Here we are in 2017, sadly we continue to see things getting worse.
We are living in a day when unmarried couples are having babies and "Christians" are congratulating them for their new baby, as though there is nothing wrong in the world with immoral relations.
Yes, I know, this is why my relatives and former friends run from me, I hate the sin that is being celebrated these days and say so. This makes most everyone very uncomfortable.
Do we really think that embracing and endorsing sin is going to cause it to stop. Or, are we afraid of what people will do to us when we speak the truth about rebellion against God?
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.'…"
Yes, I have been "chastised" for rebuking people for celebrating things that were once a shame to mention and in God's eyes they still are sin.
Babies out of of wedlock represent an immoral act, the baby is not at fault, but the parents are flaunting their sin as though it is as normal and natural as a couple who waited until they were married to enjoy that union.
When a young couple are repentant for their sin, resolving to do the right thing in marrying to provide a decent home for their child, then we can rejoice over the repentance, while providing for the baby. But as long as a couple remain unmarried, they should not receive the same benefits as those who did it all God's way.
Sunday, January 1, 2017
The True Church
"It is a church of which all the members have the same marks. They are all born of the Spirit; they all possess "repentance towards God, faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ" and holiness of life and conversation. They all hate sin and they all love Christ."
From the Counsel Magazine that comes to our home. A very good definition of the True Church!
From the Counsel Magazine that comes to our home. A very good definition of the True Church!
The Greatest Joy
Want to have the joy of the Lord in great measure?
Simply be at peace with wherever God has planted you, then when it is time to be replanted elsewhere, go there willingly.
I have desires in my old age but I don't let those desires dictate my joy. God has given me things I never even asked for and other times He has blatantly answered prayers I have spoken to Him.
In every desire He has given me and every prayer He has answered, He has left me with greater peace and joy than I had before.
I NEVER WANT TO BE OUT OF HIS WILL!!!!
Simply be at peace with wherever God has planted you, then when it is time to be replanted elsewhere, go there willingly.
I have desires in my old age but I don't let those desires dictate my joy. God has given me things I never even asked for and other times He has blatantly answered prayers I have spoken to Him.
In every desire He has given me and every prayer He has answered, He has left me with greater peace and joy than I had before.
I NEVER WANT TO BE OUT OF HIS WILL!!!!
Flattery and Praise is not Useful
Watch out for those who flatter and schmooze, they do not care about you, they only care that you like them.
"Positive People", those who only love to feel good and have happy times are useless to anyone. How can we address difficulties that are in need of real answers, answers from God that resolve problems? Without admitting to the problems, they cannot be solved.
Without confession there is no moving forward in growth. Happy Happy is not the goal of the believer, solutions that last an eternity are the goal of the believer because the believer has the real love that the world doesn't understand.
It is selfish to withhold correction that might help someone. The goal of this selfish person is to feel good for themselves. They care nothing about helping anyone else, only making others like them.
There is positive and negative in every thing from God that provides solutions. There is the truth about the sin, then there is the solution that God has provided.
Ephesians 4:28 "28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. "
Galatians 6:2 "2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
We cannot carry another person's burden if we refuse to listen to that burden for the purpose of pray and Biblical answers.
Hebrews 6:10 "10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them."
James 1:17 "17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
When we love someone we tell the truth and give the Biblical answer to the situation.
John 15:12 "12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."
How has God loved us?:
Hebrews 12:5-7 "…5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, or lose heart when He rebukes you. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.” 7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"
Proverbs 3:11-13 "…11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof, 12 For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. 13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding.…"
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.…"
Flattery and praise is not very useful for those who are struggling with sin. Encouragement comes from showing one another truth and seeking Christ to live in that truth.
Psalm 12:2-3
They speak falsehood to one another; With flattering lips and with a double heart they speak. May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, The tongue that speaks great things;
Psalm 5:9
There is nothing reliable in what they say; Their inward part is destruction itself Their throat is an open grave; They flatter with their tongue.
Psalm 55:20-21
He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has violated his covenant. His speech was smoother than butter, But his heart was war; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.
Psalm 62:4
They have counseled only to thrust him down from his high position; They delight in falsehood; They bless with their mouth, But inwardly they curse. Selah.
"Positive People", those who only love to feel good and have happy times are useless to anyone. How can we address difficulties that are in need of real answers, answers from God that resolve problems? Without admitting to the problems, they cannot be solved.
Without confession there is no moving forward in growth. Happy Happy is not the goal of the believer, solutions that last an eternity are the goal of the believer because the believer has the real love that the world doesn't understand.
It is selfish to withhold correction that might help someone. The goal of this selfish person is to feel good for themselves. They care nothing about helping anyone else, only making others like them.
There is positive and negative in every thing from God that provides solutions. There is the truth about the sin, then there is the solution that God has provided.
Ephesians 4:28 "28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. "
Galatians 6:2 "2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
We cannot carry another person's burden if we refuse to listen to that burden for the purpose of pray and Biblical answers.
Hebrews 6:10 "10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them."
James 1:17 "17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
When we love someone we tell the truth and give the Biblical answer to the situation.
John 15:12 "12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."
How has God loved us?:
Hebrews 12:5-7 "…5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, or lose heart when He rebukes you. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.” 7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"
Proverbs 3:11-13 "…11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof, 12 For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. 13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding.…"
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.…"
Flattery and praise is not very useful for those who are struggling with sin. Encouragement comes from showing one another truth and seeking Christ to live in that truth.
Psalm 12:2-3
They speak falsehood to one another; With flattering lips and with a double heart they speak. May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, The tongue that speaks great things;
Psalm 5:9
There is nothing reliable in what they say; Their inward part is destruction itself Their throat is an open grave; They flatter with their tongue.
Psalm 55:20-21
He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has violated his covenant. His speech was smoother than butter, But his heart was war; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.
Psalm 62:4
They have counseled only to thrust him down from his high position; They delight in falsehood; They bless with their mouth, But inwardly they curse. Selah.
The Best New Years Resolution Ever
Want to make the best New Years resolution ever?
Here it is, to resolve to seek Christ in all things this year and for the rest of our lives. When we fail we confess our failure and begin again to obey Christ.
I do not see how anyone can go wrong doing this, unless they are doing it as a form of ritual without a heart that desires more than anything to please God and be useful to Him.
Let us not seek ritual to feel more spiritual in this new year, elevating self for our satisfaction, let us seek Christ, Him alone, for His glory.
How do we do this? We learn His word through reading of it, ask the Holy Spirit to show us truth, even if our eyes have to be opened to things we believe that are wrong.
Are we willing to ask God to show us which is truth and which is not, that we might discard anything that is not pleasing to Him.
It sounds so simple, and yet for the prideful heart it is illusive and foreign. May all those who have lived in pride reject it, have a new desire being cleansed by God to walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:3-4 "…3 Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 We therefore were buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. "
Remember: It is not in our own strength and resolution that we accomplish this, it is through letting go of self effort and trusting Christ more fully! The resolution is not to do or be better, the resolution is to seek Christ for this.
Here it is, to resolve to seek Christ in all things this year and for the rest of our lives. When we fail we confess our failure and begin again to obey Christ.
I do not see how anyone can go wrong doing this, unless they are doing it as a form of ritual without a heart that desires more than anything to please God and be useful to Him.
Let us not seek ritual to feel more spiritual in this new year, elevating self for our satisfaction, let us seek Christ, Him alone, for His glory.
How do we do this? We learn His word through reading of it, ask the Holy Spirit to show us truth, even if our eyes have to be opened to things we believe that are wrong.
Are we willing to ask God to show us which is truth and which is not, that we might discard anything that is not pleasing to Him.
It sounds so simple, and yet for the prideful heart it is illusive and foreign. May all those who have lived in pride reject it, have a new desire being cleansed by God to walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:3-4 "…3 Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 We therefore were buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. "
Remember: It is not in our own strength and resolution that we accomplish this, it is through letting go of self effort and trusting Christ more fully! The resolution is not to do or be better, the resolution is to seek Christ for this.
It is Dangerous to Come Against God
To be against Israel is to touch the apple of God's eye.
Zechariah 2:8 " 8For thus says the LORD of hosts, "After glory He has sent me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye."
In modern terms, to go against Israel is to poke God in His eye!
Zechariah 2:8 " 8For thus says the LORD of hosts, "After glory He has sent me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye."
In modern terms, to go against Israel is to poke God in His eye!
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