Marko Latvakoski

Cafecito con Cristo ☕️ “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing in the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgements of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:7-11). Can the Christian, set free from the Law (Galatians 5:1), truly delight in the Law? Yes, for as St. Paul says, “Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good” (Romans 7:12). Antinomians think the Law is bad because it reveals bad things about us, and Christ set us free from the Law. Yes, Christ set us free, but not toward licentiousness. Freedom from the Law does not mean freedom from its commands but rather freedom from its punishment. That the Law makes us feel bad doesn’t mean the Law is bad; it means WE are bad. Jesus affirmed the Great Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) when He summarized the Commandments as the two great commandments in Matthew 22:37-39. How do we know how to love God? The first table of the Commandments (1-3) tells us. How do we know how to love our neighbor? The second table of the Commandments (4-10) tells us. We therefore delight in the Law because it tells us how to love God and neighbor, not how to be saved; for Christ has saved us. #lutheran #lcms #christian #coffee #bible #christiansofinstagram #coffeewithchrist #coffeewithjesus #psalms

Cafecito con Cristo ☕️ “Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak” (Psalm 12:1-2). It is not just that godly and faithful Christians are decreasing in number, as researchers always like to remind us with their staggering statistics, but the vanishing of the pious and faithful is directly connected to the tribulation of the righteous, hence the plea, “Help, LORD.” I cannot help but think of today’s “Christian” deconstructionists (not including those who correctly deconstruct the heresy they were taught to believe; that is not deconstruction, but the light shining in darkness). They think they are intelligent and wise to dissect their Christian upbringing with glorified inquisitiveness, as if they were the first to ever ask such questions (thus, learning historical theology is paramount). There’s nothing wrong with asking questions, of course, especially where false doctrine and heresy are concerned. I thrive on the questions my catechumens and Bible study parishioners ask. This is how one is rescued from the pit of heresy. But what true deconstructionists are really doing is falling into unbelief—into godlessness, faithlessness. They speak like doctors of theology, but they’re just bad students with poor reading comprehension. Yet we are not without hope. As David recalls, “You shall keep them [the poor], O LORD, You shall preserve them from this generation forever” (v. 7). #lutheran #lcms #christian #coffee #bible #christiansofinstagram #coffeewithchrist #coffeewithjesus #deconstruction #psalms

The Price of Following Jesus We know from Scripture that salvation is a free gift that Jesus gives us when we believe in Him. But just because our salvation is free—that doesn’t mean the rest of our lives with Jesus will cost us nothing as well. Jesus says that following Him will cost us everything. This doesn’t mean that we have to earn our salvation or work for acceptance, but it does mean that following Jesus requires everything that we have. When we become disciples of Jesus, we follow in His footsteps. We let Jesus teach and guide us. If we are serious about this, then our lives will become patterned after His life. This means that just as Jesus took up a cross and gave up everything He had, by following Jesus we must also do the same. So what does it mean to take up a cross and follow Jesus? It means that we should be ready to give up everything for the sake of Jesus. It means denying ourselves by surrendering our own desires and plans for God’s desires and plans. Rather than focusing on ourselves, we center our lives around God’s mission in the world: loving Him and loving others as we make disciples. Taking up one’s cross isn’t easy, but there is nothing in this life that is better than following Jesus. While immediate pleasure often feels more desirable in the moment, it quickly fades and leaves us searching for more. No possession or position can lead to true satisfaction in life—that is found only in Jesus. Take a moment to think about your life. Are there things that you’re holding onto that you would be hesitant to surrender to Jesus? Are there relationships that serve your own desires rather than God’s? Commit to following Jesus regardless of how difficult or challenging life might become. The cross, while painful, is temporary—abundant life with Jesus is eternal. #dailyrefresh #youversionbibleapp

Practical Christianity – Countering the Problem of Division – Practical application of the theology [7] – Spiritual fatherhood and conclusion (1 Corinthians 4 v 14 – 21)

Bill's Bible Basics is a Public Facebook Ministry https://lnkd.in/fvkSuqq Please be advised that the Bill's Bible Basics Facebook ministry is a public ministry. What I mean by this is that everything I have to offer to my Facebook friends can be found by visiting my timeline. In fact, to take full advantage of everything that I have to offer in the way of the Scriptures, you should also click or tap on the links which I include with every post that I make. These links will lead you to even more information, and deeper Bible studies, concerning what each of my graphics is about, on the Bill's Bible Basics website. The reason why I am stating this, is because I have too many friends -- particularly from Asian, Middle Eastern, African and other Muslim countries -- who seem to only be interested in engaging in private text messaging. These people show very little interest -- if any at all -- in commenting on my posts, liking my posts, or sharing my graphics on their own timelines and pages. Why is this? I will tell you why. With almost twelve years of Facebook experience -- as of January 2023 -- behind me, I know for a fact that in a large number of these cases, these people are ultimately only after a few things: mo...

Practical Christianity – Basic theology – Unjust behaviour and the Kingdom of God [2] – (I Corinthians 6 v 9b, 10)

SPIRITUAL ENERGY IN GOD’S WORD By Prophet John Tunke Bisina TEXT: John 6:63 Spiritual energy, much like physical strength, is essential for sustaining a robust life. Just as our bodies require nourishment to thrive, our spiritual beings need sustenance to flourish. In this context, God's Word emerges as the ultimate spiritual food that energizes, strengthens, and transforms us. Engaging regularly with Scripture serves as a powerful remedy against spiritual malnutrition, dryness, and fruitlessness. The qualities inherent in God's Word are incomparable, possessing life-giving power that infuses our spirits with vitality. As stated in John 6:63, the words of God bring spiritual life, while Psalm 19:7 emphasizes their ability to convert the soul. The Scriptures empower us to face challenges, as reflected in Psalm 119:28, where we find strength and resilience through our relationship with God's Word. Moreover, they serve as a source of renewal and revival, restoring our weary souls, as noted in Psalm 119:25. The cleansing and sanctifying power of Scripture are affirmed in Psalm 119:9 and John 15:3, illustrating how God's Word purifies us. Furthermore, engaging with Scripture fosters spiritual growth and maturity, highlighted in 1 Peter 2:2. This engagement not only nurtures our spirits but also illuminates our paths and provides guidance. The message of Psalm 119:105, which declares that God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, serves as a reminder of the clarity and direction that Scripture can bring to our lives. To fully experience the energy found in God's Word, we are called to engage with it regularly. Dedicating time to read and study the Bible, as commanded in John 5:39, allows us to immerse ourselves in its teachings. Meditation on God's Word, as reflected in Psalm 1: 2 and Joshua 1:8, deepens our understanding and integration of its truths into our daily lives. Additionally, memorizing Scripture, as encouraged in Psalm 119:11, and Colossians 3:16, implants these powerful truths in our hearts for continual reference and reflection. Belief in the promises and truths of God’s Word, as highlighted in Psalm 119: 66, is essential for unlocking its transformative power. Obeying God's commands and principles, as urged in Psalm 119: 60, fosters a deeper connection with Him. Abiding in the Word, as described in John 15:7, allows us to find life and nourishment that invigorates our spiritual journey. The energy we derive from God's Word brings forth numerous blessings that enrich our lives. Through the study and application of Scripture, we can experience God’s abiding presence and power, as indicated in John 8:29 and Acts 4:31, 33. This connection equips us to overcome temptation and resist sin, drawing strength from the example of Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11 and the teaching of 1 John 2:14. As we absorb God's Word, our love for Him and others deepens, in alignment with 1 John 4:11-21.

It’s about choosing the best available guide to humanity.

"THE MYSTERIES OF GOD" Free / Read / Download / Share Click > https://lnkd.in/g4J6rzdB The Kingdom of God is a mystery. Many have misunderstood this mystery and consequently have also misrepresented the Kingdom of God in the earth. If we do not understand the mystery of the Incarnation, we will not understand the mystery of the Atonement. And, if we do not understand the mystery of the Atonement, we will not understand the mystery of His Righteousness. And so, if we do not understand the mystery of His Righteousness, we will misunderstand and misrepresent the Kingdom of God in the earth. The Incarnation, by God’s design leads to The Atonement, which in turn has implications regarding His Righteousness and His Kingdom. Each of these mysteries warrants its own exposition. But at the center of this “equation” is the Atonement. As I mined the treasury of Scripture in the writing of this article, it seemed that the main vein I found myself excavating was that of the Atonement. So, I thought it would be good to include as an Addendum the development of the theories of the Atonement throughout church history.

"THE MYSTERIES OF GOD" Free / Read / Download / Share Click > https://lnkd.in/g4J6rzdB The Kingdom of God is a mystery. Many have misunderstood this mystery and consequently have also misrepresented the Kingdom of God in the earth. If we do not understand the mystery of the Incarnation, we will not understand the mystery of the Atonement. And, if we do not understand the mystery of the Atonement, we will not understand the mystery of His Righteousness. And so, if we do not understand the mystery of His Righteousness, we will misunderstand and misrepresent the Kingdom of God in the earth. The Incarnation, by God’s design leads to The Atonement, which in turn has implications regarding His Righteousness and His Kingdom. Each of these mysteries warrants its own exposition. But at the center of this “equation” is the Atonement. As I mined the treasury of Scripture in the writing of this article, it seemed that the main vein I found myself excavating was that of the Atonement. So, I thought it would be good to include as an Addendum the development of the theories of the Atonement throughout church history.