Is it any wonder that the children are not taking Christ seriously any more when they have been raised on cartoon characters such as Santa, the Easter bunny and others that delight them with fantasy stories while bringing them gifts.
Instead of requiring confession, obedience and morality as Christ does, they flatter them and indulge their egos, making them believe they are wonderful and deserving of anything they want.
We should not be surprised at the wanton and flagrant disrespect for elders and Christ in the young people who have been raised in these pagan things all their lives.
Monday, December 14, 2015
Good Sense Has Escaped!
Warner Pacific Christian college in Portland Oregon are being sued for $264,000 because a Jew who is a non-Christian applied for a job there and was turned down.
It makes sense that a Christian college would only hire Christian teachers no matter what people group they were. Of course the rejection was not because he was a Jew, but because he was not a Christian.
I wonder if an orthodox Jewish college would hire a Christian to teach religion in their school? We can expect that a Muslim college would not hire a Christian or a Jew to teach at theirs.
It will be interesting to see where this all leads when it comes before a judge.
Things are teetering on the edge of insanity on every level in every profession. I don't expect anything to make good sense any more, in fact, I have come to expect nothing to be reasonable or sensible.
It makes sense that a Christian college would only hire Christian teachers no matter what people group they were. Of course the rejection was not because he was a Jew, but because he was not a Christian.
I wonder if an orthodox Jewish college would hire a Christian to teach religion in their school? We can expect that a Muslim college would not hire a Christian or a Jew to teach at theirs.
It will be interesting to see where this all leads when it comes before a judge.
Things are teetering on the edge of insanity on every level in every profession. I don't expect anything to make good sense any more, in fact, I have come to expect nothing to be reasonable or sensible.
Using Grace As An Excuse For Sin
Claiming a believer can do whatever they want because of grace, is denying the presence of the Holy Spirit Who was placed in us to teach, chastise, train and discipline believers. Since God cannot be in the presence of sin, that's why He sent His Son to be the sacrifice for us, then why would we think God would be alright with sin in us. If we could do whatever we want, then the following verses wouldn't make sense.
Hebrews 12:4-11 "4 You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;
5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
Nor faint when you are reproved by Him;
6 For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives.”
7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
9 Furthermore, we had [e]earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?
10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.
11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness."
Anyone who wants to use grace as an excuse to sin, is not concerned about offending the Holy Creator, nor do they understand grace. Such a person is not born again. It is grace that saves us and grace that gives us the ability to confess our sin to turn from it and to go on in greater holiness.
John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Our goal as believers is not to see how much we can get away with, but to press on toward the goal in holiness, to become more useful to Christ, while growing us in holiness.
Those who desire to continue in sin, are not concerned about offending God nor are they concerned about becoming holy.
1 Peter 1:14-16 "14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Reading to Obey
The more we are immersed in God's Word the more we are driven to obey what we know if we are reading to learn God's heart for the purpose of obeying.
Those who read God's Word merely to elevate themselves through knowledge will not obtain a changed heart by what they read.
Along with reading one has to desire to be changed and cleansed by God.
Those who read God's Word merely to elevate themselves through knowledge will not obtain a changed heart by what they read.
Along with reading one has to desire to be changed and cleansed by God.
Pride the Relationship Killer
Tolerance and silence have been the culprits that has fostered the rebellion in the apostate church.
There are many people who claim to be believers who deliberately keep their lives secret, defend those who resist sound teaching and those who walk in pride.
Those who speak the truth boldly for the sake of the gospel and Spiritual growth, for cleansing and purification, are dismissed, rejected and maligned for their stand for Christ. Pettiness in these gatherings is rampant to keep all truth tellers in a one down position.
Many who claim to be believers are full of pride working to silence the truth that they may be allowed to indulge in their sinfulness.
My prayer is that the pride that dominates so many gatherings and groups, will be destroyed, through circumstances. The best thing that can happen to the arrogant man is to be stripped of all that self confidence, while seeing their own need for repentance and humility.
Isaiah 2:12 "For the Lord of hosts will have a day of reckoning
Against everyone who is proud and lofty And against everyone who is lifted up, That he may be abased."
Isaiah 23:9 "The Lord of hosts has planned it, to defile the pride of all beauty. To despise all the honored of the earth."
James 4:6 "6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
James 4:10 "10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you."
Jeremiah 9:23 "23 Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;"
Philippians 2:3 "3 Do nothing [a]from [b]selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; "
Proverbs 8:13 "“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverted mouth, I hate."
Proverbs 11:2 "When pride comes, then comes dishonor, But with the humble is wisdom."
Proverbs 13:10 "Through insolence [a]comes nothing but strife, But wisdom is with those who receive counsel."
Proverbs 16:5 "Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished."
Proverbs 16:18-19 "Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly Than to divide the spoil with the proud."
Proverbs 18:12 "Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, But humility goes before honor."
Proverbs 21:4 "Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin."
Proverbs 21:24 "“Proud,” “Haughty,” “Scoffer,” are his names, Who acts with insolent pride."
Proverbs 25:27 "It is not good to eat much honey, Nor is it glory to search out one’s own glory."
Proverbs 26:12 "Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him."
Proverbs 29:23 "A man’s pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor."
Psalm 10:4 "The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek Him. All his thoughts are, “There is no God.”
Psalm 138:6 "For though the Lord is exalted, Yet He regards the lowly,
But the haughty He knows from afar."
Romans 12:3 "3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith."
Romans 12:16 "16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but [a]associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation."
1 Corinthians 13:4 "4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,"
Daniel 5:20 "20 But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit became so [a]proud that he behaved arrogantly, he was deposed from his royal throne and his glory was taken away from him."
Galatians 6:1-3 "1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself."
There are many people who claim to be believers who deliberately keep their lives secret, defend those who resist sound teaching and those who walk in pride.
Those who speak the truth boldly for the sake of the gospel and Spiritual growth, for cleansing and purification, are dismissed, rejected and maligned for their stand for Christ. Pettiness in these gatherings is rampant to keep all truth tellers in a one down position.
Many who claim to be believers are full of pride working to silence the truth that they may be allowed to indulge in their sinfulness.
My prayer is that the pride that dominates so many gatherings and groups, will be destroyed, through circumstances. The best thing that can happen to the arrogant man is to be stripped of all that self confidence, while seeing their own need for repentance and humility.
Isaiah 2:12 "For the Lord of hosts will have a day of reckoning
Against everyone who is proud and lofty And against everyone who is lifted up, That he may be abased."
Isaiah 23:9 "The Lord of hosts has planned it, to defile the pride of all beauty. To despise all the honored of the earth."
James 4:6 "6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
James 4:10 "10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you."
Jeremiah 9:23 "23 Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;"
Philippians 2:3 "3 Do nothing [a]from [b]selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; "
Proverbs 8:13 "“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverted mouth, I hate."
Proverbs 11:2 "When pride comes, then comes dishonor, But with the humble is wisdom."
Proverbs 13:10 "Through insolence [a]comes nothing but strife, But wisdom is with those who receive counsel."
Proverbs 16:5 "Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished."
Proverbs 16:18-19 "Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly Than to divide the spoil with the proud."
Proverbs 18:12 "Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, But humility goes before honor."
Proverbs 21:4 "Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin."
Proverbs 21:24 "“Proud,” “Haughty,” “Scoffer,” are his names, Who acts with insolent pride."
Proverbs 25:27 "It is not good to eat much honey, Nor is it glory to search out one’s own glory."
Proverbs 26:12 "Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him."
Proverbs 29:23 "A man’s pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor."
Psalm 10:4 "The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek Him. All his thoughts are, “There is no God.”
Psalm 138:6 "For though the Lord is exalted, Yet He regards the lowly,
But the haughty He knows from afar."
Romans 12:3 "3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith."
Romans 12:16 "16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but [a]associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation."
1 Corinthians 13:4 "4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,"
Daniel 5:20 "20 But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit became so [a]proud that he behaved arrogantly, he was deposed from his royal throne and his glory was taken away from him."
Galatians 6:1-3 "1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself."
Angels In Our Midst
There is a story I will be telling for the rest of my life. We were attending a small brethren assembly within walking distance of our home in the country.
Over the years that little assembly literally died. The people were all elderly and so many had gone home to the Lord in the short ten years that we worshiped there, only four of us were left in the pews one Sunday morning, us and an elderly couple who had grown up in the assembly that was established by their parents many years before.
As we were sitting worshiping without a word during the Lord's supper, there was silence in the pews until the men were ready to be led by God to speak.
During that silence I was praying in anguish at the absence of worshipers. Saying to God how grieved I felt that the worshipers were few, where were the worshipers? As I anguished over this loss of so many who loved the Lord, happy they were with the Lord but sad for the community that didn't feel a need to worship in Spirit and in Truth.
As I was praying some tears rolled down my face at the thought of the empty pews, when in days past, this assembly was vibrant, evangelistic while the pews were full of people.
After the prayers and the tears, I heard a creaking sound as though someone was opening the door behind us, then I heard more creaking as the sound of foot steps across the vinyl floor. There were more foot step sounds as if people were filing into the pews. I know it was not my imagination, because the other woman who was with us turned to see who had come in, as did I, there was no one, she looked at me in gleeful surprise as we shared her joy.
After the Lord's Supper, the other woman and I said almost in unison, "I think the Lord sent angels to worship with us today!!!!
The joy began coming from my eyes again, the Lord saw my sadness over the lack of worshipers in the pews and sent a message to us that there were others with us, unseen worshipers, sent by God to encourage us. The other lady was as encouraged as I was, she too was delighted that we were not alone.
Often I have sensed a presence in time of sadness, anguish, safety and joy, as though I was not alone when there were no people to share the experiences.
The Lord is faithful not to leave us completely alone, we have the Holy Spirit that lives in us and I am convinced we are often surrounded by angels who protect us, watch over us and learn from us.
1 Corinthians 11:10 "Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels."
Luke 22:43 "43 Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him."
Hebrews 1:14 "14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?"
Psalm 34:7 "The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them."
Acts 8:26 "But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, "Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is a desert road.)"
Matthew 18:10 "10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven."
Acts 27:23 ""For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me,"
God is so very kind to us when He sees our desire to please and honor Him.
Over the years that little assembly literally died. The people were all elderly and so many had gone home to the Lord in the short ten years that we worshiped there, only four of us were left in the pews one Sunday morning, us and an elderly couple who had grown up in the assembly that was established by their parents many years before.
As we were sitting worshiping without a word during the Lord's supper, there was silence in the pews until the men were ready to be led by God to speak.
During that silence I was praying in anguish at the absence of worshipers. Saying to God how grieved I felt that the worshipers were few, where were the worshipers? As I anguished over this loss of so many who loved the Lord, happy they were with the Lord but sad for the community that didn't feel a need to worship in Spirit and in Truth.
As I was praying some tears rolled down my face at the thought of the empty pews, when in days past, this assembly was vibrant, evangelistic while the pews were full of people.
After the prayers and the tears, I heard a creaking sound as though someone was opening the door behind us, then I heard more creaking as the sound of foot steps across the vinyl floor. There were more foot step sounds as if people were filing into the pews. I know it was not my imagination, because the other woman who was with us turned to see who had come in, as did I, there was no one, she looked at me in gleeful surprise as we shared her joy.
After the Lord's Supper, the other woman and I said almost in unison, "I think the Lord sent angels to worship with us today!!!!
The joy began coming from my eyes again, the Lord saw my sadness over the lack of worshipers in the pews and sent a message to us that there were others with us, unseen worshipers, sent by God to encourage us. The other lady was as encouraged as I was, she too was delighted that we were not alone.
Often I have sensed a presence in time of sadness, anguish, safety and joy, as though I was not alone when there were no people to share the experiences.
The Lord is faithful not to leave us completely alone, we have the Holy Spirit that lives in us and I am convinced we are often surrounded by angels who protect us, watch over us and learn from us.
1 Corinthians 11:10 "Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels."
Luke 22:43 "43 Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him."
Hebrews 1:14 "14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?"
Psalm 34:7 "The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them."
Acts 8:26 "But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, "Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is a desert road.)"
Matthew 18:10 "10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven."
Acts 27:23 ""For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me,"
God is so very kind to us when He sees our desire to please and honor Him.
Be Aware of the Destructive Narcissist
It is important to remember what we are dealing with as described in 2 Timothy 3:1-5. The reason I see this as a must, is because this terrible selfishness is growing, we must be aware to be able to know what we are dealing with. If we are unaware of the nature of this beast, we will be sucked into things that can destroy our witness while undermining our spiritual growth. The people who possess these character flaws cannot grow and can destroy your personal relationships. We can pray for them, but they cannot be a part of our lives until they repent and become born again. The link below will take you to a very good article on the subject of narcissism. To be informed is to be forewarned.
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