How Not to Bow. Part [18] 07/22/2025 (Evening thought)

1st Corinthians 9:25 And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beats the air:

[3] Be humble enough to ask God for strength, and grace to run the Christian race, for it is not for the swiftest, or the strongest, but for those who learn the critically important lesson, that it’s not by might, nor by power, but by God’s Holy Spirit. The Christian wins his battles on his knees, so if you are not in the habit of praying for strength to face the challenges and vicissitudes of life, it will just be a matter of time before the heat of the furnace will cause you to bow down, in some form or fashion.

Check out the following reading very carefully, for it echoes the statements made in Ephesians 6, where Paul declares that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world. .. [Patriarchs & Prophets pp 717] If one comes to lose sight of his entire dependence on God, and to trust to his own strength, he is sure to fall. Man is contending with foes who are stronger than he.

It is impossible for us in our own strength to maintain the conflict; The tenor of the Bible is to inculcate distrust of human power and to encourage trust in divine power. It is impossible for us in our own strength to maintain the conflict; and whatever diverts the mind from God, whatever leads to self-exaltation or to self-dependence, is surely preparing the way for our overthrow. The tenor of the Bible is to inculcate distrust of human power and to encourage trust in divine power.

 1st Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!

How Not to Bow. Part [17] 07/21/2025 (Morning thought)

Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.

[2] Try by the grace of God to be a person of your word, meaning that a yes is a yes, and a no is a hell no. Sitting on the fence, indecisions, lukewarmness, and not being able to make up your mind would not help anyone to stand firm, in refusing to bow. With some Christians you do not know if they are coming or going, for in some cases, when feathers are ruffled, or toes are stepped on, some become discouraged or angry because of the nature of the Christian experience.

As a Christian you will have some sunny days, and some rainy days. You will have some mountaintop experiences, and you will have valley experiences. The Christian’s life is not all a bed of roses, for roses do have some thorns in them. When a baptismal vow is taken, ask God to give you the strength, courage, fortitude, and endurance to stay the course with Christ until the very end, even if at times there may be ups and downs, with some bruises.

Revelation 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!