2 Corinthians 3:12-15 ~ 12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. KJV
Christians, we have the boldness and ability to speak the truth by the power of God which is within us. We must speak the whole truth and nothing but the truth as Christians. Paul is encouraging the saints, that because of Christ's sacrifice and having all confidence of our salvation we are able to speak the Gospel in ". . .great plainness of speech: . . ." The Israelites could not even bear to look on Moses' face after He spent time with God on Mount Sinai and because they had not the blessing of Christ's sacrifice yet. But that was "abolished: . . ." when Jesus took our sins on the cross. That "vail" was done away with when Christ gave His life on Calvary. We have talked a lot this month on how Christ shines through us once we are saved, and it is true. Our whole countenance changes and when we speak the truth, it shines even brighter.
Have you ever thought of this? When you come from a very bright place into a dark place you become almost temporarily blinded. AND because it is DARK - you do not have full vision. Right? But when you go from dark to light it is only seconds that your eyes acclimatize, and the best thing is you can SEE! That is kind of like the sinful life versus a Christian life! Those who are unsaved cannot bear to be around Christians because the spiritual light that shines from us, illuminates their sinful life. What they are doing in the dark as a lost man, is made bright by the Christian. That is why some want to take the Bible out of school, remove the ten commandments from our Federal and local buildings, shut down the Gospel preached, and the truth told. When this is done, the evil of the world is exposed.
Why? Paul tells us right here in verse 14 and 15. Their minds and hearts are blinded. They have not accepted Jesus as the Messiah/Saviour. We know this because many openly declare that there is no God! There is no Jesus, and we don't want Him in our lives. Well, I just say, if there is no God or Jesus why do you continue to say, "I don't want Him in my life?" If He is not real, what do you care! You care because you are trying to convince yourself of His non-existence. You have been blinded. You have been "turned over to a reprobate mind." Reprobate mind? What is that? Thanks for the question I think I'll answer it right here so there is no confusion.
A reprobate mind is a mind that is given over to sinful passions and ungodly desires. It is another way of describing a person who is set on satisfying the flesh and not on the Spirit of God. It is a person who rejects God and does what is self-serving instead of what God desires. Therefore, someone who is reprobate is under the condemnation of God. Such a person does not attend church, does not care about the things of God, does not read the word, and does not pray. They are judged by God and are under condemnation, so they have no conviction of their sin or desire for God.
Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
I am thankful for the day that the LORD opened my eyes to my own sin and gave me the desire to have Him as my Lord and Saviour. You can have this too. No matter where you are in life, God can save you. The door is still open, but we know it won't be long before it is shut forever on the unsaved. Make sure of your salvation before it is eternally to late! He is waiting. . . just call on Him to save you!
HE CARES!
Do You Know HIM?
Lord, help us to be wise, studied up, aware, and faithful to You. Amen.
- Dr. Melvin Aiken - heart pacemaker surgery today
- Pam Shumate - health (our niece)
- Brenda Milam - wisdom and health (Tom's sister)
- The Henshaw's health - praise the Lord their home sold, but at the end of February they will be moving out of state. Pray for them through these great changes.
- Edie Smith - health (my sister)
- PJ - heart surgery, complications of blood clots in the brain and in his legs
- John Odom - aneurisms.
- Louise Odom - cancer treatments.
- Imogene Walston - back injury and major mouth surgery on the 25th, next Wednesday.
- Connie - injured back, continued healing.
- Pastor Greg - blood pressures issues and thank the Lord for giving him traveling grace.
- Miss Shirley-health - doing some better and able to help in the print shop some in the last couple of weeks.
- Please pray for our daughter Lita in her health journey with Guillain-Barré syndrome. Click on the link to learn more about this awful disease. Guillain-Barre syndrome - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
- UPDATE: Continue to Pray for Donna Kendall's daughter - pray for swift healing from recent surgery!
- Pray for Richard Rosenmeier family - Passed 1/8/23 Lord, please help and bless the family and friends.
- David Wiles - Cancer
- Pastor Baker - went home to be with the Lord. Please pray for his family and his church
- Pastor Bernard Antonis ~ HEALTH, PRAISE THE LORD for answered prayers - Pray for Mrs. Carolyn as his caregiver and a healing touch on her body.
- These families have lost loved ones to death in the last few months: John Isler, Larry Goodman, Frank Sparks, Lucinda Lane, Randy Rolle, Ruth Kemp, Bill Alley, Keith Cook, Cathy Harrison, Rachel Vance, Gail Tipton, Bob DeSalvio, Gail Tipton, Davis and Tichnell Family, Tudino family, Fuentes Family, DeSalvio Family, Thompson Family, The Toler Family in the homegoing of Donnie, Lucinda Lane Family (my beautiful sister-in-love), Keith Cook Family (our nephew and Tom's sister Florences' son), The Leo Family, The Echeverria Vallejos family in the homegoing of Patricia's father,
- Shannon - health problems, grieving in loss of father.
- DJ needs a special touch from heaven. (Shannon's son and she has asked us to pray for DJ - God Knows!)
- Carolyn-health
- Pray for our need for a home here in Florida - We know You have the supply Lord already, help us to be patient. We moved Saturday the 14th, once again, to a precious saint's home for a couple of Months... at least till May when we will "move again." We are glad to be a help to Sister Cora and feel by May she will have her strength and healing by then.
- Pray for Stan Skriloff - cancer and treatments and pray for his caregiver wife Caren!
- Pray for Connie, complete healing of her back.
- Pray for Sister Cora and her hip healing from a fall and surgery. Miss Cora HAS PASSED her occupational therapy and is now working on physical therapy. She is excited that God will give her the opportunity to walk outside soon. Praise the Lord! Keep her in your prayers please. We are thankful for this wonderful home for a few months stay till the Lord moves us on.
- Pray for the Printing Ministry and all that goes on with it. BIG issue with our puncher . . . please pray we can resolve that Monday - Pray our paper supply will continue - we are still not able to purchase COVER STOCK, but we praise the Lord for our previous pastor's wisdom in buying several truckloads of this precious product. Only God knew what we would be facing today with shortages, and we have the "widows' mite" we are working from. Pray that Tom and I can work the bugs out of some of our equipment!
- Pray for the Mission Team coming in June that we will be able to finish all the work they will do for the few days they are with us.
- Pray for me and Tom; our health, out strength, and our service.
- Robyn-Health
- Carol and Richard-Health
- Cathy-Health
- Dicky and Debbie Reynolds - health
- 2-month-old great-nephew Evan. Evan is home from the hospital and doing well.
- Marsha-Health and ankle pain
- Sharon J. Her mom Kathryn's health.
- Pastor Johnny J-health and recovery from surgery - recovering well from surgery thank you for your prayers.
- Carol and Richard-Health
- Cathy-Health
- Arlene-Health
- Ruth-Health
- Brian-Health
- Lucinda Lane Family - pray for my brother Joe. This is a hard transition for anyone, but his health is poor as well.
- Paul Tipton - pray for Bro. Paul who is back on the field in Nicaragua without his helper and bride.
- Penny - special unspoken - pray for her husband Mike - health.
- Bro. Wayne-health - He turned 91 on December 24th, and is still working, but mighty slow :)
- David Harrison-cancer diagnosis and treatment
- Billy Ward - health and continued healing, Sonja his bride and caregiver.
- Benjamin - surgery went well, pray for his recovery which may be long.
- Elaine - continued good health and strength.
- Linwood - health
- Walter - health
- Pray diligently for all those that carry the title "Caregiver"!
- Sandra Parsons - her call yesterday to encourage the servants at FBC Publications & Printing. 90-year-old pastors' wife, now living alone at her church after her husband's homegoing. Saved 72 years loves the LORD God more today than ever. A real blessing and encouragement.
- Mary Nutter - Cancer
- Kimberly LaSage - health and John Peters and family
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