#discernment

Here we are the final episode of season five.  This is the shortest season we have had.  But, I believe it is possible the most important for believers.  This season we have examined the importance of discernment and why it is necessary in the daily life of a believer.  This last episode we will look at the final piece and perhaps the one most people fear.  Also, this episode will be our Thanksgiving Holiday episode.   Truly, we as believers have been given the greatest gift ever...we have so much to be thankful for.

Just a fair warning...lol, this program I do everything myself.  It is raw material uploaded.  Holly and I are heading out of town and she is very busy with final arrangements and getting prepared.  So, you  may hear a throat cleared of longer pauses than normal.  But, I felt it necessary to get this done before leaving.

Here is the main Scripture being utilized for the program.  Become familiar with it.

1      It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples.
2      He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said to him, “No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”
3      And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.”
4      Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”
5      When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

(Acts 19:1–5)

As I sign off for this season, let me say thank you to everyone who has prayed for us.  GOG uses and answers the prayers of HIS children.  So, again, thank you.  Above that we want to praise and give thanks to GOD the FATHER in the name and through HIS beloved SON the LORD JESUS CHRIST.  We know to whom much is given much is required.  We also know it has and is HIS grace and strength which has kept us and granted us to move forward - sometimes in difficult times.

This is the 13th year the LORD has granted United In Christ Jesus to operate and serve HIM and HIS kingdom.  Bless and praise HIS holy name!  I/we don't take it for granted.  It is the LORD'S ministry and HE, at any time, can do with it as HE wills.  It is my request and hope HE further blesses and pours me/us out for HIS glory and kingdom!

If you have made it this far, would you please prayerfully consider joining with us as a prayer partner and a monthly supporter?  We are a faith based ministry.  We trust the LORD to provide as I share the ministry needs and ask for support.  We know that it is the LORD who moves the hearts of HIS own.  Given the current climate in the western church, really the entire world, we believe there is a tremendous need for the gospel to go forth, saints built up and the lost called to repentance and faith.

Please join with us.  You can find a link on this page or you may visit United In Christ Jesus website here and look on the donate page.  We do need your prayers and support, please.

Grace and peace to all who are in CHRIST JESUS the LORD.

Here we are our fourth episode in season five.  We have and are discussing discernment.  One of the most important aspects of a Christian is having proper discernment.   Episode one we focused on defining discernment and what is necessary to have as a foundation in applying godly Christian discernment.  We also discussed three pillars which GOD has shown us in HIS Word, that will aid in our having and applying discernment.

Episode two we focused on having our eyes on CHRIST JESUS and where HE is at.  It is of utmost importance for you to keep in focus one day we will be with our KING and see HIM as HE is and where HE is!

Episode three we focused on remembering where GOD brought us from.  We learned the importance of keeping in focus the LORD saving us from HIS wrath and our sin.  HE called us out of darkness into HIS marvelous light.

This episode we are looking at the last pillar needed to aid in proper discernment - always examining where you are now.  It is not only important to know where you are going, remember where you have come from, but also to know you are still on the right path.  You guessed it, this also is dependent on you having GOD'S Word richly dwelling in you.  As we allow the Word of GOD to perform its work in us, who believe, we then begin to think the thoughts of GOD and to look through HIS eyes.  In short we love the things GOD loves and hate the things GOD hates.

May the LORD JESUS be honored and exalted!  May HE be pleased to have your hearts overflowing with HIS praise!  May HE fill you with HIS wisdom, knowledge and understanding!  May HE grant your hearts to overflow with love for HIM and HIS image bearers.  Grace and peace friends!


105      Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.

(Psalm 119:105)

12      So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—
13      for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
14      For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
15      For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”
16      The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,

(Romans 8:12–16)

When we think about discernment our minds usually go to how we are viewing current events surrounding us.  Seldom do we take a few minutes to evaluate the foundation by which we discern.  We know everything should filter through the Word of GOD and if it does not align with that to take appropriate steps.  But, how do we apply the Word?  In what manner is it brought to bear on circumstances?  There are three main pillars GOD calls us to remember and reflect on, which give us clarity regarding application.  The first pillar was don't forget where you are going...always have your eye on the prize.

This episode we will examine another pillar:  never forget where GOD brought you from.  Look at the following Scripture from the book of Titus.  Notice how GOD through Paul reminds of of our own slavery to sin and then HIS salvation?!  This foundational pillar keeps us humble and with grace when dealing with others. 

3      For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 
4      But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 
5      He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 
6      whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 
7      so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 

(Titus 3:3–7)

Today, the release date of this episode is October 17, 2023.  Yesterday marked the 15th year of the LORD JESUS CHRIST saving me from HIS wrath and my sin against HIM.  Praise the LORD for HIS mercy and grace!

Never forget where the LORD brought you from.  As you remember you will have a better understanding of where others are when you share the gospel or interact with others.

Grace and peace to all who are in CHRIST JESUS the LORD.

We continue of examination of discernment and why it is of utmost need in the church today.  This episode we look at the three places we are to have our eyes focused on...and then the foremost of those three.  A simple question to ask any Christian to see where they are at discernment wise, "where do you have your eyes/heart focused?"  Sometimes people use this statement to give an indication they are mature real Christians, "Don't be so heavenly minded that you can be no earthly good."  When in reality this actually shows the immaturity and/or disbelieving heart of that person.

Lastly, when believers have discussions on doctrine, like eschatology, it should result in a building up of the church.  If our eyes are focused correctly, we will find ourselves pointing to one thing as essential and the others used for edification.

I'll be using some of these Scriptures in this episode.  There are numerous others, so please take the time to look them up.

Grace and peace to all who are in CHRIST JESUS the LORD.

4      to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
5      who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
(1 Peter 1:4–5)

27      And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,
28      so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.
(Hebrews 9:27–28)

30      “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent,
31      because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”
(Acts 17:30–31)

7      and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire,
8      dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
(2 Thessalonians 1:7–8)

Do you see what I see? Join host Montez Dove and Cedricia Thomas as they discuss the spiritual gift of discernment. In this episode, Montez and Cedricia discuss: The meaning of discernment, The importance of discernment, Spiritual gifts, Biblical examples of discernment, Ways to get sharper in the spirit, and Why we need this spiritual gift.

Reference: Discernment Definition - Merriam Webster Dictionary 

Book Reference: The Discerner by James Goll

Scripture References: Ephesians 1:3, Ephesians 1:17-19, Ephesians 1:20, Ephesians 2:6 (AMP) and Acts 16:17-19 (GNT)

Quote: "Everything that's discerned doesn't have to be discussed." - Montez Dove

Join Through the Fire Podcast on Facebook @throughthefirepodcasts and Instagram @throughthefirepodcast

For more on Cedricia Thomas, follow her on Instagram and Facebook @cedriciathomas

For more on Montez Dove, follow her on Instagram @thepoeticinsp and Facebook @MontezDove or visit thepoeticinspirations.com

Do you know what discernment is? Can we examine what motivates our literary choices for our children? In this podcast Charity wonders what motivates our literary decision-making: Does a desire to protect motivate? Does fear of harm predominate in our decision-making? Is our end goal to equip our children? Are we convinced that the good is stronger and more pleasing than evil?

Find quick book recommendations by following Charity on Instagram.

Enjoy essays on the Bright Wings' blog OR find great book lists personally crafted with you in mind!

We’ve all been there. We’ve been scrolling through facebook, Instagram, twitter, whatever, and we see a meme or a post someone has shared that is meant to impart some deep spiritual meaning to our lives. Maybe it tells God will do a miracle for us if we just believe or that God loves and accepts everyone, so stop judging people, or maybe it tells you to go out and take on the world, because God’s got your back. 

We will be the first to say social media is a great way to reach a lot of people. We do memes and posts almost every day. The problem is not all of the Facebook theology is good theology, and not all of those reading are discerning enough to know the difference. 

Join us as we look at some of the most popular recent social media "theological" posts we have seen and put them up against Scripture.

Thanks for tuning in! Be sure to check out everything Proverbs 9:10 on our website, www.proverbs910ministries.com! You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Rumble, YouTube, Twitter, Truth Social, and Gettr!