“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” - Philippians 3:20

The translators of the King James Bible used the English word “conversation” in 18 passages, among which are five different Greek terms. Most of the words would be understood by our modern idea “manner of life” or behavior. However, in today’s verse, the word is politeuoma, derived from another Greek word, polites. Our English word “politics” comes from that, especially in the sense of citizenship as it relates to governmental oversight.

The apostle Paul is the only New Testament writer to use the “politics” word, and he does so only two other times. On one occasion, “all Jerusalem was in an uproar” over Paul’s supposed violation of the temple (Acts 21:31). After giving testimony of his conversion and subsequent ministry to the unruly crowd, Paul said, “Men and brethren, I have lived [politeuomai] in all good conscience before God until this day,” simply and boldy declaring that he now lived as a citizen of heaven (Acts 23:1).

Earlier in his epistle to the Philippian church, Paul challenged them, “Let your conversation [politeuma] be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27). Paul’s challenge is just as clear to us: live and think like our citizenship is in heaven.

Heaven’s rule may be best understood by our English word “commonwealth,” a political community founded for the common good. We are “joint-heirs” with Christ (Romans 8:17), and we should look “for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10). HMM III
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by the Institute of Creation.

https://www.icr.org/article/16104/

My dear friend Jill is struggling with her marriage, her husband is abusive, manipulative and love is pretty much non existent at this point (her own words).
She is very desperate, fearful and sad, but she is an amazing person who definitely deserves better home. I spread the Good Word to her, fortunately she has a catholic background and knows about our Saviour but she is not active and practicing catholic anymore. She found comfort in the Words of God and all we can do for her is pray that God will guide her out of that situation and invite her to salvation.

Please pray for both of them and their children, thank you brothers and sisters. <3

"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." - James 1:21

PONDER THIS

I’ve had the joy of preaching overseas in different countries, including China. In my experience, the people there were wonderful and gracious. I learned from my guide that it is an honor for them to have you come under their roof. They know how to welcome you. They will say, you are welcome in our home, and serve you something. At that moment, you should receive what they give you to show that you accept their hospitality. The guide said when they serve you something—tea for example—never reach out and take it with one hand. That implies you’re grasping. Take it with both hands to express that you are receiving.

Likewise, you don’t just reach out and take God’s Word. We lift our hands to Him, and we welcome the Word, we receive the Word, we take the Word by faith. It is by grace we let God’s Word come into our hearts.

- Why is it important that we view God’s Word as something we receive from Him and not something we gain on our own?
- What is your typical attitude when you come to the Word of God?

PRACTICE THIS

Evaluate your attitude about God’s Word. Write out a prayer that addresses any struggles you face when you come to the Word. Ask God to lead you in this area. APR
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by Love Worth Finding.

https://www.lwf.org/daily-devotionals/receive-gods-word-with-open-hands

I am copy-pasting the post I made in other Christian subreddits.

Hello, my brothers and sisters,

A question crossed my mind. I recently learned that the Church existed before the Bible/Gospel. The Gospel as we know it today(I mean New Testament) emerged in the 4th century. During that process, books appeared that were not accepted into the canon, such as the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Barnabas, and so on. We place our trust in the Church, believing it properly investigated and scrutinized the Gospels to make the right decision. We do this because Peter founded the Church, or because God—through the Holy Spirit—assisted the clergy in compiling the Gospel. Yet, this Church, in which we place such immense trust, is capable of making mistakes. How can we be certain they didn't make a mistake regarding the Gospel?

The clearest proof of this fallibility is the schism between the Orthodox and Catholic churches; it shows that popes and patriarchs are capable of acting wrongly. What if the same thing happened when the Gospel was being compiled?

Catholics and Orthodox believe that the early Church Fathers received help from the Holy Spirit when establishing the Bible that we read today. We believe and have faith in that. Okay, that is understandable. But then why do we object when Protestants apply the same idea to the Old Testament?

Could Martin Luther not also have been guided by the Holy Spirit?

The point I want to reach with these questions is this: Can we truly trust the Church and the Gospel?

Who would build their house in a riverbed or on the edge of a cliff? Such houses, lacking a solid foundation, would collapse at the slightest disaster. I, too, am trying to build my house—that is, my faith—upon a firm foundation.

Genuine question here. I’m a Protestant, but I don’t understand how there are so many different interpretations of the Bible. My apologies if this has been asked before.

I’ve heard a lot people say “people can make the Bible say whatever they want it to say” which just means that people can twist scripture and take away from the actual meaning of a verse/passage (and I know that does happen a lot). I know we as Protestants disagree with the Roman Catholic view of the papacy & Magisterium and how they claim to have the final authority on interpretation. But part of me is confused, because the Catholic view seems to make sense or seems like it would be helpful with so many different interpretations everywhere. But that doesn’t sit right with me. I disagree with many of their interpretations that they hold as truth. I would greatly appreciate some help with this!

edit: to add an example, if everyone says they’re following the Holy Spirit or that they have the correct interpretation then who is ultimately right?

“Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:" "which having no guide, overseer, or ruler," "provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.” - Proverbs 6:6-8

Adam and Eve originally were given dominion over all the animal creation (Genesis 1:26), but sin came in and things changed. Then, after the Flood, God placed the fear and dread of man “upon all that moveth upon the earth,” and the primeval fellowship between man and his animal friends was broken (Genesis 9:2).

More seriously, their fellowship with God was broken, and soon, in their autonomy, the source of true wisdom was largely forgotten. “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools," "and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things” (Romans 1:22-23).

Ironically, God now directs such foolish people to the animals they worship to find the wisdom they should have learned from God. “Go to the ant,” says the Lord, to learn industry and prudence. “There be four things which are little upon the earth,” the Word says, “but they are exceeding wise: the ants . . . the conies . . . the locusts . . . the spider” (Proverbs 30:24-28). “The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, My people doth not consider” (Isaiah 1:3).

“But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:" "or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee” (Job 12:7-8).

If nothing else, the intricate design of even the lowest animal is eloquent testimony to the wisdom of its Creator and the madness of those who deny Him. HMM
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by the Institute of Creation.

https://www.icr.org/article/16102/

I’m wondering your reasons and story for leaving Catholicism and converting to Protestantism. Thank you for your time, God bless!

Hi everyone. I'm an adult convert to Catholicism who has left the church in less than a year since joining. I'm now exploring Protestantism, and find myself agreeing with, and understanding why, the reformers did what they did and taught what they taught. My story is too long to convey here, but for brevity sake, I came to realize, through both self-introspection and unbiased studying, that many of Rome's dogmas are completely unbiblical. I'm not sure how/why I was taken in by Catholicism, (people talk about the 'smells and bells,' as being a luring component, which I can attest to, but to me, while those aesthetics may be initially attractive, they are most definitely not sustainable for long-term faith). Anyway, too much to go into in this post, but my main question with this post is this: Rome claims that it doesn't "change" its core doctrines/teachings, but rather says it believes in the "development of doctrine." I'm sorry, but my goodness... how is this not a case of mental semantic gymnastics. I just looked up the definition of "doctrine," and it means teachings. Then I looked up the definition of development, and here's what it says: "Development is the process of gradual growth, progress or change that makes a person, organism, community, or system more advanced, mature or useful." So, ... Rome doesn't believe in "changing" teachings, but it believes in "development of doctrine." Please help me, because I feel like I'm losing it .... are these things not completely synonymous?! Thanks for any input. I just don't want to feel like I'm completely crazy here;

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12

PONDER THIS

Not only did we need to be saved in the past, but we also need to be saved in the present from the power of sin, and we will be saved in the future from the possibility of sin. But that day is not here yet. Only the truths found in the Word of God can save our souls. The Greek word for soul is psyche. That’s what the soul is, the psyche—your mind, your emotions, and your will. When your mind, your emotions, and your will are guided by the Word of God, then you’re living in the victory of Christ’s salvation.

The thing that keeps me going is not primarily how I feel. It is what I know from the Word of God. I’ve been on the trail long enough to look back and analyze and consider, “What is it that keeps me? What is it that holds me?” It is the Word of God. His sanctifies us through His Word. His Word is truth.

- How has the Word of God changed your life?
- What is your rhythm for staying in the Word of God? How might this improve?

PRACTICE THIS

Share with another person today the ways God’s Word has impacted your life. APR
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by Love Worth Finding.

https://www.lwf.org/daily-devotionals/whats-really-guiding-your-mind-today

So Protestants and Catholics use different canons. And 1 Timothy 3:15 says the church is the “pillar and foundation of truth”, and searching on google makes it seem that the earliest church used the Catholic canon, and it was only during the reformation that Protestants insisted the deutercanonical books weren’t inspired because they provided direct support for Catholic doctrines like almsgiving and praying to figures other than God. If the Bible itself says the church is supposed to guide people into truth, and the early church historically used a certain canon, isn’t that canon the true one?

“For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring.” (Acts 17:28)

“The fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man” was a religious cliché promoted for many years, especially by religious liberals in the period between the two world wars. However, continuing hostilities between and inside most nations now make the idea of universal brotherhood in this present world almost farcical.

The fact is, however, that God truly is the Father of all men in the sense that He created them all. “Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us?” (Malachi 2:10). That was the rhetorical question posed to Israel in the last book of the Old Testament. In the New Testament the apostle Paul confirmed the same great truth to the pagan Gentiles. “[God] hath made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on all the face of the earth,” and “we are the offspring of God” (Acts 17:26, 29).

The sad fact is, however, that most men and women have actually become “children of the wicked one” because of sin (Matthew 13:38). We can only become spiritual children of the heavenly Father by being born again through faith in Christ. But we then truly “become the sons of God,” as assured to all those who “believe on His name” (John 1:12).

Now we believers can all rejoice in the wonderful truth that we have the same heavenly Father. We have been “renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created Him: where there is neither Greek nor Jew . . . but Christ is all, and in all” (Colossians 3:10-11).

May God help those of us who are (or will someday become) fathers on Earth to truly be children of our Father in heaven and thereby be genuine models of the heavenly Father to our human children here on Earth. HMM
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by the Institute of Creation.

https://www.icr.org/article/16101/

A post where people can post topics they wish for others to pray about, and where people can come and find topics and users to pray for.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6

PONDER THIS

There was a river that had frozen over, and there was a man who decided he would walk across the ice. He didn’t see anyone else out there but decided to move forward. As he got farther out, he became more nervous. Out of caution, he decided to crawl and then squirm across the river. Growing more anxious still, he began to cry and then he heard a cracking sound. He thought he was a goner, but as the noise got closer, the ice didn’t seem to be breaking. He looked up and saw a man with a team of horses with a wagon loaded with logs driving across that river. When he realized that was the noise he had heard, he brushed the ice off and strolled across the rest of the river with confidence.

What was the difference between these two men? One knew the ice and the other did not. Where does faith come from? It comes from a knowledge of God. Those who believe in God will not be ashamed. Do you want to have a strong faith? Don’t try to make yourself believe. Get to know God.

- How has knowing someone well helped you trust him more?
- What are some things you are carrying because you’ve had a hard time trusting God to carry them for you?

PRACTICE THIS

Take some extra time in the Word to learn more about God and His promises today. APR
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by Love Worth Finding.

https://www.lwf.org/daily-devotionals/you-can-trust-god-with-what-youre-carrying

“The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” - Psalm 24:1

In communist countries, “the people” own the lands, while in capitalist countries individuals may own “private property.” Both are myths unless these are viewed as a stewardship from God. We don’t really own anything, “for we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (I Timothy 6:7).

In the mineral kingdom, the most important substances are the precious metals upon which monetary standards are based, yet God makes it clear that all “the silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine” (Haggai 2:8). The greatest members of the plant kingdom are the mighty trees of the forest, and God reminds us that “the trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which H hath planted” (Psalm 104:16). All the birds and beasts in the animal kingdom are His also. “For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10).

Again and again God reminds us that “all the earth is Mine” (Exodus 19:5), and even the infinite heavens belong to Him. “Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’s thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is” (Deuteronomy 10:14).

God has, indeed, given man “dominion . . . over all the earth” (Genesis 1:26), and Satan has, indeed, laid false claim to “all the kingdoms of the world” (Luke 4:5-6), but the fact remains that “the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will” (Daniel 4:32).

Most of all, every Christian should understand that he and all he has belong to God by both creation and blood-bought redemption. “Know ye not that... ye are not your own?" "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (I Corinthians 6:19-20). HMM
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by the Institute of Creation.

https://www.icr.org/article/16100/

"Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;" - Colossians 1:11

PONDER THIS

Romans 12:1 says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Paul was talking about service to the Lord, and he went on to say in verse 2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Do you want to find the will of God for your service? Present yourself to God. Say, “Lord here I am.” Your gift must have the power to operate, and God is the One who provides the power.

Suppose you got married and received a lot of gifts. You got a waffle iron. You got a toaster. You got a blender. You got a TV. Then, you moved into an apartment with no power. What good is the gift if you can’t plug it in? You see, God gives you the gift when you get saved, but the gift begins to operate when you get the power to operate it. The power to operate that gift comes when you present yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ saying, “Here I am, Lord. I give myself to you.”

- What would it look like to present yourself to God as this passage calls you to?
- Have you ever tried to use your spiritual gifts without the power of God? What was that like?

PRACTICE THIS

Present yourself to Jesus today. Ask a friend in Christ how God changed his or her life when he or she approached Him this way. APR
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by Love Worth Finding.

https://www.lwf.org/daily-devotionals/present-yourself-fully-to-god

“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample." "(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ).” - Philippians 3:17-18

Godly leaders are responsible for living exemplary lives so that those they teach will both follow and eventually become leaders themselves. “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ,” Paul demanded of the Corinthian church (I Corinthians 11:1). “In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works,” he instructed Titus (Titus 2:7). But Paul was first a follower of the life example of Christ.

Today’s verse uses some unusual terms to both define the responsibility to follow and mark those walking after Paul’s lifestyle. Memos is Greek for “follow,” compounded with a prefix that means “together.” Our English word “mimic” comes from memos. We are expected to imitate the examples of those who lead godly lives, who themselves are committed to emulate the Lord Jesus.

Further, we are expected to “mark” those living after godly examples. The Greek word skopeo is the strongest word among several for identifying someone or something. It has the sense of intense observation. In secular literature, it is sometimes used for a spy. God expects us to pay careful attention to those who “have the rule over [us]” (Hebrews 13:17).

And we are to watch out for those who may influence us for evil. There are “enemies” of the Lord Jesus. Those are sometimes among us, and we must “mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Romans 16:17). May God give us the discernment to know the difference between “good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14). HMM III
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by the Institute of Creation.

https://www.icr.org/article/16099/