If you know nothing else about that church than the two following things, that would be enough to know the wickedness there.
The first matter is that of the "Mass", which is what the Catholic church calls its church service, the priest prays over the waffer, called the "host" and over the wine to turn it into the body and blood of Christ, this is called transubstantiation.
The use of the term "host", should give us a clue that the waffer holds the body of Christ within it after being prayed over by the priest.
Every Catholic believes that the symbols of the body and blood of Christ are changed into Christ's actual body for them to eat.
This is cannibalism, which God expressly forbids in His Word. God would never go against His own principles.
When Christ said "it is finished" then there was no more sacrifice required.
Hebrews 10:26
King James Version (KJV)
"26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,"
The second thing that is a monstrous violation of God's Word, within the Catholic church is the statement that "the pope is the Vicor of Christ."
He is counted as the mediator between God and man. God says the opposite of this in His Word.
1 Timothy 2:5
King James Version (KJV)
"5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"
There are many more elements of the Catholic church that violate God's Word, satan is very cleaver in that, in recent years Catholics are beginning to use the same terminology as those who are born again, but with different meanings for their words.
A Catholic may say they believe they are "Christians saved by grace", but they don't mean the same thing that the Bible teaches.
When a Catholic says he is saved by grace, he means that he earns more graces with a great chance of getting to heaven every time he has to suffer or whenever he does a good deed. They offer these things up to gain graces from them, hoping that in the end they will have more graces than sins.
This thinking is similar to that of the Muslim faith that believes our sins and good deeds are weighed on a scale at the end, if the scale tips in the right direction, the good deeds out weighing the bad then they will go to heaven.
Unfortunately the father of Islam is the same father of Catholicism. One of the things that is happening more and more now is that the terminology of the believer is also being used by the wicked religions, confusing the weak minded and those who lack knowledge of their Bibles.
When we encounter these people, and are in discussion with them, we need to ask them their understanding of words, then compare it with God's Word, that will show us where their heart is.
A Catholic cannot be born again and remain in the church, the Holy Spirit will make them terribly uncomfortable with all the wickedness and heresy.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Thursday, February 27, 2014
A Careless and Disorderly Culture
Our careless and disorderly culture has taught the young people that excellence is not important. The parents have removed all rules that address clothing, demeanor and decorum. Because of this we see an overall laziness when it comes to hard work, whether it is in school or on the job.
When we require excellence from those who have a desire to learn, the young people become proficient in their task. Those are the young people who can succeed, even with occasional failures; these diligent people will pick themselves up by their boot straps and soldier on to begin again. Failure is not a problem for diligent people; they pick themselves up and begin again, perhaps having learned something that will help them in the future.
When we make jokes about excellence as though it were unnecessary, we foster an attitude of laziness in the young people.
I recall the news story about a teacher who decided to teach math, implementing all the expectation of yesteryear to help those who wanted to learn, to succeed.
This teacher required white shirts and ties for the boys and skirts and white shirts for the girls in his class. He gave explicit instructions in the beginning class meeting as to his expectation for the class decorum.
The next time the class met everyone was dressed in the required uniform, except one student. The teacher addressed the student in the beginning of the class, restating the rules of conduct to the class and declaring that this student who would not comply was not going to be able to stay in the class. The student was told to leave the class room and not return. The student begged and pleaded to be able to stay, promising that he would come the next day properly attired.
The teacher said no to the boy and ushered him out of the class. This taught the rest of the class that, no slackishness would be allowed, obedience to the rules would be a steadfast requirement, thereby fostering an attitude of excellence in the students.
This may have seemed harsh to some liberal thinking people, but the parents of the remaining students were thankful for the diligence of the teacher.
When we require excellence from those who have a desire to learn, the young people become proficient in their task. Those are the young people who can succeed, even with occasional failures; these diligent people will pick themselves up by their boot straps and soldier on to begin again. Failure is not a problem for diligent people; they pick themselves up and begin again, perhaps having learned something that will help them in the future.
When we make jokes about excellence as though it were unnecessary, we foster an attitude of laziness in the young people.
I recall the news story about a teacher who decided to teach math, implementing all the expectation of yesteryear to help those who wanted to learn, to succeed.
This teacher required white shirts and ties for the boys and skirts and white shirts for the girls in his class. He gave explicit instructions in the beginning class meeting as to his expectation for the class decorum.
The next time the class met everyone was dressed in the required uniform, except one student. The teacher addressed the student in the beginning of the class, restating the rules of conduct to the class and declaring that this student who would not comply was not going to be able to stay in the class. The student was told to leave the class room and not return. The student begged and pleaded to be able to stay, promising that he would come the next day properly attired.
The teacher said no to the boy and ushered him out of the class. This taught the rest of the class that, no slackishness would be allowed, obedience to the rules would be a steadfast requirement, thereby fostering an attitude of excellence in the students.
This may have seemed harsh to some liberal thinking people, but the parents of the remaining students were thankful for the diligence of the teacher.
One person who will not comply has the potential of ruining the attitudes of the others in the class. To disobey the very first and easiest command of the teacher was an indication that the student did not respect authority and would probably not be industrious in his work, possibly undermining the moral of the rest of the class.
In Genesis 3 we read of Eve taking the fruit when she was commanded not to, but she didn’t stop there, she handed it to her husband to partake too. Rebellion and disobedience never remains alone, it always brings others alongside.
I have worked with young people off and on over my 62 years, and it is absolutely agonizing to attempt to teach a child who balks at your every instruction. One who will not follow your directives, or do what they have been taught sloppily to get it over with. These attitudes of mutiny, wastes the time of the instructor, who could better spend his time with those who want to learn while influencing others who may be weak.
In Genesis 3 we read of Eve taking the fruit when she was commanded not to, but she didn’t stop there, she handed it to her husband to partake too. Rebellion and disobedience never remains alone, it always brings others alongside.
I have worked with young people off and on over my 62 years, and it is absolutely agonizing to attempt to teach a child who balks at your every instruction. One who will not follow your directives, or do what they have been taught sloppily to get it over with. These attitudes of mutiny, wastes the time of the instructor, who could better spend his time with those who want to learn while influencing others who may be weak.
1 Corinthians 15:33
King James Version (KJV)
“33 Be not deceived: evil behavior corrupt good manners.”
One of the reasons for the decline in the public school system is the lack of diligence in decorum and requirements to have assignments in on time and done with excellence.
Colossians 3:23
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”
Our culture as a whole has teaches the opposite of what God instructs in His Word.
The only hope for individuals in our culture now, is Christ Jesus. Only through Him and His principles can we reach the young people. If they will not listen then we need to walk away and move on to those who will. There will be few because we are living in the last days as described in 2 Timothy 3.
King James Version (KJV)
“33 Be not deceived: evil behavior corrupt good manners.”
One of the reasons for the decline in the public school system is the lack of diligence in decorum and requirements to have assignments in on time and done with excellence.
Colossians 3:23
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”
Our culture as a whole has teaches the opposite of what God instructs in His Word.
The only hope for individuals in our culture now, is Christ Jesus. Only through Him and His principles can we reach the young people. If they will not listen then we need to walk away and move on to those who will. There will be few because we are living in the last days as described in 2 Timothy 3.
2 Timothy 3
King James Version (KJV)
“3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
King James Version (KJV)
“3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do
these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.”
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do
these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.”
Our world is full of Jannes’s and Jambres’s, who teach what is wrong and come against what is right.
May we pray harder and refuse to be caught up in the foolishness ourselves, that we might be an asset to those who want to know the truth, those who want to grow in grace, and even those who desire to hear more about the salvation offered to them by Christ.
May we pray harder and refuse to be caught up in the foolishness ourselves, that we might be an asset to those who want to know the truth, those who want to grow in grace, and even those who desire to hear more about the salvation offered to them by Christ.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Know The Truth The Best
There are those who claim you cannot be against a cult unless you study with them to find out their beliefs, this is patently wrong.
We don't have to know all the doctrines of a cult to know they are not from God. All we have to know are foundational truths that come out in normal conversation with people associated with those cults. And, above all we have to know our Bible.
Cults will cleverly entice people into studying with them by using this ploy, and once a weak minded person, who does not know the Word, is accused of ignorance, they will sheepishly listen, not being able to discern truth, they accept the cult as Christian, even if they do not join them.
If we know the Word of God, then we will recognize error when it waltzes in front of us. If we pray for understanding then even the subtle lies will not escape our notice.
Many of the cults are hiding their true beliefs, cloaking their language in the language of a believer, but with a different meaning.
Catholics will agree that we are saved by grace. But they not the grace of the Bible. When a Catholic says he is saved by grace, he means that every time he does a good deed he gets a little more grace giving him a better chance to earn heaven.
Catholics earn graces by lighting candles, saying "hail Marys." They earn graces by feeding the poor, staying married to one person, following the ten commandments, and especially for observing all the holy days of obligation. Their bad and good deeds are counted and if they did more good than bad, they make it into heaven.
The Muslims have a similar belief, if their good deeds out weigh their bad deeds on a scale, then they will make it into heaven, but they never know until they get there what will happen.
This is one of the foundational errors of cults, they are always working their way to heaven. They are focused entirely on good works, rather than the shed blood of Christ having paid the debt for sin.
Watch out for smooth talking people who use circular reasoning to confuse others. One of their tactics is to ask questions that they believe will trap others. God said not even to greet those who bring a false doctrine. We are not to allow them to dominate conversations, if we cannot stop them, then we must get away from them.
2 John 1:10
"If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting;"
We don't have to know all the doctrines of a cult to know they are not from God. All we have to know are foundational truths that come out in normal conversation with people associated with those cults. And, above all we have to know our Bible.
Cults will cleverly entice people into studying with them by using this ploy, and once a weak minded person, who does not know the Word, is accused of ignorance, they will sheepishly listen, not being able to discern truth, they accept the cult as Christian, even if they do not join them.
If we know the Word of God, then we will recognize error when it waltzes in front of us. If we pray for understanding then even the subtle lies will not escape our notice.
Many of the cults are hiding their true beliefs, cloaking their language in the language of a believer, but with a different meaning.
Catholics will agree that we are saved by grace. But they not the grace of the Bible. When a Catholic says he is saved by grace, he means that every time he does a good deed he gets a little more grace giving him a better chance to earn heaven.
Catholics earn graces by lighting candles, saying "hail Marys." They earn graces by feeding the poor, staying married to one person, following the ten commandments, and especially for observing all the holy days of obligation. Their bad and good deeds are counted and if they did more good than bad, they make it into heaven.
The Muslims have a similar belief, if their good deeds out weigh their bad deeds on a scale, then they will make it into heaven, but they never know until they get there what will happen.
This is one of the foundational errors of cults, they are always working their way to heaven. They are focused entirely on good works, rather than the shed blood of Christ having paid the debt for sin.
Watch out for smooth talking people who use circular reasoning to confuse others. One of their tactics is to ask questions that they believe will trap others. God said not even to greet those who bring a false doctrine. We are not to allow them to dominate conversations, if we cannot stop them, then we must get away from them.
2 John 1:10
"If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting;"
God Will Not Listen
There will come a time in our country when we have ignored God so long, perverting His Word and following after false doctrine, that He will no longer hear our cries for help. He will turn His back as we have turned our back on Him.
Jeremiah 11:10-11
"10 They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.
11 Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them"
Jeremiah 11:10-11
"10 They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.
11 Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them"
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Our Rest Lives Within Us
From Sharon Avery's Facebook:
"Comment by bro Jimmie Lee Robbins>>> The Sabbath simply means the ending of activity, the cessation of effort. God was not tired by his creative work, he did not need to rest to restore strength. He did not stop because he was fatigued; he stopped because he was through."
"The true Sabbath, is not the keeping of a special day but the ending of a specific effort. That is what sabbath means. "So God rested from all his work which he had done in creation" (Gen 2:3). This is the last account of any creative activity.""
"The true sabbath is a rest; the Jewish sabbath is a shadow, a picture of that rest. All the Old Testament shadows pointed to Christ."
"We need to understand this and stop trying to live in shadows. These Old Testament shadows were looking forward to the coming of the One who would fulfill these and thus end them. When the work of Jesus Christ was finished the shadows were no longer needed."
Geoff Lockwood "This is a very helpful post to those who are willing to listen,the sad thing is there are still many who claim to be born again running round in circles trying to "PLEASE" The Lord of all Glory "which in one sense is good for who would want to"DISPLEASE"Him. But the fact of the matter is,as the post says there is nothing else for us to do but to enter into "HIS" rest. When The Master hung nailed to (The Cross ) please remember this was a cross like no other, for many were crucified in those days,the difference being that for the many the crosses were designed to "TAKE" the life of the accused,some of whom may I add could have actually have been innocent,for the Roman government of the day acted with barbbaric authority to implement its rule of law and for the many they were guilty till proven innocent rather than innocent till proven guilty. But the difference between those crosses and "THE CROSS" of Christ was that "HIS" was designed and prepared from the very begining, Not to "TAKE" his life but for Him to "GIVE" His Life. As a ransom for the many, this is why He cried just before He breathed His last ( TET A LESTI ) "IT" is finished (NOT) "I" am finished.
Does not the 4th chapter of Hebrews teach us the very same ,verses 1 thru 11. Then check out the joy of those who recieve this revelation in the rest of the chapter,verses 12 thru 16.
Sadly there are so many leaders in these last days that are so desperate to see one final move of God before He returns that they will do almost anything to prove to the masses that God is in The house, "Let us make Jesus famous in the world they cry" Take heed you latter day pastors,The Lord does'nt need you to make Him famous. Did He not say there is "ONE" who testifies of Me,even My Father in Heaven.
Please hear me in this matter,I am not saying we should'nt be about Kingdom business in winning precious souls, but surely we do it "HIS" way not ours. James Ch2. Eg,NO respect of persons. FEEDING the poor etc etc."
Geoff Lockwood "When we take a look at Matthew Ch25 verses 31 thru 46 we see that the Lord did'nt upraie the sides for there work on the contrary He Blessed them and encouraged them. The strange thing is the sheep did'nt even know that they had done anything rather than that which they knew was expected of them,again see James 2 Faith without works is dead,make know mistake here the sheep were not working for there salvation they were working out there salvation,they already knew to whom they belonged and were "IN" the place of rest spoken of in the book of Hebrews we referred to earlier. So there we have it,we work out of the faith that comes through "HIS" Rest not out of nesscescity as if we could by some vague human effort we could please Him with the acts of sinfull flesh.
Stay calm in "HIS" rest people,The Lord is at hand and His return is "IMMINENT"
"Comment by bro Jimmie Lee Robbins>>> The Sabbath simply means the ending of activity, the cessation of effort. God was not tired by his creative work, he did not need to rest to restore strength. He did not stop because he was fatigued; he stopped because he was through."
"The true Sabbath, is not the keeping of a special day but the ending of a specific effort. That is what sabbath means. "So God rested from all his work which he had done in creation" (Gen 2:3). This is the last account of any creative activity.""
"The true sabbath is a rest; the Jewish sabbath is a shadow, a picture of that rest. All the Old Testament shadows pointed to Christ."
"We need to understand this and stop trying to live in shadows. These Old Testament shadows were looking forward to the coming of the One who would fulfill these and thus end them. When the work of Jesus Christ was finished the shadows were no longer needed."
Geoff Lockwood "This is a very helpful post to those who are willing to listen,the sad thing is there are still many who claim to be born again running round in circles trying to "PLEASE" The Lord of all Glory "which in one sense is good for who would want to"DISPLEASE"Him. But the fact of the matter is,as the post says there is nothing else for us to do but to enter into "HIS" rest. When The Master hung nailed to (The Cross ) please remember this was a cross like no other, for many were crucified in those days,the difference being that for the many the crosses were designed to "TAKE" the life of the accused,some of whom may I add could have actually have been innocent,for the Roman government of the day acted with barbbaric authority to implement its rule of law and for the many they were guilty till proven innocent rather than innocent till proven guilty. But the difference between those crosses and "THE CROSS" of Christ was that "HIS" was designed and prepared from the very begining, Not to "TAKE" his life but for Him to "GIVE" His Life. As a ransom for the many, this is why He cried just before He breathed His last ( TET A LESTI ) "IT" is finished (NOT) "I" am finished.
Does not the 4th chapter of Hebrews teach us the very same ,verses 1 thru 11. Then check out the joy of those who recieve this revelation in the rest of the chapter,verses 12 thru 16.
Sadly there are so many leaders in these last days that are so desperate to see one final move of God before He returns that they will do almost anything to prove to the masses that God is in The house, "Let us make Jesus famous in the world they cry" Take heed you latter day pastors,The Lord does'nt need you to make Him famous. Did He not say there is "ONE" who testifies of Me,even My Father in Heaven.
Please hear me in this matter,I am not saying we should'nt be about Kingdom business in winning precious souls, but surely we do it "HIS" way not ours. James Ch2. Eg,NO respect of persons. FEEDING the poor etc etc."
Geoff Lockwood "When we take a look at Matthew Ch25 verses 31 thru 46 we see that the Lord did'nt upraie the sides for there work on the contrary He Blessed them and encouraged them. The strange thing is the sheep did'nt even know that they had done anything rather than that which they knew was expected of them,again see James 2 Faith without works is dead,make know mistake here the sheep were not working for there salvation they were working out there salvation,they already knew to whom they belonged and were "IN" the place of rest spoken of in the book of Hebrews we referred to earlier. So there we have it,we work out of the faith that comes through "HIS" Rest not out of nesscescity as if we could by some vague human effort we could please Him with the acts of sinfull flesh.
Stay calm in "HIS" rest people,The Lord is at hand and His return is "IMMINENT"
Does Sin Matter?
It is not pleasant receiving a gift that is given out of obligation. I would rather not receive a gift, than to get one to satisfy another's ego or guilt.
It is also agonizing to give a gift that is not appreciated. We want to have a sweet heart and continue to give even if we do not receive, however the pain remains from the lack of love that we feel, when there is no sense of gratefulness for what we have done.
We have all experienced these attitudes from time to time. Can we imagine how God feels when we are not brimming with gratitude for all that He has given us, even our very lives?
How would we feel if we suffered an agonizing death while being ridiculed and hated by the very people we created? And, even then He reviled them not in the face of the immense injustice.
He, Christ Jesus, gave and gave and gave to the very shedding of His blood, only to be brutally murdered and reviled for His gifts.
After pondering these thoughts, do we still take sin lightly, as though it does not matter?
It is also agonizing to give a gift that is not appreciated. We want to have a sweet heart and continue to give even if we do not receive, however the pain remains from the lack of love that we feel, when there is no sense of gratefulness for what we have done.
We have all experienced these attitudes from time to time. Can we imagine how God feels when we are not brimming with gratitude for all that He has given us, even our very lives?
How would we feel if we suffered an agonizing death while being ridiculed and hated by the very people we created? And, even then He reviled them not in the face of the immense injustice.
He, Christ Jesus, gave and gave and gave to the very shedding of His blood, only to be brutally murdered and reviled for His gifts.
After pondering these thoughts, do we still take sin lightly, as though it does not matter?
Saturday, February 22, 2014
The Real Sabbath Rest
From Sharon Avery's Facebook:
"Comment by bro Jimmie Lee Robbins>>> The Sabbath simply means the ending of activity, the cessation of effort. God was not tired by his creative work, he did not need to rest to restore strength. He did not stop because he was fatigued; he stopped because he was through."
"The true Sabbath, is not the keeping of a special day but the ending of a specific effort. That is what sabbath means. "So God rested from all his work which he had done in creation" (Gen 2:3). This is the last account of any creative activity.""
"The true sabbath is a rest; the Jewish sabbath is a shadow, a picture of that rest. All the Old Testament shadows pointed to Christ."
"We need to understand this and stop trying to live in shadows. These Old Testament shadows were looking forward to the coming of the One who would fulfill these and thus end them. When the work of Jesus Christ was finished the shadows were no longer needed."
"Comment by bro Jimmie Lee Robbins>>> The Sabbath simply means the ending of activity, the cessation of effort. God was not tired by his creative work, he did not need to rest to restore strength. He did not stop because he was fatigued; he stopped because he was through."
"The true Sabbath, is not the keeping of a special day but the ending of a specific effort. That is what sabbath means. "So God rested from all his work which he had done in creation" (Gen 2:3). This is the last account of any creative activity.""
"The true sabbath is a rest; the Jewish sabbath is a shadow, a picture of that rest. All the Old Testament shadows pointed to Christ."
"We need to understand this and stop trying to live in shadows. These Old Testament shadows were looking forward to the coming of the One who would fulfill these and thus end them. When the work of Jesus Christ was finished the shadows were no longer needed."
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Willing to Lose all for Christ!
Are you
a Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ?
If so,
are you willing to lose all your friends and family to follow Christ?
If you
are living in comfort fixated on having friends and family always in your life,
then you will not be able to honor and obey God as He has commanded.
Matthew
10:37-39
"37
He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who
loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not
take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his
life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it."
A Picture of Our Culture Today Perhaps?
Could this be a picture of our culture today?
And, it is also a picture of how the Lord responds to it.
Zechariah 7:8-13 "8 And the word of the Lord came unto Zechariah, saying,
9 Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:
10 And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.
11 But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.
12 Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts.
13 Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts:"
Zechariah 7:8-13 "8 And the word of the Lord came unto Zechariah, saying,
9 Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:
10 And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.
11 But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.
12 Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts.
13 Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts:"
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
The Devil's Kind of Love
I hate the phrase "the children are our most valuable resource." They are not "resources", they are human beings to be protected and nurtured, whether or not they have anything to offer us.
God loves the little ones, unlike our secular culture. OH, they think they love, but their love is not love at all.
We base our love for the children on what they can offer us, when they are no longer good for our status we throw them away, through abortion and day care centers.
The public schools we send them to, teach them to hate God and live for themselves, this is not love but loathing. The powers that be have convinced the people that the hate of the devil is actually love.
Matthew 18:10
"Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven."
Psalm 127:3
"3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."
Mark 9:42
"42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea."
God loves the little ones, unlike our secular culture. OH, they think they love, but their love is not love at all.
We base our love for the children on what they can offer us, when they are no longer good for our status we throw them away, through abortion and day care centers.
The public schools we send them to, teach them to hate God and live for themselves, this is not love but loathing. The powers that be have convinced the people that the hate of the devil is actually love.
Matthew 18:10
"Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven."
Psalm 127:3
"3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."
Mark 9:42
"42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea."
We are not Born Again by Not Sinning
It is vitally important that we understand what it means to
be born again.
Too many people place particular sins as the bench mark for
salvation.
Not committing a particular sin does not save us, any more
than committing any particular sin sends us to hell.
We must understand that we are sinful through and through.
James 2:10
"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend
in one point, he is guilty of all."
All sin is rebellion against God and all sin sends us to
hell! We are not capable of keeping all
or any the commandments, God knew this, which is why He made salvation very
easy for us . Only one thing is required to become born again, and that is
faith in the finished Work of Christ on the cross. He paid for our sin, nothing
more is required from us to receive His forgiveness.
1 John 1:9
King James Version (KJV)
"9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
When we understand that Christ paid the price for sin on the
cross through the shedding of His blood, then and only then can we become born
again. It is Christ who is the perfect
sacrifice!
Hebrews 9:22
"22 And almost all things are by the law purged with
blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."
There are those who are saying that divorce and remarriage
is a matter of salvation. This is clearly wrong, it is the preaching of a
gospel by works. No man is born again by
not committing a particular sin and no man is lost by committing a particular
sin. We must all come to Christ the same way, through faith in what He did on
that cross.
When we have trusted Christ, He then cleanses continually all
through the rest of our lives. We are
dirty, filthy and vile, only Christ is clean and only He can cleanse.
It doesn't matter what your sin is, He will discipline His
children. The following passage is clear that God's children do sin, it doesn't
matter which sin it is, no sin is greater than another in the vast scheme of
things, all sin is disobedience.
When we become born again we immediately enter "boot
camp" so to speak. God begins His training and cleansing of us. We do not automatically become sinless, God
has His ordained process for our training. Training teaches us, we do not learn
good lessons without experiencing life through God's training.
God uses life experiences to show us principles, without
understanding there is no learning. Knowing
something in our head is very different from experiencing it, which brings true
depth of understanding.
Hebrews 12:1-11
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a
cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily
ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners
against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You
have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you
as to sons: “My son, do not despise the
chastening of the Lord, Nor be
discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”
7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons;
for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have
become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us,
and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to
the Father of spirits and live?
10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed
best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.
11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but
painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness
to those who have been trained by it."
Those that preach that particular sins are " a matter
of salvation" are preaching salvation by works or our own efforts. They preach a false gospel.
We are incapable of being or doing good, only Christ in us is
good! We are handicapped...we are missing what is need to be righteous. We have nothing in us that can do what is
needed to be what we should be. Christ is the One Who works in us to do good.
Ephesians 2:8-9
"8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that
not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Those who think you can lose your salvation because they
commit a particular sin, are teaching that Christ's work on the cross was not
enough, we have to also add our own works to what He did.
When we are born again, we feel the weight of the Holy
Spirit conviction on us when we sin, our hearts become heavy and our minds
become guilty, that is His work, to show us we have something more to confess
so that He will cleanse us.
If we refuse to admit our sin, and refuse to confess it,
then we will live with continual consequences until we do. Some of those
consequences will be life long, other we will be delivered from when we finally
do confess.
If we refuse to confess and forsake our sin as God reveals
them, then we will lose rewards in heaven and find ourselves ashamed in the
presence of a Holy God.
1 Corinthians 3:15 "If any man's work shall be burned,
he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."
Those who defend their sin, claiming that they can sin all
they want because of God's grace, have never been born again. They still love
their sin. When we become born again we
hate our sin, we struggle with it, hopefully confessing it to avoid discipline,
but we are never ever comfortable with it.
Those who are comfortable with their sin and aggressively
fight to justify it have never been changed into a new creation, they are
imposters, pretenders who will get before the Lord on judgment day and He will
say this to them;
Matthew 7:21-23
"21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall
enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which
is in heaven."
"22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have
we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy
name done many wonderful works?"
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:
depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
I am most concerned about those who think they are born
again, but love their sin, those who will not confess that they are wicked and
vile and in need of cleansing by Christ.
Our churches are full of many people who are in a lost
state, never having been born again, but think they are going to heaven by
saying particular words that others have told them to say.
It is not what we say or what we do that saves us, it is the
person of Jesus Christ Who saves, and He will only save one way, through faith
in Him, to cleanse us and change us.
If anyone wants to become born again, the way to do that is
to admit to God that you are sinful and helpless to be anything good. Then to
desire to be changed by Christ into a new creation.
He will do all the work in us!
Ephesians 2:10
King James Version (KJV)
"10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in
them."
Do not try to be good, trust that Christ will make us good,
a life time of continual cleansing will occur.
If you have trusted Christ and He has made you into a new creation, then
your life will change, you will not see things the same way any more.
The sin you used to love you will now hate, it will be
repulsive to you. The righteousness in others that you hated, you will now love
and desire.
God does not change our outer actions, He changes our hearts
and the actions flow out of that changed heart.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
We don't Need Balance We Just Need Truth
We don't need "balance", we just need "truth."
Whenever I hear the word balance I am reminded of the Muslim man who said that in order to get into heaven they must weigh their good deeds on a scale with their bad deeds and if the scale tips in the right direction, then they are admitted into heaven.
When we are believers we do not balance things, a little of this and a little of that so that everything is equal.
We are unbalanced, our scale tips only in one direction and that is the direction of truth which is in Christ alone.
Whenever I hear the word balance I am reminded of the Muslim man who said that in order to get into heaven they must weigh their good deeds on a scale with their bad deeds and if the scale tips in the right direction, then they are admitted into heaven.
When we are believers we do not balance things, a little of this and a little of that so that everything is equal.
We are unbalanced, our scale tips only in one direction and that is the direction of truth which is in Christ alone.
Compelled by the Holy Spirit
I am convinced that we attempt to understand the Word of God in terms of our cultural mindset., rather than seeking the Lord for His meaning through instruction of the Holy Spirit.
There were no marketing gimmicks used in the time of the apostles, to lure the people to Christ. They spoke the straight truth with no parties or thrills to make Christ attractive.
What they did do, was to open their homes and through hospitality and straight talk, to convince and reason with those who entered there, they presented the gospel.
Acts 28:23-27
King James Version (KJV)
23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them."
It is no wonder we have little opportunity to share with others, we have full schedules, doing pleasurable and worthless things that entertain us, to be available at home for others.
We have call waiting, if we choose to ignore a phone call because our favorite show is on, we can do that. If we do not want to be disturbed during a ball game, we can require our friends and family to call before they come, so we will not miss all our pleasures.
The devil has cleverly filled up our time with every sort of entertainment and pleasure we choose, leaving no time to develop relationship or spend long hours reading His Word and praying.
These distractions have left us seeking a "fast food" doctrine, based on our own desires, heavily colored and peppered with our cultural leanings.
How can we hear the Holy Spirit through all that noise? We muddle along attempting to use our own human minds to figure things out, when God speaks we either don't hear Him or we interpret His Words in terms of our desires, our culture and our pleasure.
There is only one cure for this, to turn off all the distractions and spend time with the Lord. Say no, more often, to those who would take up our time on useless things or even things that are good, but that God never asked us to do.
Not everything we are asked to do by people, are what God has called us to do, no matter how good the cause may be.
If God calls us to do something, we will be so compelled that doing it will not be anything we have to pray about, our soul will flood with desire for it, we will not be able to turn it down. No effort to try to obey will be necessary.
Do we have to ask to breathe? Do we have to ask to feed our bodies? When we are called to a matter, it will be as natural as these things.
Acts 20:22 "And now, behold, I go compelled in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:"
Mark 1:12-13 "12 And immediately the spirit driveth (compelled) Him into the wilderness. 13 And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him."
Compelled: Driven, get by force!
If we are not sure and agonize over whether or not to do something, then it is not the Holy Spirit. It may be our own desire or others placing pressure on us. Wait on the Lord for your instructions, He will compel us when He is giving us a command, there will be no question that it is He Who commands us.
There were no marketing gimmicks used in the time of the apostles, to lure the people to Christ. They spoke the straight truth with no parties or thrills to make Christ attractive.
What they did do, was to open their homes and through hospitality and straight talk, to convince and reason with those who entered there, they presented the gospel.
Acts 28:23-27
King James Version (KJV)
23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them."
It is no wonder we have little opportunity to share with others, we have full schedules, doing pleasurable and worthless things that entertain us, to be available at home for others.
We have call waiting, if we choose to ignore a phone call because our favorite show is on, we can do that. If we do not want to be disturbed during a ball game, we can require our friends and family to call before they come, so we will not miss all our pleasures.
The devil has cleverly filled up our time with every sort of entertainment and pleasure we choose, leaving no time to develop relationship or spend long hours reading His Word and praying.
These distractions have left us seeking a "fast food" doctrine, based on our own desires, heavily colored and peppered with our cultural leanings.
How can we hear the Holy Spirit through all that noise? We muddle along attempting to use our own human minds to figure things out, when God speaks we either don't hear Him or we interpret His Words in terms of our desires, our culture and our pleasure.
There is only one cure for this, to turn off all the distractions and spend time with the Lord. Say no, more often, to those who would take up our time on useless things or even things that are good, but that God never asked us to do.
Not everything we are asked to do by people, are what God has called us to do, no matter how good the cause may be.
If God calls us to do something, we will be so compelled that doing it will not be anything we have to pray about, our soul will flood with desire for it, we will not be able to turn it down. No effort to try to obey will be necessary.
Do we have to ask to breathe? Do we have to ask to feed our bodies? When we are called to a matter, it will be as natural as these things.
Acts 20:22 "And now, behold, I go compelled in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:"
Mark 1:12-13 "12 And immediately the spirit driveth (compelled) Him into the wilderness. 13 And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him."
Compelled: Driven, get by force!
If we are not sure and agonize over whether or not to do something, then it is not the Holy Spirit. It may be our own desire or others placing pressure on us. Wait on the Lord for your instructions, He will compel us when He is giving us a command, there will be no question that it is He Who commands us.
Monday, February 17, 2014
The Holy Spirit and Women
I notice that some men are fine with me speaking as long as I say what they want to hear. When I challenge them on their beliefs, then the "woman shall not speak" card is drawn and leveled against me as though I have been wrong to speak at all. I am so sorry that some of these men use this manipulation to control those who confront wrong thinking.
I have even been told that I was to never speak doctrine to another woman or even children for that matter. In other words, the Holy Spirit cannot work through a woman in wisdom and knowledge.
God only disallows a woman to speak in the gathering if she is chattering and visiting with other women or interrupting or usurping the authority of the men in the meeting.
God did not forbid women to speak at all or He would not have said this;
1 Corinthians 11
King James Version (KJV)
11 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
8 For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.
9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels."
This passage is in the context of the formal fellowship gathering. Women are allowed by God to pray and prophesy... meaning expounding on the Word of God.
This has been perverted by modern teachers who are frightened that if they obey the Word and allow women to pray and prophesy, they will begin to usurp the leadership of the men. This is lack of faith, we can obey the Word and still maintain the standard that the men will be the leaders.
It is not a position of leadership to pray or prophesy, but it is entering into the workings of the gathering as a full fledged Holy Spirit member of God's family.
When we forbid what God has allowed and even encouraged, then we are in disobedience.
I am quite sure I am going to get hammered for this, since most men have been taught that women are to be disregarded in the scheme of things based on one passage taken out of context and misunderstood.
God commanded the men to be uncovered in the gathering while praying and prophesying and He commanded the women to be covered in the gathering while praying and prophesying.
Let me be clear, I have no desire to lead over men, only a strong desire to speak when being led by the Holy Spirit.
As a woman should I exclude myself from this message from God or was He speaking to me too? Would I have been included in the greeting along with the men, or am I a non-entity being completely ignored because of my gender......I think not. When I read the words of Paul here, I believe he would have included all the dear sisters who loved the Lord Jesus Christ.
How long will be pick and choose out of fear, those things we like or those things will help us keep things in line humanly speaking?
1 Thessalonians 5:16-28
King James Version (KJV)
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
I have even been told that I was to never speak doctrine to another woman or even children for that matter. In other words, the Holy Spirit cannot work through a woman in wisdom and knowledge.
God only disallows a woman to speak in the gathering if she is chattering and visiting with other women or interrupting or usurping the authority of the men in the meeting.
God did not forbid women to speak at all or He would not have said this;
1 Corinthians 11
King James Version (KJV)
11 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
8 For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.
9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels."
This passage is in the context of the formal fellowship gathering. Women are allowed by God to pray and prophesy... meaning expounding on the Word of God.
This has been perverted by modern teachers who are frightened that if they obey the Word and allow women to pray and prophesy, they will begin to usurp the leadership of the men. This is lack of faith, we can obey the Word and still maintain the standard that the men will be the leaders.
It is not a position of leadership to pray or prophesy, but it is entering into the workings of the gathering as a full fledged Holy Spirit member of God's family.
When we forbid what God has allowed and even encouraged, then we are in disobedience.
I am quite sure I am going to get hammered for this, since most men have been taught that women are to be disregarded in the scheme of things based on one passage taken out of context and misunderstood.
God commanded the men to be uncovered in the gathering while praying and prophesying and He commanded the women to be covered in the gathering while praying and prophesying.
Let me be clear, I have no desire to lead over men, only a strong desire to speak when being led by the Holy Spirit.
As a woman should I exclude myself from this message from God or was He speaking to me too? Would I have been included in the greeting along with the men, or am I a non-entity being completely ignored because of my gender......I think not. When I read the words of Paul here, I believe he would have included all the dear sisters who loved the Lord Jesus Christ.
How long will be pick and choose out of fear, those things we like or those things will help us keep things in line humanly speaking?
1 Thessalonians 5:16-28
King James Version (KJV)
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Conviction without Repentance
Notice that a man can seek the Lord with tears, having been caught in their sin, and still not be repentant. Often our outward reactions are a response to being caught and embarrassed, but not broken over having offended the Holy God! Notice Hebrews 12 verse 17.
Psalm 51:17
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise."
Hebrews 12:11-17
"11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
"12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,"
"13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed."
"14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:"
"15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;"
"16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright."
"17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears."
Psalm 51:17
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise."
Hebrews 12:11-17
"11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
"12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,"
"13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed."
"14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:"
"15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;"
"16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright."
"17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears."
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Guilty, Guilty, Guilty
Guilty, Guilty, Guilty!
No one is any better than anyone else!! Christ is good but man is not!
Have you ever been guilty, as I have, of judging a person of being less spiritual or perhaps not even born again because of a flaw we see in them, a chink in their armor? As though we have no chinks in our armor?
If we expect perfection in our brothers and sisters in Christ then we must think we are perfect ourselves. This is really shameful, no one is perfect, nor does any one....and I mean anyone.....have a perfect attitude, a perfect recollection of circumstances or a perfect lifestyle.
The following verse was not written to the unsaved, but to the saved.
God said this to believers;
1 John 1:8 King James Version (KJV)
"8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
We have no righteousness of our own. Christ dwells in us to be our righteousness for us. We still have the choice to sin, but hate that we do and often are blinded to our own sin while there is a heightened awareness of the sins of others.
It is our responsibility to help our brothers and sisters by being honest about them and about ourselves. When we see sin, we need to just tell the truth with the hope and desire that there be growth.
God says this:
"By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments." 1 John 5:2
"14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death." 1 John 3:14
If we love our brethren's approval more than God, then we do not love our brethren.
"25 The fear of man [a]brings a snare, But he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted." Proverbs 29:25
No one is any better than anyone else!! Christ is good but man is not!
Have you ever been guilty, as I have, of judging a person of being less spiritual or perhaps not even born again because of a flaw we see in them, a chink in their armor? As though we have no chinks in our armor?
If we expect perfection in our brothers and sisters in Christ then we must think we are perfect ourselves. This is really shameful, no one is perfect, nor does any one....and I mean anyone.....have a perfect attitude, a perfect recollection of circumstances or a perfect lifestyle.
The following verse was not written to the unsaved, but to the saved.
God said this to believers;
1 John 1:8 King James Version (KJV)
"8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
We have no righteousness of our own. Christ dwells in us to be our righteousness for us. We still have the choice to sin, but hate that we do and often are blinded to our own sin while there is a heightened awareness of the sins of others.
It is our responsibility to help our brothers and sisters by being honest about them and about ourselves. When we see sin, we need to just tell the truth with the hope and desire that there be growth.
God says this:
"By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments." 1 John 5:2
"14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death." 1 John 3:14
If we love our brethren's approval more than God, then we do not love our brethren.
"25 The fear of man [a]brings a snare, But he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted." Proverbs 29:25
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Principles For Christ's Sake
Today I am watching a movie called "Time Changer." It is the story of a man who goes forward in time from the 1800's, to see what happens when society implements the principles of Christ, "apart from His Name."
The first time I saw it, I rejoiced that someone else was seeing what God had been telling me for some time now.
For many years in our country we taught the morals of Christ and the principles for living that were acceptable to Him, in nearly every venue we enforced these principles, but neglected to tell the children that we should follow them out of obedience to Christ.
The question now has to be, in this time of great apostasy, "how did we get to this point, if we taught so vigorously the principles of morals that Christ taught in His Word?"
WE got to where we are because we taught the principles of Christ apart from His name. We have told young people they should follow the path of kindness, love and self sacrifice, without telling them that we do it because Christ commanded it.
We led the children to believe that mankind developed their own methods of righteousness because it would be good for society. The travesty has been that children were not given a good reason for their obedience of these principles, other than "decent people" live this way.
Because there was no understanding of where the principles came from, the children were open to whatever change the culture decided to make. After all, if society made the rules, then the rules can change at will.
Our culture was committed to societal principles, but not to Christ, does it not follow that if the culture changed its' principles then we too could also change with it?
The first time I saw it, I rejoiced that someone else was seeing what God had been telling me for some time now.
For many years in our country we taught the morals of Christ and the principles for living that were acceptable to Him, in nearly every venue we enforced these principles, but neglected to tell the children that we should follow them out of obedience to Christ.
The question now has to be, in this time of great apostasy, "how did we get to this point, if we taught so vigorously the principles of morals that Christ taught in His Word?"
WE got to where we are because we taught the principles of Christ apart from His name. We have told young people they should follow the path of kindness, love and self sacrifice, without telling them that we do it because Christ commanded it.
We led the children to believe that mankind developed their own methods of righteousness because it would be good for society. The travesty has been that children were not given a good reason for their obedience of these principles, other than "decent people" live this way.
Because there was no understanding of where the principles came from, the children were open to whatever change the culture decided to make. After all, if society made the rules, then the rules can change at will.
Our culture was committed to societal principles, but not to Christ, does it not follow that if the culture changed its' principles then we too could also change with it?
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Ask God for His Meaning!
Our English translation says: "thou shalt not kill", but the real meaning is "thou shalt not kill innocent human life." Exodus 20:13
Our English translation says: "your desire will be for your husband but your husband will rule over you, but the real meaning is "your desire will be to rule over your husband but he will rule over you." Genesis 3:16
Our English translation says: "you shall have pain in child bearing", but the real meaning is "you shall have pain in rearing your children." Genesis 3:16
Our English translation says: "But he that shall endure unto the end", but the real meaning is "those who endure to the end, is the evidence that they were born again, they will endure to the end."
There are many misunderstandings in our Christian culture because our English translations are not as accurate as they should be. We will and have come to wrong conclusions about important matters, if we do not pray and study. We must be looking up words and praying over what we read to determine truth.
The Holy Spirit is the One Who leads us into all truth, not a particular translation of the Bible, unless it is the original words in the Greek and Hebrew copied onto the scrolls we now have.
The original words are there on the copies even if the first scrolls were not found.
God can clear every thing up that we ask to know about, if we trust the Holy Spirit to tell us, unless He is not ready for us to know, then we must be able to say, "I don't know the answer to that." Then wait on God for His answer.
May the Lord bless each one with the answers they crave, as they inquire of Him.
Our English translation says: "your desire will be for your husband but your husband will rule over you, but the real meaning is "your desire will be to rule over your husband but he will rule over you." Genesis 3:16
Our English translation says: "you shall have pain in child bearing", but the real meaning is "you shall have pain in rearing your children." Genesis 3:16
Our English translation says: "But he that shall endure unto the end", but the real meaning is "those who endure to the end, is the evidence that they were born again, they will endure to the end."
There are many misunderstandings in our Christian culture because our English translations are not as accurate as they should be. We will and have come to wrong conclusions about important matters, if we do not pray and study. We must be looking up words and praying over what we read to determine truth.
The Holy Spirit is the One Who leads us into all truth, not a particular translation of the Bible, unless it is the original words in the Greek and Hebrew copied onto the scrolls we now have.
The original words are there on the copies even if the first scrolls were not found.
God can clear every thing up that we ask to know about, if we trust the Holy Spirit to tell us, unless He is not ready for us to know, then we must be able to say, "I don't know the answer to that." Then wait on God for His answer.
May the Lord bless each one with the answers they crave, as they inquire of Him.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Our Culture has it all Backwards!!!!
We have children living at home at age 18 after high school, who either don't work or use the money they do earn for pleasure. Even worse than that we have 35 year olds coming home just because they are too lazy to work.
18 year old high school grads should be kicked to the curb to learn about life. If they had been properly trained they would have been working at a job early, being taught to save their money for important things, not frivolous silly play things.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."
My uncle many years ago back in the 1920's left Sweden because of the famine. His mother and some brothers and sisters were living together in their home, but there was little food and some days no food at all.
My uncle was 14 when he left, to come to the united states. He worked his way over on a ship, as a cabin boy.
When he arrived in the United States he couldn't speak English so he had to endure the problem of learning it while attempting to get jobs to make his way.
He did not abandon his mother and siblings, but sent money back every month as he was able, to support them. At age 14 he cared deeply about the welfare of his family. When he left Sweden it was not only for himself, but to be able to make income to support those he left behind.
He saved all the money that he didn't send back home, and was able to start a fishing business on Long Island New York. He eventually married and he and my aunt ran the business there for 40 years.
During all the time he was working the fishing business he was sending money back to his mother. He had not returned home to see her until age 64.
My uncle left home to help support his mother and siblings at age 14 and didn't return to see them until he was an old man of 64. 50 years he worked to help them, he left home a young boy and returned an old man.
Many will say that a 14 year old does not have the maturity to work outside the home, and they would be right. We have managed to make whinny sniveling babies out of our young men. They don't know how to work hard, nor do they appreciate the smallest blessing.
There is a sense of fulfillment and purpose in working hard for someone outside ourselves. All this pleasure seeking and electronic gizzmoes are making mindless selfards out of our men. They do not automatically learn how to be selfless and work hard unless we teach them at a very young age, that life is not about pleasure, but for the honorable man, it is about hard work and self sacrifice.
Please don't anyone come to comment that there are no jobs, it is hard, or they would be on the streets. If we teach our young men to start at the bottom, doing whatever they can get, then they will be satisfied to work their way up over time through diligence. They will take whatever they can get and be happy to get it.
I have heard many times that "we should work at what we like." Poppycock. Most people have to work at any job, we do not all get to have a job we like. We can choose to like the job we get by sheer will to do it as unto the Lord. Whatever we do, will be pleasing to us if we do the best job we can.
Unless we begin teaching the young men to act like men, setting aside their pleasure for what is more noble, we will see a third world country faster than we expect.
A productive nation does not just happen, it is built by the sweat of young men's brows, saving their money and spending it wisely, this creates a great nation.
When men act like men, seeking God for the building of their character, then God will bless. God will not bless laziness, self seeking and arrogance.
Think about it. Has all this pleasure seeking fostered a work ethic? I think not.
18 year old high school grads should be kicked to the curb to learn about life. If they had been properly trained they would have been working at a job early, being taught to save their money for important things, not frivolous silly play things.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."
My uncle many years ago back in the 1920's left Sweden because of the famine. His mother and some brothers and sisters were living together in their home, but there was little food and some days no food at all.
My uncle was 14 when he left, to come to the united states. He worked his way over on a ship, as a cabin boy.
When he arrived in the United States he couldn't speak English so he had to endure the problem of learning it while attempting to get jobs to make his way.
He did not abandon his mother and siblings, but sent money back every month as he was able, to support them. At age 14 he cared deeply about the welfare of his family. When he left Sweden it was not only for himself, but to be able to make income to support those he left behind.
He saved all the money that he didn't send back home, and was able to start a fishing business on Long Island New York. He eventually married and he and my aunt ran the business there for 40 years.
During all the time he was working the fishing business he was sending money back to his mother. He had not returned home to see her until age 64.
My uncle left home to help support his mother and siblings at age 14 and didn't return to see them until he was an old man of 64. 50 years he worked to help them, he left home a young boy and returned an old man.
Many will say that a 14 year old does not have the maturity to work outside the home, and they would be right. We have managed to make whinny sniveling babies out of our young men. They don't know how to work hard, nor do they appreciate the smallest blessing.
There is a sense of fulfillment and purpose in working hard for someone outside ourselves. All this pleasure seeking and electronic gizzmoes are making mindless selfards out of our men. They do not automatically learn how to be selfless and work hard unless we teach them at a very young age, that life is not about pleasure, but for the honorable man, it is about hard work and self sacrifice.
Please don't anyone come to comment that there are no jobs, it is hard, or they would be on the streets. If we teach our young men to start at the bottom, doing whatever they can get, then they will be satisfied to work their way up over time through diligence. They will take whatever they can get and be happy to get it.
I have heard many times that "we should work at what we like." Poppycock. Most people have to work at any job, we do not all get to have a job we like. We can choose to like the job we get by sheer will to do it as unto the Lord. Whatever we do, will be pleasing to us if we do the best job we can.
Unless we begin teaching the young men to act like men, setting aside their pleasure for what is more noble, we will see a third world country faster than we expect.
A productive nation does not just happen, it is built by the sweat of young men's brows, saving their money and spending it wisely, this creates a great nation.
When men act like men, seeking God for the building of their character, then God will bless. God will not bless laziness, self seeking and arrogance.
Think about it. Has all this pleasure seeking fostered a work ethic? I think not.
Monday, February 3, 2014
As Culls Cut Out of the Herd
If the majority of women in America refused to buy the slutty
clothing that we see for sale, the manufacturers would change to the styles
that would sell. But America
loves that stuff or is so mindless that they will call something
"cute" just because it is the style, when their senses say it is
ugly.
The world thinks collectively, they do not do their own
thinking, it is too difficult to stand alone.
Fitting in with the culture gets you friends, family and job
promotions. Sadly, even in churches, those who think for themselves are cut out
of the herd, so to speak as culls, like cattle. The inferior stock are removed
so as not to infect the others, ruining all their fun.
Evaluating matters, get us into trouble. Those who desire to
know the truth over popularity are usually left alone and often ridiculed.
Know that they did this to Christ.
James 1:2-3 Profiting from Trials
"2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into
various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces
patience."
Over time as we continue to grow strong, we have no desire
to be counted among the "popular" people who base all they do on the
reactions of their peers. They believe they are free but in fact, they are in
bondage to the opinions of others continually.
Mark 7:13 "Making the word of God of none effect
through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do
ye."
This verse speaks of the traditions of the Jews concerning
the law, however I think it can also apply to modern church traditions, that
undermine the Word of God.
Traditions such as "not judging" or "just
love them." These are mantra's that undermine truth and cause impotency in
the body. There are many more, perhaps you can name some you have heard, they
sound good but have no basis in Scripture.
The believer has the responsibility to reason using the Word
of God, thinking things through, evaluating all things.
We are in the age of apostasy because mankind as a whole has
rejected Christ and His principles.
1 Corinthians 2:15
"But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he
himself is judged of no man."
1 Corinthians 2:16
"16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may
instruct Him?”[a] But we have the mind of Christ."
Proverbs 29:25
"The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in
the LORD will be exalted."
Psalm 118:8
"8 It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put
confidence in man."
Sunday, February 2, 2014
God the Father calls Christ "God"
Hebrews 1:8-12
"8 But to the Son He says:
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;
Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”
10 And:
“You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,
And the heavens are the work of Your hands.
11 They will perish, but You remain;
And they will all grow old like a garment;
12 Like a cloak You will fold them up,
And they will be changed.
But You are the same,
And Your years will not fail.”
"8 But to the Son He says:
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness;
Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”
10 And:
“You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,
And the heavens are the work of Your hands.
11 They will perish, but You remain;
And they will all grow old like a garment;
12 Like a cloak You will fold them up,
And they will be changed.
But You are the same,
And Your years will not fail.”
The Commandments Did Not Save Me
I hate all sin because of Christ Who lives in me. Because I
do, when I am tempted I run from sin.
However, sometimes I ponder a wrong attitude a little too
long, which shows me that there is still something in me the Lord needs to work
on.
Notice I said, "it shows me", God already knows my
heart better than I do, but He wants to give me the choice to become more holy,
so He reveals to me my own heart.
Christ is the very essence of His commandments, He lives in
me.
He said "I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE."
When I veer to the right or to the left, I don't have to
consciously ponder whether or not to follow the commandments Right from wrong
immediately comes to mind.
If I obey I am blessed, if I disobey I feel the impact of
the pressure of guilt that the Holy Spirit brings upon me until I confess and
forsake. Yet I am still a child of God.
Hebrews 12:6
"FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE
SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES."
1 John 3:6-10 "No one who abides in him keeps on
sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little
children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous,
as he is righteous. "
"Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil,
for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God
appeared was to destroy the works of the devil."
"No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for
God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been
born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the
children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God,
nor is the one who does not love his brother."
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Are You Born Again?
Had I not done a study on manipulation and intimidation, I might have been tempted to doubt what the Lord has been telling me on many subjects.
God showed me, that much of what rebellious people do, is more based on intimidation and manipulation than it is truth. One of their favorite tactics is to call us names while calling into question our heart.
The very people who love their sin will accuse us of things we are not doing, but they are doing. The devil is very cleaver in this, if a person is not strong in the Lord, they can become impotent at the barrage of attacks leveled against them almost daily.
Mark 13:9
"But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them."
While we are not delivered up to the authorities at this point, as the apostles were, we do undergo continual attacks for speaking what God has commanded us to speak.
The very people who walk among us in the gatherings, will argue with us or even avoid us to cover up the guilt they sense in their hearts over the sin that they love and refuse to reject.
Proverbs 28:13
King James Version (KJV)
"13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."
Some of us have been accused of being unloving for coming against sin. That could not be farther from the truth. Those who will not attempt to rescue their brother and sisters from the jaws of sin, or even defend the evil deeds of friends and family are not loving. It is also not loving to speak only continually flowery words in a time of great apostasy in the gatherings.
Isaiah 30:1-5
"“Woe to the rebellious children,” says the Lord,
“Who take counsel, but not of Me,
And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit,
That they may add sin to sin;
2 Who walk to go down to Egypt,
And have not asked My advice,
To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh,
And to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
3 Therefore the strength of Pharaoh
Shall be your shame,
And trust in the shadow of Egypt
Shall be your humiliation.
4 For his princes were at Zoan,
And his ambassadors came to Hanes.
5 They were all ashamed of a people who could not benefit them,
Or be help or benefit,
But a shame and also a reproach."
Proverbs 29:25
"25 The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe."
Proverbs 29:5
"A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet."
Proverbs 1:24-28
New King James Version (NKJV)
24 Because I have called and you refused,
I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded,
25 Because you disdained all my counsel,
And would have none of my rebuke,
26 I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when your terror comes,
27 When your terror comes like a storm,
And your destruction comes like a whirlwind,
When distress and anguish come upon you.
28 “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.
We are in the last days, this is what those days look like, even in the gatherings.
2 Timothy 3:1-9
"1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,
7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith;
9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was."
If you love your brethren, then you will be warning and admonishing those in the fellowship, even challenging them to ask God if they have ever been born again, because the days are evil and many will not know Christ but think they are saved.
Matthew 7:21-23
"21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’"
What a frightening thing to realize that someone can get before God on judgement day, thinking they are going to walk into heaven and being declared wicked, only to have our Lord say to them, "I NEVER KNEW YOU."
What a frightening day that will be for many who have loved their sin, refused to submit to Christ and all the while thought they were going to heaven.
God showed me, that much of what rebellious people do, is more based on intimidation and manipulation than it is truth. One of their favorite tactics is to call us names while calling into question our heart.
The very people who love their sin will accuse us of things we are not doing, but they are doing. The devil is very cleaver in this, if a person is not strong in the Lord, they can become impotent at the barrage of attacks leveled against them almost daily.
Mark 13:9
"But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them."
While we are not delivered up to the authorities at this point, as the apostles were, we do undergo continual attacks for speaking what God has commanded us to speak.
The very people who walk among us in the gatherings, will argue with us or even avoid us to cover up the guilt they sense in their hearts over the sin that they love and refuse to reject.
Proverbs 28:13
King James Version (KJV)
"13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."
Some of us have been accused of being unloving for coming against sin. That could not be farther from the truth. Those who will not attempt to rescue their brother and sisters from the jaws of sin, or even defend the evil deeds of friends and family are not loving. It is also not loving to speak only continually flowery words in a time of great apostasy in the gatherings.
Isaiah 30:1-5
"“Woe to the rebellious children,” says the Lord,
“Who take counsel, but not of Me,
And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit,
That they may add sin to sin;
2 Who walk to go down to Egypt,
And have not asked My advice,
To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh,
And to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
3 Therefore the strength of Pharaoh
Shall be your shame,
And trust in the shadow of Egypt
Shall be your humiliation.
4 For his princes were at Zoan,
And his ambassadors came to Hanes.
5 They were all ashamed of a people who could not benefit them,
Or be help or benefit,
But a shame and also a reproach."
Proverbs 29:25
"25 The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe."
Proverbs 29:5
"A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet."
Proverbs 1:24-28
New King James Version (NKJV)
24 Because I have called and you refused,
I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded,
25 Because you disdained all my counsel,
And would have none of my rebuke,
26 I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when your terror comes,
27 When your terror comes like a storm,
And your destruction comes like a whirlwind,
When distress and anguish come upon you.
28 “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.
We are in the last days, this is what those days look like, even in the gatherings.
2 Timothy 3:1-9
"1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,
7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith;
9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was."
If you love your brethren, then you will be warning and admonishing those in the fellowship, even challenging them to ask God if they have ever been born again, because the days are evil and many will not know Christ but think they are saved.
Matthew 7:21-23
"21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’"
What a frightening thing to realize that someone can get before God on judgement day, thinking they are going to walk into heaven and being declared wicked, only to have our Lord say to them, "I NEVER KNEW YOU."
What a frightening day that will be for many who have loved their sin, refused to submit to Christ and all the while thought they were going to heaven.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)