We Love God!

God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

Properties of the divine decrees. They are: 1. Eternal – To suppose any of [God’s decrees] to be made in time, is to suppose that some new occasion has occurred, some unforeseen event or combination of circumstances has arisen, which has induced the Most High to form a new resolution. 2. Wise – Wisdom is shown in the selection of the best possible ends and of the fittest means of accomplishing them. That this character belongs to the decrees of God is evident from what we know of them. They are disclosed to us by their execution, and every proof of wisdom in the works of God is a proof of the wisdom of the plan, in conformity to which they are performed. 3. Free – God was alone when He made His decrees, and His determinations were influenced by no external cause. He was free to decree or not to decree, and to decree one thing and not another. This liberty we must ascribe to Him who is supreme, independent, and sovereign in all His doings 4. Unconditional – The execution of them is not suspended upon any condition which may, or may not be, performed. In every instance where God has decreed an end, He has also decreed every means to that end.

A.W. Pink

Suicide is a grave sin equivalent to murder (Exodus 20:13; 21:23), but it can be forgiven like any other sin. And Scripture says clearly that those redeemed by God have been forgiven for all their sins – past, present, and future (Colossians 2:13-14). Paul says in Romans 8:38-39 that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. So if a true Christian would commit suicide in a time of extreme weakness, he or she would be received into heaven (Jude 24). But we question the faith of those who take their lives or even consider it seriously – it may well be that they have never been truly saved. I say that because God’s children are defined repeatedly in Scripture as those who have hope (Acts 24:15; Romans 5:2-5, 8:24; 2 Corinthians 1:10, etc.) and purpose in life (Luke 9:23-25; Romans 8:28; Colossians 1:29). And those who think of committing suicide do so because they have neither hope nor purpose in their lives. Furthermore, one who repeatedly considers suicide is practicing sin in his heart (Proverbs 23:7), and 1 John 3:9 says that “no one who is born of God practices sin.” And finally, suicide is often the ultimate evidence of a heart that rejects the lordship of Jesus Christ, because it is an act where the sinner is taking his life into his own hands completely rather than submitting to God's will for it. Surely many of those who have taken their lives will hear those horrifying words from the Lord Jesus at the judgment – “I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness” (Matthew 7:23). So though it may be possible for a true believer to commit suicide, we believe that is an unusual occurrence. Someone considering suicide should be challenged above all to examine himself to see whether he is in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5).

John MacArthur

We Love God!

God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

Paul Merrett’s Couscous With Vegetables

January 30, 2023

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
Meats		Fresh food, New	1	Servings

INGREDIENTS

3		Courgettes, finely diced
1		Aubergine, finely diced
6	T	Olive oil
1	t	Cumin powder
1	t	Paprika
1	t	Ground coriander
1/2	t	Turmeric
250	g	Couscous
1/2	pt	Chicken stock, hot
4		Tomatoes, finely diced
1		Red onion, finely chopped
10		Mint leaves, finely chopped
4		Dsp finely chopped coriander

INSTRUCTIONS

Fry the courgette and aubergine in olive oil until lightly browned,
and set aside. Heat 6 tbsp olive oil in a pan. Add the cumin,
coriander, paprika and turmeric and stir round in the oil.  2 Add the
couscous, stir, pour in the stock, cover and put in a warm  place for
five minutes. Fork through the cous cous and mix in the  courgette and
aubergine. Add the tomatoes, coriander, onion and mint.  Serve with the
tagine.  Converted by MC_Buster.  Recipe by: Fresh Food  Converted by
MM_Buster v2.0l.

A Message from our Provider:

“God: so personal that in comparison we are cold unfeeling machines”

Nutrition (calculated from recipe ingredients) ---------------------------------------------- Calories: 1467 Calories From Fat: 924 Total Fat: 104.6g Cholesterol: 7.2mg Sodium: 1275.8mg Potassium: 1463.4mg Carbohydrates: 115.2g Fiber: 11g Sugar: 15.1g Protein: 23.6g