Psalm 103 ~ as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transressions from us

Psalm 103 (New International Version)

Audio Link for Psalm 103

¹ Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being,
praise his holy name.

² Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

³ who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

⁶ The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.

⁷ He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:

⁸ The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.

⁹ He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;

¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;

¹² as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

¹³ As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

¹⁴ for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.

¹⁵ As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;

¹⁶ the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.

¹⁷ But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children -

¹⁸ with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.

¹⁹ The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.

²⁰ Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.

²¹ Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.

²² Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.

^~12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

At the end of the 22nd Chapter of Matthew, Jesus tells us we should know the Scriptures and know the power of God.

It's good to know the perception of Christians when the worldly ask questions to figure it out, 30,000 randomly selected adults were questioned from 48 continental states.

In 2009 Barna Group decided "Casual Christians were the up and coming segment of Christianity. This is the way the media at large focuses on Christianity: -Casual Christians represent 66% of the adult population of the U.S - driven by a desire for a pleasant and peaceful existence - moderation. Theologically nominal Christians - It allows them to feel religious without having to prioritize their faith. - Never have to publicly defend or represent difficult moral or social positions or even lose much sleep over their private choices."

Now check out the name given to the second half of Christianity by the Barna Group:

"16% of the U.S. are Captive Christians. Captive Christians are focused on upholding the absolute moral and spiritual truths they glean from the Bible. Captive Christians consider Casuals to not be genuine followers of Christ."

I really would place myself in the belief catagory of upholding the absolute moral and spiritual truths gleaned from the Bible. But I wouldn't call myself captive. I know the Truth and it has set me free. I Hold Firmly to 1 Thessalonians for the whole Body of Christ.

The Church is growing from people leaving denominations and going to unaffiliated Churches.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-24

12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

All those people questioned... were slant questioned... questions can be leading.

Where is our Christian Growth Headed?

According to News from the National Council of Churches & The Pew Forum - not the moderate theology denominations. This data isn't just random questions. This is the attendance numbers and the money received in the churches. This is the actual accounting for attrition/matriculation of member counts and the tithes.

Now we've established these are the facts for real growth, who is it? Orthodox Churches, Catholic Churches & The Unaffiliated Bible Believing Churches.

My church affiliation - Anglican Missions in America and all of the Common Cause - Christ believing, Scripture believing Churches are one of the fastest growing denominations in the USA.

What do the growing Churches believe?

We are seeing a Revival.

John 4:23-24
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

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