Born Crucified, yet Alive in Christ

The Christian life is a daily putting off all that belonged to the unregenerate old self and constantly putting on all that belongs to the new life in Christ. The cross and the resurrection extend their power and influence over the believer’s entire life.

The Christian life is constantly producing new life. This new life in Christ through His Spirit must be daily replacing within the soul what our daily crucifixion of the flesh is taking away. This new life in Christ fills the emptiness created by self-denial with some new likeness of Christ. In place of the natural affection, there comes some new divine affection (Eph. 4:17-32).

“You are dead . . . . you are risen with Christ” (Col. 3:1, 6).

The flesh will never produce a strong spiritual life that pleases God and looks and smells like authentic Christianity. The flesh will always disgrace the Lord Jesus Christ no matter how you try to dress it up in legalism.

The Holy Spirit is busy making real in the believer’s life what is already true of him doctrinally.

The believer has not only died, but is to “die daily” with Christ as long as we live in this present life because we are in “an irreconcilable enmity” between the flesh and the spirit (Gal. 5:17). We have no option but to take up the cross daily in following Christ. The flesh can only reproduce itself. It holds no possibility of a divine life. This dying to self and sin is something we do daily.

Our life-long growth in Christ-likeness is a determination to deliver us to death for Christ’s sake all that is kin to our old life before we gave our lives to Christ. It is also a commitment to put on Christ daily.

It is each believer’s responsibility to submit to the work of the Holy Spirit in mortifying the flesh and therefore bring our body under the dominion of the cross of Christ.

Moreover, the Christian life is not just a life of crucifixion; it is also a new life in Christ Jesus.

“You are risen with Christ.” This is the second part of this essential doctrine of Christian living. Our progressive sanctification includes both “taking off” the old self and “putting on” the new. Since “you are risen with Christ” keep on “seeking those things which are above.”

Yes, we “die daily,” but we were also made a “new creation” in Christ and our inward person is being “renewed day by day.”

The apostle Paul wrote, “I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20).

The daily spiritual growth of the Christian towards perfection lies always in these two opposite directions. The believer is always subjecting, repressing, and mortifying the natural man on the one hand, and nourishing, developing, and renewing the spiritual man on the other. It is not one or the other; it is both principles and activities working in conjunction with one another.

It is our responsibility to daily judge and mortify all that we find in our attitudes, behaviors and values that are in the flesh and contrary to authentic Christian living. Yes, there must be a daily denial to anything that is not Christ-like.

A negative process is never adequate to accomplish a positive goal. And no amount or kind of self-denial can make a person holier, or sinless. What is needed is the means of bringing him into more intimate fellowship with Christ. Every retreat from the life of the flesh must be followed by a deeper entering into the life of the Spirit. We take off the old man, and we put on the new man in Christ.

As we abide in Christ, we walk as our Lord walked.

SELAH! Pause – reflect- just think of that!

Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006

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With Grace and Tact

Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out. Proverbs 17:14 The Holy Bible, The New Living Translation

Have you ever watched water gush over a dam?

Imagine standing under its power. It would be extremely stupid and devastating.

In every relationship there are sore points and unresolved issues. When these sore points are brought up it is opening the flood gates of hurt and pain.

Instead of bringing them up whenever you cannot get your own way the most important thing to do is pray for resolution, preferably with a Christian councillor.

Most times the guilty party refuses to go into counselling, most times it is because of pride. One they do not want to admit they were wrong and two they do not want to take responsibility for their actions and three the injured soul does not want to let go of the hurt, they use it like a crutch and they use it to manipulate.

When the other party begins to go on this stupid wheel of destruction, it does cause deep cuts with the words that are said in the heated battle, just inform them that if they wish to continue the discussion we will do so in a Christian councillors office. If you refuse to do so it is an admission of guilt on your behalf. When you are mature enough and ready for reconciliation let me know and we will go to the Christian councillors office. Other wise this discussion is over. Then just walk away.

If someone refuses to go into mediation with you, walk away. They are not interested in resolution but rather in their favorite hobby, fighting. Joseph a son of Jehovah

It works wonders for me.

Prayer: Please Elohim Ozer Li (Psalms 54:4 GOD My Helper ) please help me to be a wise child of Yours and know how to resolve conflicts with wisdom and grace. When these conflicts involve the spawn of the devil who delight in fighting, manipulation and domineering rather than seeking resolution please bless me with the wise but firm words to inform them I am not playing their perverted little games and until they are ready to behave in a mature manner there is nothing more to be said. I humbly request this in the name of He who quieted the hypocrite Pharisee’s with grace and tact Jesus Christ. Amen

May you be blessed with the wisdom to know when to sit down and work things out and when it is time to walk away. Joseph a son of Jehovah

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LORD GOD Of

These liars have lied so well and for so long that they’ve lost their capacity for truth.  1 Timothy 4:2 The Holy Bible, The Message

Boy do I know this to be true.

I know quite a few folks that in their younger years would occasionally lie like a rug to get what they want or to refuse to accept responsibility for doing wrong or to get out of doing their fair share of work.

“Maturity is not based on age, but on the willingness to accept responsibility.” Dr. Edwin Louis Cole

Now that they are old they cannot tell a complete sentence without lying. They are so arrogant they think they are smart but really they look just plain stupid.

As a result they are left friendless and miserable.

The sad thing is that because their minds are so perverted they reject the truth as lies and accept nothing but lies from others.

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah El Emeth (Psalms 31:5) LORD GOD of Truth for blessing me with the truth and putting that application into my life. Many times it is difficult but in the long run it makes my life so much more fulfilling. I exalt You in the name of He who spoke nothing but the truth, Jesus Christ. Amen

May you be blessed with Divine enlightenment and the power to put it into your life. Joseph a son of Jehovah

This article and photo @ 2020 Joseph a son of Jehovah. All rights reserved. Used only by permission of the author.

Please JehovahTsori

“A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. Luke 15: 13-16 The Holy Bible, The New Living Translation

Although it is hard, the most loving thing we can do for those who chose to walk on the wild side is to let them go and pay the price. It is the only way for them to mature and take responsibility for their actions.

The same can be said of those that want to live in a nanny state ( welfare ).

If they are too lazy to work let them pay the price.

Why should hard working folks allow leeches to deprive them of their hard earned wages. To do otherwise only encourages them down a generational spiral path of a destructive lifestyle. This in turn is taught to their children and leads to the collapse of societies.

Read your history books and see what happened when societies became liberal. I will give you a hint, they self destructed.

Prayer: Please Jehovah Tsori ( Lord my Strength Psalm 19:14 ) bless me with the strength not to interfere with the destructive path my loved one has chosen to take.

Sometimes we have to step back and allow them to suffer the consequences of their wrong actions to help them grow up and mature.

It is so hard to watch them destroy themselves but I know there is nothing I can do but not feed their addiction by providing them with finances or free loading off of me by trying to get me to allow them to live in my adobe free of charge so they waste their wages.

I humbly request this in the name of He who did not stop the rich man return to his empty wealth, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Some times the best help is to provide no help. Joseph a son of Jehovah

May you be blessed with the wisdom and strength to know when to step back and allow enablers to get off of the tit and onto the meat. Joseph a son of Jehovah

This article and photo @ 2020 Joseph a son of Jehovah. All rights reserved. Used only by permission of the author.

We Are Not to Be

A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion. Psalms 112:5 The Holy Bible, The New King James Version

Discretion the quality of having or showing discernment or good judgment. Merriam Webster Dictionary

Yes, we are to lend in the appropriate way in the appropriate time. We are not to be suckers.

The first time you bail someone out that is mercy. The second time is abuse. Bailing out the second time prevents them from maturing by taking consequences for thier actions. Joseph a son of Jehovah

“Maturity is not based on age, but on the willingness to accept responsibility.”Dr. Edwin Louis Cole

Now how are we to gain wisdom to make good judgement?

Of course we go to The Answer Man, He knows everything.

And who is this Answer Man?

The wisest of all, Jehovah. He knows everything.

And how do we know His answer for us?

“Faith does not eliminate questions. But faith knows where to take them.” -Elisabeth Elliot

A wise man waits and pray for three days as well as reads his Bible. Jehovah always answers those who have faith in Him, which means to trust Him.

We must also be patient because Jehovah answers in His time, In His way.

I depend upon You, Holy Spirit to help me set Godly boundaries in my relationships. I depend upon You to guide me in the proper use of these skills to nurture loving relationships while purging myself of toxic folks who only bring unnecessary drama and chaos to my life.

Prayer: Please Jehovah El Deah ( God of knowledge. Romans 11:33 ) guide me to share my time, talents, and gifts wherever and whenever You direct me to so as to bring You glory and honour. And, to bring the little lost sheep to You. Please protect me from the abusive wolves who only want to make a sucker out of me. I humbly ask this in the name of He who gave His life for mine, Jesus Christ. Amen .

I love to share the events in my life where Jehovah, Jesus and they Holy Spirit have touched me. How can I not. They were life changing. Joseph a son of Jehovah

This article and photo @ 2020 Joseph a son of Jehovah. All rights reserved. Used only by permission of the author.

How Great of an Ambassador are You?

 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors … We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20 New International Version

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15 New International Version

Do you know you are Gods ambassador?

When people know you are a Christian they will judge Christianity by you actions and words. Just as you are an ambassador for your country when you travel abroad, so to are you Jesus’ ambassador your every waking moment.

You are Christs ambassador. Live like one. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Prayer: I am honored and humbled by the awesome responsibility you have given me as Your representative Jehovah. Please always provide me with the tools necessary to accomplish this important task. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

May your house be filled with joy in the morning and sweet dreams at night. May it be a home where love has come to live. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Photo and article @ Joseph a son of Jehovah 2019

Stop Before A

  Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out. Proverbs 17:14 Holy Bible, New Living Translation  

Have you ever watched water gush over a dam? Imagine standing under its power. It would be extremely stupid and devastating.

In every relationship there are sore points and unresolved issues. When these sore points are brought up it is opening the flood gates of hurt and pain. Instead of bringing them up whenever you cannot get your own way the most important thing to do is pray for resolution, preferably with a Christian Councillor.

Most times the guilty party refuses to go into counseling, most times it is because of pride. One they do not want to admit they were wrong and two they do not want to take responsibility for their actions and three the injured soul does not want to let go of the hurt, they use it like a crutch and they use it to manipulate.

When the other party begins to go on this stupid wheel of destruction, it does cause deep cuts with the words that are said in the heated battle, just inform them that if they wish to continue the discussion we will do so in a Christian councilors office. If you refuse to do so it is an admission of guilt on your behalf. When you are mature enough and ready for reconciliation let me know and we will go to the Christian councilors office. Other wise this discussion is over. Then just walk away. It works wonders for me.

If you value a relationship, you must be willing to go into counseling. If it is not important enough for you to go into counseling, then this relationship is over. This prevents a lot of unnecessary trouble in our lives. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Prayer: Please Jehovah El-Deah (God of knowledge) bless me with the knowledge to know when to shut up, when to pray for words of healing and reconciliation and when to seek out good Christian councilors when in a dispute. I sincerely request this in the name of He who knew when to speak and the right words to say Jesus Christ. Amen

May your house be filled with joy in the morning and sweet dreams at night. May it be a home where love has come to live. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Love Always Involves

Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord 2 Corinthians 5:11 New Living Translation Bible

Yes, as Christians we have a responsibility unto Jesus. He is our King and we are to serve Him.

Fearful in this context means being respectful. That means we are not to go before the King (in other words we are not to choose the type of service we offer to Christ but must be obedient unto His calling in life). We are not to sit on our hands and do nothing either. When the King calls we are to take responsibility and move where, when and how He asks us to. We are to take responsibility and do the work He has assigned for us to do.

I will sacrifice a voluntary offering to you; I will praise your name, O Lord, for it is good. Psalm 54:6 New Living Translation Bible

Yes, as Christians we are to give sacrifices unto Jehovah. That pleases Him.

No these sacrifices are not animals nor humans.

These are sacrifices of love, joy and gratitude.

Because Jehovah has blessed us we are to share the blessing with others and not hoard it. Our offering of the one tenth of everything is a sacrifice to Jehovah. That means not just money but if growing a garden the first one tenth is to be given to Jehovah. May I suggest you talk with a local church to share with the working poor, or the elderly that are on limited pensions or those that are sick or hurt and cannot work.

After seeing the lazy ungrateful welfare bums that go to food banks and soup kitchens I refuse to donate to them. That is a waste.

Sacrifice on tenth of your time. Again, go to a church and ask where they need help. It may be cutting the lawn or visiting someone in the hospital or seniors home.

“Love always involves responsibility, and love always involves sacrifice. And we do not really love Christ unless we are prepared to face His task and to take up His Cross.” — William Barclay

Prayer: It is an honour Jesus Hamelech ( Jesus my Lord King ) to suffer my Beloved King for You as You have suffered for me. It brings greater appreciation for the sacrifice You made for me. I extol You in Your magnificent loving name. Amen

May you be blessed with the gift of love, the gift of peace, the gift of joy. May you be blessed with numerous opportunities to share these gifts with others today.  

Are Always Better Than

Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense. Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. Proverbs 18:1-2 New Living Translation

Man, don’t we see this on the TV and internet far too often (which why I am glad I have enough sense not to get involved.

In most arguments either one or both folks are closed minded. I am right and I refuse to let the facts get in the way of my belief. is their mantra. It is an exercise in frustration and futilely attempting to talk with them.

I always tell them: “There is only so much stupidity I can tolerate in a day and you have used up your max.” and then walk away.

The fools stand there and grin from eyeball to eyeball stupidly believing they have won the argument.

What gets me though is that when things go south real quick because the refuse to listen to the wise, rather than take responsibility for it, they blame the wise.

I have both experienced it and seen it. It left me standing there dumb founded at their idiocy.

And, here is the real kicker, the fools not only refuse to learn their lesson, they continue to go out and do the same thing again and again. It makes me wonder how they have lived so long. And, yes, the older generation is the worse for this behaviour.

“Discussions are always better than arguments because an argument is to find out who is right, and a discussion is to find what is right.”Unknown

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah El Deah (God of knowledge) for blessing me with the knowledge of when to walk away from fools whose favourite hobby is arguing. They are nothing but senseless thieves who rob me of peace. I thank you in the name of He who never tolerated fools when He ministered here on this planet Jesus Christ. Amen

May the light of Christs love shine brightly in your heart today and every day

For All Live in Family Care Givers

 Speaking not only from my own experience but from listening to those  who are caring for their elder parents they receive nothing but continuous slaps in the face for their loving care. Then when many of the adult children are mentally and physically exhausted and put the parents into a seniors home the parents cry baby and try to blame the children all the while refusing to take responsibility for their own actions. Add to that that the care givers seldom receive any help from their siblings who are usually leeches. The only time they call the parent is when they want money from them.

It seems to me that the most ungrateful folks are the ones that need the help the most yet abuse those who are helping them. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Although this may seem like a curse it is in reality a blessing.

Because, it is in our hard times that we grow the closest to Jehovah and develop the deepest of love, respect and appreciation for Him. Here are some words of encouragement and strength from our loving, caring Father when we feel beaten down by the ungrateful abusive behaviour of those we are helping.

Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men. Colossians 3:23 The Holy Bible Amplified Version

Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in. Galatians 6:9 The Holy Bible Amplified Version

“God never made a promise that was too good to be true.” — Dwight L. Moody

Therefore, those who are ill-treated and suffer in accordance with the will of God must [continue to] do right and commit their souls [for safe-keeping] to the faithful Creator. 1 Peter 4:19 The Holy Bible Amplified Version

 “Where God’s finger points, there God’s hand will make a way.”

Prayer: Oh Jehovah ‘Immeku (The Lord Is With You) I cannot praise You enough for Your wonderful love, strength, provision, comfort, healing, wisdom and encouragement to continue on being obedient unto Your command;If a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 1 Timothy 5:4 Holy Bible, New International Version. Please comfort those who, because of the selfishness, brutish behaviour and contempt of their aged parents or grand parents towards the care givers they cannot endure the contemptuous behaviour any more and have to put them in a seniors home. Do not allow the wicked parents or grand parents to put a guilt trip on the adult children. It is their own fault they are where they are. I exalt You and humbly beseech You in the name of He who is loving and the Supreme Judge Jesus Christ. Amen

May Christ bless you with love, joy and peace today and every day.