M.b Ministries 7 Women's Outreach

02/25/2025

Celebrating my 6th year on Facebook. Thank you for your continuing support. I could never have made it without you. 🙏🤗🎉

10/29/2024

Thanks for following. Please check out our directory and see if you can use any of the services or get listed. Thanks

02/04/2024

03/15/2023

DOES THE BIBLE SAY A FLESH AND BLOOD MAN CAN FORGIVE YOU OF YOUR SINS?

Psalm 130:4; Isaiah 43:25; Micah 7:18 and Mark 2:7 teach that God and God alone is the one who can forgive. Therefore, it is not possible for a human to cause another human to be forgiven. Since only God knows if a person is sincere and repentant, no human priest can forgive sins. The individual could be deceptive and the priest would not know it, but God does. In Romans 10:9 Paul writes these words,

Romans 10:9 — King James Version (KJV 1900) 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

IS CONFESSION OF SINS TO A PRIEST BIBLICAL?

Again, the concept of confession of sin to a priest is nowhere taught in Scripture. We are to confess our sins to God ( 1 John 1:9 ). As Covenant believers, we do not need mediators between us and God. We can go to God directly because of Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT CONFESSION OF SINS TO A PRIEST ?

The concept of confession of sin to a priest is nowhere taught in Scripture. First, the New Testament does not teach that there are to be priests in the New Covenant. Instead, the New Testament teaches that all believers are priests. First Peter 2:5-9 describes believers as a “holy priesthood” and a “royal priesthood.” Revelation 1:6 and 5:10 both describe believers as “a kingdom of priests.” In the Old Covenant, the faithful had to approach God through the priests. The priests were mediators between the people and God. The priests offered sacrifices to God on behalf of the people. That is no longer necessary. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we can now approach God’s throne with boldness (Hebrews 4:16). The temple veil tearing in two at Jesus’ death was symbolic of the dividing wall between God and humanity being destroyed. We can approach God directly, ourselves, without the use of a human mediator. Why? Because Jesus Christ is our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-15; 10:21) and the only mediator between us and God (1 Timothy 2:5). The New Testament teaches that there are to be elders (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9), deacons (1 Timothy 3:8-13), and pastors (Ephesians 4:11) – but not priests.

When it comes to confession of sin, believers are told in 1 John 1:9 to confess their sins to God. God is faithful and just to forgive our sins as we confess them to Him. James 5:16 speaks of confessing our trespasses “to one another,” but this is not the same as confessing sins to a priest as the Roman Catholic Church teaches. Priests / church leaders are nowhere mentioned in the context of James 5:16. Further, James 5:16 does not link forgiveness of sins with the confession of sins “to one another.”

The Roman Catholic Church bases their practice of confession to a priest primarily on Catholic tradition. Catholics do point to John 20:23, “If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” From this verse, Catholics claim that God gave the apostles the authority to forgive sins and that authority was passed on to the successors of the apostles, , the bishops and priests of the Roman Catholic Church. There are several problems with this interpretation. (1) John 20:23 nowhere mentions confession of sin. (2) John 20:23 nowhere promises or even hints that apostolic authority of any kind would be passed on to the successors of the apostles. (3) The apostles never once in the New Testament acted as if they had the authority to forgive a person’s sin. Similarly, Catholics point to Matthew 16:19 and 18:18 (binding and loosing) as evidence for the Catholic Church’s authority to forgive sins. The same three above points apply equally to these Scriptures.

The ability to forgive sins is God’s and His alone (Isaiah 43:25). The better understanding of John 20:23 is that the apostles were given the responsibility of declaring with utmost certainty the terms on which God would forgive sins. As the church was being founded, the apostles declared that those who believed the gospel were forgiven (Acts 16:31) and those who did not obey the gospel faced judgment (2 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Peter 4:17). As the apostles proclaimed salvation in Christ (Acts 10:43) and exercised church discipline (1 Corinthians 5:4–5), they were wielding the authority Christ had given them.

Notice that salvation depends upon the attitude of the heart. Only God knows the heart (Acts 15:8). Therefore, what was Jesus saying? He was simply saying the apostles had the authority to declare what God declares. In John 3:16 Christ declared that if someone believes in Christ, that person will not perish but have eternal life. The disciples and every believer can declare the same promise of the forgiveness of sins.

The apostles knew when God had forgiven a man or woman of sins. A man or woman is only forgiven by faith, that is, by trusting in Jesus Christ. 1 John 5:13 tells us that we can know we have eternal life – we can know that we are going to heaven. This occurs when we stop trying to earn our way into heaven by doing good deeds (Ephesians 2:8-9) and just simply do nothing else but trust Jesus (1 John 3:23) to forgive all of our sins for all time (Hebrews 10:10).

For a true Christian, there is no future sin that God has not already forgiven. The perfect passive tense of aphiemi affirms that truth. The disciples could tell a person their sins were forgiven, but in reality forgiveness had already been granted by God through faith in Jesus. Only God can forgive sins (Mark 2:5-9). Jesus was not giving the apostles divine authority. Jesus was allowing them to help others know that their sins were forgiven, if in fact they trusted in Jesus. The apostles were stating something that had already occurred. The Greek text makes this very clear.

Again, the concept of confession of sin to a priest is nowhere taught in Scripture. We are to confess our sins to God (1 John 1:9). As Covenant believers, we do not need mediators between us and God. We can go to God directly because of Jesus’ sacrifice for us. First Timothy 2:5 says, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

POWER TO FORGIVE SINS?

Only God can forgive sins. He has not delegated this authority to men, not even to the apostles. When Jesus forgives our sins, He forgives all of them for all time – the past ones, the present ones and the future ones – all of them. The sins believers will commit tomorrow are already forgiven. What God asks of believers when we sin is that we are to confess our sins to God as soon as we are aware that we have disobeyed Him. We need only to stop and pray to our Heavenly Father, confess that we have done wrong and thank Him for His forgiveness. 1 John 1:9,

09/17/2021

09/11/2021

HOW DO I IDENTIFY TRUE LOVE, IN A WORLD FULL OF LIARS AND FAKE PEOPLE?

Love is a gamble at least the worlds version of it. Sometimes you start loving the wrong person and sometimes you might reject the right one and by right one I don't mean your soulmate and all that but the one who can handle your emotions, craziness, support your decisions and give you constructive criticisms. Sometimes, people start dating with the intention of staying with their partner forever.

Some just date for the heck of it. Some just wanna date to gain sexual intimacy. Sometimes people who you greatly love change. Their attitude, behavior, character changes. They might seem like a person you don't even know.

Stay with a person who will care for you no matter what. Stay with a person who will cherish you and love you for who you are. Stay with a person who is ready to adjust themselves for you. Stay with someone who is willing to sacrifice for you and it's important for you to stay with someone you would care for, love, cherish and sacrifice for without expecting anything in return.

People who have standards are true to themselves. But true people have an unique code of conduct which makes them larger than life itself. Like they say, these folks have braved enough odds to take their stands and are not afraid to do so to defend their stands.
Rest, people who teach you self control over manipulation. Justice over tyranny, peace over conflicts and a long list of nobilities which are rare these days.

Know something about them, they exist may be less in quantity but their quality and standards balance their decreasing population all in all.

About true love, it starts all the way from taking self care so much that you know when you are treated poor and you can justify the means.

Every relationship is based on trust. Trust is the foundation of a relationship. No trust is equivalent to no relationship.

THIS TRUST HAS 3 BUILDING BLOCKS.

1-The person can see the pain behind your smile. This means that he/she is capable of feeling your part of feelings. There will be a oneness. Your pain is their pain and your happiness is theirs. And a vice versa.

2-The person can see the love behind your anger. This means he/she is capable of bearing you and able to compromise at times. Sometimes you may have to give more and not expect equal shares. You don't have to be afraid of being yourself in front of them and feel free.

3-The person can hear the words behind your silence. This means he/she and you as well share a good understanding. This means that you both can skip an explanation and still understand each other at times.

If these are fulfilled then you probably found your true love. You should definitely marry that person.

These 3 points can't be checked instantly. It takes time of course. You have to observe.

Moreover there is one very important thing. It's that first be the kind of person you want in your life. Be a good person if you want a good partner. Be a caring partner if you want the same. Be a loyal lover if you expect the same. You have to know yourself very well. First be capable of giving than you will receive. You have to be aware of what you got to offer the other person. Be a the true one among the fakes/liars/cheaters if you want a true person.
In other relationships (other than romantic love) also this is true but they are partially fulfilled. That too is enough to have a love may be not a great one but still a love. Love is in every relationship.

09/11/2021

SISTERS AND BROTHER IN CHRIST.

WHAT DOES JESUS SAY ABOUT BROTHERS AND SISTERS?

Matthew 5:23-24 “Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and reconcile to them; then come and offer your gift.”

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT THAT WE LOVE OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST?

As the son of God, the Savior was more conscious than anyone else of the relationship of God and man as creator and creation, or divine Mind and divine idea. Understanding that we are sisters and brothers in Christ, we see each other as Mind creates us and maintains us – the spiritual expression of God's being

WHO IS MY BROTHER IN THE BIBLE?

Jesus replies, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” He points to the disciples and says, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” In Luke's Gospel, Jesus pulls no punches.

There’s a great need in the world for more genuine, unselfish affection, consideration, and care for others. Could it be that affection among people grows stronger and more lasting when we recognize that we all belong to God? Feeling close to God makes us think of others as sisters and brothers. This is a brotherhood and sisterhood that transcends blood relations, race, age, or nationality.
You may have heard someone called a “sister in Christ” or a “brother in Christ.” These two terms could be loosely translated as “fellow believer,” but the words have meaning beyond that. A sister or brother in Christ is who we are as God’s offspring. Christ Jesus spoke of God as “my Father” and “our Father,” because we share one divine Parent.

To be “in Christ” describes the joy of sonship with God that Christ Jesus possessed and expressed every day in his contact with people. His love for both friend and foe sends a message to us: that we can love others because we are the children of divine Love, God. As the son of God, the Savior was more conscious than anyone else of the relationship of God and man as creator and creation, or divine Mind and divine idea.

Understanding that we are sisters and brothers in Christ, we see each other as Mind creates us and maintains us – the spiritual expression of God’s being. That puts the daily rubbing of shoulders with people in a new light. Looks, behavior, and other outward appearances fade in importance as we learn that we all belong to the family of God.

The unbreakable spiritual relationship of man to God accounts for our kinship with each other. Christian Science explains that conflict between people is linked to the conviction that man is a mortal, often with more reasons to fight than to love. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, describes the true, Christly man in contrast with the opposite, mortal man: “Immortals, or God’s children in divine Science, are one harmonious family; but mortals, or the ‘children of men’ in material sense, are discordant and ofttimes false brethren”

The Apostle Paul frequently urged fellow Christians to overcome their divisions by seeing that the mortal material identity of someone was not the new man in Christ. He wrote to the church at Corinth: “By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.... Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular” (I Corinthians 12:13, 27). Our real selfhood as God’s expression is found in the eternal Christ. We are baptized into Christ through ongoing spiritual regeneration, which brings to light increasingly our pure, Christlike individuality.
The understanding of who we are as sisters and brothers in Christ can be put into practice with family, friends, and strangers. Human relations frequently need mending. Too little love tears at family harmony. And haven’t we all known times of loneliness or alienation? Disappointments or personality clashes can make us reach out to God in prayer, to seek an understanding of our individual wholeness and the collective unity that is in Christ. If we believe we are outnumbered and outgunned by family discord, sickness, even world conditions, our heartfelt recognition of everyone’s unity as children of God can make all the difference.

Christ always lifts our thought to our true loving nature and enables us to demonstrate it in gratitude, purity, compassion, patience, intelligence, and joy. Then we can see better that troubles are not as fixed as they seem. Christ, Truth, shining in human consciousness, brings healing, showing the health, harmony, and peace that are permanent spiritual qualities belonging to man as the likeness of divine Soul, God.

The special moments of feeling close ties with each other steadily become more constant as we yield to divine Love’s embrace of all people. Faith deepens with fellowship and our love results in healing.

09/11/2021

SALVATION IS IT THE END OF THE BEGINNING?
YOUR SOUL, SALVATION IS YOUR OWN RESPONSIBIBLTY.

I once believed the finding one’s way to salvation was a lifelong struggle filled with pitfalls and potholes strategically placed to trip you up in an effort to deny you your rightful place in heaven and ensure permanent residence in hell. My confusion about this had me questioning, if true, then how should one live a “Christian” life? I mean you’re not supposed to be able to earn your way into God’s presence. Faith dictates you accept the fact Jesus secured that for the faithful when He died on the cross. Please be mindful I do not claim unique spiritual insight on this issue. I’m sure my dilemma can easily be resolved by more mature Christians than me, who would deem this rather elementary.

So since faith without works is supposed to be bogus and simple faith alone won’t get you into the kingdom, I ask again, how should you approach living your life? I’ve often said this in this stage of my spiritual development (because I believe it) the best anyone can do is to try and live a life that honors God — a life that, by example, can be seen from afar as one trying to emulate that of Christ Jesus.

“Each one should use whatever gift he has to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10.

Now I know that sounds simple enough, but my experience has said it’s far from easy — sort of like knowing the difference between owning a home and renting an apartment. The truth is people take care of something they own much differently than something they’ll walk away from one day, or return or pass along to someone else. Hence to take ownership of one’s own soul demands a different approach to life than someone who mindlessly abdicates any responsibility for where he or she will spend eternity. Until you realize throughout history, men and women of God have been persecuted and murdered, you will not understand how dangerous it is to live a life of peace, mercy, forgiveness, charity and justice.

“He showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you; to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah: 6-8.

This walk although rewarding, is still treacherous — fraught with perils unimaginable to the innocent eye. Who would question what God has said?

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Ephesians: 4:31-32.

Is this really living dangerously or is it so radical a concept we ignore it, preferring a life of gossip, revenge, cynicism and pride? So at the risk of ridicule and criticism, a life built around belief in God should be the ultimate goal. It should be okay to turn the other cheek, give the benefit of the doubt and respect another’s right to be different. God’s purpose, albeit difficult at times, is easily understood.

“Be on guard; stand firm in faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14.

Remember, you are responsible for your own soul. You are your own landlord. Building maintenance and cleanup is up to you. You are not a renter here. Anyone who you invite in should leave your presence, your home, with the knowledge an honest attempt is being made by you to be truthful in the effort to claim your own salvation. This is imperative and answers the question of how you should live.

“Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me.” Psalms 119:175.

May God bless and keep you always

09/09/2021

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF DAMAGED EMOTIONS?

Healthy emotions are vital for well-being and harmonious relationships.

Emotional damage can occur as a result of mental illness, trauma or a combination of both factors, and may impair a person's ability to form relationships and handle everyday stressors. Learning to recognize the signs of damaged emotions allows you to identify problems sooner and alter the behaviors that perpetuate them.

TRUST ISSUES.

While blind trust can be dangerous in some situations, an inability to trust loved ones can be a sign of emotional damage. According to AT Health, children who are abandoned by their parents often experience trust issues in adulthood, making it difficult to form close interpersonal relationships.
Lack of trust can result from painful past experiences, including acts of betrayal. Examples of situations that could trigger trust issues include abandonment as a child, romantic infidelity or a variety of forms of dishonesty.

LOW SELF-ESTEEM.

Self-esteem refers to the way in which people view themselves and their worth. Low self-esteem can result from internal sources like mental health conditions or external causes like bullying. The "New York Times" lists low self-esteem as a common symptom of depression .

Signs of low self-esteem include shyness, anxiety about one’s appearance or competence, feelings of worthlessness and unnecessary guilt or shame. It's possible to use positive affirmations to help raise self-esteem by reaffirming positive attributes.

ANGER AND AGGRESSION.

While unpleasant, anger is a natural emotional response that can be useful when channeled effectively. When managed improperly, anger is capable of tearing apart relationships and leading to frequent altercations between individuals.
Inappropriate anger can masquerade as jealousy, manipulation, suspicion or passive-aggressiveness. If allowed to continue unchecked, anger may even deteriorate into verbal or physical abuse. Long-term suppression of unpleasant emotions like anger can lead to inappropriate behaviors, reinforcing the need to handle anger as it arises.

SELF-DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR.

Emotional damage often manifests as self-destructive or self-defeating behavior. Eating disorders, substance abuse and self-mutilation are examples of self-destructive behavior.
According to the American Humane Association, destructive behaviors like alcohol and drug abuse, su***de attempts and withdrawal can all result from emotional abuse.

TREATMENT OPTIONS.

Many options exist for healing emotional damage
Counseling or group therapy can help patients work through unpleasant emotions and get to the heart of their issues. Trained mental health professionals offer solutions by teaching patients stress management techniques and coping skills to help deal with daily problems. When emotional damage affects married couples or families, couples counseling and family therapy may be helpful.
In cases of mental illness, medications like antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs may be prescribed in conjunction with talk therapy.