was living with a woman without being married to her. This woman was a spiritist and a medium. Although she stopped practicing Spiritism, the spirit that had been entering her during séances had not permanently left her. On awakening from the dream, Ledson took the warning very seriously and decided to make a change. So he told Maria, the Spiritist's name, that he wanted to live differently and asked her to leave. However, she preferred staying with him and persuaded him to let her remain living with him.

A few days later, after Ledson and this dream, while it was still dark outside Maria awoke and pulled on Ledson's arm commanding him, "Boy, get me a drink of water." Ledson was quite surprised because he was blind and Maria always waited upon him and gave Ledson what he wanted. Upon hearing this command coming from Maria, Ledson reminded Maria that she helps him by serving him due to his blindness and told Maria to get the water herself. Maria replied, "I have never gotten you anything and my name is not Maria and I don't know who you."  Ledson was greatly puzzled and surprised because she had been living with him for so long. Ledson asked Maria, "If you are not Maria, then who are you?" She replied, "It is Lucifer speaking with you. I have just arrived after a long journey and I am going to destroy everything in this house beginning with your life if I find a knife shelf."

Maria got up to get a knife. Ledson attempted to hold her, but with superhuman strength she threw Ledson against the wall.  He stood up trembling and thinking that any minute a knife would be plunged into his body and it would be his last day on earth. Ledson simply started praying at this time. Sometime before this dream and Maria being possessed Ledson was passing by a church and the door was open. He then mockingly said, "There is power in the blood of Jesus." The pastor of this church heard Ledson and replied to him saying, "One day you will know there is power in the blood of Jesus.  But now since the dream Ledson was a different man from the one who mocked Jesus.  Ledson then says to Maria, "There is power in the blood of Jesus." This time Ledson was not mocking Jesus, but was very sincere in his heart by declaring this statement to Lucifer. The devil heard Ledson saying this and said, "You are attacking me. When one speaks of the blood of Jesus I do not stay. But when you stop speaking of the blood of Jesus, I am going to return. Ledson declares with tremendous faith, "You are not going to return." Maria then backed up, entered into the bedroom and lay down and went to sleep. Ledson followed her to the bedroom and started speaking the words in variation for the next 2 hours, "There is power in the blood of Jesus."

After this time of declaring "There is power in the blood of Jesus," Maria woke up and got Ledson a drink of water. The devil left her. The same day Ledson sent Maria away. She took a bus and left crying to go live in another city.  Without delay Ledson went to a church and made a profession of faith in Christ. Since that time Ledson began to give his testimony in churches in various cities and states in Brazil of how God marvelously saved and delivered him and had given him a new life. Truly there is wonder working in the power of the blood of Christ.

THE DREAM OF OSCAR HALL as recalled by Sterling Knight

Many years ago I was attending a seminary in Dallas, TX at the time I was teaching a Sunday School of class of twelve year old boys.  On one particular day in Sunday School class a boy named Oscar Hall stated he wished to speak to me in private. I made arrangements to go and visit at a later time with Oscar at his home. Oscar told me of a terrible dream he had that troubled him. He said he dreamed that he was at the end of the world and the devil came and picked him up and threw him into a bottomless pit from which there was no escape. Oscar thought in this dream, “Why didn’t I believe in God before it was too late?” Oscar then asked me what it meant to believe in God.

I explained to Oscar that to believe in God in order to be saved meant to simply believe in Christ Whom God sent to this earth to save us and to die for our sins; also of how Christ arose from the grave and went back to heaven where He is waiting and willing to save all who trust in Him. After explaining the good news a little more, I prayed for him and asked Oscar if he would also pray and told him a few things he might like to include in his prayer. Oscar replied that he didn’t remember all the words that I suggested. I explained that to be saved was not a matter of just saying a bunch of words, but even silently in his heart, if he trusted in Christ and received Him, that God would save him. Oscar was silent for a few moments, then with a tear in his eye he touched my arm and said, “It will be alright.” After another moment or two of silence Oscar stated, “I would like to go to heaven and look around up there.” I asked Oscar what he had hoped to see. He said to me, “I was just thinking of how grand it would be to see the One Who died for my sins.” Immediately I perceived that he had just trusted in Chris from his heart, and now having the love of Christ within him, that he was already looking forward to seeing Jesus face to face.

On another day in Sunday School class Oscar told me that he no longer had any more terrible dreams of the end of the world and the devil throwing him into a bottomless pit, but now he only has sweet dreams of heaven. As he took to heart the warning of the first dream and sought the Lord, God revealed to Oscar what would actually take place as a child of God.

STERLING’S DREAM -

I also had a dream that I was drafted into the military and was putting on a uniform to go into the Army. I was exempt from the draft, but believing the dream was of God, I volunteered to go into military service. I will not say much about it now, but it was wonderful how God brought me through the war without a scratch.

MEMORIAL INFORMATION FOR STERLING

Service Information

In Memory of

Sterling T. Knight

June 6, 1917 - July 4, 2013

Obituary

Sterling T. Knight, 96, beloved husband, father, grandfather and faithful servant of the Lord passed into glory Thursday, July 4, 2013. Funeral Service: 3 p.m. Sunday, July 14, 2013 at Shannon Rufe Snow Funeral Chapel. There will be a visitation one hour before the service where the family will receive friends. Memorials: Memorials may be made to Grace Community Church, 251 Countryside Court, Southlake, TX 76092. Sterling was born on June 6, 1917 in Houston, Texas. He was a former pastor of churches in Illinois and missionary to Brazil where he served for 17 years. He was enlisted in the army in 1943 and served in the medical...

Sterling T. Knight, 96, beloved husband, father, grandfather and faithful servant of the Lord passed into glory Thursday, July 4, 2013.

Funeral Service: 3 p.m. Sunday, July 14, 2013 at Shannon Rufe Snow Funeral Chapel. There will be a visitation one hour before the service where the family will receive friends.

Memorials: Memorials may be made to Grace Community Church, 251 Countryside Court, Southlake, TX 76092.

Sterling was born on June 6, 1917 in Houston, Texas. He was a former pastor of churches in Illinois and missionary to Brazil where he served for 17 years. He was enlisted in the army in 1943 and served in the medical department with the 45th infantry division in Italy, France and Germany.
Sterling is preceded in death by his parents, N. B. and Mamie Knight and his siblings.

Survivors: beloved wife of 39 years, Jackie Knight; daughter, Renata and husband, Jaime; son, Paul and wife, Brooke and grandchildren, Hannah, Calek and Coen; and several nieces and nephews.

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