Friday, December 30, 2016
Don't Blame the Delivery!
Exactly, it is not the delivery of the messenger, but it is the heart of the hearer.
Confess to Move Forward
Those who cannot admit their sin to be cleansed as God said in 1 John 1:9, cannot grow in holiness, nor can they move forward in improved behavior. They can give a good show for a time, but they cannot remain in the new state because it is superficial, outward and fragile. Only that which God changes in us through His response to our confession, can we progress Spiritually, anything else is regression.
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."
Pretending things are over, hoping to come back as though nothing happened, only better this time, does not grow the person who attempts this. Eventually the unchanged person on the inside will emerge and resume their old ways or they will regress never to be able to be different from the real self that hides inside.
Acts 7:51"51 You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. "
Psalm 95:8-11
Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, As in the day of Massah in the wilderness, "When your fathers tested Me, They tried Me, though they had seen My work. "For forty years I loathed that generation, And said they are a people who err in their heart, And they do not know My ways. read more.
"Therefore I swore in My anger, Truly they shall not enter into My rest."
When pride cannot be overcome with confession, then we can expect regression in our walk with Christ as well as our actions and words. All human relationships deteriorate and dissolve until there is repentance, confession and a desire for Christ to make us what we should be.
No one can enter God's rest while in a state of rebellion and pride.
How do we begin again with God or begin for the first time, it's simple, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, then ask Him to change us into a new creation.
If we are already born again and are resistant to His promptings, then the Holy Spirit will stop speaking to us and He will begin removing blessings, even wisdom if we persist.
1 Thessalonians 5:19 "…18 Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not extinguish the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt,…
If the Holy Spirit has stopped speaking to you, if you sense a distance from the Lord, it is possible that there is sin in your life that you are refusing to confess.
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."
Pretending things are over, hoping to come back as though nothing happened, only better this time, does not grow the person who attempts this. Eventually the unchanged person on the inside will emerge and resume their old ways or they will regress never to be able to be different from the real self that hides inside.
Acts 7:51"51 You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. "
Psalm 95:8-11
Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, As in the day of Massah in the wilderness, "When your fathers tested Me, They tried Me, though they had seen My work. "For forty years I loathed that generation, And said they are a people who err in their heart, And they do not know My ways. read more.
"Therefore I swore in My anger, Truly they shall not enter into My rest."
When pride cannot be overcome with confession, then we can expect regression in our walk with Christ as well as our actions and words. All human relationships deteriorate and dissolve until there is repentance, confession and a desire for Christ to make us what we should be.
No one can enter God's rest while in a state of rebellion and pride.
How do we begin again with God or begin for the first time, it's simple, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, then ask Him to change us into a new creation.
If we are already born again and are resistant to His promptings, then the Holy Spirit will stop speaking to us and He will begin removing blessings, even wisdom if we persist.
1 Thessalonians 5:19 "…18 Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not extinguish the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt,…
If the Holy Spirit has stopped speaking to you, if you sense a distance from the Lord, it is possible that there is sin in your life that you are refusing to confess.
Dismissing Someone Destroys Relationships
"When a person tells you that you hurt them, you don't get to decide that you didn't." -Louis C.K.
God is also Just!
God is also a just God. There could be no love without justice.
Psalm 7:11 "…10 My shield is with God, Who saves the upright in heart. 11 God is a righteous judge, And a God who has indignation every day. 12 If a man does not repent, He will sharpen His sword; He has bent His bow and made it ready.…"
Psalm 7:11 "…10 My shield is with God, Who saves the upright in heart. 11 God is a righteous judge, And a God who has indignation every day. 12 If a man does not repent, He will sharpen His sword; He has bent His bow and made it ready.…"
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Wicked Men Do Not Learn
This is so aggravating, it reminds me of the people who see a conflict between two people and assume both are not trying hard enough. When one person is evil and refuses to care about the other, then it is impossible to deal with the wicked.
Isaiah 26:10 "10 Though the wicked is shown favor, He does not learn righteousness; He deals unjustly in the land of uprightness, And does not perceive the majesty of the LORD. "
Isaiah 26:10 "10 Though the wicked is shown favor, He does not learn righteousness; He deals unjustly in the land of uprightness, And does not perceive the majesty of the LORD. "
The Lie of the Nephelim Demons
Nephelim were a race of human beings not a mix of spiritual and human. They were giants, but human giants with only human DNA.
Spiritual beings have no equipment to impregnate a human woman. God says that when we die we will be more like the angels, who have no gender.
They have no seed since they do not procreate themselves. The only way a fallen angel could have relations with a human woman is if the demon possesses a human man and it would not be an angel seed but the seed of a man. Different species of beings cannot pro-create with another species.
Genesis 1:24-25 "24 Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures after their kind: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth after their kind"; and it was so. 25 God made the beasts of the earth after their kind, and the cattle after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind; and God saw that it was good.…"
No where in the Bible are demons, fallen angels, referred to as "sons of God."
This monstrous lie about "Nephelim" being half human and half demon is causing division and leading to dangerous false doctrine. Please pray about it and reject that which is a deception.
Spiritual beings have no equipment to impregnate a human woman. God says that when we die we will be more like the angels, who have no gender.
They have no seed since they do not procreate themselves. The only way a fallen angel could have relations with a human woman is if the demon possesses a human man and it would not be an angel seed but the seed of a man. Different species of beings cannot pro-create with another species.
Genesis 1:24-25 "24 Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures after their kind: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth after their kind"; and it was so. 25 God made the beasts of the earth after their kind, and the cattle after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind; and God saw that it was good.…"
No where in the Bible are demons, fallen angels, referred to as "sons of God."
This monstrous lie about "Nephelim" being half human and half demon is causing division and leading to dangerous false doctrine. Please pray about it and reject that which is a deception.
Monday, December 26, 2016
Playing the Game or Born Again, Which is It?
When we were growing up, there was prayer in school, many people went to church, perhaps for the wrong reasons often, but they admired and loved the people of God and His ways.
It was a different time, a time long gone away and I am convinced never to return, or if it does it will be brief just like the surge of people into churches after 9-11, after which only a few weeks and everything went back to it had been before.
Too often people run to God for safety, while wanting nothing of Him, except what they can get for themselves, only the safety until they don't need Him anymore, then they return to their vomit as though they never needed Him and as though He never did anything for them.
They do not consider Him in their decisions, they don't thank Him even for their meals each day, they merely use Him when they have no place else to go.
Isaiah 1:14-15 "14"I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. 15 "So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. 16"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil,"
It was a different time, a time long gone away and I am convinced never to return, or if it does it will be brief just like the surge of people into churches after 9-11, after which only a few weeks and everything went back to it had been before.
Too often people run to God for safety, while wanting nothing of Him, except what they can get for themselves, only the safety until they don't need Him anymore, then they return to their vomit as though they never needed Him and as though He never did anything for them.
They do not consider Him in their decisions, they don't thank Him even for their meals each day, they merely use Him when they have no place else to go.
Isaiah 1:14-15 "14"I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. 15 "So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. 16"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil,"
Promoting Immorality is Sin
Some of the very things that we think are love are actually promoting immorality, by removing the consequences and the shame that needs to be there.
Jeremiah 6:14-16 "…14 "They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, Saying, 'Peace, peace,' But there is no peace. 15 "Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done? They were not even ashamed at all; They did not even know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time that I punish them, They shall be cast down," says the LORD. 16 Thus says the LORD, "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'…"
Deuteronomy 23:2 " 2"No one of illegitimate birth shall enter the assembly of the LORD; none of his descendants, even to the tenth generation, shall enter the assembly of the LORD."
Hebrews 12:8
"But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons."
God calls those who are not born again but pretend to be "illegitimate." There is such a thing as an illegitimate child. All this talk about all babies being from the Lord is true in once sense, but not true in another.
Very often God does not bless the families who are not repentant from their sexual immorality and their children are not blessed either. I do not celebrate in a baby shower the birth of the child born out of wedlock it sends a wrong message to celebrate that which offends God, that being the sex act outside marriage.
As for the baby, I would provide some of their needs, love them and care for them, but I would not legitimize sexual immorality by affording the same joy and privilege of a party for those who acted immorally to obtain this baby.
Baby showers and parties to celebrate birth should be limited to those who did it the right way through marriage. We have glorified the status of unwed mother by throwing these parties.
And, guess what, many say it's for the baby, it is not! The baby doesn't even know the party is taking place. The things are for the baby, that's fine, bring them one by one with the message of repentance. To have a party is for the mother, validating sex out of marriage. Our culture is so twisted in this thinking, they have encouraged immorality by affording the same joy and blessings that belong only to the mother who obeyed God in chastity.
Jeremiah 6:14-16 "…14 "They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, Saying, 'Peace, peace,' But there is no peace. 15 "Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done? They were not even ashamed at all; They did not even know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time that I punish them, They shall be cast down," says the LORD. 16 Thus says the LORD, "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'…"
Deuteronomy 23:2 " 2"No one of illegitimate birth shall enter the assembly of the LORD; none of his descendants, even to the tenth generation, shall enter the assembly of the LORD."
Hebrews 12:8
"But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons."
God calls those who are not born again but pretend to be "illegitimate." There is such a thing as an illegitimate child. All this talk about all babies being from the Lord is true in once sense, but not true in another.
Very often God does not bless the families who are not repentant from their sexual immorality and their children are not blessed either. I do not celebrate in a baby shower the birth of the child born out of wedlock it sends a wrong message to celebrate that which offends God, that being the sex act outside marriage.
As for the baby, I would provide some of their needs, love them and care for them, but I would not legitimize sexual immorality by affording the same joy and privilege of a party for those who acted immorally to obtain this baby.
Baby showers and parties to celebrate birth should be limited to those who did it the right way through marriage. We have glorified the status of unwed mother by throwing these parties.
And, guess what, many say it's for the baby, it is not! The baby doesn't even know the party is taking place. The things are for the baby, that's fine, bring them one by one with the message of repentance. To have a party is for the mother, validating sex out of marriage. Our culture is so twisted in this thinking, they have encouraged immorality by affording the same joy and blessings that belong only to the mother who obeyed God in chastity.
Legalism is a Destroyer
There were many things that fell from my life when I became born again. Not because I thought about it offending God, but because I no longer had a desire for them. The Holy Spirit in me took them out of my heart, they just weren't there anymore. As I grew in Christ I became disdainful of the things I left behind, I hated what God hated and loved what God loved.
Psalm 97:9-11 "…9 For You are the LORD Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods. 10 Hate evil, you who love the LORD, Who preserves the souls of His godly ones; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked. 11 Light is sown like seed for the righteous And gladness for the upright in heart.…"
Over the years God began opening my eyes to many things while more beliefs and practices would fall off, replaced by truth. So many things most believers enjoy and do today I am no longer interested in. They may not even be bad or evil things, they are just not commanded by God so I am free to leave them alone if I choose.
Our culture engages in a lot of unBiblical tradition. I am alright with others making their choices to do these things, however, I want no pressure from others to do the same just because everyone else does them.
I remember as a child I drove people crazy with the question, "why do we do this?" Because of my continual questioning everything, I never fit in anywhere. I didn't fit in because others very often did something that was merely their desire and not purposeful in the Kingdom of God while being intimidated by the simple question, "why?"
Often when people are asked to explain their actions or observances, they give a half baked answer using out of context sentences from the Bible, that have little or nothing to do with truth. The explanations are always heavily peppered with human wisdom and desire. And, sadly the very things they think please God are not pleasing to Him because they come from a heart that is looking to please self rather than Christ.
Of course we all, me included, do things God never commanded, the problem is not that we do these things necessarily, the problem comes when we fight and argue over them, demean and mock, even devaluing others who don't do what we do.
Legalists are adept at creating guilt over things that have no basis in Scripture. Those who make extraneous rules not found in the Word explicitly, are full of pride, not because they follow them, but because they look down their nose at others who don't do as they do.
Deuteronomy 4:29
"But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul."
1 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. 3 They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected,…"
Romans 14:4-6 "…4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One man regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes a special day does so to the Lord; he who eats does so to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.…"
We are to judge and speak against sin, but much of the fighting going on is not about sin, but humanistic ritual that God never commanded.
Our responsibility as believers in Christ is to ask God for ourselves. Those who do not ask God are more vulnerable to humanistic legalism, that only detracts from our walk and leaves distaste in the mouths of non-believers who are watching our lives.
A suggestion: Ask God to remove all pride from our lives, expose anything we believe that is not truth and ask the Lord what He wants from us while reading His Word that He might speak to us. How can anyone go wrong when they are asking God to reveal truth!!!!
We have no excuse for not knowing something, God promised if we ask He will show us truth.
James 1:4-6 "…4 Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.…"
Matthew 6:5-15
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. ..."
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."
Psalm 97:9-11 "…9 For You are the LORD Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods. 10 Hate evil, you who love the LORD, Who preserves the souls of His godly ones; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked. 11 Light is sown like seed for the righteous And gladness for the upright in heart.…"
Over the years God began opening my eyes to many things while more beliefs and practices would fall off, replaced by truth. So many things most believers enjoy and do today I am no longer interested in. They may not even be bad or evil things, they are just not commanded by God so I am free to leave them alone if I choose.
Our culture engages in a lot of unBiblical tradition. I am alright with others making their choices to do these things, however, I want no pressure from others to do the same just because everyone else does them.
I remember as a child I drove people crazy with the question, "why do we do this?" Because of my continual questioning everything, I never fit in anywhere. I didn't fit in because others very often did something that was merely their desire and not purposeful in the Kingdom of God while being intimidated by the simple question, "why?"
Often when people are asked to explain their actions or observances, they give a half baked answer using out of context sentences from the Bible, that have little or nothing to do with truth. The explanations are always heavily peppered with human wisdom and desire. And, sadly the very things they think please God are not pleasing to Him because they come from a heart that is looking to please self rather than Christ.
Of course we all, me included, do things God never commanded, the problem is not that we do these things necessarily, the problem comes when we fight and argue over them, demean and mock, even devaluing others who don't do what we do.
Legalists are adept at creating guilt over things that have no basis in Scripture. Those who make extraneous rules not found in the Word explicitly, are full of pride, not because they follow them, but because they look down their nose at others who don't do as they do.
Deuteronomy 4:29
"But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul."
1 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. 3 They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected,…"
Romans 14:4-6 "…4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One man regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes a special day does so to the Lord; he who eats does so to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.…"
We are to judge and speak against sin, but much of the fighting going on is not about sin, but humanistic ritual that God never commanded.
Our responsibility as believers in Christ is to ask God for ourselves. Those who do not ask God are more vulnerable to humanistic legalism, that only detracts from our walk and leaves distaste in the mouths of non-believers who are watching our lives.
A suggestion: Ask God to remove all pride from our lives, expose anything we believe that is not truth and ask the Lord what He wants from us while reading His Word that He might speak to us. How can anyone go wrong when they are asking God to reveal truth!!!!
We have no excuse for not knowing something, God promised if we ask He will show us truth.
James 1:4-6 "…4 Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.…"
Matthew 6:5-15
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. ..."
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."
Saturday, December 24, 2016
Hatred of Tradition Grows in Me
As a former Catholic who left behind all that ritual and clap trap, I cannot stand the use of artifacts, amulets or any other thing made by human hands to remember or worship Christ.
The first thing God put on my heart when I trusted Christ was an disdain for ritual and idols.
Most people have little understanding of what an idol is or that we can have an idol in our mind simply by placing something or someone above Christ.
We worship in Spirit and in Truth, no need for earthly objects.
We worship in Spirit and in Truth, no need for human traditions to make me sense God's closeness.
The Holy Spirit provides all that I need all the time. No need for special days, observances or any other tradition of men to know how near my God is, even inside of me.
Colossians 2:8
"8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits[a] of the world, and not according to Christ."
Matthew 15:3
"He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?"
2 Timothy 4:2-4
"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."
1 Timothy 4:7
"Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;"
The first thing God put on my heart when I trusted Christ was an disdain for ritual and idols.
Most people have little understanding of what an idol is or that we can have an idol in our mind simply by placing something or someone above Christ.
We worship in Spirit and in Truth, no need for earthly objects.
We worship in Spirit and in Truth, no need for human traditions to make me sense God's closeness.
The Holy Spirit provides all that I need all the time. No need for special days, observances or any other tradition of men to know how near my God is, even inside of me.
Colossians 2:8
"8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits[a] of the world, and not according to Christ."
Matthew 15:3
"He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?"
2 Timothy 4:2-4
"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."
1 Timothy 4:7
"Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;"
Friday, December 23, 2016
Growth or Regression Which Will it Be!
The humble person knows their shortcomings and can admit them, to move forward in strength and improvement.
The reason narcissists, those with insolent pride, cannot grow and change, is because in order to do that, they would have to admit their own frailties.
Pride prevents people from seeing themselves in truth, therefore they are continually having to prove themselves through mocking and demeaning others.
Pride prevents improvement, in fact it furthers and enhances the frailties. As a prideful person gets older his pride become solidified and worsens, as though God has fully turned them over to their own reality.
Matthew 13:12-14 "…12 Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ 14 In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.…"
It's a terrible thing to go ones entire life fighting against truth, growth and spiritual betterment, only to find oneself no longer able to think reasonably or righteously.
Think about it! "What will my my state when I am too old to pretend anymore?"
The reason narcissists, those with insolent pride, cannot grow and change, is because in order to do that, they would have to admit their own frailties.
Pride prevents people from seeing themselves in truth, therefore they are continually having to prove themselves through mocking and demeaning others.
Pride prevents improvement, in fact it furthers and enhances the frailties. As a prideful person gets older his pride become solidified and worsens, as though God has fully turned them over to their own reality.
Matthew 13:12-14 "…12 Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ 14 In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.…"
It's a terrible thing to go ones entire life fighting against truth, growth and spiritual betterment, only to find oneself no longer able to think reasonably or righteously.
Think about it! "What will my my state when I am too old to pretend anymore?"
The Devil Wrestles Dirty
Do not become discouraged when you have been drawn into a debate with a narcissist. The devil is using their mind and their mouth, they are not capable of rational thinking or verbiage. Often they will create situations to start fights and arguments. Christ in us can teach us through His word how to deal with such people. He can make us into people who are unaffected by the foolishness of those who have no interest in truth, but only in appearing superior.
Domination is always the goal of a fool, never truth, never resolution of a matter. When we love Christ, we care about resolution of problems, but the fool glories in his own ability to anger and upset others. Notice this is what the devil does, it is his favored tactic.
John 10:10-29 "10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly......"
God's people love to heal, bless and care for others. The devil has only one goal, that is to judge, destroy, ruin and frustrate believers in Christ. We must see his tactics for what they are and refuse to engage with him.
Ephesians 6:12-13 "12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.…"
George Bernard Shaw said this:
"I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it."
God says it this way:
"9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words."
Proverbs 29:9
"9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet."
Proverbs 1:7
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Proverbs 18:6
"A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating."
Proverbs 28:26
"Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered."
Proverbs 26:3-12
"A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools. ..."
Domination is always the goal of a fool, never truth, never resolution of a matter. When we love Christ, we care about resolution of problems, but the fool glories in his own ability to anger and upset others. Notice this is what the devil does, it is his favored tactic.
John 10:10-29 "10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly......"
God's people love to heal, bless and care for others. The devil has only one goal, that is to judge, destroy, ruin and frustrate believers in Christ. We must see his tactics for what they are and refuse to engage with him.
Ephesians 6:12-13 "12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.…"
George Bernard Shaw said this:
"I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it."
God says it this way:
"9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words."
Proverbs 29:9
"9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet."
Proverbs 1:7
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Proverbs 18:6
"A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating."
Proverbs 28:26
"Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered."
Proverbs 26:3-12
"A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools. ..."
The Devil's Mind Control
Many of these death experiences for people who claim to have gone to heaven never have the gospel message. They also assume everyone is going to heaven when they die. We know that people do not become converted to Christ by happy thoughts and feelings, they are converted by confronting their sinful nature, confessing it and wanting to be changed by Christ.
Luke 24:47
"and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem."
Matthew 26:28
"for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins."
Hebrews 9:22
"And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
Acts 2:38
"Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
One thing that strikes me, is that demons can do mind control miracles that make us think we have gone some where so vividly that we believe we have been there. Non-believers have no defense against this deception. The only people who seem to have these dreams are non-believers who claim to be converted by them. But the question is what are they converted to?
I have never heard of a non-Christian mentioned in the Bible who went to heaven. It makes more sense that God only showed heaven to those who were godly.
Those who have had these vision often are non-believers who come back from their experience as "believers in heaven", but there is no mention of how their life really changed after the event.
Also we have many people who claim to have been abducted by aliens and gone into a space ship. There is never any evidence of it, except their own testimonies. I believe these things are happening in the brain not reality, by the power of demons. The anti-christ will do "false miracles and lying wonders." I believe most of it will be in the mind, many will believe the miracles but they never actually happen, their minds have been convinced by these visions from demons.
Also, in the last days deception the anti-christ will do false miracles making people think he is the savior of the world. It will all be happening in their minds.
When a brain surgeon is working on someone's brain and the person is awake, the surgeon can touch a part of the brain and make someone taste their favorite ice cream. They are not having ice cream but they think they are tasting it. The surgeon can touch another part of the brain and make someone re-live some event they did in the past. I am convinced that demons can and do manipulate people's brains to see and believe things that are not true.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 "…10 and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. 11 For this reason, God will send them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie, 12 in order that judgment will come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.…"
I am also convinced that right now demons are causing thoughts in the minds of those who are not walking with Christ, to make others believe their family and friends have attitudes and actions that do and did not exist. He loves to cause chaos and mayhem, especially against believers and followers of Christ Jesus.
When we are accused of things that we know didn't happen, or thoughts we didn't have, we can be sure that something is messing with the minds of those the devil is using to debilitate us.
1 Peter 5:7-9 "…7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, 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.…"
I have actually witnessed people who say something that is evil or mean, when I address it seconds after they say it, they proclaim they never said that, even when I use exactly the same words they used. They really believe they never said it, causing me to believe someone else used their mouth, being the reason they don't have the words recorded in their brain to recall.
Please brothers and sisters, stay in prayer over everything, remembering that the devil is working to manipulate people against us to demean, mock and diminish the Word of God. If he can turn people against us, he then can discredit anything we say in the eyes of those who once loved or appreciated us.
We don't have to live under a cloud all the time, worried that someone is working the devil's antics. We can live free from the effects of his wiles, at the same time growing in holiness, only as long as we keep our eyes on Christ and truth. We need to remember not to react to the evil around us, that's what the devil wants. We must respond in the Holy Spirit while remaining steady.
Proverbs 4:24-26 "…24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you. 25 Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. 26 Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established.…"
2 Corinthians 4:3-5 "…3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.…"
Isaiah 33:15-16 "15 He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, He who rejects unjust gain And shakes his hands so that they hold no bribe; He who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed And shuts his eyes from looking upon evil; 16 He will dwell on the heights, His refuge will be the impregnable rock; His bread will be given him, His water will be sure.…"
Luke 24:47
"and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem."
Matthew 26:28
"for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins."
Hebrews 9:22
"And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
Acts 2:38
"Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
One thing that strikes me, is that demons can do mind control miracles that make us think we have gone some where so vividly that we believe we have been there. Non-believers have no defense against this deception. The only people who seem to have these dreams are non-believers who claim to be converted by them. But the question is what are they converted to?
I have never heard of a non-Christian mentioned in the Bible who went to heaven. It makes more sense that God only showed heaven to those who were godly.
Those who have had these vision often are non-believers who come back from their experience as "believers in heaven", but there is no mention of how their life really changed after the event.
Also we have many people who claim to have been abducted by aliens and gone into a space ship. There is never any evidence of it, except their own testimonies. I believe these things are happening in the brain not reality, by the power of demons. The anti-christ will do "false miracles and lying wonders." I believe most of it will be in the mind, many will believe the miracles but they never actually happen, their minds have been convinced by these visions from demons.
Also, in the last days deception the anti-christ will do false miracles making people think he is the savior of the world. It will all be happening in their minds.
When a brain surgeon is working on someone's brain and the person is awake, the surgeon can touch a part of the brain and make someone taste their favorite ice cream. They are not having ice cream but they think they are tasting it. The surgeon can touch another part of the brain and make someone re-live some event they did in the past. I am convinced that demons can and do manipulate people's brains to see and believe things that are not true.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 "…10 and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. 11 For this reason, God will send them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie, 12 in order that judgment will come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.…"
I am also convinced that right now demons are causing thoughts in the minds of those who are not walking with Christ, to make others believe their family and friends have attitudes and actions that do and did not exist. He loves to cause chaos and mayhem, especially against believers and followers of Christ Jesus.
When we are accused of things that we know didn't happen, or thoughts we didn't have, we can be sure that something is messing with the minds of those the devil is using to debilitate us.
1 Peter 5:7-9 "…7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, 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.…"
I have actually witnessed people who say something that is evil or mean, when I address it seconds after they say it, they proclaim they never said that, even when I use exactly the same words they used. They really believe they never said it, causing me to believe someone else used their mouth, being the reason they don't have the words recorded in their brain to recall.
Please brothers and sisters, stay in prayer over everything, remembering that the devil is working to manipulate people against us to demean, mock and diminish the Word of God. If he can turn people against us, he then can discredit anything we say in the eyes of those who once loved or appreciated us.
We don't have to live under a cloud all the time, worried that someone is working the devil's antics. We can live free from the effects of his wiles, at the same time growing in holiness, only as long as we keep our eyes on Christ and truth. We need to remember not to react to the evil around us, that's what the devil wants. We must respond in the Holy Spirit while remaining steady.
Proverbs 4:24-26 "…24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you. 25 Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. 26 Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established.…"
2 Corinthians 4:3-5 "…3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.…"
Isaiah 33:15-16 "15 He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, He who rejects unjust gain And shakes his hands so that they hold no bribe; He who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed And shuts his eyes from looking upon evil; 16 He will dwell on the heights, His refuge will be the impregnable rock; His bread will be given him, His water will be sure.…"
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Keep Your Eyes on Christ
There are many who are experiencing rebellion of children or spouses who will not walk with Christ and resent those who do.
The devil is ramping up his efforts to divide families and isolate believers. Let's remember to pray often for believers who are in this situation.
The non-believers in families can do great damage with their gossip and judgments out of context and willful misunderstandings to discredit the one who loves the Lord.
Even more disturbing are those households who claim to be Christian but employ the tactics of the devil because of their own anger, resentment and refusal to hear anything from the Word of God.
Those who endure this persecution can live in it just as Noah had to live in Sodom before God took him out. They can live in it just as Noah had to endure the abuse while He was building the ark in obedience to God.
It is not easy but God can make us stronger, bolder and more resolute in seeking Him no matter what our trial.
1 Peter 5:10
"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."
James 1:12
"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."
Romans 12:12
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."
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."
John 16:33
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Exodus 14:14
"The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
Focus on Christ not the circumstances, focus on the wonderful boot camp training that leads to spiritual strength, rather than the actions of those who refuse to obey God.
Romans 5:3-5 "…3 Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.…"
The devil is ramping up his efforts to divide families and isolate believers. Let's remember to pray often for believers who are in this situation.
The non-believers in families can do great damage with their gossip and judgments out of context and willful misunderstandings to discredit the one who loves the Lord.
Even more disturbing are those households who claim to be Christian but employ the tactics of the devil because of their own anger, resentment and refusal to hear anything from the Word of God.
Those who endure this persecution can live in it just as Noah had to live in Sodom before God took him out. They can live in it just as Noah had to endure the abuse while He was building the ark in obedience to God.
It is not easy but God can make us stronger, bolder and more resolute in seeking Him no matter what our trial.
1 Peter 5:10
"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."
James 1:12
"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."
Romans 12:12
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."
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."
John 16:33
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Exodus 14:14
"The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
Focus on Christ not the circumstances, focus on the wonderful boot camp training that leads to spiritual strength, rather than the actions of those who refuse to obey God.
Romans 5:3-5 "…3 Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.…"
Gratefulness is the Evidence
Where there is envy, strife and division there is ungratefulness. The more grateful to God we are, the more we love Him and seek Him.
Psalms 118:24 - This [is] the day [which] the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 - In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Colossians 3:17 - And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Psalms 127:1 - (A Song of degrees for Solomon.) Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh [but] in vain.
Psalms 118:24 - This [is] the day [which] the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 - In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Colossians 3:17 - And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Psalms 127:1 - (A Song of degrees for Solomon.) Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh [but] in vain.
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
It's Not the Messengers Delivery, It's the Heart of the Hearer
Exactly, it is not the delivery of the messenger, but it is the heart of the hearer.
Helping the Wicked Remain Wicked
Romans 1:29-32
"29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, [a]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."
If we embrace those who are living wickedly, then we are sending the message that we approve of their lifestyle and their rejection of God. We need to be warning those who walk in evil, then removing ourselves when they will not listen.
Isaiah 26:9-11 "…9 At night my soul longs for You, Indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently; For when the earth experiences Your judgments The inhabitants of the world learn righteousness. 10 Though the wicked is shown favor, He does not learn righteousness; He deals unjustly in the land of uprightness, And does not perceive the majesty of the LORD. 11 O LORD, Your hand is lifted up yet they do not see it. They see Your zeal for the people and are put to shame; Indeed, fire will devour Your enemies.…"
An evil man who rejects the Word of God and goes away from us, knows where to find us if he changes his mind. In the mean time we can pray and keep ourselves from being touched by the evil through abstinence from their lives. God can do a better job of reaching them than we. When they are ready, God can bring us back into their lives or He can send someone else in our place.
When we cannot let go of someone because of emotional ties, then we have an idol and we have elevated ourselves to god status by thinking that we have to be there, no one else nor God can help this person.
When we have done what the Holy Spirit told us to do, even walking away at the ordained time, then we can depend on Him as our guide. The freest person on the planet is one whose mind is stayed so completely on Christ that lose of a person or rejection by someone does not altar our obedience to Christ.
James 4:8-10 "…8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.…"
"29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, [a]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."
If we embrace those who are living wickedly, then we are sending the message that we approve of their lifestyle and their rejection of God. We need to be warning those who walk in evil, then removing ourselves when they will not listen.
Isaiah 26:9-11 "…9 At night my soul longs for You, Indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently; For when the earth experiences Your judgments The inhabitants of the world learn righteousness. 10 Though the wicked is shown favor, He does not learn righteousness; He deals unjustly in the land of uprightness, And does not perceive the majesty of the LORD. 11 O LORD, Your hand is lifted up yet they do not see it. They see Your zeal for the people and are put to shame; Indeed, fire will devour Your enemies.…"
An evil man who rejects the Word of God and goes away from us, knows where to find us if he changes his mind. In the mean time we can pray and keep ourselves from being touched by the evil through abstinence from their lives. God can do a better job of reaching them than we. When they are ready, God can bring us back into their lives or He can send someone else in our place.
When we cannot let go of someone because of emotional ties, then we have an idol and we have elevated ourselves to god status by thinking that we have to be there, no one else nor God can help this person.
When we have done what the Holy Spirit told us to do, even walking away at the ordained time, then we can depend on Him as our guide. The freest person on the planet is one whose mind is stayed so completely on Christ that lose of a person or rejection by someone does not altar our obedience to Christ.
James 4:8-10 "…8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.…"
Do We Really Care?
Let me describe what I have seen many believers are feeling;
They are full of joy and boldness, continually rejected by rebellious hears, accused of "negative" attitude as they are compelled by the Holy Spirit to expose evil because of their love for Christ first and then their love of those to whom they speak.
Believers have a deep concern for the spiritual growth of their brothers and sisters in Christ as well as an even deeper concern for those who are unsaved and on their way to the fires of hell.
Our hearts leap with joy over our hope of going home, when all this mess we live with every day torments our souls as it tormented the soul of Lot.
We rejoice at what God has made us, where we are going and the joy of our love for Christ, while simultaneously grieving over the dying and evil world all around us.
2 Peter 2:6-8 "6 if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction, reducing them to ashes as an example of what is coming on the ungodly; 7 and if He rescued Lot, a righteous man distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless 8(for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—…"
Those who would accuse a believer being too negative, perhaps does not understand the world they live in, the working of the Holy Spirit or the depth of depravity he or she is surrounded by.
These same people hate correction and instruction themselves, so they interpret these necessary elements of Christian life as saddening, rather than things that could bring joy to anyone who heeds the warnings and become born again because of it.
Anyone who cannot face truth, will never lead anyone to the Lord. Should we make people feel comfortable in their wickedness, or would it be better to warn them and watch them seek God because of the conviction they have toward their sin?
Romans 1:21-22 "21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,…"
Anyone who hears the "negative" truth of hell and damnation and heeds its' warning will be excited and blessed that they have been saved out of it and on their way to heaven.
2 Corinthians 7:8-9 "8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Although I did regret it, I now see that my letter caused you sorrow, but only for a short time. 9 And now I rejoice, not because you were made sorrowful, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you felt the sorrow that God had intended, and so were not harmed in any way by us.…"
The reality is this, those who avoid sounding negative while living in the dilution that everyone should be happy happy all the time are negating the Word of God and the effectiveness of the Holy Spirit to show us our sinful nature after which we become joyful that Christ provided a way out of sin and hell.
Would we rather a person go to hell for eternity, so that others will like us, or do we grief over evil and attempt to convince others to turn to Christ for their salvation?
"Romans 1:26-27
"26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is [a]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 [b]indecent acts and receiving in [c]their own persons the due penalty of their error."
They are full of joy and boldness, continually rejected by rebellious hears, accused of "negative" attitude as they are compelled by the Holy Spirit to expose evil because of their love for Christ first and then their love of those to whom they speak.
Believers have a deep concern for the spiritual growth of their brothers and sisters in Christ as well as an even deeper concern for those who are unsaved and on their way to the fires of hell.
Our hearts leap with joy over our hope of going home, when all this mess we live with every day torments our souls as it tormented the soul of Lot.
We rejoice at what God has made us, where we are going and the joy of our love for Christ, while simultaneously grieving over the dying and evil world all around us.
2 Peter 2:6-8 "6 if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction, reducing them to ashes as an example of what is coming on the ungodly; 7 and if He rescued Lot, a righteous man distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless 8(for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—…"
Those who would accuse a believer being too negative, perhaps does not understand the world they live in, the working of the Holy Spirit or the depth of depravity he or she is surrounded by.
These same people hate correction and instruction themselves, so they interpret these necessary elements of Christian life as saddening, rather than things that could bring joy to anyone who heeds the warnings and become born again because of it.
Anyone who cannot face truth, will never lead anyone to the Lord. Should we make people feel comfortable in their wickedness, or would it be better to warn them and watch them seek God because of the conviction they have toward their sin?
Romans 1:21-22 "21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,…"
Anyone who hears the "negative" truth of hell and damnation and heeds its' warning will be excited and blessed that they have been saved out of it and on their way to heaven.
2 Corinthians 7:8-9 "8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Although I did regret it, I now see that my letter caused you sorrow, but only for a short time. 9 And now I rejoice, not because you were made sorrowful, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you felt the sorrow that God had intended, and so were not harmed in any way by us.…"
The reality is this, those who avoid sounding negative while living in the dilution that everyone should be happy happy all the time are negating the Word of God and the effectiveness of the Holy Spirit to show us our sinful nature after which we become joyful that Christ provided a way out of sin and hell.
Would we rather a person go to hell for eternity, so that others will like us, or do we grief over evil and attempt to convince others to turn to Christ for their salvation?
"Romans 1:26-27
"26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is [a]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 [b]indecent acts and receiving in [c]their own persons the due penalty of their error."
The Subtle Things Reveal the Heart
If you think no one is noticing an attitude of disrespect and contempt, remember that Even just the rolling of eyes and shifting of the head can be a sign of contempt.
Monday, December 19, 2016
He Told Us To Observe His Death and Resurrection
Christ gave us the Lord's supper, the only commanded observance and it was to be done every time believers came together to worship. Notice few are interested in this celebration of Christ!
I have met so many people who become angry over those who warn them about the secular holidays, while those who love these humanistic rituals, completely neglect the one observance Christ commanded.
Luke 22:19-20 " 19 And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.…"
The time is short, believers need to be asking God to reveal anything to them that is not pleasing to Him. When He opens their eyes they need to obey what they hear Him saying.
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Psychology Has Taken This Culture Captive
If someone believes any of the following things, they have engaged in the modern psychological teachings, possibly without realizing it. We have lived with indoctrination in psychology so long now, many cannot wrap their minds around the idea that it is deeply entrenched in the church, much more than we realize.
Counting to three before a child has to obey: This teaches a child that he doesn't have to obey until we get to the number three, also causing flippancy toward sinfulness, not to mention weakening the authority of the parents. Children must be taught to obey immediately every time. Perhaps the child is running toward a busy street but does not take seriously the first time the parent tells them to stop. By the third command the child could be under the wheels of a vehicle. Not only for their own safety but also for their attitude toward respect for authority in the future they need to learn to obey immediately. Does a boss want an employee who does not move quickly to please his boss?
When a child is allowed to obey only when he wants to depending on the mood of the parent, then he will not take seriously obedience to anyone else when he grows older. He may even become contemptuous toward anyone who requires compliance.
Psalm 119:59 "59 I considered my ways And turned my feet to Your testimonies. 60 I hastened and did not delay To keep Your commandments. 61 The cords of the wicked have encircled me, But I have not forgotten Your law.…"
Allowing a child to disobey three times before punishing them for disobedience is another false teaching. When this is practiced, the child understands that they can lie or disobey two times before they have to obey. This undermines the evilness of sin, causing the child to view sin as only bad if you can't get away with it. It weakens the authority of the parent, thereby weakening the authority in all situations, all other authority figures also.
Forgiveness without confession: Not only does the one who has sinned need to confess it to God and those they offend, they need to desire not to repeat the same offenses again. Those who will not confess, are not sorry nor admitting their sin, therefore their behavior will not change, they will have no progress in their maturity and many relationships in which they are involved will be ruined.
1 John 1:9-10 "9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.…"
Forgiving ourselves; it is not Biblical, no scripture in the Bible speaks of our need to forgive ourselves. If we continue to act guilty after confessing and forsaking our sin, then the problem is not that we have not forgiven ourselves, but rather we have not believed God when He told us He would.
1 John 1:9 " If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Man is basically good is another false teaching, causing man to become enraged at the suggestion that he needs change or even has a need for God. We know it is a teaching from the devil because God says the opposite.
Jeremiah 17:9-10 " 9" The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?
One should never spank or physically discipline a child.
Proverbs 23:12-14 "…12 Apply your heart to discipline And your ears to words of knowledge. 13 Do not hold back discipline from the child, Although you strike him with the rod, he will not die. 14 You shall strike him with the rod And rescue his soul from Sheol.…"
Children must express their feelings as they see fit.
Proverbs 25:28 - "He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit [is like] a city [that is] broken down, [and] without walls."
Children must be allowed to rebel, it's part of their learning.
1 Samuel 15:23 "For rebellion is as the sin of divination, And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king."
The more a child learns to think of others and obey authority the happier they are.
Feelings are far more important than anything else.
Proverbs 4:23-24 "…22 For they are life to those who find them And health to all their body. 23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. 24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you.…"
We shouldn't tell people they are wrong, just allow them to think what they like without challenge.
2 Timothy 4:2-3 " 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.…"
The destination isn't important, it's about the journey, another popular mantra we hear today. It matters to God where we are going, the journey matters as well as the destination.
John 14:4-6 "4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 “Lord, said Thomas, “we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.…"
Judging is wrong according to many people who say they are Christians, however God says the opposite. Not only are we to judge righteously, we are to judge those in the body. Christ lives in us, we can discern if someone is sinning and must confront that sin. The only way we can be accurate in our judgments is if we are seeking Christ continually and through knowledge of what He tells us in His Word.
1 Corinthians 5:11-13 "…11 But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 12 What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”…"
People do bad things because bad was done to them is a basic tenet of psychology, it has it's roots in evolution that man is nothing more than an animal reacting to stimuli. If this were true what excuse did Adam and Eve have, their Father was perfect.
Everyone must have self esteem; Philippians 2;3-4 "3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.…"
We automatically think of ourselves first, that's why we have to be trained and taught to think of others first.
We must love ourselves first before we can love someone else. This lie keeps people focused on self when God tells us we are born loving ourselves too much and must be taught to love others above ourselves.
Matthew 22:39 "22:39 The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself."
If we love others as much as we love ourselves that will be a whole lot of love for others.
Children who turn out bad must be raised badly. This would negate the reality that some children from very bad homes turn out very good while some children from very good homes turn out evil. It is a general rule that parenting plays a part, but after a child is raised they still have a choice to be like their bad parents or to be like their good parents.
Ezekiel 18:20 " 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. "
We need to be careful how we say thing so that they will be received by the hearer. The premise is that if someone got angry with us for what we said, then we must have said it badly. God never said this anywhere in the Word. He told us to be guided by the Holy Spirit, He will give us what we need when we need it.
Luke 12:11-12 "…11 When you are brought before the synagogues, rulers, and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say. 12 For at that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say.”
Jeremiah 7:26-28 "…26 "Yet they did not listen to Me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck; they did more evil than their fathers. 27 "You shall speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you; and you shall call to them, but they will not answer you. 28 "You shall say to them, 'This is the nation that did not obey the voice of the LORD their God or accept correction; truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth.…"
We can claim things, causing God to have to give us what we want. God spoke the universe into existence, but He never gave us the power to do the same. We are in arrogance and rebellion if we think God has to obey us. There is a desire in the heart of a "Claimer" to be god, the same deception that the devil used with Eve, he said; "you can be like the Most High God."
James 4:6-8 "6 But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.…"
James 4:14-16 "…14 You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil.…"
There are those who shame others by claiming they don't have enough faith if they don't get what they prayed for, when actually many trust Christ for His will and accept whatever He has chosen for them. I see nothing in the following verses that indicate we are to claim whatever we want without asking God for it.
Matthew 6:5-13 "5 “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.
8 So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
9 “Pray, then, in this way:
‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day [e]our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’]"
There are also those who don't really trust God as they claim things for themselves, while attempting to force an answer to their prayer by working hard to make their request happen, at the same time assigning the answer to God when it was really their own effort. They were not trusting God at all but claiming they were.
Speaking to the dead, which God calls divination. Many Christians today speak to dead relatives at funerals, memorials and grave sights believing their dead relatives hear them. These same people think that their dead relatives can see them from heaven. None of this is Scriptural but it is occultic.
Leviticus 19:31 (Necromancy: speaking or conjuring up the dead)
“Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.
Having faith in faith, but not in God. There are many who think all they have to do is believe in their belief, the power of their own thoughts and words making whatever they want to believe alright with God.
Jeremiah 17:5 "Thus says the LORD, "Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind And makes flesh his strength, And whose heart turns away from the LORD."
Contemplative prayer, if anyone practices this, they are engaging in occult activity. God told us to be discerning concerning false doctrine so as not to get caught up in evil.
Matthew 6:8-9 "…8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. 9 So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, 10 Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.…"
We must be encouraged and validated by others to be fulfilled and healthy. God says all we need is Christ. He alone can provide all our needs.
Philippians 4:19-20 "19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.…"
Doing good deeds in public to be seen by others, is against the Word of God.
Matthew 16:1 "1 Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."
Hebrews 6:1 "1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God, "
Philippians 2:3 "3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. "
Matthew 23:5-6 " 5 All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. 6 They love the places of honor at banquets, the chief seats in the synagogues,…"
Don't judge mantra, the opposite of what God says:
1 Corinthians 2:15-16 "15 The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment. 16 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.…"
Experts must be consulted rather than trusting Christ. Egypt is a picture of sin and rebellion in many Bible passages.
Isaiah 30:1-3 "1 "Woe to the rebellious children," declares the LORD, "Who execute a plan, but not Mine, And make an alliance, but not of My Spirit, In order to add sin to sin; 2 Who proceed down to Egypt Without consulting Me, To take refuge in the safety of Pharaoh And to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt! 3 "Therefore the safety of Pharaoh will be your shame And the shelter in the shadow of Egypt, your humiliation."
Pictures of men depicting Christ is nothing more than art, it's not. Any time we wish that man in the picture were Him, we are forming an idol in our own heart.
Exodus 20:4
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth."
Would it make sense for me to go to lunch with my husband, sit across from him, pull out a picture from my wallet of another man claiming it is my husband? My husband would be hurt and maybe angry that I was looking at someone else wishing it were him. Remember Christ lives in us, we don't know what He looks like but we trust Him without seeing Him. If we must have a picture to pretend we are looking at Christ, then we lack faith and have an idol.
2 Corinthians 5:7 "7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.…"
John 20:29 "29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed.”
"Christian Psychology" is a good thing. There is no such thing as "Christian Psychology", the term has been used to mask an ungodly doctrine within the church by adding the word "Christian" to ungodly and cultic practices that negate the word of God.
Next time we hear something that sounds right, but is popular by the secular community, assume that it is probably wrong and go to prayer and Biblical research to see if it fits with God's principles.
In these last days of deception these false and enticing belief systems will increase, becoming more cleaver and confusing for those who have not read their Bibles.
Counting to three before a child has to obey: This teaches a child that he doesn't have to obey until we get to the number three, also causing flippancy toward sinfulness, not to mention weakening the authority of the parents. Children must be taught to obey immediately every time. Perhaps the child is running toward a busy street but does not take seriously the first time the parent tells them to stop. By the third command the child could be under the wheels of a vehicle. Not only for their own safety but also for their attitude toward respect for authority in the future they need to learn to obey immediately. Does a boss want an employee who does not move quickly to please his boss?
When a child is allowed to obey only when he wants to depending on the mood of the parent, then he will not take seriously obedience to anyone else when he grows older. He may even become contemptuous toward anyone who requires compliance.
Psalm 119:59 "59 I considered my ways And turned my feet to Your testimonies. 60 I hastened and did not delay To keep Your commandments. 61 The cords of the wicked have encircled me, But I have not forgotten Your law.…"
Allowing a child to disobey three times before punishing them for disobedience is another false teaching. When this is practiced, the child understands that they can lie or disobey two times before they have to obey. This undermines the evilness of sin, causing the child to view sin as only bad if you can't get away with it. It weakens the authority of the parent, thereby weakening the authority in all situations, all other authority figures also.
Forgiveness without confession: Not only does the one who has sinned need to confess it to God and those they offend, they need to desire not to repeat the same offenses again. Those who will not confess, are not sorry nor admitting their sin, therefore their behavior will not change, they will have no progress in their maturity and many relationships in which they are involved will be ruined.
1 John 1:9-10 "9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.…"
Forgiving ourselves; it is not Biblical, no scripture in the Bible speaks of our need to forgive ourselves. If we continue to act guilty after confessing and forsaking our sin, then the problem is not that we have not forgiven ourselves, but rather we have not believed God when He told us He would.
1 John 1:9 " If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Man is basically good is another false teaching, causing man to become enraged at the suggestion that he needs change or even has a need for God. We know it is a teaching from the devil because God says the opposite.
Jeremiah 17:9-10 " 9" The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?
One should never spank or physically discipline a child.
Proverbs 23:12-14 "…12 Apply your heart to discipline And your ears to words of knowledge. 13 Do not hold back discipline from the child, Although you strike him with the rod, he will not die. 14 You shall strike him with the rod And rescue his soul from Sheol.…"
Children must express their feelings as they see fit.
Proverbs 25:28 - "He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit [is like] a city [that is] broken down, [and] without walls."
Children must be allowed to rebel, it's part of their learning.
1 Samuel 15:23 "For rebellion is as the sin of divination, And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king."
The more a child learns to think of others and obey authority the happier they are.
Feelings are far more important than anything else.
Proverbs 4:23-24 "…22 For they are life to those who find them And health to all their body. 23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. 24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you.…"
We shouldn't tell people they are wrong, just allow them to think what they like without challenge.
2 Timothy 4:2-3 " 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.…"
The destination isn't important, it's about the journey, another popular mantra we hear today. It matters to God where we are going, the journey matters as well as the destination.
John 14:4-6 "4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 “Lord, said Thomas, “we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.…"
Judging is wrong according to many people who say they are Christians, however God says the opposite. Not only are we to judge righteously, we are to judge those in the body. Christ lives in us, we can discern if someone is sinning and must confront that sin. The only way we can be accurate in our judgments is if we are seeking Christ continually and through knowledge of what He tells us in His Word.
1 Corinthians 5:11-13 "…11 But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 12 What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”…"
People do bad things because bad was done to them is a basic tenet of psychology, it has it's roots in evolution that man is nothing more than an animal reacting to stimuli. If this were true what excuse did Adam and Eve have, their Father was perfect.
Everyone must have self esteem; Philippians 2;3-4 "3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.…"
We automatically think of ourselves first, that's why we have to be trained and taught to think of others first.
We must love ourselves first before we can love someone else. This lie keeps people focused on self when God tells us we are born loving ourselves too much and must be taught to love others above ourselves.
Matthew 22:39 "22:39 The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself."
If we love others as much as we love ourselves that will be a whole lot of love for others.
Children who turn out bad must be raised badly. This would negate the reality that some children from very bad homes turn out very good while some children from very good homes turn out evil. It is a general rule that parenting plays a part, but after a child is raised they still have a choice to be like their bad parents or to be like their good parents.
Ezekiel 18:20 " 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. "
We need to be careful how we say thing so that they will be received by the hearer. The premise is that if someone got angry with us for what we said, then we must have said it badly. God never said this anywhere in the Word. He told us to be guided by the Holy Spirit, He will give us what we need when we need it.
Luke 12:11-12 "…11 When you are brought before the synagogues, rulers, and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say. 12 For at that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say.”
Jeremiah 7:26-28 "…26 "Yet they did not listen to Me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck; they did more evil than their fathers. 27 "You shall speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you; and you shall call to them, but they will not answer you. 28 "You shall say to them, 'This is the nation that did not obey the voice of the LORD their God or accept correction; truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth.…"
We can claim things, causing God to have to give us what we want. God spoke the universe into existence, but He never gave us the power to do the same. We are in arrogance and rebellion if we think God has to obey us. There is a desire in the heart of a "Claimer" to be god, the same deception that the devil used with Eve, he said; "you can be like the Most High God."
James 4:6-8 "6 But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.…"
James 4:14-16 "…14 You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil.…"
There are those who shame others by claiming they don't have enough faith if they don't get what they prayed for, when actually many trust Christ for His will and accept whatever He has chosen for them. I see nothing in the following verses that indicate we are to claim whatever we want without asking God for it.
Matthew 6:5-13 "5 “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.
8 So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
9 “Pray, then, in this way:
‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day [e]our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’]"
There are also those who don't really trust God as they claim things for themselves, while attempting to force an answer to their prayer by working hard to make their request happen, at the same time assigning the answer to God when it was really their own effort. They were not trusting God at all but claiming they were.
Speaking to the dead, which God calls divination. Many Christians today speak to dead relatives at funerals, memorials and grave sights believing their dead relatives hear them. These same people think that their dead relatives can see them from heaven. None of this is Scriptural but it is occultic.
Leviticus 19:31 (Necromancy: speaking or conjuring up the dead)
“Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.
Having faith in faith, but not in God. There are many who think all they have to do is believe in their belief, the power of their own thoughts and words making whatever they want to believe alright with God.
Jeremiah 17:5 "Thus says the LORD, "Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind And makes flesh his strength, And whose heart turns away from the LORD."
Contemplative prayer, if anyone practices this, they are engaging in occult activity. God told us to be discerning concerning false doctrine so as not to get caught up in evil.
Matthew 6:8-9 "…8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. 9 So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, 10 Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.…"
We must be encouraged and validated by others to be fulfilled and healthy. God says all we need is Christ. He alone can provide all our needs.
Philippians 4:19-20 "19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.…"
Doing good deeds in public to be seen by others, is against the Word of God.
Matthew 16:1 "1 Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."
Hebrews 6:1 "1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God, "
Philippians 2:3 "3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. "
Matthew 23:5-6 " 5 All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. 6 They love the places of honor at banquets, the chief seats in the synagogues,…"
Don't judge mantra, the opposite of what God says:
1 Corinthians 2:15-16 "15 The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment. 16 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.…"
Experts must be consulted rather than trusting Christ. Egypt is a picture of sin and rebellion in many Bible passages.
Isaiah 30:1-3 "1 "Woe to the rebellious children," declares the LORD, "Who execute a plan, but not Mine, And make an alliance, but not of My Spirit, In order to add sin to sin; 2 Who proceed down to Egypt Without consulting Me, To take refuge in the safety of Pharaoh And to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt! 3 "Therefore the safety of Pharaoh will be your shame And the shelter in the shadow of Egypt, your humiliation."
Pictures of men depicting Christ is nothing more than art, it's not. Any time we wish that man in the picture were Him, we are forming an idol in our own heart.
Exodus 20:4
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth."
Would it make sense for me to go to lunch with my husband, sit across from him, pull out a picture from my wallet of another man claiming it is my husband? My husband would be hurt and maybe angry that I was looking at someone else wishing it were him. Remember Christ lives in us, we don't know what He looks like but we trust Him without seeing Him. If we must have a picture to pretend we are looking at Christ, then we lack faith and have an idol.
2 Corinthians 5:7 "7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.…"
John 20:29 "29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed.”
"Christian Psychology" is a good thing. There is no such thing as "Christian Psychology", the term has been used to mask an ungodly doctrine within the church by adding the word "Christian" to ungodly and cultic practices that negate the word of God.
Next time we hear something that sounds right, but is popular by the secular community, assume that it is probably wrong and go to prayer and Biblical research to see if it fits with God's principles.
In these last days of deception these false and enticing belief systems will increase, becoming more cleaver and confusing for those who have not read their Bibles.
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Go Out There !
The people are the church, we were never told to build buildings to meet in, we were told to gather. We can do that in a home, in the park, on the mountain, then we become equipped by knowing the Word and asking God for wisdom, to be able to do what He has for us to do.
We violate Scripture when we bring non-believers into our worship, that is for believers alone.
People are a little lazy, they would rather bring someone to church than tell the gospel to them, themselves.
A little embarrassed about the gospel, to the point that you would rather let others do it while taking the credit for their salvation because you brought them in? Just sayin!
God told every believer to speak the gospel to non-believers. There are no special classes of believers who are the only ones called to preach the gospel. We all have a responsibility to share it, by the power of the Holy Spirit we all have the fruit of Him Who lives in us.
We may have different roles based on our gender or age, but we have all been given the mandate to go into the world. The original language tells us that "the world" is where God has placed us.
Mark 6:15 ". 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."
No where does God tell us to bring them into the gathering as non-believers. We preach to them in the world and when they become born again we bring them in as brothers and sisters in the Lord.
We violate Scripture when we bring non-believers into our worship, that is for believers alone.
People are a little lazy, they would rather bring someone to church than tell the gospel to them, themselves.
A little embarrassed about the gospel, to the point that you would rather let others do it while taking the credit for their salvation because you brought them in? Just sayin!
God told every believer to speak the gospel to non-believers. There are no special classes of believers who are the only ones called to preach the gospel. We all have a responsibility to share it, by the power of the Holy Spirit we all have the fruit of Him Who lives in us.
We may have different roles based on our gender or age, but we have all been given the mandate to go into the world. The original language tells us that "the world" is where God has placed us.
Mark 6:15 ". 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."
No where does God tell us to bring them into the gathering as non-believers. We preach to them in the world and when they become born again we bring them in as brothers and sisters in the Lord.
"You Poked My Heart" and the Eye too!
Don't poke the heart of another believer simply because they disagree or don't do things exactly your way. We can appreciate those who don't think exactly the way we do, we don't have to intimidate them into accepting our way, as long as it is not about sin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sKdDyyanGk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sKdDyyanGk
Salvation for One More Family
There was only one family saved from the flood when God sent judgment, that was Noah's.
Soon there will only be one family saved from destruction one more time, that is the family of Christ in the rapture, before the judgment of the tribulation.
Soon there will only be one family saved from destruction one more time, that is the family of Christ in the rapture, before the judgment of the tribulation.
Friday, December 16, 2016
Grateful for God's Mercy
Repentance opens the door for Christ to come and change our heart. He will not change the heart of someone who won't admit their sinfulness.
One cannot be saved until they confess they are sinful in need of a Savior.
Far too many people decided to join the Christian club without ever being broken over their sinful nature. They became prideful because they considered themselves a member of an elite club, rather than grateful to God for saving their helpless and depraved soul.
Without brokenness over sin and gratefulness for God's mercy, there can be no salvation.
One cannot be saved until they confess they are sinful in need of a Savior.
Far too many people decided to join the Christian club without ever being broken over their sinful nature. They became prideful because they considered themselves a member of an elite club, rather than grateful to God for saving their helpless and depraved soul.
Without brokenness over sin and gratefulness for God's mercy, there can be no salvation.
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Santa is a Lie!!!
Santa isn't even real, he has no gifts, he has no body nor does he have miracles to know everyone on earth as children are led to believe. He is nothing, nothing at all, except a figment of the imagination of those who don't know Christ.
If anyone is teaching their children to love Santa, they are playing into the devil's hands.
When children place their trust in a non-existent being, who purports to do all that God can do, they love an idol.
Proverbs 28:26 "Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered."
1 John 5:20-21 "…20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols."
Colossians 3:2 "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Ephesians 1:17-18 "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,"
When Christ and an idol are taught side by side for the sake of pleasure, then this reduces Christ to just another ferry tale. No child has ever come to Christ in repentance and brokenness over sin because they believed in Santa.
Just the opposite, every child who place their trust in Santa cannot retain him in their heart when they come to Christ in spite of the lies they have been told.
Please believers!!! Please do not pretend Santa to your children, sadly, you will be held accountable for the deception you trained them in, not only in the myth of Santa but their idea that all they have to do is make up anything they want and pretend it is true.
Proverbs 21:2-3 " 2 Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts. 3 To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice.…"
We cannot say that "God knows my heart" when we disobey Him. This is merely saying that God knows my heart disobeys and rejects His ways and teachings.
Let's stop using the excuse that "God knows my heart." One cannot have a good heart when his actions are evil.
If anyone is teaching their children to love Santa, they are playing into the devil's hands.
When children place their trust in a non-existent being, who purports to do all that God can do, they love an idol.
Proverbs 28:26 "Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered."
1 John 5:20-21 "…20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols."
Colossians 3:2 "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Ephesians 1:17-18 "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,"
When Christ and an idol are taught side by side for the sake of pleasure, then this reduces Christ to just another ferry tale. No child has ever come to Christ in repentance and brokenness over sin because they believed in Santa.
Just the opposite, every child who place their trust in Santa cannot retain him in their heart when they come to Christ in spite of the lies they have been told.
Please believers!!! Please do not pretend Santa to your children, sadly, you will be held accountable for the deception you trained them in, not only in the myth of Santa but their idea that all they have to do is make up anything they want and pretend it is true.
Proverbs 21:2-3 " 2 Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts. 3 To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice.…"
We cannot say that "God knows my heart" when we disobey Him. This is merely saying that God knows my heart disobeys and rejects His ways and teachings.
Let's stop using the excuse that "God knows my heart." One cannot have a good heart when his actions are evil.
In a Box Under the Bed
I guess today will be old people story day.
Funny how we can look back at the way we used to think based on how we were raised.
My husband having been raised in a family of fifteen children, had very different ideas about how a household was run than I did having been raised as the youngest in a household of only three children.
Our first home was a 19 foot travel trailer loaned to us by Rodger's Father. After we got married I moved into the trailer with Rodger ready and excited about starting our new home. It was very small but to me that didn't matter, I was ready to become the manager of our little space.
Upon moving in, I began to move things around to make room for my personal items, which were not much. Rodger had the habit of putting his socks under the bed in a box, all through his growing years that's how it was done because the family was too poor to have dressers for everyone.
Rodger never thought of his family as poor, he just thought this was normal life for everyone since they had all their needs met and a little more.
There were four drawers in the hallway of this tiny trailer, I chose one of them to be the drawer for the socks and underwear. As I was taking the socks from the dust bunny filled box that Rodger had been keeping them in, he approached me and asked why I was putting socks in a drawer. I told him that in my house growing up that's where socks went.
He was shocked at that, he said; "we can't put them there", I asked why. He said; "socks go in a box under the bed." I would have been alright with that except it didn't make sense, when there was a free empty drawer available. I asked him if it would be alright since the drawer would be empty anyway, why not use it and leave space under the bed for something else. He agreed, the socks went into the drawer and have been in a drawer ever since and nothing ever goes under the bed in our house. LOL
Marriage takes compromise and understanding. When we fail to understand and an argument ensues, then we must be ready to ask forgiveness, move on to do things differently from what caused the argument in the first place. Every conflict can be a growing spurt that changes our character into what God would want.
Divorces happen because someone refuses to bend a little, work to understand or are unable to admit when they are wrong. All relationships that are broken have failed in these areas, mending means admitting! In other words, humility is required, as long as pride is present there can be no reconciliation nor can there be growth.
It did help for both of us to be raised in families where the parents stayed together all their lives, no divorce and no remarriage. It set an example for us, though not perfect, the sense of remaining together as one was deeply embedded in our thinking. After becoming born again that thinking grew even more a part of who we are today.
2 Peter 3:18 "18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."
Don't let the devil win in his quest to destroy your family. Fight for your family, do it in prayer, do it by words of truth and do it by refusing to allow emotions dictate your actions.
Funny how we can look back at the way we used to think based on how we were raised.
My husband having been raised in a family of fifteen children, had very different ideas about how a household was run than I did having been raised as the youngest in a household of only three children.
Our first home was a 19 foot travel trailer loaned to us by Rodger's Father. After we got married I moved into the trailer with Rodger ready and excited about starting our new home. It was very small but to me that didn't matter, I was ready to become the manager of our little space.
Upon moving in, I began to move things around to make room for my personal items, which were not much. Rodger had the habit of putting his socks under the bed in a box, all through his growing years that's how it was done because the family was too poor to have dressers for everyone.
Rodger never thought of his family as poor, he just thought this was normal life for everyone since they had all their needs met and a little more.
There were four drawers in the hallway of this tiny trailer, I chose one of them to be the drawer for the socks and underwear. As I was taking the socks from the dust bunny filled box that Rodger had been keeping them in, he approached me and asked why I was putting socks in a drawer. I told him that in my house growing up that's where socks went.
He was shocked at that, he said; "we can't put them there", I asked why. He said; "socks go in a box under the bed." I would have been alright with that except it didn't make sense, when there was a free empty drawer available. I asked him if it would be alright since the drawer would be empty anyway, why not use it and leave space under the bed for something else. He agreed, the socks went into the drawer and have been in a drawer ever since and nothing ever goes under the bed in our house. LOL
Marriage takes compromise and understanding. When we fail to understand and an argument ensues, then we must be ready to ask forgiveness, move on to do things differently from what caused the argument in the first place. Every conflict can be a growing spurt that changes our character into what God would want.
Divorces happen because someone refuses to bend a little, work to understand or are unable to admit when they are wrong. All relationships that are broken have failed in these areas, mending means admitting! In other words, humility is required, as long as pride is present there can be no reconciliation nor can there be growth.
It did help for both of us to be raised in families where the parents stayed together all their lives, no divorce and no remarriage. It set an example for us, though not perfect, the sense of remaining together as one was deeply embedded in our thinking. After becoming born again that thinking grew even more a part of who we are today.
2 Peter 3:18 "18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."
Don't let the devil win in his quest to destroy your family. Fight for your family, do it in prayer, do it by words of truth and do it by refusing to allow emotions dictate your actions.
This is What Old People Do
We forget why we came into a room. We walk back out hoping the thought we had, would return, and it usually does, we go back into the room and it leaves us again. "Rats", we say, then we stand in that room a few seconds and the absent thought returns. Yay, we do what we came to do and feel a sense of glee and accomplishment that we got it done.
We forget how to express ourselves, our language actually becomes more colorful. All those words we used to use, seem to just leave us, we know they are there but we can't make them come out our mouth.
Last night my husband wanted to go and measure the snow, as he was walking out the door he asked me to get my "inch stick." I asked him if "he wanted the ruler." Yep, that was it, being good for a new expression for us.
Then he went to put away the "inch stick" and I found it in my pencil box.
I told him that he put his inch stick in my pencil box. He retorted that that's where it belongs now, my reply was "no" pencils and pens go in the pencil box.
I informed him that it won't remain there, it stands too high above all the pens and pencils, asking him if he would like to know where I keep it for next time he needs it. His answer was, "no, when I need it I will ask you for it."
Yep.....a day in the life of the old folks!!! I don't know what he will do when I die and he doesn't know how to turn on the washing machine or the dryer. He just recently learned to operate the vacuum. He also informed me that I keep his underwear drawer filled with enough for two weeks. When I die, he will not have to learn to use the appliances for at least that long. Hard to believe that a man trained in nuclear engineering would have difficulty operating any household appliance, but then again I have had more than 50 years in the field of homemaking. LOL
I made a new rule, since he's retired, he'll now have to help a little on the days he is not working part time. When I cut his hair and beard, he will have to suck up all that hair from the carpet using the vacuum. He said, "I don't know how to turn it on, after which I showed him where the "ON" switch was and how to bend the arm of the vacuum, then push forward to suck up whatever the mess. One more old people hurdle in the new phase of our life called retirement.
Proverbs 16:31 " 31 A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness. 32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.…"
Keeping our focus on the Lord diminishes the day to day inconveniences and brings a new perspective even laughter.
We forget how to express ourselves, our language actually becomes more colorful. All those words we used to use, seem to just leave us, we know they are there but we can't make them come out our mouth.
Last night my husband wanted to go and measure the snow, as he was walking out the door he asked me to get my "inch stick." I asked him if "he wanted the ruler." Yep, that was it, being good for a new expression for us.
Then he went to put away the "inch stick" and I found it in my pencil box.
I told him that he put his inch stick in my pencil box. He retorted that that's where it belongs now, my reply was "no" pencils and pens go in the pencil box.
I informed him that it won't remain there, it stands too high above all the pens and pencils, asking him if he would like to know where I keep it for next time he needs it. His answer was, "no, when I need it I will ask you for it."
Yep.....a day in the life of the old folks!!! I don't know what he will do when I die and he doesn't know how to turn on the washing machine or the dryer. He just recently learned to operate the vacuum. He also informed me that I keep his underwear drawer filled with enough for two weeks. When I die, he will not have to learn to use the appliances for at least that long. Hard to believe that a man trained in nuclear engineering would have difficulty operating any household appliance, but then again I have had more than 50 years in the field of homemaking. LOL
I made a new rule, since he's retired, he'll now have to help a little on the days he is not working part time. When I cut his hair and beard, he will have to suck up all that hair from the carpet using the vacuum. He said, "I don't know how to turn it on, after which I showed him where the "ON" switch was and how to bend the arm of the vacuum, then push forward to suck up whatever the mess. One more old people hurdle in the new phase of our life called retirement.
Proverbs 16:31 " 31 A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness. 32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.…"
Keeping our focus on the Lord diminishes the day to day inconveniences and brings a new perspective even laughter.
Washed in the Word!
When we are washing our minds in the Word of God, the answers to specific principles for life will come up. It's really not hard, there is also the leading of the Holy Spirit. I have heard Him many times warning me about not doing this or that when there was no specific principles except discernment that guided my decision. God knows everything, when we ask Him and wait, He will answer us for each particular situation.
Romans 10:8
But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:"
Christ is the Word, He lives in us!
John 1:14
"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." Christ is the WORD!!!
James 1:4-6 "…4 Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.…"
Romans 10:8
But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:"
Christ is the Word, He lives in us!
John 1:14
"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." Christ is the WORD!!!
James 1:4-6 "…4 Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.…"
Trusting Christ Brings Authentic Change
Repentance is a change of mind, not behavior. When we change our mind, being broken over our sin, then Christ comes to clean us up, it is His work not ours. Our heart has to change first then the actions will follow.
The lack of proper understanding of the purpose of forgiveness and the effects of using it God's way has caused society as a whole to plunge deeper into wickedness.
Psychology asserts that man is basically good and there are no bad people, just hurting people. This is clearly wrong thinking, we know this because Adam and Eve had the perfect Father and still disobeyed, bringing sin into the world through that disobedience.
God said that the heart of man is wicked while the only solution to it was to trust Christ and be cleansed.
Ephesians 2:9-10 "…9 not 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. "
If we try to change ourselves from the outside first we will fail, it doesn't last and not only do we regress in our behavior we become worse as we get older.
That's why we see so many old people who seemed to be steady about morals when they were younger but are affirming of sin now in the younger generations because they have given up the fight, they were never changed, it was just easy to go with the flow in the culture, when that culture changed, then the behavior and thoughts of the old people change with it.
When we have been changed by Christ, we continue in His Word because He is the One Who did the changing in us.
I remember over the years meeting the "old timers" who are dead now, seeming to be so strong about morals, condemning shacking up, abortion and many other things that the culture as a whole were against. Even non-believers were against these things.
However, as the culture changed to accept these sins, so did the older folks, their belief system was rooted in the culture not in the Bible or by the Holy Spirit. Since they never read their Bibles, except rarely to gain comfort for their lives, they had no rock or "The Rock" for which to have a good footing.
It was more important to be accepted by their adult children and grandchildren than it was to stand firm for Christ.
There are many aging parents and Grandparents who are mystified by the lack of support, empathy and kindness on the part of children and grandchildren. Believers who understand the end times, know that this is prophesy being fulfilled, but those who do not know Christ don't understand or they believe what is happening is normal.
The lack of proper understanding of the purpose of forgiveness and the effects of using it God's way has caused society as a whole to plunge deeper into wickedness.
Psychology asserts that man is basically good and there are no bad people, just hurting people. This is clearly wrong thinking, we know this because Adam and Eve had the perfect Father and still disobeyed, bringing sin into the world through that disobedience.
God said that the heart of man is wicked while the only solution to it was to trust Christ and be cleansed.
Ephesians 2:9-10 "…9 not 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. "
If we try to change ourselves from the outside first we will fail, it doesn't last and not only do we regress in our behavior we become worse as we get older.
That's why we see so many old people who seemed to be steady about morals when they were younger but are affirming of sin now in the younger generations because they have given up the fight, they were never changed, it was just easy to go with the flow in the culture, when that culture changed, then the behavior and thoughts of the old people change with it.
When we have been changed by Christ, we continue in His Word because He is the One Who did the changing in us.
I remember over the years meeting the "old timers" who are dead now, seeming to be so strong about morals, condemning shacking up, abortion and many other things that the culture as a whole were against. Even non-believers were against these things.
However, as the culture changed to accept these sins, so did the older folks, their belief system was rooted in the culture not in the Bible or by the Holy Spirit. Since they never read their Bibles, except rarely to gain comfort for their lives, they had no rock or "The Rock" for which to have a good footing.
It was more important to be accepted by their adult children and grandchildren than it was to stand firm for Christ.
There are many aging parents and Grandparents who are mystified by the lack of support, empathy and kindness on the part of children and grandchildren. Believers who understand the end times, know that this is prophesy being fulfilled, but those who do not know Christ don't understand or they believe what is happening is normal.
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