It Sounds Good But is so Wrong

So many of the things that sound good to us and even make us laugh, things we have been raised with in our lifetime, were not Biblical, but planted a particular expectation or mentality in us that is actually against the truths of God.

"May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows your dead."
An Irish Catholic saying I heard many years ago, even saying it to friends jokingly. The implication is that we should escape in some way the power of the devil over us, allowing us to sneak into heaven before he had a chance to grab us for his realm.

The white witch goes into the tent with Aslan, the lion who was representing Christ, to negotiate the penalty for sin in the "Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe", a novel and later movie by that same name written by C.S. Lewis.

Those who know the Bible would know this was ridiculous since the devil had no say whatever concerning the penalty for sin over mankind. It was the Father who set the price for sin, that being the shedding of blood.

So many things we think are innocent fun, teach us things, they teach us bad theology and a wrong view about God.

It has actually been stated by Christians who have allowed the movies to be their guide about Christianity, who did not know the Bible that; "I know the story of Noah because I saw the movie." This is frightening, so many Christians who will not crack their Bibles will believe the Hollywood versions of Bible stories, that are without a doubt, silly if not down right blasphemous.

We see the patently unBiblical nature of the movie, "The Passion of the Christ", while other believers who are not Catholic think it is wonderful. Because they don't know their Bibles and because they have never been in the Catholic church, they miss all the Roman Catholic symbolism and cultic overtones of that movie, even defending it as though it had value, when it taught principles against the Word of God. Even well known protestant ministers encouraged many to go and see the movie written by a drunken Roman Catholic movie star, Mel Gibson.

Then there was the book "The Shack" praised by many pastors in pulpits, even encouraging their congregations to read it and enjoy it's tenets. Sadly this book was blasphemous, unBiblical and ruinous to the faith of those who were sucked in by it.

The trend that is rampant throughout our culture is to place one's trust in literary works written by men, whose ideas were nothing more than imaginations in their own minds. Believing they were clever, they created a picture in the minds of people that worked against the principles of God while confusing many.

The devil has been using this tactic for as long as he has been around. He never attempts to convince believers to no longer believe in God, rather, he chooses to tempt them with a distorted view of God leaving mankind thinking of God in a way that demeans, mocks and negates His principles.

By the time we get to the people with the truth of the gospel, they have already been indoctrinated with so many versions of God, they are not able to see "up from down." Because of the confusion and dilemma in their own minds, they fight bitterly to retain the version they like. More often than not they choose the version that best fits their own desires, even showing hostility toward anyone who comes along with the Bible to show them their error.

In this "age of enlightenment", the devil is working harder by the day to deceive believers who do not know their Bibles. If he can get them to buy into a distorted and blasphemous false gospel, they can take their false message to unbelievers, perverting their view of God, leading them right into hell.

Thankfully anyone whose heart is inclined toward God will trust Him. God will see to it that those who want to be saved will be saved. No one will cause another person to go to hell, however anyone who brings a wrong gospel will be accountable before God for what they have done.

2 Corinthians 11:12-14 "…12 But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.…"

Please, please do not come here to argue that "God can use anything", it is a monstrous argument that we should be allowed to say and do anything we please just because God can use it. Just because God can use anything does not mean God is alright with the evil that men do. It matters how we do things, according to God's principles and the accuracy of the Bible.

The same God that can use anything is the One that will punish anyone who uses humanistic and blasphemous deceptive ways to convert others to a false gospel.

Psalm 86:11
"Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name."

Proverbs 3:6
"in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Jeremiah 6:16
"This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'"

Micah 4:2
"Many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem."

GOD CARES THAT WE LEARN TRUTH HIS WAY AND THAT WE SPEAK HIS TRUTH HIS WAY!!!!!

Worship Like a Dog

I notice that the word for worship in the bible denotes how a dog looks at his master, in deep devotion no matter what. It reminds me that the dog so fully trusts the master, he doesn't know where the master is going or what he is doing, the dog just wants to be with him, completely unconcerned about the purpose or the destination. It as no accident that God expressed worship in this way, we can see in our own pets what our devotion to God should look like.

When I put my shoes and sweater or coat on, my dog immediately knows I am going somewhere. Getting all excited about going with me, he runs to the car and waits for me to let him in it. He doesn't care where we are going or what we will be doing, only that he gets to be with me.

The dog doesn't care if he is better than anyone else, when he obeys and gets praised for it, all he cares about is that he pleased his master. Pleasing his master and being with him is foremost on the dogs mind.

The dog puts his head down even rolling over on his back in submission to his master. The dog wants to submit, loving the master with such fervor that the dog will protect the master even if it means losing his own life.

["PROSKUNEO From: Kevin Cook;
"The most common word in the New Testament for “worship” is Proskuneo (προσκυνέω – pros-kü-ne’-ō). This word occurs 60 times in the New Testament, 57 of which are in the four gospels, Acts, and Revelation (the other three instances occur in 1 Corinthians 14, Hebrews 1, and Hebrews 11). It originally carried with it the idea of subjects falling down to kiss the ground before a king or kiss their feet. The literal definition means “to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand, to fawn or crouch to, homage (do reverence to, adore): worship.”]

If only we would learn from the dog, then we might understand how we should be with God, Who died for us, He gave His all, that we might enjoy Him for eternity.

Nick Bevilacqua
"Works of obediences; If you produced them, you will not be justified by them in the sight of God,(Romans 3: 20. and Galatians 2: 16), lest you boast of your accomplishments.and rob Christ of the glory that is due Him and Him alone. (Romans 3: 27 & 28). (Ephesians 2: 8 & 9). (Romans 5: 9). It is by the obedience of Christ unto the death of the cross that believers are justified freely by the Grace of God apart from self produced works. (Romans 5: 18 & 19).(Romans 3: 24).(Romans 4: 4 - 6)."

Appearances Take the Prize in this Day of Apostasy!

America will never be great again because it has crossed the threshold into the most wicked of sins. We are living in the apostate age, the time for saving our country is over, our aim now has to be instructing believers and witnessing to the unsaved.

If our focus is saving America through leaders and legislation, we may spend too much time on that while neglecting the weightier matter of witnessing the gospel while the days are short.

As an American, there is the temptation to attempt to preserve the lifestyle we have enjoyed, the freedom, the prosperity, the opportunities of many things. However, as believers we were not placed here to preserve a culture or a nation, we were place here to bring the gospel to unbelievers and to encourage believers to walk in holiness.

Never again will anyone hear coming from my lips; "God bless America", to say this would be to ignore all the evil that we have brought to the world through the promotion of liberal and ungodly ideas and action. We are infinitely more wicked than we were 80 years ago, without sign of any slowing. In fact evil is increasing at break neck speed as we fly down the slippery slope.

2 Timothy 3:1-7
"3 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,
4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,
7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth."

I notice in these passages that one of the traits of the culture is the constant learning new things, continual studying, but little wisdom in all their efforts to be seen as intelligent. Appearing wise is all that matters in our day, actually being wise is not important to most. Appearance is everything now, trumping all sense of holiness or righteousness in the depth of one's soul.

The words of a culture are not a measure of it's condition, but the practices are what we can see lived out every day. Far too many people judge that something is good and are offended when someone judges something to be bad. God said we are to judge righteous judgment, that means we tell the truth when something is bad or good. It makes no sense to allow judging when we will be positive, but disallow judging when it is negative.

We are too judge all things, according to God's standard.

1 Corinthians 2:14-16 "…14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 16 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ."

John 7:24 "24"Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."

Our culture tends to value those who "appear" to be good while devaluing those who walk in righteousness. Appearances can be a lie and often is, people tend to hide themselves when they are sinful. The way in which someone operates in life is what we should be watching not what they say. If they say something, then their words must match their actions and attitudes.

Isolation is a Torture Technique

The following article is just stupid!!!! Mental health problems happen in children who are not disciplined through corporal punishment. Time out is an isolation technique similar to "the silent treatment." This silent treatment causes more harm than a good wack after which the child is allowed to remain with the family. Isolation has been used by torturers to confuse, frustrate and destroy a child's confidence.

Spanking can be akin to a child getting burned once from a stove and learning not to place his hand near the burner. It teaches that bad behavior will bring punishment, but does not reach the soul of the child as does isolation.

Isolation can do far more damage in a child than a couple of swats to stop a behavior. The spanking deals with behavior, but isolation affects the emotional stability of the child, causing him to feel unwanted and unloved, somewhat like those cliques at school or church where people are left out if they don't measure up to the social standards of the crowd.

http://wnep.com/2016/04/27/spanking-can-cause-mental-health-problems-in-children-study-suggests/

Know is Different from Loving

Matthew 22:29 "But Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God."

There are many people who know the Scriptures, even knowing them well, who have little to no wisdom when it comes to truth.

The devil knows the Scriptures better than all of us, but we know where he is going. Knowing is far different from desiring to obey. Knowing is far different from loving Christ.

To love Him is to obey Him, to love Him is to want to know His mind being guided by Him continually.

1 Corinthians 2:16 "…15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 16 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ."

John 14:15-16 "15 "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16 "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you FOREVER;…"

It Started with Self Esteem

It all started with the "self esteem" teaching. More people are concerned about being accepted by the culture than they are about holiness or righteousness. When the culture changes, allowing for the evil in man to be practiced without challenge, then the evil will come out, showing us what was really inside all along.

1 Timothy 1:8-10 "…8 But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers 10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,…"

Thinking With the Mind of Christ

When we become born again Christ changes our heart, we no longer want the sin we used to love, we begin to desire the mind of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. "...

Jeremiah 24:7
"'I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the LORD; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart."

Ezekiel 36:26
"Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. "

Romans 2:29
"But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God. "

Psalm 51:10
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. "

2 Corinthians 7:10
"For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death."

Ezekiel 11:19
"And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,"

Romans 12:2
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. "

No Confession No Growth

Many of you have been spurned by your children and despised by those whom they have married, they will not express anything you have done, but really hate being corrected or instructed.

They were taught by extended family and the schools they attended that their mother and father were wrong and to be dismissed as stupid and foolish. Those they married were pampered all their lives, continually praised by family while having few, if any, rules. We see the same rebellion in the hearts of their parents.

I have noticed that these same people refuse instruction from anyone. They really believe they know it all and everything they do should be admired and accepted by anyone they allow in their lives. Of course this leaves out believers in Christ, who will never be a member of the "in crowd."

I praise God for this because it has allowed believers to focus entirely on Christ, those who love Him and new people who do not yet know Him. When being accepted by family is more important than living for Christ, we have idols in our lives, while being prevented from moving forward to new growing experiences, able too then to share the gospel with others who may be open to hearing.

When we see that we cannot live and speak freely our convictions, then it is time to move on. There are so many other wonderful experiences outside of family that we miss if we remain in these contentious and demeaning circumstances.

I write about this because there are many of you out there who are perplexed and confused by demeaning and dismissive treatment you have received. You cannot figure out what is wrong and they won't tell you, even when asked.

My guess is that there really isn't anything they can put their finger on, except the petty things contrived in their own minds. Really they are attempting to make us look bad when we did nothing to warrant this treatment. It is God they are in rebellion against, not us. When we can remember this, we can remain forthright, honest and bold as we continue on for the Lord.

If someone would like to challenge me on being so open on facebook about this, keep in mind that the story of Absalom, David's son is recorded in the Bible for all to see down through the ages, it has not been hidden for the sake of false family unity. There is the account of Job's children who were all killed while partying. Lot's sins with his daughters after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is described in the Word. Solomon's life of opulence and idolatry is recorded forever in the Bible, along with almost all the lives of the patriarchs.

God is not interested in continual praise for good works, but in showing that every man is sinful, in need of repentance and forgiveness. No man is innocent and no man can go a lifetime without chastisement or a need for brokenness over their sin.

It is not important to tell all the details all the time, but sometimes it is important to tell the truth for the sake of learning and encouragement for others. If we find someone becoming angry at our openness, perhaps these are people who are more concerned about appearances than they are about righteousness.

When someone becomes angry over being exposed then there is still rebellion in their heart. If someone is ashamed and repentant then they are on the road to cleansing and healing, there is no better place to be.

Ephesians 5:11 "11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; "

It is wicked to share the details of sin in the lives of people who have repented. However it is not wrong or sinful to expose the sin of those who remain in their sin. Not only should we expose it, to warn others, but when there has been a change, repentance, then we need to tell about that too.

The key to all of this is that it is important for people to see openness, heartache and healing, to pray, and then to see the transformation in the one who was healed because they confessed and turned. Anyone who wants to hide is not ready for confession and cleansing.

Perhaps often we hide the sins of family members because we are concerned about how others will think of us or that the one exposed will hate us. Neither of those things is a valid reason to protect the sinful person. It is better to tell the truth, pray for salvation and then glory in what God does in hearts. That way we see both circumstances, we see the evil so as not to be influenced by it and then we see a miracle of God in the changing of a heart.

Hiding is the devil's way not God's. If we can hide, we can pretend, there is no need to seek change or healing, we can keep on being wicked without any consequences or accountability.

Psalm 64:2 "Hide me from the secret counsel of evildoers, From the tumult of those who do iniquity,"

Luke 12:2 "Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known."

Ephesians 4:25 "Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another."

James 5:16 "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

We cannot confess our sins without revealing them. We cannot pray when we have no knowledge of the need for prayer. We cannot be cleansed and grow without a sense of sadness that we offended God and the accompanying confession.

A broken heart over sin will always bring openness and confession. Those who hide remain in their sin, without spiritual growth only to continue a hardening of the heart.

Ephesians 4:18
"They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart."

Matthew 13:14-15 "Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “‘You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive. For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’"

Proverbs 28:13-14 "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity."

Didn't Give Up A Thing

I never had to give up anything when I became born again. The sin fell away because of my love for Christ. I don't "follow" the commandments, they are a part of me because the "Law Giver" lives in me. The commandments were given to show people their inability to obey righteousness. It is only through Christ in us that we become righteous, not by following the law. The Law condemned us, it did nothing to make us righteous.

Romans 8:2-4 "…2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.…"

The Law no longer condemns believers, however the law in us condemns others who are walking disobediently. Even when we say nothing, we am reviled for the life we have chosen and are dedicated to, that is a life in Christ.

Many people who claim to be believers show signs of embarrassment to speak about Christ even anger when they are corrected according to the Word. When we see rebellion and resistance in hearts that claim to be saved, we might want to challenge them to ask God if they were ever born again.

Far too many people are caught up in a cultural Christianity, that bears little resemblance to the Christianity of the Bible. Our job as dedicated believers is to warn them.

Colossians 1:28-29 "28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. 29 For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me."

This mandate to admonish one another is not only for a select few, but every believer is responsible to do this.

1 Peter 2:9-10 "9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.…"

A Change of Heart A Change of Actions

When Christ has changed us into a new creation, that means He changed the way we think, the way we think changes our responses to life. We no longer think they way we used to think.

Our thought life shapes our interpretation of things, our responses and our actions. Two people can see the same situation, one will interpret it as very negative and even be angry, while the other saw the value in it and is grateful for it.

1 Corinthians 2:15-16 "…15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 16 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ."

Without the wisdom of God, our mind tends to interpret circumstances based on how we would think, not on what is really happening. A bitter angry person will take the simplest and innocent matter and make it ugly and empty, because their view of life is inaccurate. A reasonable person who wants to know truth, we not be concerned about the small matters, but are looking at the bigger picture. Ungodly people tend to be petty, causing trouble often. The godly person who thinks with the mind of Christ, doesn't see the small matters, they are looking through God's eyes to the foundational truth.

Our actions and attitudes must be shaped by God's truth or we will tend to see life through our own lens of perverted twisted thinking. God clearly said we should "think with the mind of Christ." The only way to do that is to know His Word, the Bible, while praying continually that God would show us truth.

If we know the Bible, even every single detail in it, but have not asked for Him to show us truth, then we will have a lot of details in our head but possess little of His wisdom to interpret them in truth.

James 1:5-6 "5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind."

Those who have lots of details about the Bible but lack wisdom and understanding tend to negate many of God's principles while cherry picking those they like, ignoring those they don't like. This is a continual problem in the last days apostate church.

Proverbs 20:5-6 "5 A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, But a man of understanding draws it out. 6 Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, But who can find a trustworthy man?…"

Psalm 118:7-8 "…7 The LORD is for me among those who help me; Therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me. 8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in princes.…"

Often those who are offended by God's truths, will deliberately ignore the wisdom of believers, even attempting to negate truth and those that are following hard after Christ.

John 3:19-21 "…19 "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 "For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 "But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God."

In recent years it has become clear that many who love this worldly life, their elevated sense of superiority and their materialism, will be the most critical of believers. They will often chastise us for telling the truth, even for doing good things God has commanded us to do, to negate us in any way possible.

Titus 1:10-13 "For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons. This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith."

As difficult as it is to maintain loyalty to the Word of God in a world that hates us for doing so, the more staunch we become for Christ the easier it gets. When we see that nothing else and no one else takes priority over the principles of Christ, it is easy to follow that which we love.

Ezekiel 3:18-19 "If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul."

We are called to know His Word, obey it and warn believers of the consequences of disobedience and the eternal consequences of rejecting Christ for the non-believer.

Debaucherizing America Definition

Coining a new term: "Debaucherizing", meaning to work at ruining a society by promoting and fascilitating wickedness.

Debaucherizing the Country

Doesn't it seem strange that every form of debauchery is being accepted and promoted. The citizens are being manipulated and intimidated to accept it, such as same sex marriage and transgenders in the ladies bathrooms.

Because these things don't make sense, it seems that there is a deliberate attempt to bring American down by "debaucherizing" it.

Our money is being wasted on those who did not earn it, those who are illegal and frivolously spending on useless things such as free cells phones, benefits to illegal aliens while promoting immorality by providing welfare and food stamps for shack up couples.

Every sin that one can name, is being promoted and supported by the government in one way or another, at the same time punishing those who do not think it is right.

Those who are elevated and loved are the ones who enjoy their sin and want everyone to enjoy sin. Those who are demeaned are the believers who call sin what it is and refuse to be brain washed by the rest of the culture.

2 Timothy 3:1-5

Threats or Reason

Bad relationships are based on continual threats and guilt tripping, while good ones are based on logic and reason.

Love does not demonstrate itself in threats and manipulation, but rather is evident in concern for reasoning with one another to come to an agreement. It takes a desire to understand others, relinquish our desire to be right or first, while seeking the mind of the other person.

When we encounter continual manipulation to control us we know that the person involved has no interest in discovering our concerns or needs nor are they interested in sharing theirs. The only objective is to win over us to remain in a superior position.

Mutual respect and honor are required to develop a quality relationship, this can only be accomplished through genuine interest in the welfare of our friend.

Christ never manipulated others, He spoke the plain truth and they made the decision to accept or reject Him. Truth is the only way to resolve any problem. When truth is twisted or replaced with lies to control others, there is no possibility of reconciliation.

Humanly speaking it is natural to want to win in any discussion, but when we walk in the Spirit of God, our desires are not human but godly. The desire to resolve the conflict is greater than any pride of winning in our flesh. When we walk into a discussion with the attitude of winning, we cannot be honest nor can we be understanding of others.

Winning should never be the objective of a believer, only seeking and finding truth is the goal.

2 John 1:3-4 "…3 For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth."

1 Corinthians 4:14
"I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children."

Psalm 86:11 "Psalm 86:11
"Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name."

Galatians 5:16
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh."

John 8:32 "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

It is embarrassing to admit we were wrong, but the freedom that comes from confessing our failings to others is far greater than any temporary mortification of our flesh. It will bring a growth spirit and cleansing to our soul.

So many people hang onto their pride, refusing to confess their sin. Their spirit is in continual torment, even enhancing bitterness that eats away at them.

Ephesians 4:30-32 "…30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."

The Evil Ones Rule Over the Righteous

The whole transgender mess, is another typical narcissistic move. Can anyone be thinking about the safety of the women and little girls that have to use those restrooms?

When one VERY SMALL segment of the population is willing to throw everyone else under the bus to coerce others into accepting their perverted lifestyle, we know we have been taken over by irrational narcissistic fools. These people have always practiced these things, no one stopped them, but they are not satisfied with their freedom to do evil, they now want to force others to accept them.

Their attitude is that of six year old brats. Their mantra: "accept us or we will hurt you."

This is happening regularly now, it began a long time ago when people stood up against abortion, then homosexuality and now transgender. What is next, are we to be subjected to pedephiles taking us to court for not hiring them to babysit our children?

Every deviant and reprehensible form of human depravity is being defended and forced upon the American people as though they are rights.The rights of the wicked are taking precedence over the rights of the righteous.

Those who are punished, maligned and mocked are those who will not accept this debaucherous behavior.

We are in more danger than ever of being molested, jailed or both because of the government overreach of defense of evil.

Does anyone actually think it will stop here? There is more to come, with each new form of evil being promoted and accepted, there is another one waiting in the wings to emerge. There are no boundaries to the level of wickedness now, the Pandora's box has been opened, there is no way to put the demons back in the box.

Our only hope is in Christ, He said it wold be this way in the end. He is coming soon and we are safe in Him. They can persecute us but they cannot touch the Spirit that lives in us. Most people will not listen, the days of revival are over, but our Hope is coming soon, in the air for His Bride!

It is as in the days of Noah when everyone did what was right in their own eyes and no one would listen. The only hope for the unbeliever is to confess their sinfulness and ask Christ to change them into a new creation.

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 "17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,…"

1 Corinthians 6:19
"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?"

2 Corinthians 6:16
"Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE."

Ezekiel 36:27
"I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances."

Too Many Did It Their Way

I remember so many people thinking that song "I Did It My Way"by Frank Sinatra was wonderful, even having tears in their eyes at the prospect of doing everything their own way. It was only after I became a believer that I saw the terrible significance of that song in our culture.

Be Careful About Our Companions

Proverbs 1:10
My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them.

Proverbs 28:4
Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them.

John 3:20
Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.

Lacking "Generational Boundaries"

Why is there so much information on the subject of "narcissism" in our day? The answer is clear, we are living in the times of 2 Timothy 3:1-5, in which arrogance, selfishness and entitlement is elevated to a "virtue" status, even those who are seculars are seeing it, showing us how deeply prevalent it is now. Those walk with Christ are able to discern it early on with greater understanding.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 "3 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these."

The covert narcissist lacks "generational boundaries", in other words they have no respect or honor for elders or those who have had much more experience in life than they have. Since they are deeply committed to self exaltation they cannot accept anyone as over them in any way.

These people tend to think they are equal with or above everyone, no matter their experience level. They will feel superior to those who have much more experience than they do, because they tend to think of themselves as "all knowing." How can someone who feels elevated to everyone else ever submit to God they cannot see?

It is impossible to reason with such a person, their elevated view of themselves prevents any self reflection or regret about anything they say or do. It is as if pulling teeth to get them to discuss anything. Their first response to a request to discuss a matter is to fight, argue and demean to gain the higher position. There is no semblance of rational, logical or levelheaded attempt at resolving anything and no sense whatever of concern for the one who wishes to settle a matter on amicable and loving terms. There will never be an apology for an offense nor will there be an admission of wrong. Tenderness, emotional vulnerability and compassion are seen as weakness to these types.

Narcissists are hyper sensitive to criticism, correction or instruction since they have elevated themselves above everyone except those they perceive to be the experts. Then they feel superior for having known the "expert."

There are emotional outbursts that seem irrational, since the smallest disagreement will send them into a sense that they have been attacked. Every challenge no matter how small is seen as a personal attack, rather than a chance to learn something or to grow.

These people accuse others of doing what they are doing but the others are not, one of the favored tactics of the devil.

The devils most effective and used maneuver is to accuse others of things they are not doing to unnerve them. If he can keep the believer in a continual state of trying to explain and defend themselves, he diverts their attention from the things God has for him to do, while causing the victim to feel a sense of helplessness.

When we see this happening, we need to pray for the Lord to intervene, while we remove ourselves. If you remember verse 5 of 2 Timothy 3, we are told to get away from those who will never admit their sin and will never apologize, they will only continue their covert tactics keeping us preoccupied with drama and foolishness.

I write about this a lot because there is so much more of this going on than ever before in this age of "self esteem." People in general are becoming more rude, mean, self righteous and down right antagonistic over the silliest things. If we know God's response to it and what He expects of us, we can effectively protect ourselves and others from those who have love only for themselves.

God says this to those who operate from this mentality of selfishness:

John 8:44 "You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

The key to all of this is to know our Bibles, pray continually for the Holy Spirit to lead in everything and be willing to walk away from destructive relationships that attempt to deter us from the principles of God.

1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

When we are in continual frustration we are focused on our own feelings rather than on Christ, this is exactly where the devil wants us.......distracted. We can be sure that these tactics and attempts to ruin us will increase as we move through these ends times. We don't have to give into it, we can be strong in Christ, walking as we should no matter who or what comes against us.

If our mind is being continually renewed and strengthened, we will not fall into the devil's trap.

Romans 12:2 "2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

Ephesians 4:27 "…26 BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity."

1 Peter 5:8 "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

2 Corinthians 4:4 "In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."

John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

James 1:13-15 "Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death."

God does not want us to place anyone on a pedestal whose opinion takes priority over God's principles. When we see someone who is attempting to destroy our peace through evil tactics, then we can head it off by honoring God His way, resolving to be willing to lose that which does not enhance our walk with Christ.

We can move on to those who want to hear, those who may be open. We must avoid the pitfalls of remaining continually in the lives of those who would work to undermine our spiritual growth and our walk with Christ. NO ONE takes priority over Christ EVER!

Matthew 10:13-15 "…13"If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. 14"Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. 15"Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city."

Of course the verses in Matthew above are referring to bringing the gospel to a town, but the principle of removing ourselves from people who would only fight with us, is still applicable. Christ never followed or became close friends with the Pharisees who rejected Him, and neither should we.

Biblical Discernment

We have to be more careful than ever about proclaiming our love for celebrities. The world is validating wicked people and demeaning righteous ones.

We should not love someone because most people do and we should not hate someone because others do. Our opinions of people ought to be based on the Biblical principles given to us by God and what we have seen for ourselves.

1 Corinthians 2:14-16 "…14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 16 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ."

You can be sure if the world as a whole loves something or someone, something is wrong with it or them.

Narcissists Don't Like Manners

I really hate it when in-law children call their in-law parents by their first name rather than "Mrs. Jones or Mom, Mr. Jones or Dad."

When we got married everyone called their in-laws "Mom or Dad", it was a way of expressing that our new spouse's family was now ours and we showed the same respect to them that we showed our own parents.

It is a sign of leveling, bringing down the respected position of parents by calling them by their first name. Many people still think it's wrong to call their mother or father by their first name, but will insist on the children calling their grandparents by their first name or in-law parents by their first name.

We now live in a culture in which grandchildren are encouraged to call their grandparents by their first name, such as "Grandma Jane" or "Grandpa Richard". It is offensive to us because it removes the honor and respect that should be there for someone in a position of special recognition.

The old world practice for in-laws, was to call their in-laws either "Dad and Mom" or "Father and Mother" or "Mr. Jones and Mrs. Jones."

The old world practice for grandchildren was to call Grandparents "Grandmother or Grandfather" or "Grandma and Grandpa." Some traditions use other forms of this such as "Mamma and Pappa." The honor and respect remain which ever form we use, first names are far too familiar to lend itself to honor and respect.

Even when we disagreed with our parents or grandparents we never fought or argued with them, we accepted them for who they were, allowing them to be who they were without vengeful consequences.

It all began in the movies, when Hollywood broke down the lines of respect and honor, making people believe that no one was to be treated with any more respect than anyone else. Sadly this has morphed into other forms of dishonor on the part of young people.

I was in a discussion with a young man who thought dressing up was unnecessary and he would not do it for anyone. I explained to him that dressing up was also a sign of respect. There are certain people we show respect to by our clothing, demeanor and what we call them.

In this discussion with the young man I told him that if he were ever to go before the president of the United States, the required dress would be a suit and tie. One doesn't even go onto the house floor in the sessions of government, without a coat and tie. It is considered a sign of respect to look our best when in the company of others who are in authority over us or in a special position of honor.

This young man told me that he would never wear a suit and tie for the president, and then is when I told him that he would not be allowed in his presence without this required clothing. The young man then mocked me, as though I had told him something that was ridiculous.

I felt sad that our children's generation is so arrogant, that it does not understand and even mocks gestures of honor and respect, that have been around for many generations.

Back in the day, even poor folks had one nice outfit that they wore in the presence of others, at church, weddings, funerals, dedications and many other things where sloppiness would have been a sign of disrespect and a distraction.

The things that we were taught in school as respectful and necessary to defer to others are now mocked, demeaned and rejected by those who have been raised in self esteem.

Dressing as a sign of respect is a way of deferring to others, arrogant people refuse to defer to anyone. I believe this is why our culture has degenerated into casual clothing, at least in our region. Everything is about self, deferring to others is unthinkable to those who are full of themselves.

In an effort to break down all barriers to authority, young folks were encouraged to disregard the cultural standards that promoted honor and respect. Now we have young people who treat the older generation as equals, feeling free to mock them, argue with them and even deliberately demean them so as to be elevated above them.

I fear that because of this leveling mentality, the younger generation will see even worse offenses against them by their own children as the society continues down the slippery slide to total anarchy against all authority. When the society as a whole promotes disrespect and the parents go along with it, the children will do in extreme what their parents did moderately.

When we see this happening we can expect that there will be an increase in elder abuse, after all the tenderness and love that accompanied the attitudes of honor and respect, led the younger generation to care for the elderly.

Remembering that they gave them life, raised them, provided for their every need and protected them during the most vulnerable years of their life, they valued their parents.

When these principles are removed, there is nothing to stop the younger folks from treating their parents as though they are a burden to be avoided, set aside and worse yet, put down, the way a master puts down a sickly animal that is no longer useful. If you think this is going too far in exaggeration, remember the abortion issue, when people said that no one would kill their babies all the way through the ninth month, now we have partial birth abortion. All sins leads to greater sin when not repented of.

Babies are being murdered outside the womb who have survived the abortions. And, they think that the dishonor and disrespect for parents and grandparents will not lead to euthanasia? When a culture becomes this callous and disrespectful, it will be taken to it's ultimate and logical extreme.

Back in the day when respect and honor were normal, elderly parents were seen as people with wisdom, there was a desire to care for them as one would care for a delicate and fragile precious antique.

When sin is elevated in the smallest degree it will grow. There is no stopping this sin when it is full blown.

1 Corinthians 5:6-7 " 6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? 7 Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened."

Two Boys Two Choices

Exactly and no one makes us what we are, they may be an influence but we ultimately make the choices. The one who chooses alcohol, was merely using is his father as an excuse. The one who did not drink chose to think with his brain about what is better and what works. Neither man had an excuse to dishonor his father because of his father's failings.  

Ezekile 18:19-21 
"19"Yet you say, 'Why should the son not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity?' When the son has practiced justice and righteousness and has observed all My statutes and done them, he shall surely live. 20"The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son's iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself. 
21"But if the wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed and observes all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall surely live; he shall not die.…"

Why Would I Say "R.I.P" to an Unsaved Dead Person

I am not understanding the posts I see that honor unsaved movie stars who have died, with the saying "R.I.P." on the part of believers.

I can understand the unsaved who have many idols in their lives, but a born again believer doing this makes no sense at all.

I also understand believers watching shows for the story, but to elevate the actors in those shows as special merely because they were good at that profession, really defies reason for me.

If someone lived a Hollywood lifestyle, looking for fame and fortune through an acting career, chances are good they were not born again and ended up in hell. Why would we speak to them, the dead person and say "Rest in peace"?

There I go again, raining on someone's parade, they gloried in the enjoyment of the actors glow of a television show or movies they liked, because of their personal enjoyment of the movie or show, they judged this person as a good person worthy of praise even after death, knowing they were not born again, even acted in shows that devalued God.

Every movie star that I have researched, who acted in movies I have enjoyed, were proven to live selfish lives, many marriages, rebellious children and nothing of real value except amassing a fortune as their claim to fame.
Why on earth would I say R.I.P to an unsaved, wicked and immoral movie star that probably went to hell? Perhaps I am just slow, I just don't get it.

Are there so many who just don't think about what they are doing, but feel free to do things because they are tradition of the culture?

Meekness is not Cowarice

We are living in the end times, nothing will get better, things will get worse. However in Christ we don't have to fear all this mess, we can retain our joy, tell the truth, take our lumps while we wait for Christ to come and get us.

Are you like me? Do you seem to be the one to always be raining on other people's parades? Every time you turn around someone is doing or saying something mean or foolish to demean or silence us?

Welcome to the world of those who have trusted Christ. Nothing makes good sense in the world any more. In fact, when something does make good sense it is immediately rejected and dismissed by most people in our sphere of influence. 

 

Does it seem like everything we say and do is judged as foolish, mean or down right stupid, in the reactions of those around us? Or do you find yourself being ignored a lot by those who don't want to hear anything except bubbly happy things?

Welcome to my world, the world I have lived in most of my life. And, my guess is that it is your world too if you are born again and walking with Christ.

Even those who attend a church gathering are caught up in Pharisaical rules, hyper sensitivity to instruction or correction and resistant to any form of challenge to seek God on any level.

Arrogance rules the hearts of most people involved in churches today. One is accepted as wonderful and special as long as they continue their plastic smiles, heads that nod in placid approval no matter what is going on. Silence is the new righteousness, it dominates most gatherings, sadly mistaken for meekness.

Meekness is patient endurance, it is not sheepishness, silence or weakness. It is the quality of speaking at the right time, telling the truth no matter the expected reaction while remaining in control of our emotions.

Exercising God's strength under His control is the Biblical meaning of meekness! Not weakness, not sheepishness nor is it cowardice. As someone once said it is actually "power under control." 

 

When we allow others to manipulate us into silence merely to fit into their idea of righteousness, then they have become our god, an idol. We must be willing to be rejected and on the outs with those who do not want to hear truth, otherwise it is they who are in control of our lives rather than Christ. 

 

Remember idols are not merely statues we place in our homes to bow to, they can be anyone or anything we give preference to other than God. Bowing is in the mind, it doesn't have to happen on the outside to be the same expression of worship, if it is in the heart, that is where it begins.

Pride Destroys Humility Builds

God uses the nothing things, the nothing people and the nothing nations in this world to bring shame upon the famous, proud, accomplished and self exalted.

God will not use someone who is deeply committed to self exaltation or promotion. Those who preach the prosperity gospel or judge others because they don't measure up to their worldly idea of blessing, are walking in pride. They may have prosperity here, but at some point they will be judged for their lack of love and empathy, all that they held so dear will slip away from them and punishment will be close behind.

Philippians 2:1-11 "1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,

2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,

7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,

10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Until we empty ourselves of pride, we cannot be useful to Christ. Those who walk in arrogance, thinking they have everything to offer and others have nothing to offer them, are headed for a fall. A person who cannot humble themselves before men they can see, will never humble themselves before God they cannot see, no matter how good a show they display for others.

How we treat others is an indication of our view of God.

I John 3:13-15 "…13 Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you. 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. 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.…"

Proverbs 16:17-19 "…17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who watches his way preserves his life. 18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. 19 It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly Than to divide the spoil with the proud."