Bible verses to build your life on

Jesus said: “… whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock…” ~ Matthew 7:24

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Confidence in Him ~ (October 2010)

"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him...." ~ 1st John 5:14-20 (see continued below)

"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. If anyone sees his... brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life." ~ 1st John 5:14-20

Ok, so some study notes on this - if we are in Him and abiding in Him (2 different things), then we have His blessing and He grants our requests, as they are in keeping with His perfect will. Right after teaching that, He gives us a very strong warning not to pray for someone who has sinned unto death. Most people do not realize that the God of the Old Testament is still the God of the New Testament - His beautiful, Holy, Holy, Holy character has not changed. He still hates sin, and has to punish the rebellious. All consequences in this life are really just God's multiple opportunities to repent and turn from those rebellious choices toward obedience to God. There are sins that bring a judgment of death - most people don't realize that. But, I don't have time to elaborate at the moment, but I hope to soon. All rebellion against God is sin. ~ ttfn, your bro/friend, a growing servant/life-slave of Jesus, SH