Good Day Everyone!! I selected this Bible verse because I am having some problems dealing with people from my past.
The Bible verse says: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
I want to apologize to all of my neighbors by saying that I am very sorry for using vulgarity, while I was sleeping last night. I will admit that I have said some things that I should have allowed a pastor, therapist, or a social worker deal with this
matter. I am very sorry for cussing last night. I have been through a whole lot in my life. I am very, very sorry for a lot of things. I really need all of your prayers.
Further, I am also grieving over observing my relatives’ funerals over the past 28 years. I really do not like going to funerals because it actually hurt me very bad. I know that we are supposed to endure the things that we are supposed to deal with. I know that I guess I am kind of weak because I do not deal with stress very well.
Moreover, I want to inform all of you that I am actually having a very hard time dealing with stress. I have an appointment next month to see a psychiatrist because I am having a very hard time dealing with my past events.
In Addition, I want to inform all of you that it is going to take God to work things out. I guess I am a person who do not deal with stress very well. I really need all of your prayers, love, and thoughts. I am having problems dealing with my vision. I have to allow God to deal with this problem.
Finally, I want to say that I am very sorry for using vulgarity while I was sleeping. I have a lot of issues emotionally and mentally for God to work things out for me personally. I have to allow everyone to help me cope with this problem from my past.
Good Morning Everyone! I am sending greetings and salutations from Dayton, Ohio. How are you doing today? Fine, I hope. I would like to start things off by saying the Serenity Prayer. God, grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and give me the serenity to know the difference. I want all of you to please keep me in your prayers and thoughts. I would like for you to please do me a favor. Please read my blogs and essays that I have written on my WordPress account. My name is Anthony Joseph Hopkins, and I am from Dayton, Ohio. I would like for you to please read my book called Essays by Anthony Joseph Hopkins. It is about my personal relationship with God. Attention to those who are single, please read 1st Corinthians 7th Chapter. It is very important. In the 9th verse. It says, But If they cannot exercise self control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. Paul is addressing the church in Corinth about their relationship problem. The people during that time were having sex before marriage. It is best to become friends first and foremost. It is better to be friends first before lovers. Burning with passion is an intense desire for sex. We must continue to live life the right way. We must keep our minds on Jesus Christ.
Good Morning Everyone! I am sending greetings and salutations from Dayton, Ohio. How are you doing today? Fine, I hope. I would like to start things off by saying the Serenity Prayer. God, grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and give me the serenity to know the difference. I want all of you to please keep me in your prayers and thoughts. I would like for you to please do me a favor. Please read my blogs and essays that I have written on my WordPress account. My name is Anthony Joseph Hopkins, and I am from Dayton, Ohio. I would like for you to please read my book called Essays by Anthony Joseph Hopkins. It is about my personal relationship with God. Attention to those who are single, please read 1st Corinthians 7th Chapter. It is very important. In the 9th verse. It says, But If they cannot exercise self control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. Paul is addressing the church in Corinth about their relationship problem. The people during that time were having sex before marriage. It is best to become friends first and foremost. It is better to be friends first before lovers. Burning with passion is an intense desire for sex. We must continue to live life the right way. We must keep our minds on Jesus Christ.
Is It Better to Marry Than To Burn With Passion? God is referring to a Man and a Woman who are single, but have a burning desire to be with each other sexually. In the Bible, it says if a man and a woman, cannot exercise self control, then it is better to marry than to Burn With Passion. All that I am saying is be very careful with each other. The definition of burning with passion is an excessive desire to have sex with the person, who you are choosing to be with. The word contain is mentioned in the Bible. Contain means to exercise self control. Obviously, it means to put a lid on something or stop doing something before you end up getting into trouble with God.
The Apostle Paul is saying to those who are widows and unmarried this message pertains to you. For me personally, I refuse to get married because it will only make things worse between my potential spouse and I. I will have to explain to her that I have a mental Illness called Schizoid Affective Disorder. This is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain of the person who is mentally ill. There are times when I hear and see things that normal people don’t see or hear. These are called auditory and visual hallucinations. There are over 100 million people who suffer from a mental illness worldwide. If I have a problem with someone of the opposite sex, I would go take a walk. I know for myself, things are going to be abnormal. I was involved in a serious relationship with a much older woman. She did not do anything, but use me for what I can give to her at the time. I was working two jobs during the 1990s. I worked and I was involved in a much serious relationship with a woman, who was 11 years older than me. She had a desire for another person without my common knowledge. She had given me two STDs. She even had sex with another man, while I was at work. I left her and everything that was inside of the apartment. I didn’t look back. January 21, 1990, I terminated my relationship and moved out of my apartment. I stayed with relatives until things got better for me.
Moreover, at that time, I was being too nice to the wrong person. Apparently, she told me in my face that she did not love me. I was furious with her. I can talk about it right now because if a person does something to hurt me, I have to leave them alone forever. I will excommunicate with anyone. It doesn’t matter if you are one of my family members, if you do something to hurt me, I will be done with you. Therefore, I am done with my relationships. I can speak to you, if I see you face to face, but I will not help you or give up money like I used to. My marriage left me broke and disgusted. I will admit that I have trust issues when it comes to women. I got used so bad that I had to leave her alone. I no longer communicate with any of my ex girlfriends and ex wife. I am doing exactly what the Bible says about self control and getting married
Finally, my ex wife cheated on me with another man. I really don’t talk to her anymore. She messed me up so bad that I had to go out of town just to redeem myself. It has taken me a total of 12 years to forgive her. This woman literally messed up my credit. I am the type of person, who will help anyone. It doesn’t matter who you are, if you need help, I am there for you. Please continue to keep me in your prayers and thoughts because I am still devastated.
Good Evening Everyone!! My name is Anthony Joseph Hopkins, and I am from Dayton, Ohio. I want to inform you that I am so happy to be a member of your group. I recently had eye surgery last week and I am praying for God to please restore my eyesight.
I know that this is not easy conferring with large masses of people. However, I have been confident that God will heal me, and give me the ability to converse with large masses of people.
I want to inform all of you that I am being very honest and truthful because I feel that I have to verify everything that I do with other people. This would mean that I am a person who is trying to be deceptive.
I am going to give you all of the details about my eye surgeries. My first eye surgery was on September 5, 2022 at Grandview Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. My cataracts were removed and eye pressures decreased.
My second eye surgery took place on October 11, 2022 at Grandview Hospital. The Doctor who performed my surgery did a wonderful job in performing my surgery that I can see without my eye glasses. My cataracts and eye pressures have been decreased. The Ophthalmologist name is Dr. Patrick Spencer. He is an excellent doctor. He really knows what he is doing when it comes to my surgery or eye surgery as a whole. Please keep me in your prayers because I still have blurry vision.
God Bless All of you. May the Lord God continue to be with all of you, in the same way that He is with me?
(1-2) The sacrifice of the Passover. Observe the month of Abib, and keep the Passover to the LORD your God, for in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night. Therefore you shall sacrifice the Passover to the LORD your God, from the flock and the herd, in the place where the LORD chooses to put His name. a. You shall sacrifice the Passover to the LORD… in the place where the LORD chooses to put His name: At the first Passover, each family in Israel sacrificed the Passover lamb at their home. But when Israel came into the Promised Land, the sacrifice was to be made at the tabernacle (and later, the temple). b. For in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night: Exodus 12 describes the first Passover, when Israel was delivered from Egypt, and God sent His judgment upon the firstborn of Egypt. God passed over the 35 Anthony Joseph Hopkins homes which obediently sacrificed the Passover lamb and applied its blood to the door posts of the home. c. Keep the Passover to the LORD: Prophetically, the feast of Passover clearly presents Jesus as our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7), the Lamb of God who was sacrificed, and whose blood was received and applied, so the wrath of God would pass over us.
(3-4) The Feast of Unleavened Bread, associated with Passover. You shall eat no leavened bread with it; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread with it, that is, the bread of affliction (for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste), that you may remember the day in which you came out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life. And no leaven shall be seen among you in all your territory for seven days, nor shall any of the meat which you sacrifice the first day at twilight remain overnight until morning. a. For you came out of the land of Egypt in haste: For the first Passover, the unleavened bread was a practical necessity; they left Egypt in such a hurry there was no time to allow for the dough to rise. 36 Essays b. And no leaven shall be seen among you in all your territory for seven days: But the Feast of Unleavened Bread, following Passover, continued to be important. Leaven was a picture of sin and corruption, because of the way a little leaven would influence a whole lump of dough, and also because of the way leaven would “puff up” the lump – even as pride and sin makes us “puffed up.” i. Significantly, God called them to walk unleavened after their initial deliverance from Egypt; symbolically, they were being called to a pure walk with the LORD. ii. Some suggest there was also a health aspect in getting rid of all the leaven; that since they used a piece of dough from the previous batch to make the bread for that day, and did so repeatedly, that harmful bacteria could take hold in the dough – so it was good to remove all leaven and start all over at least once a year. iii. The purity of the feast of Unleavened Bread followed upon the blood-deliverance of Passover; we can only walk in purity before the LORD after we have had the blood deliverance at the cross. 37 Anthony Joseph Hopkins c. You shall eat no leavened bread with it: Prophetically, the feast of Unleavened Bread relates to the time of Jesus’ burial, after His perfect, sinless sacrifice on the cross, during which He was received by God the Father as holy and complete (the Holy One who would not see corruption, Acts 2:27), perfectly accomplishing our salvation. i. We may regard the burial (or actually, entombment) of Jesus as a small thing in God’s redemptive plan; but it was an essential part of Paul’s gospel: For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
(5-8) Regulations for Passover. You may not sacrifice the Passover within any of your gates which the LORD your God gives you; but at the place where the LORD your God chooses to make His name abide, there you shall sacrifice the Passover at twilight, at the going down of the sun, at the time you came out of Egypt. And you shall roast and eat it in the place which the LORD your God chooses, and in the 38 Essays morning you shall turn and go to your tents. Six days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a sacred assembly to the LORD your God. You shall do no work on it. B. The observance of the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost). 1. (9-10) The Feast of Weeks. You shall count seven weeks for yourself; begin to count the seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the grain. Then you shall keep the Feast of Weeks to the LORD your God with the tribute of a freewill offering from your hand, which you shall give as the LORD your God blesses you. a. From the time you begin to put the sickle to the grain: The Feast of Weeks (or Pentecost) was a feast associated with the joy of harvest, during which Israelites brought a freewill offering unto the LORD, as a demonstration of the thanks in their heart.
(11-12) The joy of Pentecost. You shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, the Levite who is within your gates, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are among 39 Anthony Joseph Hopkins you, at the place where the LORD your God chooses to make His name abide. And you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to observe these statutes. a. You shall rejoice: There was no ritual of sacrifice commanded at Pentecost. Instead, it was a time of joyful thanksgiving for the harvest, and heart response to God. b. You shall remember: The joy of Pentecost was intensified by remembering the bondage Israel had escaped. c. And you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to observe these statutes: Leviticus 23:15-21 describes how, at the feast of Pentecost, Israel was to celebrate by bringing a new grain offering to the LORD and by waving two loaves of leavened bread unto the LORD. Prophetically, this is a powerful picture of the work of God in the New Covenant, fulfilled at the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. i. No atoning sacrifice was necessary because the price had already been paid by Jesus. ii. There was a great harvest unto God, and great thanksgiving for that harvest. 40 Essays iii. The response to God on the day of Pentecost was not done out of obligation to a particular law. It was the joyful heart-response of God’s people unto Him. iv. The church, founded on the day of Pentecost, would include the “leavened bread” of the Gentiles, waved as holy before God – made holy by the work of Jesus the Messiah. C. The observance of the Feast of Tabernacles. 1. (13-15) How to observe the Feast of Tabernacles. You shall observe the Feast of Tabernacles seven days, when you have gathered from your threshing floor and from your winepress. And you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your gates. Seven days you shall keep a sacred feast to the LORD your God in the place which the LORD chooses, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you surely rejoice. a. You shall observe the Feast of Tabernacles seven days: This was to happen on the fifteenth day of the Jewish month Tishri (on the Jewish ceremonial 41 Anthony Joseph Hopkins calendar). The Feast of Tabernacles was a time to rejoice in God’s deliverance and provision for Israel during the time of wilderness wandering; a time when having come into the Promised Land, looking back with gratitude on all God had done to deliver and provide in the tough times of the wilderness. i. Leviticus 23:39 says of the Feast of Tabernacles, on the first day there shall be a sabbath-rest, and on the eighth day a sabbath rest.The Feast of Tabernacles began and ended in rest; it was all about celebration and rest and refreshment, remembering what God had done. b. Your manservant and your maidservant: We see here also the great social good God intended in the Sabbath and in the Feasts; in other ancient cultures, there was no day off, and there were no holidays. Here, God commands both holidays and “vacation days” – all centered on Him! c. Observe the Feast of Tabernacles: Prophetically, the feast of Tabernacles speaks of the millennial rest of comfort of God for Israel and all of God’s people; it is all about peace and rest, from beginning to end. 42 Essays i. Tabernacles is specifically said to be celebrated during the millennium (Zechariah 14:16-19).
(16-17) The command to observe each of these three feasts. Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you. a. Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses: These were only three (four, actually, counting the feast of unleavened bread as a separate feast) of the seven feasts of Israel. Not mentioned in this chapter are the feasts of trumpets, of firstfruits, and of the Day of Atonement. b. All your males: Yet, the feasts mentioned in this chapter were the most important feasts in Israel – and every Jewish man, to the best of His ability, was to go to the place of the tabernacle (or later, the temple) and celebrate this feast with the whole nation of Israel. 43 Anthony Joseph Hopkins i. Jesus was obedient to this command; He made the trip from Galilee to Jerusalem to be at these feasts (Luke 2:41, John 7:2, 10).
(18-20) The appointment of judges and officers. You shall appoint judges and officers in all your gates, which the LORD your God gives you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with just judgment. You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. You shall follow what is altogether just, that you may live and inherit the land which the LORD your God is giving you. a. You shall appoint judges and officers in all your gates: God knew the importance of just judges and officials to a nation. Therefore, God commanded that they shall not pervert justice… nor show partiality… nor take a bribe; instead, they were to follow what is altogether just. A judge has the responsibility to do justice.
(21-22) Prohibition of idol trees and pillars. You shall not plant for yourself any tree, as a wooden image, near the altar which you build for yourself to the 44 Essays LORD your God. You shall not set up a sacred pillar, which the LORD your God hates. a. You shall not plant for yourself any tree, as a wooden image, near the altar: Such sacred totems were common among the Canaanites. Israel might have been tempted to be “seeker sensitive” and add such items to their worship of the God of Israel. He wanted none of it. God says of such thing, which the LORD your God hates. 45 Deuteronomy 16:17: And What it Means to All People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins June 11, 2021 Deuteronomy 16:17 states that every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee. This particular Bible verse is in the Mosaic Laws. However, I want to inform everyone that God is being very flexible when it comes to paying tithes and offerings. I did not know that tithes are supposed to be added to the household budget. For example, if a person is earning $900.00 per month, this means that we will have to pay $90.00 per month in tithes and offerings. Next, I want to say that this particular Bible verse is no longer emphasized. This is simply because we are under the New Covenant. Although this Bible verse is very nice and generous. I know that everyone has to pay according as he wishes. Basically, we are making God angry with us when we do not pay tithes and offerings. My overall bills come up to $850.00 dollars per month. If I include my tithes and offerings, I will have to pay a total of $100.00 per month. Further, I want to inform all of you that some people in Moses time did not have income. They utilized livestock, 46 Essays silver, and gold. To be honest, the wages that people earned was not worth anything. I am not criticizing the way that God did His business. It is that people worked an entire day for wages. This is the reason why I wrote an essay concerning people who earned fix incomes do they still have to pay tithes and offerings? The answer to this question is yes. Moreover, I really feel that some of the Old Testament Bible Verses should be emphasized in today’s times. Right now, it is not very easy for anyone who earns a Disability Check to pay tithes and offerings. Some do and some do not pay anything to the Church that they attend each week. I know that my life at this moment has been complicated. My life has been complicated because I owe student loans and other debts. Finally, I want to say that at least God is very flexible with everyone. I do not want to make God angry with me ever again. To be honest, I will have to include my 10% of my income to pay tithes and offerings. I really think God is really giving everyone a break because I have some valuables that I can sell each month for money. I have a Book called My Grace is Sufficient for me. My book is not selling because I could not afford the marketing fees to market my book. My book is small, and 47 Anthony Joseph Hopkins I feel that I can at least accomplish a goal for God. To be completely honest with all of you, I owe $22,500 dollars in student loans from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. I was enrolled in school only for a short period of time. I graduated from the University of Toledo on June 12, 1993 and June 17, 1995 respectively. I earned my degree from The University College. In Conclusion, I want to inform all of you that I am doing the best I can just to pay bills and survive. May the God of Peace be with all of you. I really feel that I have selected an essay that comes right out of the Bible. It might be from the Old Testament, but I feel that I have knowledge and experience when it comes to the Bible. 48 Ephesians 2:1-5. And What it means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 12, 2021 Praise the Lord Saints!! Praise the Lord!! How are all of you doing today? Fine, I hope. Ephesians 2:1-5 says and you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lust of the flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (By grace you have been saved). This means in spite of our transgressions and sins, we have been saved by God’s grace. It is really up to us as a people because Jesus Christ died for all of our sins and transgressions. Next, I want to inform all of you that Jesus Christ died for all of my sins long before I was born into this world. I have a second chance through Him. 49 Anthony Joseph Hopkins What is the definition of a transgression? A transgression is an act that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct; an offense. The Biblical definition of the word transgression is What is the biblical definition of transgression? Transgression means to intentionally disobey or to willfully trespass a command. David was referring to this kind of sin when he wrote, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are. forgiven, whose sins are covered” (Psalm 32:1). Transgression is connected to a trespass, which is a willful violation of the law. Further, what is the definition of the word iniquity? An iniquity is immoral or grossly unfair behavior. When it comes to the word iniquity, it has a lot to do with our grossly unfair behavior. This is something that intends to look bad on the person who committed this act or crime. According to Webster’s dictionary, the word iniquity means gross injustice, wickedness or sin. … The Bible says that through one man, Adam, sin entered the world. Moreover, when it comes to a sin and an iniquity. A sin means you miss the mark. When a sin is repeated against the knowledge of God, it becomes a transgression. If it continues long enough, it eventually becomes iniquity which perverts the flesh. This is very serious!! God is watching all of us!! 50 Essays Finally, I want to end this essay by sharing my personal testimony. My grandmothers and grandfathers did not use any vulgarity in front of me as a child. I want to inform all of you that I am still a work in progress. I have not used any vulgarity in over 90 days now. This is simply because God is watching me and the billions of people who exist on earth. God is recording our progressEphesians 2:1-5. And What it means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 12, 2021 Praise the Lord Saints!! Praise the Lord!! How are all of you doing today? Fine, I hope. Ephesians 2:1-5 says and you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lust of the flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (By grace you have been saved). This means in spite of our transgressions and sins, we have been saved by God’s grace. It is really up to us as a people because Jesus Christ died for all of our sins and transgressions. 51 Anthony Joseph Hopkins Next, I want to inform all of you that Jesus Christ died for all of my sins long before I was born into this world. I have a second chance through Him. What is the definition of a transgression? A transgression is an act that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct; an offense. The Biblical definition of the word transgression is What is the biblical definition of transgression? Transgression means to intentionally disobey or to willfully trespass a command. David was referring to this kind of sin when he wrote, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are. forgiven, whose sins are covered” (Psalm 32:1). Transgression is connected to a trespass, which is a willful violation of the law. Further, what is the definition of the word iniquity? An iniquity is immoral or grossly unfair behavior. When it comes to the word iniquity, it has a lot to do with our grossly unfair behavior. This is something that intends to look bad on the person who committed this act or crime. According to Webster’s dictionary, the word iniquity means gross injustice, wickedness or sin. … The Bible says that through one man, Adam, sin entered the world. Moreover, when it comes to a sin and an iniquity. A sin means you miss the mark. When a sin is repeated 52 Essays against the knowledge of God, it becomes a transgression. If it continues long enough, it eventually becomes iniquity which perverts the flesh. This is very serious!! God is watching all of us!! Finally, I want to end this essay by sharing my personal testimony. My grandmothers and grandfathers did not use any vulgarity in front of me as a child.. I want to inform all of you that I am still a work in progress. I have not used any vulgarity in over 90 days now. This is simply because God is watching me and the billions of people who exist on earth. God is recording our progressEphesians 2:1-5. And What it means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 12, 2021 Praise the Lord Saints!! Praise the Lord!! How are all of you doing today? Fine, I hope. Ephesians 2:1-5 says and you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lust of the flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead 53 Anthony Joseph Hopkins in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (By grace you have been saved). This means in spite of our transgressions and sins, we have been saved by God’s grace. It is really up to us as a people because Jesus Christ died for all of our sins and transgressions. Next, I want to inform all of you that Jesus Christ died for all of my sins long before I was born into this world. I have a second chance through Him. What is the definition of a transgression? A transgression is an act that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct; an offense. The Biblical definition of the word transgression is What is the biblical definition of transgression? Transgression means to intentionally disobey or to willfully trespass a command. David was referring to this kind of sin when he wrote, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are. forgiven, whose sins are covered” (Psalm 32:1). Transgression is connected to a trespass, which is a willful violation of the law. Further, what is the definition of the word iniquity? An iniquity is immoral or grossly unfair behavior. When it comes to the word iniquity, it has a lot to do with our grossly unfair behavior. This is something that intends to 54 Essays look bad on the person who committed this act or crime. According to Webster’s dictionary, the word iniquity means gross injustice, wickedness or sin. … The Bible says that through one man, Adam, sin entered the world. Moreover, when it comes to a sin and an iniquity. A sin means you miss the mark. When a sin is repeated against the knowledge of God, it becomes a transgression. If it continues long enough, it eventually becomes iniquity which perverts the flesh. This is very serious!! God is watching all of us!! Finally, I want to end this essay by sharing my personal testimony. My grandmothers and grandfathers did not use any vulgarity in front of me as a child. all of you that I am still a work in progress. I have not used any vulgarity in over 90 days now. This is simply because God is watching me and the billions of people who exist on earth. God is recording our progress Ephesians 2:1-5. And What it means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 12, 2021 Praise the Lord Saints!! Praise the Lord!! How are all of you doing today? Fine, I hope. Ephesians 2:1-5 says and you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, 55 Anthony Joseph Hopkins according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lust of the flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (By grace you have been saved). This means in spite of our transgressions and sins, we have been saved by God’s grace. It is really up to us as a people because Jesus Christ died for all of our sins and transgressions. Next, I want to inform all of you that Jesus Christ died for all of my sins long before I was born into this world. I have a second chance through Him. What is the definition of a transgression? A transgression is an act that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct; an offense. The Biblical definition of the word transgression is What is the biblical definition of transgression? Transgression means to intentionally disobey or to willfully trespass a command. David was referring to this kind of sin when he wrote, “Blessed is the one whose 56 Essays transgressions are. forgiven, whose sins are covered” (Psalm 32:1). Transgression is connected to a trespass, which is a willful violation of the law. Further, what is the definition of the word iniquity? An iniquity is immoral or grossly unfair behavior. When it comes to the word iniquity, it has a lot to do with our grossly unfair behavior. This is something that intends to look bad on the person who committed this act or crime. According to Webster’s dictionary, the word iniquity means gross injustice, wickedness or sin. … The Bible says that through one man, Adam, sin entered the world. Moreover, when it comes to a sin and an iniquity. A sin means you miss the mark. When a sin is repeated against the knowledge of God, it becomes a transgression. If it continues long enough, it eventually becomes iniquity which perverts the flesh. This is very serious!! God is watching all of us!! 57 Ephesians 4:32; And What it Means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 3, 2021 Ephesians 4:32 says; And be ye kind to one another. Tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. This means that we must learn how to be kind one another, forgiving one another, even as Christ has forgiven you. I remember when I was growing up in Dayton, Ohio during the 1970s and 1980s. I used to get mistreated by everyone that I had come in contact with except my grandparents. I know for me personally, I have forgiven everyone who used to beat me up all of the time. It seems like every time I forgive someone for the bad that they had treated me. These people used to constantly fight me for nothing. All of this has caused me to become angry at myself and others. I want to say that anytime a person grows up being abused and mistreated, 9 out of 10 times, you might mistreat others yourself. I am going to be frank with everyone. I have been angry for so long that it has affected me, and the relationships that I have with other people. 58 Essays The only question that I have to ask everyone is how do you learn how to treat other people right? First, a person must have your mind made up. The love of God must be inside of our hearts. The Holy Spirit must be inside of you, and working inside of you. How do you learn how to forgive another person? It is more than saying I am sorry. It is a learned behavior that must be taught by our parents. I have learned how to forgive others by being around my mother, grandmothers, and grandfathers. I learned by attending church. I want to inform all of you that do not be deceived, evil company corrupts good character. Therefore, my friends at the time were not good people to be around. They were gang members and people who did wrong all of the time. My friends smoked marijuana and drunk beer all the time. Some of my friends were very good to me as a person. There were friends who taught me how to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana. This is the reason why I felt skeptical because I was looking for something good from each person. When I saw my friends drinking alcohol, and smoking marijuana, I felt depressed. My good friends did not want to hang around me because I did not have any money. As soon as we got older, my friends were getting locked up inside of prison for years. Finally, I want to inform all of you that it is not easy growing up inside of the inner city of Dayton, Ohio. The 59 Anthony Joseph Hopkins inner city is where all of the illegal activities were located. I prayed to God for help living in the inner city. I might have been a product of the inner city, but I have become successful. I do hang around people who attend church, and doing good in their personal lives. I read my Bible every single day of the week. I pray all of the time. I ask God to follow me everywhere I go. I pray to God that I do not use any vulgarity. I pray to God that I do not smoke and drink alcohol and marijuana. I do not have sex before marriage anymore. I do not look at women as sex objects anymore. I respect women for who they are in their lives. I surround myself with positive things. I attend Fort McKinley United Methodist Church in Dayton, Ohio. I am a child of God right now. I might make mistakes in my life. I read my Bible each day. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me from myself. I remember when I attempted suicide on February 13, 2010. I had to stay inside of Miami Valley Hospital for six days. I have a suicide clause on my insurance policy. My sister saved my life by calling the ambulance because I had taken all of my medication at that time. I was surrounded by scammers and computer hackers. Right now, I have been suicide free for the past 11 years now. I do not deal with computer hackers and scammers anymore. Thank you 60 Essays for reading my essay.Ephesians 4:32; And What it Means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 3, 2021 Ephesians 4:32 says; And be ye kind to one another. Tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. This means that we must learn how to be kind one another, forgiving one another, even as Christ has forgiven you. I remember when I was growing up in Dayton, Ohio during the 1970s and 1980s. I used to get mistreated by everyone that I had come in contact with except my grandparents. I know for me personally, I have forgiven everyone who used to beat me up all of the time. It seems like every time I forgive someone for the bad that they had treated me. These people used to constantly fight me for nothing. All of this has caused me to become angry at myself and others. I want to say that anytime a person grows up being abused and mistreated, 9 out of 10 times, you might mistreat others yourself. I am going to be frank with everyone. I have been angry for so long that it has affected me, and the relationships that I have with other people. The only question that I have to ask everyone is how do you learn how to treat other people right? First, a person 61 Anthony Joseph Hopkins must have your mind made up. The love of God must be inside of our hearts. The Holy Spirit must be inside of you, and working inside of you. How do you learn how to forgive another person? It is more than saying I am sorry. It is a learned behavior that must be taught by our parents. I have learned how to forgive others by being around my mother, grandmothers, and grandfathers. I learned by attending church. I want to inform all of you that do not be deceived, evil company corrupts good character. Therefore, my friends at the time were not good people to be around. They were gang members and people who did wrong all of the time. My friends smoked marijuana and drunk beer all the time. Some of my friends were very good to me as a person. There were friends who taught me how to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana. This is the reason why I felt skeptical because I was looking for something good from each person. When I saw my friends drinking alcohol, and smoking marijuana, I felt depressed. My good friends did not want to hang around me because I did not have any money. As soon as we got older, my friends were getting locked up inside of prison for years. Finally, I want to inform all of you that it is not easy growing up inside of the inner city of Dayton, Ohio. The inner city is where all of the illegal activities were located. 62 Essays I prayed to God for help living in the inner city. I might have been a product of the inner city, but I have become successful. I do hang around people who attend church, and doing good in their personal lives. I read my Bible every single day of the week. I pray all of the time. I ask God to follow me everywhere I go. I pray to God that I do not use any vulgarity. I pray to God that I do not smoke and drink alcohol and marijuana. I do not have sex before marriage anymore. I do not look at women as sex objects anymore. I respect women for who they are in their lives. I surround myself with positive things. I attend Fort McKinley United Methodist Church in Dayton, Ohio. I am a child of God right now. I might make mistakes in my life. I read my Bible each day. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me from myself. I remember when I attempted suicide on February 13, 2010. I had to stay inside of Miami Valley Hospital for six days. I have a suicide clause on my insurance policy. My sister saved my life by calling the ambulance because I had taken all of my medication at that time. I was surrounded by scammers and computer hackers. Right now, I have been suicide free for the past 11 years now. I do not deal with computer hackers and scammers anymore. Thank you 63 Anthony Joseph Hopkins for reading my essay.Ephesians 4:32; And What it Means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 3, 2021 Ephesians 4:32 says; And be ye kind to one another. Tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. This means that we must learn how to be kind one another, forgiving one another, even as Christ has forgiven you. I remember when I was growing up in Dayton, Ohio during the 1970s and 1980s. I used to get mistreated by everyone that I had come in contact with except my grandparents. I know for me personally, I have forgiven everyone who used to beat me up all of the time. It seems like every time I forgive someone for the bad that they had treated me. These people used to constantly fight me for nothing. All of this has caused me to become angry at myself and others. The only question that I have to ask everyone is how do you learn how to treat other people right? First, a person must have your mind made up. The love of God must be inside of our hearts. The Holy Spirit must be inside of you, and working inside of you. How do you learn how to forgive another person? It is more than saying I am sorry. It is a learned behavior that must be taught by our parents. I have learned how to forgive others by being around my 64 Essays mother, grandmothers, and grandfathers. I learned by attending church. I want to inform all of you that do not be deceived, evil company corrupts good character. Therefore, my friends at the time were not good people to be around. They were gang members and people who did wrong all of the time. My friends smoked marijuana and drunk beer all the time. Some of my friends were very good to me as a person. There were friends who taught me how to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana. This is the reason why I felt skeptical because I was looking for something good from each person. When I saw my friends drinking alcohol, and smoking marijuana, I felt depressed. My good friends did not want to hang around me because I did not have any money. As soon as we got older, my friends were getting locked up inside of prison for years. Finally, I want to inform all of you that it is not easy growing up inside of the inner city of Dayton, Ohio. The inner city is where all of the illegal activities were located. I prayed to God for help living in the inner city. I might have been a product of the inner city, but I have become successful. I do hang around people who attend church, and doing good in their personal lives. I read my Bible every single day of the week. 65 Anthony Joseph Hopkins I pray all of the time. I ask God to follow me everywhere I go. I pray to God that I do not use any vulgarity. I pray to God that I do not smoke and drink alcohol and marijuana. I do not have sex before marriage anymore. I do not look at women as sex objects anymore. I respect women for who they are in their lives. I surround myself with positive things. I attend Fort McKinley United Methodist Church in Dayton, Ohio. I am a child of God right now. I might make mistakes in my life. I read my Bible each day. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me from myself. I remember when I attempted suicide on February 13, 2010. I had to stay inside of Miami Valley Hospital for six days. I have a suicide clause on my insurance policy. My sister saved my life by calling the ambulance because I had taken all of my medication at that time. I was surrounded by scammers and computer hackers. Right now, I have been suicide free for the past 11 years now. I do not deal with computer hackers and scammers anymore. Thank you for reading my essay.Ephesians 4:32; And What it Means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 3, 2021 Ephesians 4:32 says; And be ye kind to one another. Tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. This means that we must learn how to be kind one another, forgiving one another, 66 Essays even as Christ has forgiven you. I remember when I was growing up in Dayton, Ohio during the 1970s and 1980s. I used to get mistreated by everyone that I had come in contact with except my grandparents. I know for me personally, I have forgiven everyone who used to beat me up all of the time. It seems like every time I forgive someone for the bad that they had treated me. These people used to constantly fight me for nothing. All of this has caused me to become angry at myself and others. The only question that I have to ask everyone is how do you learn how to treat other people right? First, a person must have your mind made up. The love of God must be inside of our hearts. The Holy Spirit must be inside of you, and working inside of you. How do you learn how to forgive another person? It is more than saying I am sorry. It is a learned behavior that must be taught by our parents. I have learned how to forgive others by being around my mother, grandmothers, and grandfathers. I learned by attending church. I want to inform all of you that do not be deceived, evil company corrupts good character. Therefore, my friends at the time were not good people to be around. They were gang members and people who did wrong all of the time. My friends smoked marijuana 67 Anthony Joseph Hopkins and drunk beer all the time. Some of my friends were very good to me as a person. There were friends who taught me how to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana. This is the reason why I felt skeptical because I was looking for something good from each person. When I saw my friends drinking alcohol, and smoking marijuana, I felt depressed. My good friends did not want to hang around me because I did not have any money. As soon as we got older, my friends were getting locked up inside of prison for years. Finally, I want to inform all of you that it is not easy growing up inside of the inner city of Dayton, Ohio. The inner city is where all of the illegal activities were located. I prayed to God for help living in the inner city. I might have been a product of the inner city, but I have become successful. I do hang around people who attend church, and doing good in their personal lives. I read my Bible every single day of the week. I pray all of the time. I ask God to follow me everywhere I go. I pray to God that I do not use any vulgarity. I pray to God that I do not smoke and drink alcohol and marijuana. I do not have sex before marriage anymore. I do not look at women as sex objects anymore. I respect women for who they are in their lives. I surround myself with positive things. 68 Essays I attend Fort McKinley United Methodist Church in Dayton, Ohio. I am a child of God right now. I might make mistakes in my life. I read my Bible each day. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me from myself. I remember when I attempted suicide on February 13, 2010. I had to stay inside of Miami Valley Hospital for six days. I have a suicide clause on my insurance policy. My sister saved my life by calling the ambulance because I had taken all of my medication at that time. I was surrounded by scammers and computer hackers. Right now, I have been suicide free for the past 11 years now. I do not deal with computer hackers and scammers anymore. Thank you for reading my essay. 69 Ephesians 4:32; And What it Means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 3, 2021 Ephesians 4:32 says; And be ye kind to one another. Tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. This means that we must learn how to be kind one another, forgiving one another, even as Christ has forgiven you. I remember when I was growing up in Dayton, Ohio during the 1970s and 1980s. I used to get mistreated by everyone that I had come in contact with except my grandparents. I know for me personally, I have forgiven everyone who used to beat me up all of the time. It seems like every time I forgive someone for the bad that they had treated me. These people used to constantly fight me for nothing. All of this has caused me to become angry at myself and others. The only question that I have to ask everyone is how do you learn how to treat other people right? First, a person must have your mind made up. The love of God must be inside of our hearts. The Holy Spirit must be inside of you, and working inside of you. How do you learn how to forgive another person? It is more than saying I am sorry. 70 Essays It is a learned behavior that must be taught by our parents. I have learned how to forgive others by being around my mother, grandmothers, and grandfathers. I learned by attending church. I want to inform all of you that do not be deceived, evil company corrupts good character. Therefore, my friends at the time were not good people to be around. They were gang members and people who did wrong all of the time. My friends smoked marijuana and drunk beer all the time. Some of my friends were very good to me as a person. There were friends who taught me how to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana. This is the reason why I felt skeptical because I was looking for something good from each person. When I saw my friends drinking alcohol, and smoking marijuana, I felt depressed. My good friends did not want to hang around me because I did not have any money. As soon as we got older, my friends were getting locked up inside of prison for years. Finally, I want to inform all of you that it is not easy growing up inside of the inner city of Dayton, Ohio. The inner city is where all of the illegal activities were located. I prayed to God for help living in the inner city. I might have been a product of the inner city, but I have become successful. I do hang around people who attend church, and doing good in their personal lives. I read my Bible every single day of the week. 71 Anthony Joseph Hopkins I pray all of the time. I ask God to follow me everywhere I go. I pray to God that I do not use any vulgarity. I pray to God that I do not smoke and drink alcohol and marijuana. I do not have sex before marriage anymore. I do not look at women as sex objects anymore. I respect women for who they are in their lives. I surround myself with positive things. I attend Fort McKinley United Methodist Church in Dayton, Ohio. I am a child of God right now. I might make mistakes in my life. I read my Bible each day. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me from myself. I remember when I attempted suicide on February 13, 2010. I had to stay inside of Miami Valley Hospital for six days. I have a suicide clause on my insurance policy. My sister saved my life by calling the ambulance because I had taken all of my medication at that time. I was surrounded by scammers and computer hackers. Right now, I have been suicide free for the past 11 years now. I do not deal with computer hackers and scammers anymore. Thank you for reading my essay.Ephesians 4:32; And What it Means to all People!! By Anthony Joseph Hopkins July 3, 2021 Ephesians 4:32 says; And be ye kind to one another. Tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. This means that we must learn how to be kind one another, forgiving one another, 72 Essays even as Christ has forgiven you. I remember when I was growing up in Dayton, Ohio during the 1970s and 1980s. I used to get mistreated by everyone that I had come in contact with except my grandparents. I know for me personally, I have forgiven everyone who used to beat me up all of the time. It seems like every time I forgive someone for the bad that they had treated me. These people used to constantly fight me for nothing. All of this has caused me to become angry at myself and others. The only question that I have to ask everyone is how do you learn how to treat other people right? First, a person must have your mind made up. The love of God must be inside of our hearts. The Holy Spirit must be inside of you, and working inside of you. How do you learn how to forgive another person? It is more than saying I am sorry. It is a learned behavior that must be taught by our parents. I have learned how to forgive others by being around my mother, grandmothers, and grandfathers. I learned by attending church. I want to inform all of you that do not be deceived, evil company corrupts good character. Therefore, my friends at the time were not good people to be around. They were gang members and people who did wrong all of the time. My friends smoked marijuana 73 Anthony Joseph Hopkins and drunk beer all the time. Some of my friends were very good to me as a person. There were friends who taught me how to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana. This is the reason why I felt skeptical because I was looking for something good from each person. When I saw my friends drinking alcohol, and smoking marijuana, I felt depressed. My good friends did not want to hang around me because I did not have any money. As soon as we got older, my friends were getting locked up inside of prison for years. Finally, I want to inform all of you that it is not easy growing up inside of the inner city of Dayton, Ohio. The inner city is where all of the illegal activities were located. I prayed to God for help living in the inner city. I might have been a product of the inner city, but I have become successful. I do hang around people who attend church, and doing good in their personal lives. I read my Bible every single day of the week. I pray all of the time. I ask God to follow me everywhere I go. I pray to God that I do not use any vulgarity. I pray to God that I do not smoke and drink alcohol and marijuana. I do not have sex before marriage anymore. I do not look at women as sex objects anymore. I respect women for who they are in their lives. I surround myself with positive things. 74
1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
Confirming One’s Calling and Election
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;
6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;
7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.
8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble,
11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Prophecy of Scripture
12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.
13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body,
14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.
15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things.
21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
This epistle clearly is connected with the former epistle of Peter. The apostle having stated the blessings to which God has called Christians, exhorts those who had received these precious gifts, to endeavour to improve in graces and virtues. They are urged to this from the wickedness of false teachers. They are guarded against impostors and scoffers, by disproving their false assertions, ch. 3:1-7 , and by showing why the great day of Christ’s coming was delayed, with a description of its awful circumstances and consequences; and suitable exhortations to diligence and holiness are given.
Exhortations to add the exercise of various other graces to faith (1-11) The apostle looks forward to his approaching decease. (12-15) And confirms the truth of the gospel, relating to Christ’s appearing to judgment. (16-21)
Verses 1-11 Faith unites the weak believer to Christ, as really as it does the strong one, and purifies the heart of one as truly as of another; and every sincere believer is by his faith justified in the sight of God. Faith worketh godliness, and produces effects which no other grace in the soul can do. In Christ all fulness dwells, and pardon, peace, grace, and knowledge, and new principles, are thus given through the Holy Spirit. The promises to those who are partakers of a Divine nature, will cause us to inquire whether we are really renewed in the spirit of our minds; let us turn all these promises into prayers for the transforming and purifying grace of the Holy Spirit. The believer must add knowledge to his virtue, increasing acquaintance with the whole truth and will of God. We must add temperance to knowledge; moderation about worldly things; and add to temperance, patience, or cheerful submission to the will of God. Tribulation worketh patience, whereby we bear all calamities and crosses with silence and submission. To patience we must add godliness: this includes the holy affections and dispositions found in the true worshipper of God; with tender affection to all fellow Christians, who are children of the same Father, servants of the same Master, members of the same family, travellers to the same country, heirs of the same inheritance. Wherefore let Christians labour to attain assurance of their calling, and of their election, by believing and well-doing; and thus carefully to endeavour, is a firm argument of the grace and mercy of God, upholding them so that they shall not utterly fall. Those who are diligent in the work of religion, shall have a triumphant entrance into that everlasting kingdom where Christ reigns, and they shall reign with him for ever and ever; and it is in the practice of every good work that we are to expect entrance to heaven.
Verses 12-15 We must be established in the belief of the truth, that we may not be shaken by every wind of doctrine; and especially in the truth necessary for us to know in our day, what belongs to our peace, and what is opposed in our time. The body is but a tabernacle, or tent, of the soul. It is a mean and movable dwelling. The nearness of death makes the apostle diligent in the business of life. Nothing can so give composure in the prospect, or in the hour, of death, as to know that we have faithfully and simply followed the Lord Jesus, and sought his glory. Those who fear the Lord, talk of his loving-kindness. This is the way to spread the knowledge of the Lord; and by the written word, they are enabled to do this.
Verses 16-21 The gospel is no weak thing, but comes in power, Ro. 1:16 . The law sets before us our wretched state by sin, but there it leaves us. It discovers our disease, but does not make known the cure. It is the sight of Jesus crucified, in the gospel, that heals the soul. Try to dissuade the covetous worlding from his greediness, one ounce of gold weighs down all reasons. Offer to stay a furious man from anger by arguments, he has not patience to hear them. Try to detain the licentious, one smile is stronger with him than all reason. But come with the gospel, and urge them with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, shed to save their souls from hell, and to satisfy for their sins, and this is that powerful pleading which makes good men confess that their hearts burn within them, and bad men, even an Agrippa, to say they are almost persuaded to be Christians, Ac. 26:28 . God is well pleased with Christ, and with us in him. This is the Messiah who was promised, through whom all who believe in him shall be accepted and saved. The truth and reality of the gospel also are foretold by the prophets and penmenof the Old Testament, who spake and wrote under influence, and according to the direction of the Spirit of God. How firm and sure should our faith be, who have such a firm and sure word to rest upon! When the light of the Scripture is darted into the blind mind and dark understanding, by the Holy Spirit of God, it is like the day-break that advances, and diffuses itself through the whole soul, till it makes perfect day. As the Scripture is the revelation of the mind and will of God, every man ought to search it, to understand the sense and meaning. The Christian knows that book to be the word of God, in which he tastes a sweetness, and feels a power, and sees a glory, truly divine. And the prophecies already fulfilled in the person and salvation of Christ, and in the great concerns of the church and the world, form an unanswerable proof of the truth of Christianity. The Holy Ghost inspired holy men to speak and write. He so assisted and directed them in delivering what they had received from him, that they clearly expressed what they made known. So that the Scriptures are to be accounted the words of the Holy Ghost, and all the plainness and simplicity, all the power and all the propriety of the words and expressions, come from God. Mix faith with what you find in the Scriptures, and esteem and reverence the Bible as a book written by holy men, taught by the Holy Ghost.
Though there was, among the ancients, a doubt concerning the authority of this epistle, which is first mentioned by Origen {a}, and afterwards by Eusebius {b} and Jerom {c}, yet it prevailed not among the churches, nor hindered the diligent reading and use of it, together with other Scriptures; it appearing to be useful and profitable, as Eusebius declares; and in process of time this doubt was entirely removed, and it was universally received by fathers and councils into the canon of the Scriptures, where it is justly retained, it having plain signatures of its divine original. Nor is there anything in it unworthy of so great an apostle, whose name it bears; but the whole of it is agreeable to the analogy of faith, to the rest of the sacred writings, particularly to the epistle of Jude, between which, and the second chapter of this, there is a great likeness. The only reason of the doubt of the genuineness of this epistle, and whether it was written by the Apostle Peter, is the difference of its style from the former; but the Holy Ghost, the dictator of the sacred writings, is not limited to a man’s natural style, but could vary it as he pleased: besides, a man’s style is not the same at different times, and when writing on different subjects; add to which, that this objection can only regard the second chapter, for the first and third agree with the former epistle. And some have thought that the second chapter is an extract out of some ancient Hebrew book, describing the characters of the old false prophets; which book Peter and Jude having before them, took the characters of the old prophets, and, under divine direction, applied them to the false teachers of the present age; and if so it is not to be wondered at that the style of the epistle should differ from the former, and even from itself in this part. But that it was written by the Apostle Peter, not only the inscription shows, which, if false, would indeed discredit the genuineness of the book, but the account that is given of the writer of it, as one that was with Christ at his transfiguration, 2Pe 1:16-18. Now there were only the three following disciples there, Peter, John, and, James. The last of these had been dead some time when this epistle was written, and it was never ascribed by any to the Apostle John, and therefore it remains that Peter must be the writer of it. As for Simeon, bishop of Jerusalem, that succeeded James, whom Grotius would suggest as the author of it, the character does not agree with him; he was not with Christ on the holy mount, nor heard the voice from heaven, asserting the sonship of Christ, and the divine complacency in him: moreover, this epistle is called a “second epistle”, 2Pe 3:1 and supposes a first, and manifestly refers to the former epistle of Peter’s, about which there never was any doubt, as the authors before mentioned observe. It was written by the apostle in his old age, when upon the decline of life, just as he was about to put off his tabernacle, 2Pe 1:13-15 a little before his martyrdom, in the year 68, though Dr. Lightfoot places it in 66; and it is sent to the same persons as his first, namely, to the believing Jews scattered throughout several parts of Asia, he being the minister of the circumcision; see 1Pe 1:1 compared with 2Pe 3:1. The scope and design of it are, to put them upon a concern for a larger increase of grace and spiritual knowledge; to confirm and establish them in the present truth of the Gospel; to warn them against false teachers, which he largely describes; and he puts them in mind of the dissolution of all things, and of what will precede and follow it; from whence he draws several useful hints and inferences.
{a} Apud Euseb. Eccl. Hist. l. 6. c. 25. {b} Ib. l. 3. c. 3. 25. {c} Catalog Script. Eccles. sect. 2.
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In this chapter, after the inscription and salutation, the apostle takes notice of gifts of grace bestowed; and exhorts to the exercise of holiness and good works; and gives the reasons why he was so pressing to them; and endeavours to establish the saints in the Gospel that had been preached among them. In the inscription, the writer of the epistle describes himself by his names, the one given him by his parents, the other by his Lord and master, and by his character and office; and the persons to whom he writes are described as having faith, and that of the same kind with the apostles, and which they obtained through the righteousness of Christ, 2Pe 1:1. The salutation is the same with that in the former epistle, only here is added a wish for an increase of divine knowledge, 2Pe 1:2 and which might be expected, since, by the power of living grace, everything necessary to a spiritual and godly life bad been given them in the effectual calling, through the knowledge of Christ; even exceeding great and precious promises, whereby they partook of the divine nature, and escaped the vices which prevailed in the world, 2Pe 1:3,4 upon which he exhorts not to rest where they were, but to go on in the exercise of grace, and performance of duties, many of which he enumerates, 2Pe 1:5-7 to enforce which he adds several arguments, as that through an abounding in these things they would appear not to have a superficial and speculative knowledge of Christ, 2Pe 1:8 or otherwise it would be evident that they were blind and ignorant, and in an unrenewed state, 2Pe 1:9 whereas by these things they would make their calling and election sure and manifest to men, and would never fall totally and finally, and in the issue have an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of Christ, 2Pe 1:10,11 and then he gives the reasons of his conduct, why he so much urged a regard to these things, and put them in mind of them; namely, the usefulness of them for their establishment, the duty of his office, which required it, the short time he had to live, and the profitableness of such exhortations to them, after his decease, 2Pe 1:12-15 and in order to establish them in the truths of the Gospel, and particularly in that which concerns the coming of Christ in power and glory, on which he enlarges in the latter part of this epistle; he observes, that this was not a cunningly devised fable, but was what he and others were eyewitnesses of, even of that which was an emblem and pledge of it; namely, the transfiguration of Christ on the mount, when they saw the glory he received from God his Father, and heard the voice from heaven which declared him to be his well beloved Son, 2Pe 1:16-18, and besides, they had a surer proof of the certainty of his coming; namely, the prophecies concerning it, which should be regarded and given heed to, being as a lamp to direct in the present state of darkness and imperfection, until the illustrious day of Christ’s coming appears, 2Pe 1:19 and the rather this should be attended to, since no scriptural prophecy is an invention and device of men; nor was it formerly given out at the pleasure of men, but by saints, who were influenced and moved unto it by the Holy Ghost, 2Pe 1:20,21.
Psalms 51:1-4, And What it Means to All People. I want to confess all of my transgressions, iniquity, and sins. I want to inform all of you that I have been clean and sober for 32 years now. I will admit that I am still a work in progress. I am learning how to become a very honest person. I know that I should be putting all of my trust in God more than man himself. I remember on Sunday November 25, 1985 at 1;45PM. I got stabbed with a hook knife by my stepfather. How it happened, I was at my Mother’s House spending time with my family members, and I stayed for a few hours, and I observed watching my stepfather and brother playing dice. They were shooting dice, and my brother and stepfather got into a fist fight over a misunderstanding. Suddenly, my stepfather drew a knife on both of us. He stabbed me in my forearm, while I tried to protect my brother. I told the police officer that I would not press charges on my stepfather. I told the Police that he is too old to be in jail. I was transported to the hospital for treatment. I forgave my stepfather for what he did to me.
Further, I want to say that I went through a lot of depression and negative ways of thinking. I have been suffering from depression for 25 years now. Since Tuesday July 15, 1997. I forgive all of the people, who are responsible for using me and beating me up for a total of 27 years. The people, who I called friends really do not like me as a person still. I am the type of person, who continue to forgive everyone else for the things that they have done to me. Currently, my friends do not forgive me for what I have done to them. I even used to hurt others by what I have said out of my mouth. I have beaten up a few people myself. I even cursed at my family members and friends myself. I want to start a right truth to God and other people.
Finally, I want to say to God that I am very sorry for hurting other people. I am very sorry for using vulgarity towards myself, my family members and friends. I resist the devil, and he fleece from me. I have my family members, who are introverted and depressed. I spoke with one of my family members, and she told me to my face that she was an introvert. I was shocked to hear that my family members and friends are introverted. That is a choice that a person makes when they are depressed and sad. I choose Life and Peace. I ask God why people are whom they are? I want to thank you Lord God for saving me 🙏🙏. I am a follower of Jesus Christ. We all need Jesus Christ 🙏🙏 for your personal relationship with God.
In Conclusion, I want Jesus Christ 🙏🙏🙏. In my Life Right now. I need you in my life. I am a person, who is respectful, helpful, brave, bold, and I am Spiritually Strong. I want to inform all of you that; there are times when I tend to get Spiritually stuck in my life. I need to attend church again. I had eye surgery recently, and I have been seeing clearly. I need to remain faithful to God and Jesus Christ.:Holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of Your glory. Your name shall forever be exalted, and I pray that I can spend all of my days rejoicing in Your glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed are all that come in the name of the Lord. Amen.
Psalms 128:4 says Behold, that this shall The Man be blessed that feareth the Lord. I want to start things off by saying that I am literally scared of God. I want to inform all of you that I love you very much. I love life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I know that I am not perfect. I have been in the hospital having treatments for Glaucoma and Macular Degeration. I also had cataracts. I am very happy that I am feeling better now. This Bible verse is saying that everyone is blessed, if we are born again. This means that we must give up our old way of living. I feel good because I being a Born Again Christian.
The Lord God is always with us. I know that I still have to forgive everyone who wrongs me, and each person must forgive me. I want all of you to know that I am very blessed at all times. The Lord God is a very grateful and gracious person. I want everyone to please keep me and my family members in your prayers and thoughts. I used to be very scared of human beings. I want to continue to work for God. I must use God’s Strength and not my own. I want to be public with Jesus Christ. I want to get my day started with God. I want everyone to please pray for me and my family members because I have to make amends to all of my family members and friends.
Further, I want to continue to stand in what God has done for me. I have to learn how to pray and conduct myself as a Christian by proclaiming the Gospel of Peace with everyone, who I have been in contact with each day. My heart speak like a real Christian Man. I need to make things simple and understanding. Lord God, please allow me to learn how to pray effectively. I need God more than ever. I am apologizing for all of my sins and transgressions. I have to make sure that I am very honest with God and with other people.
Lord in Heaven, please aid me in my faith journey. I feel grateful that I have even been given the opportunity to love You, and I pray that I shall not waste this opportunity. With my humble gratitude, I must also ask for forgiveness for the many times I have doubted Your divine plan. Forgive me for I am a mortal and cannot fully understand what You will do, but know that I trust You to do what is best, as You have always done before. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Heavenly Father, You are compassionate and good. Lord, give me compassion for those who are lost and without You. Give me grace to teach them about Your mightiness and great love. Help me to share the knowledge of You that I’ve gained. Help me to teach only truth about You and not any false perceptions I have of You. Help me to articulate Your truth and Your word well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
