Read Your Bible and Pray!
Every born again believer has Christ in them, therefore they have everything they need in Christ to know truth. He is the Law Giver, He is Wisdom.
1 John 2:26-28 "…26 I have written these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught. 28 And now, little children, remain in Him, so that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.…"
Thursday, June 30, 2016
America's Days Are Numbered
America
Isaiah 59:3-4
"Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death,
And with Sheol we have made a pact.
The overwhelming scourge will not reach us when it passes by,
For we have made falsehood our refuge and we have concealed ourselves with deception.”
Isaiah 59:3-4
"Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death,
And with Sheol we have made a pact.
The overwhelming scourge will not reach us when it passes by,
For we have made falsehood our refuge and we have concealed ourselves with deception.”
The Right Leader Can't Help Us!
Romans 13:1 "1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God."
We cannot blame anyone who does not vote, it is possible God told them not to. The nation is wicked, no attempt to get a "righteous" leader will change the hearts of the people. I vote, but I have no hope that God is going to bless the hearts of a nation that kills it's babies at the rate of 4,000 a day.
Even if we managed to get a godly man in the white house, it would not change the hearts of the people of this nation. We are teetering on the brink of total chaos, because the hearts of the people as a whole, are selfish, entitled, arrogant, self righteous and down right rebellious. All of that cannot be changed by a new leader.
God must avenge the murder of 4,000 babies, whose blood cries out from the land. He must spank those adult children who are disrespectful toward parents and authorities. He must discipline those who refuse to listen to truth in terms of Biblical marriage.
We are not going to escape discipline and even wrath of God by getting a better president. Even those who are running or those who have run in the past two decades, have not been godly, they were no different from the stubborn will of the people.
Now that the people have defied God on every level, God will defy their will and will punish us as a nation.
Never mind who votes and who doesn't, never mind who wins or who doesn't. We are under discipline through the consequences of broken families, arrogant adult children and even more so the dishonor of grandchildren.
We are so blind as a people that we don't think anything is wrong. The dishonor and disrespect is seen as normal and acceptable. Babies out of wedlock have been accepted as a ordinary course of events these days. And yet it is an abomination to God.
The description of the evil that is acceptable in this nation is legion! It would take many pages to describe the attitudes and actions of most of the people in this country today.
Stop trusting in a political system to save us, there is no safety any more. The political system has been hijacked by evil men because we are an evil people. It is only Christ Who saves our souls and keeps them until He comes for us.
We cannot blame anyone who does not vote, it is possible God told them not to. The nation is wicked, no attempt to get a "righteous" leader will change the hearts of the people. I vote, but I have no hope that God is going to bless the hearts of a nation that kills it's babies at the rate of 4,000 a day.
Even if we managed to get a godly man in the white house, it would not change the hearts of the people of this nation. We are teetering on the brink of total chaos, because the hearts of the people as a whole, are selfish, entitled, arrogant, self righteous and down right rebellious. All of that cannot be changed by a new leader.
God must avenge the murder of 4,000 babies, whose blood cries out from the land. He must spank those adult children who are disrespectful toward parents and authorities. He must discipline those who refuse to listen to truth in terms of Biblical marriage.
We are not going to escape discipline and even wrath of God by getting a better president. Even those who are running or those who have run in the past two decades, have not been godly, they were no different from the stubborn will of the people.
Now that the people have defied God on every level, God will defy their will and will punish us as a nation.
Never mind who votes and who doesn't, never mind who wins or who doesn't. We are under discipline through the consequences of broken families, arrogant adult children and even more so the dishonor of grandchildren.
We are so blind as a people that we don't think anything is wrong. The dishonor and disrespect is seen as normal and acceptable. Babies out of wedlock have been accepted as a ordinary course of events these days. And yet it is an abomination to God.
The description of the evil that is acceptable in this nation is legion! It would take many pages to describe the attitudes and actions of most of the people in this country today.
Stop trusting in a political system to save us, there is no safety any more. The political system has been hijacked by evil men because we are an evil people. It is only Christ Who saves our souls and keeps them until He comes for us.
America, a Nation in Deep Distress
Isaiah 59:1-2
"Behold, the Lord's hand is not so short that it cannot save; nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear.
But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear."
This passage should frighten the United States of America. It is referring to Israel but the principles of how God reacts to a wicked nation who mocks and demeans Him by deliberately rejecting His principles can be applied to any nation.
"Behold, the Lord's hand is not so short that it cannot save; nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear.
But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear."
This passage should frighten the United States of America. It is referring to Israel but the principles of how God reacts to a wicked nation who mocks and demeans Him by deliberately rejecting His principles can be applied to any nation.
Turning Aside To Myths
It is difficult now to find a decent true Bible believing church. Even those that claim they are Bible believing are not obeying most of the Word.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.…"
2 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.…"
Repentance Leads to Behavioral Change
A change of mind, "repentance" always results in a change of behavior. There is never an occurrence of repentance where there is no change in behavior. We do not do it perfectly because Christ in us continues to cleanse us all of our lives, but there should be a dramatic change over a short period of time.
When we become born again we hate sin immediately, then begin to struggle with it.
Unbelievers don't struggle with their sin, they defend it and lean into it.
When we become born again we hate sin immediately, then begin to struggle with it.
Unbelievers don't struggle with their sin, they defend it and lean into it.
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Christ's Blood Covers Our Sin
While God clearly teaches against divorce and remarriage, He also has stated that His blood covers our sin.
10. Hebrews 13:12 “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify
the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.”
I am not in the camp that believes every divorced and remarried couple is automatically going to hell. I believe they are in disobedience just as every other believer is in disobedience about something. We all have blind spots, especially about the traditions we have been taught all our lives.
Since we are not saved or condemned by our works, but by belief in Christ, all of us will have to have the dross burned off before we enter heaven. No person will be sinless ever!!!! Christ had to cover our sin in the flesh, but He made our Spirit brand new.
Romans 7:15-20
"15 For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.
16 But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good.
17 So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.
18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.
19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.
20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me."
The difference between a born again believer and a pretender or unsaved person is that the born again believer hates the sin they do, they love to obey God, but they struggle with the sin.
A non-believer or pretender does not struggle with their sin, they defend it, justify it and fight anyone who suggests they have sin at all.
We should always teach against sin, that does not mean that everyone who is born again will do everything they should.
1 Corinthians 3:15 "…14 If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as one being snatched from the fire. 16 Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?…"
Every single believer will have dross that needs to be burned off when they approach Christ at the end of their life. Every believer will have a different reward based on their works, but those who have been sealed with the Holy Spirit will not lose their salvation, that was not earned, it was a gift.
1. Christ died that His blood would "cover" our sinful flesh.
Psalm 51:2
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin.
There is a difference from having a sin in our life, that we are unaware is sin or that we battle and living a sinful lifestyle that we defend.
2. When we trusted Christ we became born again by His work in us, changing our Spirit into a new creation. Our body remained sinful flesh.
Hebrews 12:4 "3 Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, or lose heart when He rebukes you.…"
There would be no need for God to discipline His children if they never sinned.
Hebrews 12:6-7 "6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.”
7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"
3. Our Spirit has been trapped in this body of sin and death. Our bodies will not be completely without sin until it is changed, when it rises to meet our spirit.
Romans 7:23-25 "…23 But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I serve the law of God, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.…"
Those who claim our sin will cause us to lose our salvation are preaching a false gospel of works. Yes, we should be growing and we will hate the sin we do, but we are not completely sinless as long as we are trapped in this body. Often our traditions keep us trapped in practices that are not godly, but that does not mean we are not saved.
1 John 1:7-9 "…7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.…"
These verses were written to believers, unbelievers do not have an advocate with the Father only beleiver do.
When God the Father looks at us, Christ is there saying "that one is mine Father." The Father does not look at our sin, but at our Advocate, the One that died for Us, the One Who lives in us, that is Jesus Christ.
1 John 2:1 "1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father — Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
Those who worry that the truth will cause people to keep on sinning because we say our sin does not lose us our salvation, are counting on their pressure, intimidation and lies to manipulate people into obedience.
We do not need manipulation to influence people, we can have faith that the truth is enough while Christ works in each one.
To say we better not preach that believers sin, is to say that the Word of God is not enough, we must pressure, frighten through human arguments to intimidate people into obedience.
We can do that, we can intimidate others into obedience, it will not make a change in their heart, only a temporary change in their behavior. When Christ works in someone, the behavior that is changed is permanent, it will not regress.
People must obey from their heart based on truth, not on the tactics of human beings that do not match God's word.
Yes, sin is bad, we should all turn from it and trust Christ to cleanse us, no doubt. But lying against the truth to accomplish this in someone is, in itself sin.
We can do things God's way and leave all the results to Him.
Ephesians 2:10 "…9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are GOD'S WORKMANSHIP, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life."
10. Hebrews 13:12 “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify
the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.”
I am not in the camp that believes every divorced and remarried couple is automatically going to hell. I believe they are in disobedience just as every other believer is in disobedience about something. We all have blind spots, especially about the traditions we have been taught all our lives.
Since we are not saved or condemned by our works, but by belief in Christ, all of us will have to have the dross burned off before we enter heaven. No person will be sinless ever!!!! Christ had to cover our sin in the flesh, but He made our Spirit brand new.
Romans 7:15-20
"15 For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.
16 But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good.
17 So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.
18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.
19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.
20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me."
The difference between a born again believer and a pretender or unsaved person is that the born again believer hates the sin they do, they love to obey God, but they struggle with the sin.
A non-believer or pretender does not struggle with their sin, they defend it, justify it and fight anyone who suggests they have sin at all.
We should always teach against sin, that does not mean that everyone who is born again will do everything they should.
1 Corinthians 3:15 "…14 If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as one being snatched from the fire. 16 Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?…"
Every single believer will have dross that needs to be burned off when they approach Christ at the end of their life. Every believer will have a different reward based on their works, but those who have been sealed with the Holy Spirit will not lose their salvation, that was not earned, it was a gift.
1. Christ died that His blood would "cover" our sinful flesh.
Psalm 51:2
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin.
There is a difference from having a sin in our life, that we are unaware is sin or that we battle and living a sinful lifestyle that we defend.
2. When we trusted Christ we became born again by His work in us, changing our Spirit into a new creation. Our body remained sinful flesh.
Hebrews 12:4 "3 Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, or lose heart when He rebukes you.…"
There would be no need for God to discipline His children if they never sinned.
Hebrews 12:6-7 "6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.”
7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"
3. Our Spirit has been trapped in this body of sin and death. Our bodies will not be completely without sin until it is changed, when it rises to meet our spirit.
Romans 7:23-25 "…23 But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I serve the law of God, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.…"
Those who claim our sin will cause us to lose our salvation are preaching a false gospel of works. Yes, we should be growing and we will hate the sin we do, but we are not completely sinless as long as we are trapped in this body. Often our traditions keep us trapped in practices that are not godly, but that does not mean we are not saved.
1 John 1:7-9 "…7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.…"
These verses were written to believers, unbelievers do not have an advocate with the Father only beleiver do.
When God the Father looks at us, Christ is there saying "that one is mine Father." The Father does not look at our sin, but at our Advocate, the One that died for Us, the One Who lives in us, that is Jesus Christ.
1 John 2:1 "1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father — Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
Those who worry that the truth will cause people to keep on sinning because we say our sin does not lose us our salvation, are counting on their pressure, intimidation and lies to manipulate people into obedience.
We do not need manipulation to influence people, we can have faith that the truth is enough while Christ works in each one.
To say we better not preach that believers sin, is to say that the Word of God is not enough, we must pressure, frighten through human arguments to intimidate people into obedience.
We can do that, we can intimidate others into obedience, it will not make a change in their heart, only a temporary change in their behavior. When Christ works in someone, the behavior that is changed is permanent, it will not regress.
People must obey from their heart based on truth, not on the tactics of human beings that do not match God's word.
Yes, sin is bad, we should all turn from it and trust Christ to cleanse us, no doubt. But lying against the truth to accomplish this in someone is, in itself sin.
We can do things God's way and leave all the results to Him.
Ephesians 2:10 "…9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are GOD'S WORKMANSHIP, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life."
Monday, June 27, 2016
Do Not Quench the Holy Spirit
There are those who say that we should not call someone a "liar" just because they tell one lie.
No one can tell a lie unless they are a liar. One who is not a liar cannot tell one lie.
If someone steals they are a thief, one who is not a thief does not steal even one thing. We cannot do that which is not in our character.
Even if we tell one lie, or steal one thing, we must ask God to take out of us the character flaw that causes these sins.
When we sin, it shows us another area that God needs to cleanse from us.
People with high integrity don't tell lies or steal,. if they do they are convicted and ask to be cleansed of the residue of a liar or thief that remains in them. Those who do not normally lie or steal, would be devastated at the prospect of lifting the smallest item or telling the smallest lie.
Someone who has been born again by the Holy Spirit of God, will be tempted, will fall occasionally, but will be wounded in their soul for the sin they have committed, they will not be in continual communication with Christ as long as they have not confessed their sin. To restore the relationship with Christ so as not to quench the Holy Spirit, they will confess and pray for strength to completely forsake that sin.
James 4:2-4 "…2 You crave what you do not have. You kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures. 4 You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.…"
Proverbs 28:12-14 "…12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. 13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. 14 How blessed is the man who fears always, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.…"
John 3:8-10 "…8 The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil. 9 Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil can be distinguished: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother.…"
John 3:8-10 "…8 The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil. 9 Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil can be distinguished: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother.…"
Ephesians 4:30
"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
When we sin the Holy Spirit is grieved and will stop speaking to us until we confess that sin.
1 Thessalonians 5:19 "19 Do not quench the Spirit."
Quench: "extinguish the fire."
Friday, June 24, 2016
Returning to Sin
Those who say they have "repented" but eventually return to repeat the same sins, never were sorry that they offended the Holy God, they were only unhappy that people were not pleased with them, or that the consequences were unpleasant.
When we have become deeply saddened for offenses against God, then we do not return to the same things over and over again.
When we are broken before God, He knows it and will cleanse us from our sin, so that we do not return to the same sin repeatedly.
1 John 1:9 9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
When we have become deeply saddened for offenses against God, then we do not return to the same things over and over again.
When we are broken before God, He knows it and will cleanse us from our sin, so that we do not return to the same sin repeatedly.
1 John 1:9 9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Keeping the Sheep Ignorant
Interesting, this is a political statement but it could be applied to Christian churches too. If the pastors use motivational speaking instead of preaching. Appealing to emotions instead of Biblical reasoning, they can remove any desire from the attendees to read or know their Bibles. Keep those sheep ignorant and pleased with themselves is the way to destroy the spirituality of the people.
Monday, June 20, 2016
A Culture That Cannot Be Corrected
Have you been told recently that someone was offended by a post you had written, that you thought was a reasonable expression of your thoughts, but not rude?
If you have answered yes to this, you are in good company. Believers who are bold and unassuming, are frequently targeted for abuse.
Those who want no conviction of sin in their lives will work to ruin the reputation and influence of those who wish to warn about the coming wrath.
In order to warn about the coming wrath we must first show the reason for the wrath.............that is sin!
Our world is deeply enraged at any suggestion that they may be sinful. Pride rules the hearts of most people. We have been trained as a culture to think very highly of ourselves, through the self esteem teaching.
Even those who claim they don't believe in self esteem have used elements of it in the training of their children by excessive praise and mild, if any correction.
Hebrews 12:11 "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
A culture that cannot be corrected cannot be righteous.
Proverbs 12:1 "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid."
2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,"
If you have answered yes to this, you are in good company. Believers who are bold and unassuming, are frequently targeted for abuse.
Those who want no conviction of sin in their lives will work to ruin the reputation and influence of those who wish to warn about the coming wrath.
In order to warn about the coming wrath we must first show the reason for the wrath.............that is sin!
Our world is deeply enraged at any suggestion that they may be sinful. Pride rules the hearts of most people. We have been trained as a culture to think very highly of ourselves, through the self esteem teaching.
Even those who claim they don't believe in self esteem have used elements of it in the training of their children by excessive praise and mild, if any correction.
Hebrews 12:11 "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
A culture that cannot be corrected cannot be righteous.
Proverbs 12:1 "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid."
2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,"
PC Will Destroy A Nation
I know many people who are so prideful they will do things that harm themselves just to prove no one can "boss" them. They are furiously resistant to instruction or correction.
Those who refuse to trust Christ are of this sort, blasphemously rebellious.
Since they view themselves as perfection, their own personal gods, they can never allow anyone to suggest in the mildest terms, that they are in need of changing.
These same people consider a suggestion or clarification "bossing", simply because they will not be told anything, they must always be the best, the most and the one who is admired.
We know this mentality is growing exponentially in these ends days. Christ warned that this would be the prevailing mentality in the very end of days. The character "anti-qualities" are listed quite clearly in 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."
When someone reaches this point in their rebellion, there is nothing we can do to help them. We can pray, but any attempt at reasoning with them or explanation will only enrage them further.
As we can see it is becoming increasingly difficult to reason with most people today. The art of discussion for the sake of seeking truth and solutions seems to be in the past.
It is politically incorrect to assume anyone needs to change their behavior or attitudes. The expectation is that we should all just praise everyone for whatever choice they have made, so their delicate and fragile self esteem will not be damaged.
Sadly many believers don't know their Bible's well enough to realize this pc thinking is not only incorrect but deeply devastating to an individual, a culture and a nation.
Now we see the entire world embracing this. In the process they allow evil to run rampant, dominating everyone, while righteousness is demeaned and those who walk righteously are mocked and persecuted, lied against and negated.
Around every corner is another pc supporter who monitors our moves and reports to the thought police, those who are watching for us to make a misstep for further abuse.
I am thankful that as believers we don't have to allow these wicked people to control our emotions or our actions. We can continue moving ahead in obedience to Christ no matter what anyone else is doing to us or saying about us.
Please remember that Christ promised we would encounter this, it is an encouragement to remain strong, it does not have to manipulate us into anything. Manipulation and intimidation has no effect on the born again believer who knows their Bible.
Our defense mechanism for living in this world is quite simply, stay in prayer, know the Word well and refuse to respond to the tactics of the devil. When we know the wiles of the enemy, we are better equipped to withstand his arrows.
1 Peter 5:7-9 "…7 Cast all your anxiety on Him (Christ), because He cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.…"
Ephesians 6:15-17 "…15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.…"
Those who refuse to trust Christ are of this sort, blasphemously rebellious.
Since they view themselves as perfection, their own personal gods, they can never allow anyone to suggest in the mildest terms, that they are in need of changing.
These same people consider a suggestion or clarification "bossing", simply because they will not be told anything, they must always be the best, the most and the one who is admired.
We know this mentality is growing exponentially in these ends days. Christ warned that this would be the prevailing mentality in the very end of days. The character "anti-qualities" are listed quite clearly in 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."
When someone reaches this point in their rebellion, there is nothing we can do to help them. We can pray, but any attempt at reasoning with them or explanation will only enrage them further.
As we can see it is becoming increasingly difficult to reason with most people today. The art of discussion for the sake of seeking truth and solutions seems to be in the past.
It is politically incorrect to assume anyone needs to change their behavior or attitudes. The expectation is that we should all just praise everyone for whatever choice they have made, so their delicate and fragile self esteem will not be damaged.
Sadly many believers don't know their Bible's well enough to realize this pc thinking is not only incorrect but deeply devastating to an individual, a culture and a nation.
Now we see the entire world embracing this. In the process they allow evil to run rampant, dominating everyone, while righteousness is demeaned and those who walk righteously are mocked and persecuted, lied against and negated.
Around every corner is another pc supporter who monitors our moves and reports to the thought police, those who are watching for us to make a misstep for further abuse.
I am thankful that as believers we don't have to allow these wicked people to control our emotions or our actions. We can continue moving ahead in obedience to Christ no matter what anyone else is doing to us or saying about us.
Please remember that Christ promised we would encounter this, it is an encouragement to remain strong, it does not have to manipulate us into anything. Manipulation and intimidation has no effect on the born again believer who knows their Bible.
Our defense mechanism for living in this world is quite simply, stay in prayer, know the Word well and refuse to respond to the tactics of the devil. When we know the wiles of the enemy, we are better equipped to withstand his arrows.
1 Peter 5:7-9 "…7 Cast all your anxiety on Him (Christ), because He cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.…"
Ephesians 6:15-17 "…15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.…"
We Used To Call Them Tantrums
We used to call them tantrums when children, in an out of control demanding way, kicked, screamed and cried, because they were not getting their way.
When they are adults who do this we call it narcissistic rage. I manifests itself in a slightly different form but amounts to the same thing.
We are seeing more of these adult tantrums than ever before because of the traits that are mentioned in 2 Timothy 3.
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 only hope for this country is the spiritual healing power of Jesus Christ when these adult children repent from their arrogance and self righteousness. God promises that most will not listen, but we speak because some might. God knows who will and who won't, it is His business to figure it all out.
Ezekiel 2:6-8 "…6 "And you, son of man, neither fear them nor fear their words, though thistles and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions; neither fear their words nor be dismayed at their presence, for they are a rebellious house.
7 "But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious.
8 "Now you, son of man, listen to what I am speaking to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you."…"
Forget what their response might be, just obey and leave all the results to the Lord.
When they are adults who do this we call it narcissistic rage. I manifests itself in a slightly different form but amounts to the same thing.
We are seeing more of these adult tantrums than ever before because of the traits that are mentioned in 2 Timothy 3.
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 only hope for this country is the spiritual healing power of Jesus Christ when these adult children repent from their arrogance and self righteousness. God promises that most will not listen, but we speak because some might. God knows who will and who won't, it is His business to figure it all out.
Ezekiel 2:6-8 "…6 "And you, son of man, neither fear them nor fear their words, though thistles and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions; neither fear their words nor be dismayed at their presence, for they are a rebellious house.
7 "But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious.
8 "Now you, son of man, listen to what I am speaking to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you."…"
Forget what their response might be, just obey and leave all the results to the Lord.
Sunday, June 19, 2016
Guard the Minds of Our Brothers and Sisters
Believers please pay attention. It is not alright to post the actions of evil people whether public or in secret. I have seen things in the news feed today that I wish I had never seen.
Just because something really happened and seems like news, does not mean it is proper for a believer to show it to others.
It is interesting that the evil and wicked things that go into our minds are difficult to get out of there, but the good things seem to be difficult to retain.
I have no desire to know what wicked people are doing in public or otherwise. It is deeply emotionally and spiritually damaging to be tormented with the memories that have to be fought off through prayer. It is a form of demonic attack to see something that is vile.
If we care about our brothers and sisters we need to protect the minds of brothers and sisters in Christ. And, YOU should not be looking at them either.
Ephesians 5:3-5 "3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among [d]saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know with certainty, that no [e]immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God."
Just because something really happened and seems like news, does not mean it is proper for a believer to show it to others.
It is interesting that the evil and wicked things that go into our minds are difficult to get out of there, but the good things seem to be difficult to retain.
I have no desire to know what wicked people are doing in public or otherwise. It is deeply emotionally and spiritually damaging to be tormented with the memories that have to be fought off through prayer. It is a form of demonic attack to see something that is vile.
If we care about our brothers and sisters we need to protect the minds of brothers and sisters in Christ. And, YOU should not be looking at them either.
Ephesians 5:3-5 "3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among [d]saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know with certainty, that no [e]immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God."
Keep On Speaking Truth
We will be held responsible before God when we remain silent while others sin in our presence or speak to us about the sin they love. The Bible clearly says that we have a responsibility to speak the truth to everyone all the time.
EZ 3:18-19 "18"When I say to the wicked, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. 19"Yet if you have warned the wicked and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered yourself.…"
2 TIM 3:16 All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, 3:17 That the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
2 TIM 4:2 Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
2 TIM 2:24,25 And the Lord's bond servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 2:25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth.
2 THES 3:14 And if anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that man and do not associate with him, so that he may be put to shame, 2:15 And yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
1 TIM 5:1 Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, 5:2 the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.
PROV 6:23; 3:12; 23:13; 29:17; Jer 30:11; TITUS 1:13; 2:15; 1 TIM 5:20; REV 3:19; LUKE 17:3
EZ 3:18-19 "18"When I say to the wicked, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. 19"Yet if you have warned the wicked and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered yourself.…"
2 TIM 3:16 All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, 3:17 That the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
2 TIM 4:2 Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
2 TIM 2:24,25 And the Lord's bond servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 2:25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth.
2 THES 3:14 And if anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that man and do not associate with him, so that he may be put to shame, 2:15 And yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
1 TIM 5:1 Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, 5:2 the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.
PROV 6:23; 3:12; 23:13; 29:17; Jer 30:11; TITUS 1:13; 2:15; 1 TIM 5:20; REV 3:19; LUKE 17:3
"No Man is an Island"
The woman who wrote that "it's no one's business", clearly does not understand that no person is an entity unto themselves in their decisions. All the decisions we make affect others especially abortion that kills another human being. This is what comes from teaching self esteem and independence in the heart of those who believe they should do whatever they want without any challenge.
We have raised a generation of people who feel entitled to complete independence from every other person. They believe that it is no one's business what they do, but the Bible teaches the opposite.
Abraham Lincoln said: "The right to swing my fist ends at the tip of another man's nose."
In God's economy we are responsible to others for our own choices, even if those choices do not directly impact an individual, they at least "influence" others.
Matthew 5:13-16 "13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a [b]hill cannot be hidden;
15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a [c]basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
Louise G. Blunt wrote this:
"I was reading some comments this morning on a video I had posted of a fetus of a few weeks that was still moving after a miscarriage or abortion, not sure. Anyway, I thought I would share what someone who believes she is a Christian posted. How sad! People are on the wide road to destruction and they do not have a clue!
The Bible says.....Proverbs 31:8-9 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
This is what she had to say....."
"I wonder why people are so concerned with what OTHER PEOPLE do with THEIR OWN BODIES. Mind your own damn business if you feel like you can raise a child successfully in the society that we are living in kudos to you, but don't bash another woman because she made the choice not to. "If everyone stays in their OWN lane there won't be any traffic" Just saying and for the people that think they are going to comment negativity from my opinion just don't because I've never had and abortion and My Heavenly Father has only blessed me with 1 child that I love dearly I just don't believe in ppl downing someone for their choice because at the end of the day we don't have to live with the choices of someone else only our own which goes back to me saying just mind your own business and stay in your own lane...love you all
We have raised a generation of people who feel entitled to complete independence from every other person. They believe that it is no one's business what they do, but the Bible teaches the opposite.
Abraham Lincoln said: "The right to swing my fist ends at the tip of another man's nose."
In God's economy we are responsible to others for our own choices, even if those choices do not directly impact an individual, they at least "influence" others.
Matthew 5:13-16 "13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a [b]hill cannot be hidden;
15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a [c]basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
Louise G. Blunt wrote this:
"I was reading some comments this morning on a video I had posted of a fetus of a few weeks that was still moving after a miscarriage or abortion, not sure. Anyway, I thought I would share what someone who believes she is a Christian posted. How sad! People are on the wide road to destruction and they do not have a clue!
The Bible says.....Proverbs 31:8-9 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
This is what she had to say....."
"I wonder why people are so concerned with what OTHER PEOPLE do with THEIR OWN BODIES. Mind your own damn business if you feel like you can raise a child successfully in the society that we are living in kudos to you, but don't bash another woman because she made the choice not to. "If everyone stays in their OWN lane there won't be any traffic" Just saying and for the people that think they are going to comment negativity from my opinion just don't because I've never had and abortion and My Heavenly Father has only blessed me with 1 child that I love dearly I just don't believe in ppl downing someone for their choice because at the end of the day we don't have to live with the choices of someone else only our own which goes back to me saying just mind your own business and stay in your own lane...love you all
1
Winning Should Not Be The Objective
I notice that the narcissist must "win" even in conversation. I have seen this competition. If they are not interested in the subject they will act as though it is unworthy of attention or response. They tend to be extremely unresponsive unless the conversation is about them. They want us to "drag out of them" a response, but act irritated that we have forced them to respond.
The narcissist makes it impossible to have a conversation. All communication is a contest that turns into a fight, rather than seeking understanding of the message of the other person.
It is impossible to work out solutions, the narcissist is continually bent on getting their own way. They never seek compromise, every negotiation is a battle to be won.
Witnessing this competitiveness with narcissists, I notice that they will demand things their own way without communication, but when forced to communicate they will give in to appear the martyr. Allowing the other person to have their way, they will not be supportive in any way for the activity. It is a sort of "my way or your way", but if we allow your way, you will be punished and they will not participate. Never is it a matter of discussion to meet anyone half way so that the matter becomes "our way."
I actually had a woman say to me on the phone one time in a friendly conversation, upon ending the conversation, she said, "talk at you later." I suppose she thought that was cute, but it revealed a great deal about her. She didn't realize that this is what she was doing. Narcissist don't engage in back and forth conversation, they talk at us, but will not engage with us when we speak.
Through the entire conversation I never felt that she heard anything I said, but spoke continually herself. I responded to her remarks with enthusiasm, but when it was my turn to talk she acted completely disinterested without response.
There are narcissists who practice withholding, they don't share anything, out of fear that they will be discovered. When they get information from others they tend to judge everything based on their own particular habits, leaving them thinking that others will judge them. In short the narcissist believes others are doing what they are doing, but the others are not.
Conversations and interaction with a narcissist are agonizing, seldom do they show real interest in anyone else, their desires, their hopes or calamities.
All conversations with narcissists are based on their acquiring a sense of glee from their superiority. No conversation has value to them except to make themselves the center of attention. Even their simulated displays of concern are very brief, lacking emotion that comes with empathy and very robotic in nature. They are embarrassed when we show genuine emotion, in their mind it is weakness worthy of contempt.
Narcissists seek out for their friends those who will fawn over them the way a fan fawns over an idol. As soon as a friend is transparent and genuine, realizing what they are dealing with, the narcissist will employ the silent treatment to demean their friend, to cause insecurity and return them to the fawning stage. Narcissists cannot tolerate transparency, it frightens them, they are prone to lie frequently to make things appear the way they want them to be rather than the way they are in reality.
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."
2 Corinthians 1:12 "For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you."
John 3:19-20 "And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed."
Ephesians 4:17-26 "17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.
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.
19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.
20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!—
21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,
22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,
23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil."
The narcissist makes it impossible to have a conversation. All communication is a contest that turns into a fight, rather than seeking understanding of the message of the other person.
It is impossible to work out solutions, the narcissist is continually bent on getting their own way. They never seek compromise, every negotiation is a battle to be won.
Witnessing this competitiveness with narcissists, I notice that they will demand things their own way without communication, but when forced to communicate they will give in to appear the martyr. Allowing the other person to have their way, they will not be supportive in any way for the activity. It is a sort of "my way or your way", but if we allow your way, you will be punished and they will not participate. Never is it a matter of discussion to meet anyone half way so that the matter becomes "our way."
I actually had a woman say to me on the phone one time in a friendly conversation, upon ending the conversation, she said, "talk at you later." I suppose she thought that was cute, but it revealed a great deal about her. She didn't realize that this is what she was doing. Narcissist don't engage in back and forth conversation, they talk at us, but will not engage with us when we speak.
Through the entire conversation I never felt that she heard anything I said, but spoke continually herself. I responded to her remarks with enthusiasm, but when it was my turn to talk she acted completely disinterested without response.
There are narcissists who practice withholding, they don't share anything, out of fear that they will be discovered. When they get information from others they tend to judge everything based on their own particular habits, leaving them thinking that others will judge them. In short the narcissist believes others are doing what they are doing, but the others are not.
Conversations and interaction with a narcissist are agonizing, seldom do they show real interest in anyone else, their desires, their hopes or calamities.
All conversations with narcissists are based on their acquiring a sense of glee from their superiority. No conversation has value to them except to make themselves the center of attention. Even their simulated displays of concern are very brief, lacking emotion that comes with empathy and very robotic in nature. They are embarrassed when we show genuine emotion, in their mind it is weakness worthy of contempt.
Narcissists seek out for their friends those who will fawn over them the way a fan fawns over an idol. As soon as a friend is transparent and genuine, realizing what they are dealing with, the narcissist will employ the silent treatment to demean their friend, to cause insecurity and return them to the fawning stage. Narcissists cannot tolerate transparency, it frightens them, they are prone to lie frequently to make things appear the way they want them to be rather than the way they are in reality.
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."
2 Corinthians 1:12 "For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you."
John 3:19-20 "And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed."
Ephesians 4:17-26 "17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.
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.
19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.
20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!—
21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,
22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,
23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil."
Friday, June 17, 2016
Don't Laugh at Funerals
I try not to laugh at funerals, tends to make people upset.
Although I remember one that would have been hard not to laugh at.
Many years ago I was a part of a bowling team. Two other ladies on my team came to bowling all upset about their aunts funeral.
I said I was sorry for their loss. They said they weren't sad about their aunt passing, she was old and it was time, there was something else that upset the whole congregation.
The daughter of the deceased woman placed her mother in the casket in a sitting position with knitting needles in her hands and yarn in her lap.
She wanted people to remember her doing what she did when she was alive. The attending relatives were beside themselves with disgust and anger.
As my friends were sharing the story with me, I couldn't help it, I let out a laugh that just would not keep itself inside. They looked at me puzzled and then began to smile themselves.
Yep, you guessed it, my friends who were kind hearted ladies thought the crowd was right in being angry so even though they thought it was funny too, they were reluctant to allow themselves to express it.
I agree that it was a tasteless and tactless way to position her mother, sort of ignorant really, without realizing that others may be offended by it, the daughter really did think it was sweet.
If it had been anyone that I knew, I know I would have seen humor in it. Mainly because the person isn't in that shell anyway, perhaps if the mother had been alive she would have laughed too.
We do need to be sensitive to those who are less free to tell the truth about their feelings. So often we act like we are grieving when in fact we really don't feel much at all, we think we have to feel a certain way to be proper.
Grief is real and we go through many forms of it over the years, I like to allow those who experience it do it their own way without expectations or judgments.
See, this is the problem with funerals when relatives never see someone for many years and show up to say goodbye, they often do not know the family at all really.
Had the relatives known the heart of the daughter they would have blessed her and even complimented her on the display of her mother sitting in that coffin!!! LOL, LOL!!!!
By the way, I don't care what happens to my body, I won't be in it! I will be with Christ and will not give one wit what people on earth are doing any more. I do my caring now, when I leave it's over for me here.
Although I remember one that would have been hard not to laugh at.
Many years ago I was a part of a bowling team. Two other ladies on my team came to bowling all upset about their aunts funeral.
I said I was sorry for their loss. They said they weren't sad about their aunt passing, she was old and it was time, there was something else that upset the whole congregation.
The daughter of the deceased woman placed her mother in the casket in a sitting position with knitting needles in her hands and yarn in her lap.
She wanted people to remember her doing what she did when she was alive. The attending relatives were beside themselves with disgust and anger.
As my friends were sharing the story with me, I couldn't help it, I let out a laugh that just would not keep itself inside. They looked at me puzzled and then began to smile themselves.
Yep, you guessed it, my friends who were kind hearted ladies thought the crowd was right in being angry so even though they thought it was funny too, they were reluctant to allow themselves to express it.
I agree that it was a tasteless and tactless way to position her mother, sort of ignorant really, without realizing that others may be offended by it, the daughter really did think it was sweet.
If it had been anyone that I knew, I know I would have seen humor in it. Mainly because the person isn't in that shell anyway, perhaps if the mother had been alive she would have laughed too.
We do need to be sensitive to those who are less free to tell the truth about their feelings. So often we act like we are grieving when in fact we really don't feel much at all, we think we have to feel a certain way to be proper.
Grief is real and we go through many forms of it over the years, I like to allow those who experience it do it their own way without expectations or judgments.
See, this is the problem with funerals when relatives never see someone for many years and show up to say goodbye, they often do not know the family at all really.
Had the relatives known the heart of the daughter they would have blessed her and even complimented her on the display of her mother sitting in that coffin!!! LOL, LOL!!!!
By the way, I don't care what happens to my body, I won't be in it! I will be with Christ and will not give one wit what people on earth are doing any more. I do my caring now, when I leave it's over for me here.
Leaning into Feelings Has Destroyed Us
It is absolutely foolish to "follow our feelings." We were indoctrinated in the 70's that feelings were the most important aspect of our life experience.
Our culture has been leaning into it's feelings for decades now, willing to commit any and all sin for the sake of fulfilling those feelings, never mind any consequences that may occur because of our mistake in trusting feelings.
We can see what leaning into feelings has produced, the mass murder of over 56 million babies who were executed merely because mothers gave into the fear they felt at the prospect of facing the consequences of their sinful behavior.
The whole transgender mess is nothing more than wicked people who love to indulge in behavior that spits in the face of God. They hate God so they have become vulnerable to the wiles of the devil, giving demons full reign over their lives. Yes, they actually believe these sins are right and good because God has turned them over to a depraved mind.
Romans 1:24-32 "24 "Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.
25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural,
27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.
28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips,
30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,
31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;
32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them."
Of course scientifically there is nothing sensible about wanting to be considered a gender which we were not born to, it is irrational.
With all the laws that are being instituted now that disallow any speech against transgender, the culture is becoming intimidated into calling "he's she's" and "she's he's" has opened the door to more insanity.
Consider for instance, a farmer who is wanting to buy a bull for stud purposes for his cows, to be able to enlarge his herd. When all gender identifications are removed, can the farmer selling the bull, not allowed to think in terms of gender, delivers another cow to the purchaser, claiming that cow he sold the other farmer was a bull. The cow that the purchaser received cannot function as a bull because it isn't really a bull. That cow will not be able to impregnate the cows because it isn't a real bull, but today the seller identifies the cow as a bull? The farmer who needs a bull to grow his herd will not be able to get calves from a cow that identifies as a bull, he needs a real bull.
Even worse children are being taught in school now that they get to choose their gender. This is nothing less than legalized child abuse. Children never spoke of or considered that they might want to be something other than what they were born as, when I was growing up. Boys were happy with who they were and girls were too.
What happens when a child is talked into being the other gender and their hormones kick in during their pubescence. When they discover through hormonal changes that they want to be what they were born as, but they have changed their physical nature to reflect what they were told they should be and now they are stuck with those changes even though it flies in the face of reality.
TEACHING CHILDREN TO BE UNSURE OF THEIR GENDER IS CHILD ABUSE!
I wonder what will happen when we take our animals in to be neutered or spade? They must be handled according to their "gender" or the job wouldn't get done. Are animals going to be allowed to be what they are, or will all verbiage be changed to confuse everyone.
It was bad enough when they brought "new math" into the schools, deliberately making math confusing so that normal, natural logic is removed, making it harder to figure out a basic and simple math problem. Now they are attempting to confuse tender impressionable little children about their own true identity.
How can anyone not see the devastating effect of denying the truth about gender with children.
It has been reported that there is a 22 times greater likelihood of suicide among transgender people than those who do not have the operations to change their natural gender.
We are creating insanity in our country with all this propaganda, sadly the culture is just foolish enough now to buy into it. I will not be surprised if in just a couple of years we are seeing it everywhere, merely because it is the new fad.
How can a principle in high school prohibit transgender dressing while they are teaching about it and endorsing it in the classroom. High schools will be rampant with this evil, because those who have been indoctrinated in the elementary schools will be comfortable with it when they reach high school.
Anyone remember Sodom and Gomorrah? Now we know what it must have looked like.
Complete and total insanity is engulfing us in these last days. There is a greater sense of wanting to hunker down in our safe little home where we get to control what comes in to it.
The good news is that it will all be over soon. Christ will come and take the believers out right before He pours out His wrath on this world.
Our culture has been leaning into it's feelings for decades now, willing to commit any and all sin for the sake of fulfilling those feelings, never mind any consequences that may occur because of our mistake in trusting feelings.
We can see what leaning into feelings has produced, the mass murder of over 56 million babies who were executed merely because mothers gave into the fear they felt at the prospect of facing the consequences of their sinful behavior.
The whole transgender mess is nothing more than wicked people who love to indulge in behavior that spits in the face of God. They hate God so they have become vulnerable to the wiles of the devil, giving demons full reign over their lives. Yes, they actually believe these sins are right and good because God has turned them over to a depraved mind.
Romans 1:24-32 "24 "Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.
25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural,
27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.
28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips,
30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,
31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;
32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them."
Of course scientifically there is nothing sensible about wanting to be considered a gender which we were not born to, it is irrational.
With all the laws that are being instituted now that disallow any speech against transgender, the culture is becoming intimidated into calling "he's she's" and "she's he's" has opened the door to more insanity.
Consider for instance, a farmer who is wanting to buy a bull for stud purposes for his cows, to be able to enlarge his herd. When all gender identifications are removed, can the farmer selling the bull, not allowed to think in terms of gender, delivers another cow to the purchaser, claiming that cow he sold the other farmer was a bull. The cow that the purchaser received cannot function as a bull because it isn't really a bull. That cow will not be able to impregnate the cows because it isn't a real bull, but today the seller identifies the cow as a bull? The farmer who needs a bull to grow his herd will not be able to get calves from a cow that identifies as a bull, he needs a real bull.
Even worse children are being taught in school now that they get to choose their gender. This is nothing less than legalized child abuse. Children never spoke of or considered that they might want to be something other than what they were born as, when I was growing up. Boys were happy with who they were and girls were too.
What happens when a child is talked into being the other gender and their hormones kick in during their pubescence. When they discover through hormonal changes that they want to be what they were born as, but they have changed their physical nature to reflect what they were told they should be and now they are stuck with those changes even though it flies in the face of reality.
TEACHING CHILDREN TO BE UNSURE OF THEIR GENDER IS CHILD ABUSE!
I wonder what will happen when we take our animals in to be neutered or spade? They must be handled according to their "gender" or the job wouldn't get done. Are animals going to be allowed to be what they are, or will all verbiage be changed to confuse everyone.
It was bad enough when they brought "new math" into the schools, deliberately making math confusing so that normal, natural logic is removed, making it harder to figure out a basic and simple math problem. Now they are attempting to confuse tender impressionable little children about their own true identity.
How can anyone not see the devastating effect of denying the truth about gender with children.
It has been reported that there is a 22 times greater likelihood of suicide among transgender people than those who do not have the operations to change their natural gender.
We are creating insanity in our country with all this propaganda, sadly the culture is just foolish enough now to buy into it. I will not be surprised if in just a couple of years we are seeing it everywhere, merely because it is the new fad.
How can a principle in high school prohibit transgender dressing while they are teaching about it and endorsing it in the classroom. High schools will be rampant with this evil, because those who have been indoctrinated in the elementary schools will be comfortable with it when they reach high school.
Anyone remember Sodom and Gomorrah? Now we know what it must have looked like.
Complete and total insanity is engulfing us in these last days. There is a greater sense of wanting to hunker down in our safe little home where we get to control what comes in to it.
The good news is that it will all be over soon. Christ will come and take the believers out right before He pours out His wrath on this world.
The Borders Have Been Breached
When the borders of a country break down, invasion is likely to occur. Just ask Germany and England, the citizens there could verify this fact.
When the borders of morality break down an invasion of evil occurs. The United States can tell you what happens when happiness, pleasure and materialism takes precedence over everything. There is a devastating destruction of all moral standards.
The Pandora's box of immorality has been opened, there is no turning back now. When evil has been unleashed to such a degree as we have seen in the past 5 years, we know we are experiencing the end of the culture and the country.
When lies are the norm and even celebrated as truth, we can expect that there is nothing left that can be trusted.
Titus 1:15-16 "15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed."
When the borders of morality break down an invasion of evil occurs. The United States can tell you what happens when happiness, pleasure and materialism takes precedence over everything. There is a devastating destruction of all moral standards.
The Pandora's box of immorality has been opened, there is no turning back now. When evil has been unleashed to such a degree as we have seen in the past 5 years, we know we are experiencing the end of the culture and the country.
When lies are the norm and even celebrated as truth, we can expect that there is nothing left that can be trusted.
Titus 1:15-16 "15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed."
Superficiality Destroys
Superficiality is always dangerous, it ignores the deeper wisdom, the truth beneath the surface in favor of feeling oriented nonsense.
The deeper wisdom below the surface is where the answers and solutions reside.
Sin and error is the result of superficiality. When most of the population in any culture focuses on feelings and personal freedom, we have anarchy against God's principles.
When "religion" dominates rather than true spirituality, we have a system of rules concocted by unspiritual people to control others.
They are not so much interested in God's solutions but rather they are interested in appearing righteous while under the surface rages a self-rightousness that destroys and misleads.
Mark 7:13 "13 Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so” in many such matters."
It is human nature to make rules we think are good that ultimately glorify ourselves. When we delve deeply into God's Word, seeking Him in prayer, we can enjoy our freedom in Christ without adding rules and regulations to keep people under control.
We can have faith that preaching the Word is enough, extra Biblical humanistic rules only detract from God's messages.
To add to God's Word is lying, it is claiming that God said something He never said. If our heart is honest and humble we will seek God for truth, willing to throw off anything that doesn't match with His principles.
Matthew 15:1-7 "15 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said,
2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.”
3 He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?
4 For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’
5 But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,”
6 he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God.
7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:
8 “‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
9 in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
We have many concepts in modern Christendom that come from secular psychology, they are not only not Biblical they negate God's purposes.
If we are to follow Christ we must ask HIM to show us truth!
The deeper wisdom below the surface is where the answers and solutions reside.
Sin and error is the result of superficiality. When most of the population in any culture focuses on feelings and personal freedom, we have anarchy against God's principles.
When "religion" dominates rather than true spirituality, we have a system of rules concocted by unspiritual people to control others.
They are not so much interested in God's solutions but rather they are interested in appearing righteous while under the surface rages a self-rightousness that destroys and misleads.
Mark 7:13 "13 Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so” in many such matters."
It is human nature to make rules we think are good that ultimately glorify ourselves. When we delve deeply into God's Word, seeking Him in prayer, we can enjoy our freedom in Christ without adding rules and regulations to keep people under control.
We can have faith that preaching the Word is enough, extra Biblical humanistic rules only detract from God's messages.
To add to God's Word is lying, it is claiming that God said something He never said. If our heart is honest and humble we will seek God for truth, willing to throw off anything that doesn't match with His principles.
Matthew 15:1-7 "15 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said,
2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.”
3 He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?
4 For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’
5 But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,”
6 he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God.
7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:
8 “‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
9 in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
We have many concepts in modern Christendom that come from secular psychology, they are not only not Biblical they negate God's purposes.
If we are to follow Christ we must ask HIM to show us truth!
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Love of the Brothers
How many of you think like I do?
If all those who are unsaved, those who came against us continually in our determination to walk with Christ, would repent and become born again we would break into our happy dance, welcome them and proceed as though we had no past at all.
For me becoming born again was the day I was really born. Any sin before that was wiped away, this would be so too for anyone who trusts Christ.
Isaiah 1:17-18 "…17 Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow. 18 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool."
Those who become reconciled to Christ are also reconciled to us.
1 John 3:14
"We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death."
If all those who are unsaved, those who came against us continually in our determination to walk with Christ, would repent and become born again we would break into our happy dance, welcome them and proceed as though we had no past at all.
For me becoming born again was the day I was really born. Any sin before that was wiped away, this would be so too for anyone who trusts Christ.
Isaiah 1:17-18 "…17 Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow. 18 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool."
Those who become reconciled to Christ are also reconciled to us.
1 John 3:14
"We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death."
The Way of the Unbeliever is Destruction
In an effort to be liked by non-believers, the believers have become like the non-believers. The more time we spend in the company of the non-believer the more we accept their ways.
1 Corinthians 15:33-34 "33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 34 Sober up as you ought, and stop sinning; for some of you are ignorant of God. I say this to your shame.…"
1 John 2:15 "15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love o...f the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world."
1 Corinthians 15:33-34 "33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 34 Sober up as you ought, and stop sinning; for some of you are ignorant of God. I say this to your shame.…"
1 John 2:15 "15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love o...f the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world."
Many believers who do not do big bad sinful things, still have the problem of desiring to be liked by those who hate God.
Psalm 37:1-2 "1 A Psalm of David. Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers. 2 For they will wither quickly like the grass And fade like the green herb.…"
John 3:18-20 "…18 Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness more than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.…"
Psalm 37:1-2 "1 A Psalm of David. Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers. 2 For they will wither quickly like the grass And fade like the green herb.…"
John 3:18-20 "…18 Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness more than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.…"
The Truth About Many Christians Today
Sherry Todd said this in a comment, it is very good so I am sharing it here:
"My son's gf told me she was thinking about going to church and being Christian but she does not wanna be as Christian as me,bcuz I'm extreme so I said if you call reading the bible going to church and speaking his word and living it is extreme then what are you thinking of being is just what you are already ..worldly.not Godly not Holy or Christ like but just what you have been what are kids being taught Christianity is? Just a show up at a church somewhere God help me to be more Christ like to show forth always your heart n guide these young ppl today."
"My son's gf told me she was thinking about going to church and being Christian but she does not wanna be as Christian as me,bcuz I'm extreme so I said if you call reading the bible going to church and speaking his word and living it is extreme then what are you thinking of being is just what you are already ..worldly.not Godly not Holy or Christ like but just what you have been what are kids being taught Christianity is? Just a show up at a church somewhere God help me to be more Christ like to show forth always your heart n guide these young ppl today."
Honest Self Reflection
Honest Self Reflection can only occur when our hearts are deeply concerned about being holy as Christ is holy.
If our interest is merely to "appear" holy, play acting in front of others, while nurturing and massaging bitter contempt toward anyone who attempts to instruct us, then we will never bow to the God we cannot see.
When we contemptuously resist brothers and sisters in Christ, that we can see with our eyes, who are attempting to help guide us to greater holiness, we will never submit to God Whom we cannot see.
When we contemptuously resist brothers and sisters in Christ, that we can see with our eyes, who are attempting to help guide us to greater holiness, we will never submit to God Whom we cannot see.
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