A girl TRANSFORMED

 Psalm 27:11-13

King James Version

11 Teach me thy way, O Lord, 

and lead me in a plain path, 

because of mine enemies.

12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: 

for false witnesses are risen up against me, 

and such as breathe out cruelty.

13 I had fainted, 

unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord 

in the land of the living.

Having gone through terror, hardship, and uncertainty truly changes you.

That's what happened to young Sapir Cohen, who was once a Hamas hostage.

She was held hostage for 55 days but was eventually released.

Her boyfriend, Sacha, still remains captive.

In the link above, you will witness Cohen, as she goes back to the scene of those horrific events.

She recounts her experiences to compassionate interviewer,  Mati Shoshani of TBN Israel.

Mati remarks on her composure.

There is that strength, sadness, and sudden maturity.

As she was released, her relatives urged her to have her nails, and hair done.

But Cohen refused, calling those "stupid things".

You could see she has gone beyond the ways of the world.

Her objective now is to give strength to others, as she waits for Sacha.

While in captivity, she was able to comfort a 16-year-old girl.

That's when she saw she had a mission, because of her circumstances.

She was also able to "test" the humanity of her captors, through kittens.

It was reported that she was a shy, software engineer, but was spiritually transformed because of her experience.

GOD really gives us warnings.

Six months before 7 October, she felt "something bad" was going to happen.

As if in preparation, she was "led" by social media to Psalm 27.

The post urged her to read the Psalm for 30 days, which she did.

Remarkably, she finished on 7 October, the day of the tragedy.

That psalm helped get her through captivity.

Sacha, too, was reluctant to go to the kibbutz that day.

But she insisted,  and now, she regrets.

But you know GOD's ways.

He protects us from, and through, anything.

Giving us the premonition, and strength, for it.

Cohen felt the protection of GOD, and angels, as she was held hostage.

Having read the psalm, she also began to look to others, to comfort them, and watch over them.

That seems to be her task now.

To share her story of survival, through GOD's GRACE.

We pray she and Sacha be reunited one day.

Married, in the manner acceptable to CHRIST.

We pray, too, for the safe release of all hostages.

Satan has held the whole world hostage.

It's not only Israel who's been hostaged.

Her captors don't realize they are, too.

She went through a painful process.

But how Sapir has grown!

1 Corinthians 13:11-13

King James Version

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child,

 I understood as a child, I thought as a child: 

but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; 

but then face to face: now I know in part; 

but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; 

but the greatest of these is charity.

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Related video:

Israeli Hostage Sapir Cohen Shares CHILLING Hamas Survival Story | TBN Israel

MOTHER of JESUS

 Proverbs 31:10

King James Version

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? 

for her price is far above rubies.

Who was the mother of JESUS?

What does the Bible say about her?

Why did GOD choose her?

What was her lineage?

These, we came to know, through SPIRIT.

She was prophesied.

Isaiah 7:14

King James Version

14 Therefore the Lord himself 

shall give you a sign; 

Behold, 

a virgin shall conceive, 

and bear a son, 

and shall call his name Immanuel.

She came from the line of David.

Psalm 132:11

King James Version

11 The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; 

he will not turn from it; 

Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.

In 2021, we wrote the post, "The HOLY SPIRIT and  2 BABIES".

The two babies were JESUS, and John the Baptist.

JESUS' mother was Mary.

John's mother was Elisabeth.

Both were righteous women, and cousins.

Making their sons cousins, too.

For this post, we shall talk about Mary.

And how she came to be chosen.

This, from Luke's gospel:

Luke 1:26-27

King James Version

26 And in the sixth month 

the angel Gabriel was sent from God 

unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27 To a virgin espoused to a man 

whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; 

and the virgin's name was Mary.

Luke 1:28

King James Version

28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, 

Hail, thou that art highly favoured, 

the Lord is with thee: 

blessed art thou among women.

Luke 1:29-30

King James Version

29 And when she saw him, 

she was troubled at his saying, 

and cast in her mind what manner of salutation 

this should be.

30 And the angel said unto her, 

Fear not, Mary: 

for thou hast found favour with God.

Luke 1:31

King James Version

31 And, behold, 

thou shalt conceive in thy womb, 

and bring forth a son, 

and shalt call his name Jesus.

Luke 1:32-33

King James Version

32 He shall be great, 

and shall be called the Son of the Highest: 

and the Lord God shall give unto him 

the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; 

and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Luke 1:34-35

King James Version

34 Then said Mary unto the angel, 

How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

35 And the angel answered and said unto her, 

The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, 

and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: 

therefore also that holy thing 

which shall be born of thee 

shall be called the Son of God.

Luke 1:36-37

King James Version

36 And, behold, 

thy cousin Elisabeth, 

she hath also conceived a son in her old age: 

and this is the sixth month with her, 

who was called barren.

37 For with God 

nothing shall be impossible.

Luke 1:38

King James Version

38 And Mary said, 

Behold the handmaid of the Lord; 

be it unto me according to thy word. 

And the angel departed from her.

Luke 1:39-40

King James Version

39 And Mary arose in those days, 

and went into the hill country with haste, 

into a city of Juda;

40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, 

and saluted Elisabeth.

Luke 1:41

King James Version

41 And it came to pass, that, 

when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, 

the babe leaped in her womb; 

and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

Luke 1:42

King James Version

42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, 

Blessed art thou among women, 

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

Luke 1:43-44

King James Version

43 And whence is this to me, 

that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

44 For, lo, 

as soon as the voice of thy salutation 

sounded in mine ears, 

the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

Luke 1:45

King James Version

45 And blessed is she that believed: 

for there shall be a performance of those things 

which were told her from the Lord.

Luke 1:46-55

King James Version

46 And Mary said, 

My soul doth magnify the Lord,

47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

48 For he hath regarded 

the low estate of his handmaiden: 

for, behold, from henceforth 

all generations shall call me blessed.

49 For he that is mighty 

hath done to me great things; 

and holy is his name.

50 And his mercy is on them that fear him 

from generation to generation.

51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; 

he hath scattered the proud 

in the imagination of their hearts.

52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, 

and exalted them of low degree.

53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; 

and the rich he hath sent empty away.

54 He hath helped his servant Israel, 

in remembrance of his mercy;

55 As he spake to our fathers, 

to Abraham, 

and to his seed for ever.

Luke 1:56

King James Version

56 And Mary abode with her about three months, 

and returned to her own house.

Another account is from Matthew's gospel:

Matthew 1:18-25

King James Version

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: 

When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, 

before they came together, 

she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, 

and not willing to make her a public example, 

was minded to put her away privily.

20 But while he thought on these things, 

behold, 

the angel of the Lord appeared unto him 

in a dream, saying, 

Joseph, thou son of David, 

fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: 

for that which is conceived in her 

is of the Holy Ghost.

21 And she shall bring forth a son, 

and thou shalt call his name Jesus: 

for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, 

that it might be fulfilled 

which was spoken of the Lord 

by the prophet, 

saying,

23 Behold, 

a virgin shall be with child, 

and shall bring forth a son, 

and they shall call his name Emmanuel, 

which being interpreted is, 

God with us.

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep 

did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, 

and took unto him his wife:

25 And knew her not 

till she had brought forth her firstborn son: 

and he called his name Jesus.

Such is the favor GOD found in Mary.

Honoring her by having her to be mother of JESUS.

There can be no greater honor, for any woman.

I was once Catholic.

And am grateful for the foundation this church gave me.

The nuns taught me about the "Holy Family" -- Joseph, Mary, and Jesus.

They taught me about the "Holy Trinity", which is:

GOD, the FATHER.

GOD, the SON.

GOD, the HOLY SPIRIT.

But the Catholic church erred greatly in one, among many things.

They called Mary, the "Mediatrix".

How they had diluted the gospel, by focusing on Mary.

Let this post honor Mary, the mother of JESUS.

But there is only ONE MEDIATOR.

And that's the LORD JESUS.

John 14:6

King James Version

6 Jesus saith unto him, 

I am the way, the truth, and the life: 

no man cometh unto the Father, 

but by me.

Romans 8:34

King James Version

34 Who is he that condemneth? 

It is Christ that died, 

yea rather, that is risen again, 

who is even at the right hand of God, 

who also maketh intercession for us.

1 Timothy 2:5-6

King James Version

5 For there is one God, 

and one mediator between God and men, 

the man Christ Jesus;

6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, 

to be testified in due time.

We shall write a few more things about the LORD's family in future posts.

More about godly women here.

Related material:

SON of GOD

JESUS

On ANGELS

On living RIGHT

 

Proverbs 10:9

King James Version

9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: 

but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

Satan knows how to corrupt us.

We live in the flesh, we sin in the flesh, we die in the flesh.

Our flesh makes us desire the forbidden.

Our human weakness makes us sin continually.

Our lame excuses make us sin carelessly.

Our unbelieving hearts cause us to err greatly.

GOD grieved over man's wickedness.

Genesis 6:5-7

King James Version

5 And God saw 

that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, 

and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart 

was only evil continually.

6 And it repented the Lord 

that he had made man on the earth, 

and it grieved him at his heart.

That's why He sent the flood.

Genesis 6:7

King James Version

7 And the Lord said, 

I will destroy man whom I have created 

from the face of the earth; 

both man, and beast, 

and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; 

for it repenteth me that I have made them.

But man continues to sin.

The god of this world continues to seduce us.

With things of the world, things of the flesh.

With delectable dishes, to entice, and destroy us.

Knowing man is but flesh.

He will succumb.

Especially if he is not of GOD.

One of Satan's greatest tools is women.

If you know your Bible, you'll notice something.

Satan didn't directly tempt Adam.

(For Adam is a direct creation of GOD.)

He got him, THROUGH Eve.

Such is the deceiver's way.

Careful not to directly "cross" the LORD.

And yet getting the wrong done.

Perversely, and pervertedly, as always.

Only thing is, he was defeated at the CROSS.

And he is mighty "cross", and vengeful.

Today, man's downfall will be the same way.

THROUGH woman.

For woman is man's weakness.

But the reverse is also true.

Woman's downfall can be men.

For man is also woman's weakness.

You only need to look at all the glitter, and glamour, women need to attract men.

It's created huge industries that feed on vanity, and seduction.

And now, it gets even more perverse.

What with all the new gender combinations created.

We are really all in danger of GOD's judgment.

People whose heart is not right with GOD, will be used by Satan.

Making sure man* is destroyed.

Especially if you're a praying man.

A family man.

A man who wants to do right by the LORD.

A man who gave your heart to JESUS.

Or a man who is just getting to know the WORD of GOD.

Or a man just newly coming into wealth, power, or fame.

You will be Satan's favorite targets.

He will seduce you with his choicest morsels.

He knows EXACTLY what "dish" to serve you.

You need only look to art, business, culture, entertainment, industries, and government to know how CHRIST's enemy operates.

Every sin is covered.

Every seduction is offered.

Every resistance is clobbered.

That's why JESUS said:

Mark 7:20-21

King James Version

20 And he said, 

That which cometh out of the man, 

that defileth the man.

21 For from within, out of the heart of men, 

proceed evil thoughts, 

adulteries, fornications, murders,

That's why the Bible cautions:

Proverbs 6:20-22

King James Version

20 My son, keep thy father's commandment, 

and forsake not the law of thy mother:

21 Bind them continually upon thine heart, 

and tie them about thy neck.

22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; 

when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; 

and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.

Proverbs 6:23-24

King James Version

23 For the commandment is a lamp; 

and the law is light; 

and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

24 To keep thee from the evil woman, 

from the flattery of the tongue 

of a strange woman.

Proverbs 6:25-26

King James Version

25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; 

neither let her take thee with her eyelids.

26 For by means of a whorish woman 

a man is brought to a piece of bread: 

and the adultress will hunt 

for the precious life.

Proverbs 6:27-31

King James Version

27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, 

and his clothes not be burned?

28 Can one go upon hot coals, 

and his feet not be burned?

29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; 

whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.

30 Men do not despise a thief, 

if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;

31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; 

he shall give all the substance of his house.

Proverbs 6:32-35

King James Version

32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman 

lacketh understanding: 

he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.

33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; 

and his reproach shall not be wiped away.

34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: 

therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

35 He will not regard any ransom; 

neither will he rest content, 

though thou givest many gifts.

Ephesians 5:11-12

King James Version

11 And have no fellowship 

with the unfruitful works of darkness, 

but rather reprove them.

12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things 

which are done of them in secret.

Ephesians 5:14-16

King James Version

14 Wherefore he saith, 

Awake thou that sleepest, 

and arise from the dead, 

and Christ shall give thee light.

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, 

not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, 

because the days are evil.

Let our prayer to GOD be:

Psalm 119:133

King James Version

133 Order my steps in thy word: 

and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

Let our actions be:

John 3:5-8

King James Version

5 Jesus answered, 

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, 

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, 

he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; 

and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, 

Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, 

and thou hearest the sound thereof, 

but canst not tell whence it cometh, 

and whither it goeth: 

so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:18

King James Version

18 Flee fornication. 

Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; 

but he that committeth fornication 

sinneth against his own body.

James 4:7

King James Version

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. 

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

To be born again means we aim to lead sinless lives.

Sure, our hearts, minds, and bodies are sin in nature.

But we have GOD to obey.

We have JESUS to follow.

We have SPIRIT to teach us.

We have Scripture to live by.

There is no more excuse to sin.

Unless we don't care about GOD, self, and others.

Being born again means you care not to offend the LORD, in any way.

Neither will you think of causing harm upon others.

No one really lives in isolation.

We don't live apart from others.

All our lives are interconnected.

When we sin, we also bring others down with us.

We can also cause the downfall of others.

We break up homes, families, communities.

Including governments, societies, and nations.

Sin's "influence" can be far reaching.

Won't causing others to sin be a greater sin?

Romans 14:13

King James Version

13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: 

but judge this rather, 

that no man put a stumblingblock 

or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

That's the whole idea of sin.

Satan wants EVERYTHING destroyed.

Especially that which is dear to GOD's heart.

Expect a web of deceit, distraction, and destruction from the enemy.

Being born again means you're aware of sin.

You are aware of the LORD's commands.

SPIRIT wakes you up, causing you to walk in His ways.

That must be our objective now.

Especially in these last days.

Stay right with GOD now.

*NOTE:

For those wondering, or even taking offense at the fact we use the word "man", let GOD's WORD tell us why we ought to:

Genesis 5:1-2

King James Version

5 This is the book of the generations of Adam. 

In the day that God created man, 

in the likeness of God made he him;

2 Male and female created he them; 

and blessed them, 

and called their name Adam, 

in the day when they were created.

GOD called male and female, "Adam".

I accept ALL of GOD's statutes, and so should you.

As born again workman, I am here to present you GOD's WORD.

The soonest we accept GOD's TRUTH, the better for our souls.

GOD's will be done.

Isaiah 46:9-10

King James Version

9 Remember the former things of old: 

for I am God, and there is none else; 

I am God, and there is none like me,

10 Declaring the end from the beginning, 

and from ancient times 

the things that are not yet done, 

saying, 

My counsel shall stand, 

and I will do all my pleasure:

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FEAR the LORD verses

The WICKED shall PERISH

On Knowing the Enemy of Christ

The devil's DEVICES

SINS of the FLESH

Sin AWARENESS

REPENTANCE

Image: Clipart Library

How are WIDOWS to be?

 

1 Timothy 5:3

King James Version

3 Honour widows 

that are widows indeed.

How must widows live?

How are they to conduct themselves?

These we came to know.

From SPIRIT and Scripture:

1 Timothy 5:4

King James Version

4 But if any widow have children or nephews, 

let them learn first to shew piety at home, 

and to requite* their parents: 

for that is good and acceptable before God.

1 Timothy 5:5

King James Version

5 Now she that is a widow indeed, 

and desolate**, 

trusteth in God, 

and continueth in supplications and prayers 

night and day.

In SUMMARY, widows must:

learn first to shew piety at home

requite* their parents

be desolate**

trusteth in God

continueth in supplications and prayers night and day

*What does "requite" mean?

We turn to three Bible versions for clarity:

1 Timothy 5:4

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, see to it that these are first made to understand that it is their religious duty [to defray their natural obligation to those] at home, and make return to their parents or grandparents [for all their care by contributing to their maintenance], for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

1 Timothy 5:4

Easy-to-Read Version

4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, the first thing they need to learn is this: to show their devotion to God by taking care of their own family. They will be repaying their parents, and this pleases God.

1 Timothy 5:4

Expanded Bible

4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to ·do their duty to [or practice their piety/godliness toward] their own ·family [household] and to repay their parents or grandparents. [L For] That pleases God.

**What does "desolate" mean?

Someone left all alone, living by herself.

She must TRUST in GOD.

What not to be:

1 Timothy 5:6

King James Version

6 But she that liveth in pleasure 

is dead while she liveth.

The objective?

1 Timothy 5:7

King James Version

7 And these things give in charge, 

that they may be blameless.

Related material:

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Image: Clipart Library

BORN AGAIN walk

 

Galatians 2:20

King James Version

20 I am crucified with Christ: 

nevertheless I live; 

yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: 

and the life which I now live in the flesh 

I live by the faith of the Son of God, 

who loved me, 

and gave himself for me.

How does a born again walk?

What makes our steps distinct from the world?

What powers every "step"?

We walk with CHRIST.

We don't strut our stuff.

We don't have "stuff".

We are in total obedience to the LORD.

This is how we walk:

2 Corinthians 5:7

King James Version

7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Galatians 5:16

King James Version

16 This I say then, 

Walk in the Spirit, 

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:25

King James Version

25 If we live in the Spirit, 

let us also walk in the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:10

King James Version

10 For we are his workmanship, 

created in Christ Jesus unto good works, 

which God hath before ordained 

that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 4:1-3

King James Version

4 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, 

beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation 

wherewith ye are called,

2 With all lowliness and meekness, 

with longsuffering, 

forbearing one another in love;

3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit 

in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 5:2

King James Version

2 And walk in love, 

as Christ also hath loved us, 

and hath given himself for us 

an offering and a sacrifice to God 

for a sweetsmelling savour.

Ephesians 5:8

King James Version

8 For ye were sometimes darkness, 

but now are ye light in the Lord: 

walk as children of light:

Ephesians 5:15-16

King James Version

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, 

not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, 

because the days are evil.

1 John 2:6

King James Version

6 He that saith he abideth in him 

ought himself also so to walk, 

even as he walked.

3 John 3-4

King James Version

3 For I rejoiced greatly, 

when the brethren came 

and testified of the truth that is in thee, 

even as thou walkest in the truth.

4 I have no greater joy than to hear 

that my children walk in truth.

In SUMMARY, here's the "born again walk":

walk by faith

Walk in the Spirit

walk unto good works, as ordained by God

walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called

walk in love

walk as children of light

walk circumspectly -- as wise

walk as Christ did

walk in truth

Related posts:

SPIRIT of GOD

WALK in the SPIRIT

BORN AGAIN classics

Image: Clipart Library