I am always dismayed when I see people putting up videos of themselves doing good deeds for others. I love that they do them, but how pure can our hearts be if we must get praise from others for them.
Matthew 6:1-2 "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. 2 So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be praised by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their reward.…"
Saturday, December 16, 2017
Be Led By the Holy Spirit Alone
Amen, Amen!!!!!! There is no place in the KJV of the Bible that says "you must read only the KJV of the Bible. Christ is the Word and He lives in us, He can tell us the meaning in any translation.
When we trust a version of the Bible above Christ, we no longer look to Christ but that particular version.
Christ lives in people, the words in translations are fallible but Christ in us is not, trust Him.
If you like a particular version better than another, wonderful, read it and listen to the Holy Spirit.
Some versions are better than others and some are heretical, Christ in us shows us what to watch out for.
Bottom Line, be led by the Holy Spirit!
When we trust a version of the Bible above Christ, we no longer look to Christ but that particular version.
Christ lives in people, the words in translations are fallible but Christ in us is not, trust Him.
If you like a particular version better than another, wonderful, read it and listen to the Holy Spirit.
Some versions are better than others and some are heretical, Christ in us shows us what to watch out for.
Bottom Line, be led by the Holy Spirit!
Are You Born Again?
Amen! Many people who are attending "church" every week are not born again but think they are going to heaven.
Matthew 7:21-23 "21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
Check with God in prayer asking Him if you are born again, then search His word if you are not sure.
John 3
Matthew 7:21-23 "21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
Check with God in prayer asking Him if you are born again, then search His word if you are not sure.
John 3
Decisions Made From Emotion
Most decisions are made through the emotions that drive the culture these days.
The culture uses logic to justify the decisions that were based on the emotions and not on rational good sense, this is human nature.
In order to be rational and righteous we must seek God for our decisions rather than the culture or our own desires.
Much of the time we do things based on what others expect of us rather than what makes good sense and is Biblical.
It's the old "but Johnny's mom let him do it", when a child is attempting to convince his mother to let him do something.
If the culture can pretend their desires are validated by human authority, they can convince others their decision was the right way to go.
It takes God's courage in us to be able to resist being controlled and manipulated by the culture. Often when we swim up stream against the current of public traditions or standards, we will be met with opposition and even rejection regularly.
Often those with degrees or titles are those the culture looks to for their validation. They rarely think to ask God and trust that they can know the answer from God's Word. Their confidence is in the human "experts", as though God is not an expert or that God does not really speak to us even though He lives in us.
There is another very sad condition in many American "Christians." That condition is basing our evaluation or trust in someone because they are popular and/or a snappy dresser. Those that are valued and revered are those that "look good."
There are many verses from God's Word that speak of developing inner beauty based on character development coming from a close walk with Christ. There are no verses that tell us to "look good" on the outside to influence people.
Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
I have actually had people tell me that certain people were "classy", when their lives were rebellious and indifferent to the things of God. Merely because they had some social graces and dressed to the nines whenever in public they were elevated as intelligent enough to give us advice. These people had no moral depth to them, but they sure looked good in a picture or at parties. This mentality leads to ungodly cliques that exclude those who love righteousness, but are just not so great looking on the outside.
Superficiality reigns in this country so much so that it is rare to find those who are devoted to Godly life principles. The principles of God are neglected in order to appear righteous on the outside, but inwardly there is emptiness.
Matthew 7:15-16 "15 Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?…"
The verses in Matthew are speaking of false prophets, but they can easily be equated to false believers too. People who are more interested in looking wise than actually being wise. Inner beauty comes from knowing the mind and heart of God, it cannot come from human wisdom or techniques.
Proverbs 10:9
"Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out."
Listen to what people talk about and watch the things they do and we will have a clue about their inner being. We talk about and do the things we love.
It is good to take inventory on our own lives, what do we talk about, think about and do on a regular basis, this will show us what is going on in our own heart.
Titus 2:7-8
"Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us."
The culture uses logic to justify the decisions that were based on the emotions and not on rational good sense, this is human nature.
In order to be rational and righteous we must seek God for our decisions rather than the culture or our own desires.
Much of the time we do things based on what others expect of us rather than what makes good sense and is Biblical.
It's the old "but Johnny's mom let him do it", when a child is attempting to convince his mother to let him do something.
If the culture can pretend their desires are validated by human authority, they can convince others their decision was the right way to go.
It takes God's courage in us to be able to resist being controlled and manipulated by the culture. Often when we swim up stream against the current of public traditions or standards, we will be met with opposition and even rejection regularly.
Often those with degrees or titles are those the culture looks to for their validation. They rarely think to ask God and trust that they can know the answer from God's Word. Their confidence is in the human "experts", as though God is not an expert or that God does not really speak to us even though He lives in us.
There is another very sad condition in many American "Christians." That condition is basing our evaluation or trust in someone because they are popular and/or a snappy dresser. Those that are valued and revered are those that "look good."
There are many verses from God's Word that speak of developing inner beauty based on character development coming from a close walk with Christ. There are no verses that tell us to "look good" on the outside to influence people.
Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
I have actually had people tell me that certain people were "classy", when their lives were rebellious and indifferent to the things of God. Merely because they had some social graces and dressed to the nines whenever in public they were elevated as intelligent enough to give us advice. These people had no moral depth to them, but they sure looked good in a picture or at parties. This mentality leads to ungodly cliques that exclude those who love righteousness, but are just not so great looking on the outside.
Superficiality reigns in this country so much so that it is rare to find those who are devoted to Godly life principles. The principles of God are neglected in order to appear righteous on the outside, but inwardly there is emptiness.
Matthew 7:15-16 "15 Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?…"
The verses in Matthew are speaking of false prophets, but they can easily be equated to false believers too. People who are more interested in looking wise than actually being wise. Inner beauty comes from knowing the mind and heart of God, it cannot come from human wisdom or techniques.
Proverbs 10:9
"Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out."
Listen to what people talk about and watch the things they do and we will have a clue about their inner being. We talk about and do the things we love.
It is good to take inventory on our own lives, what do we talk about, think about and do on a regular basis, this will show us what is going on in our own heart.
Titus 2:7-8
"Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us."
Obedience or Rebellion You Choose
God said if we love Him we will obey His commands. The entire Bible is the book of His Words to us, our instructions, they are not optional. Those who say they love God but ignore and even mock His Word, are lying.
A Fool is not Teachable
A fool is not teachable, they hate learning because learning often exposes things we do not know, a fool loves to believe they know everything, therefore they do not grow beyond infancy.
Proverbs 12:15 " 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel."
Proverbs 12:15 " 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel."
Book of Commands not Suggestions
The problem in our day is that even the "Christians" do not use the Bible as a book of instructions, they think it is full of suggestions that might be better but not necessary.
John 14:15-16 "15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—…"
John 14:15-16 "15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—…"
Walk away and stay away!
There will be those who will continue to mock and intimidate to silence us, do not allow it, walk away and stay away, moving toward those who may want to hear.
Some of the biggest obstacles to our Christian walk and our openness are those withing the Christians community. They want to dominate others with their modern philosophy of humanism while shutting down our ability and right to speak.
When a "Christian" attempts to silence us through these methods, know that the devil is using their mouth. Those who use intimidation and mocking have been indoctrinated to believe they are doing God's will by disciplining those who use the Bible as their source for all things.
Those who use the tactics as I described have all the love in the world for those who are sinning but have no love for those who would point out the sin. Their hostility is not only toward us, but also toward God.
Another tactic of the devil that is used often is "flattery", it is used to disarm. When we have been flattered we are more likely to remain silent to keep the flattery coming and the devil knows it. He flattered Eve in the garden by getting her to question whether or not God really said what He said. Then the devil told her she could become like God. She didn't have to look to God anymore, she could look within herself and to human methods to be fulfilled and happy.
"Encouragement" is far different from flattery. Flatter says, "you are so wonderful", "you are so attractive." However encouragement says "keep going for the Lord, He can help you do it."
Flattery disarms and encouragement builds confidence to keep going in the right direction.
Proverbs 29:5
"A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet."
Psalm 5:9
"For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue."
Proverbs 26:24-28
"Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling. A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin."
Proverbs 28:23
"Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue."
Encouragement is our goal as believers;
Isaiah 40:31 "31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 43:2 "2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."
Proverbs 18:10 "10 The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."
Flattery causes us to focus on our selves and builds pride, Encouragement causes us to focus on God and trust in Him.
Some of the biggest obstacles to our Christian walk and our openness are those withing the Christians community. They want to dominate others with their modern philosophy of humanism while shutting down our ability and right to speak.
When a "Christian" attempts to silence us through these methods, know that the devil is using their mouth. Those who use intimidation and mocking have been indoctrinated to believe they are doing God's will by disciplining those who use the Bible as their source for all things.
Those who use the tactics as I described have all the love in the world for those who are sinning but have no love for those who would point out the sin. Their hostility is not only toward us, but also toward God.
Another tactic of the devil that is used often is "flattery", it is used to disarm. When we have been flattered we are more likely to remain silent to keep the flattery coming and the devil knows it. He flattered Eve in the garden by getting her to question whether or not God really said what He said. Then the devil told her she could become like God. She didn't have to look to God anymore, she could look within herself and to human methods to be fulfilled and happy.
"Encouragement" is far different from flattery. Flatter says, "you are so wonderful", "you are so attractive." However encouragement says "keep going for the Lord, He can help you do it."
Flattery disarms and encouragement builds confidence to keep going in the right direction.
Proverbs 29:5
"A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet."
Psalm 5:9
"For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue."
Proverbs 26:24-28
"Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling. A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin."
Proverbs 28:23
"Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue."
Encouragement is our goal as believers;
Isaiah 40:31 "31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 43:2 "2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."
Proverbs 18:10 "10 The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."
Flattery causes us to focus on our selves and builds pride, Encouragement causes us to focus on God and trust in Him.
Encouragement or Flattery?
If our goal in friending the world is to get the world to love us, then we are not engaging in evangelism.
Our goal as believers ought to be to tell the truth to help the unbeliever see their lost condition and their need for the Savior.
When the modern church is using flattery to gain the attention of the ungodly, they are playing into the devil's hands. Flattery serves only to solidify an unsaved person's high opinion of themselves. It is of no value in evangelism.
Proverbs 28:23
"Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue. "
Romans 16:18
"For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive."
Encouraging the unsaved to see themselves in their lost condition will be the ultimate love, it can snatch them from the very jaws of hell if they choose to listen. If they do not listen, that is not on us, it is on them.
Those who will not listen to the Scriptures as the authority, must be removed from our lives, they will come against everything we believe, even triangulating, meaning gossiping to others about us, but never in truth, always embellished lies to justify their rejection of us.
Titus 3:10-11 "10 Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned."
A divisive man is not the one who points out error or corrects to instruct in the ways of God. A divisive man is the one who rejects the Word of God and fights to maintain unBiblical and ungodly ways.
"Know it alls" cannot learn, they will only listen to what they like from the Word and ignore that which they do not like.
Romans 7:18 "18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not."
Know-it-alls can never say what is written in Romans 7:18.
We are called to speak from the Word of God always, not from our culture or our own prejudices.
Ezekiel 3:18-19 "18"When I say to the wicked, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. 19"Yet if you have warned the wicked and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered yourself.…"
We are not called to collect friends to prove how well we are doing, we are called of God to tell the truth and leave all the results to Him.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.…"
Results and many friends are not a measure of our spirituality, often they can be evidence that we are not preaching the true gospel but rather a gospel of happiness and pleasure to be liked by others. This is a very selfish worldly motive, not honoring to God.
God said that we will be hated by everyone, I believe that means most people, when we speak His truth.
Isaiah 66:5
"Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at His word: "Your brothers who hate you, who exclude you for My name's sake, Have said, 'Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy.' But they will be put to shame."
Matthew 10:22 "22 You will be hated by everyone on account of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. "
Take comfort in knowing that we will be persecuted in varying degrees for our stand for truth, it is expected and will be the means by which we grow in holiness as well as boldness.
James 1:2-5 "James 1:2-10King James Version (KJV)
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
Hallelujah!!!!!
Our goal as believers ought to be to tell the truth to help the unbeliever see their lost condition and their need for the Savior.
When the modern church is using flattery to gain the attention of the ungodly, they are playing into the devil's hands. Flattery serves only to solidify an unsaved person's high opinion of themselves. It is of no value in evangelism.
Proverbs 28:23
"Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue. "
Romans 16:18
"For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive."
Encouraging the unsaved to see themselves in their lost condition will be the ultimate love, it can snatch them from the very jaws of hell if they choose to listen. If they do not listen, that is not on us, it is on them.
Those who will not listen to the Scriptures as the authority, must be removed from our lives, they will come against everything we believe, even triangulating, meaning gossiping to others about us, but never in truth, always embellished lies to justify their rejection of us.
Titus 3:10-11 "10 Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned."
A divisive man is not the one who points out error or corrects to instruct in the ways of God. A divisive man is the one who rejects the Word of God and fights to maintain unBiblical and ungodly ways.
"Know it alls" cannot learn, they will only listen to what they like from the Word and ignore that which they do not like.
Romans 7:18 "18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not."
Know-it-alls can never say what is written in Romans 7:18.
We are called to speak from the Word of God always, not from our culture or our own prejudices.
Ezekiel 3:18-19 "18"When I say to the wicked, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. 19"Yet if you have warned the wicked and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered yourself.…"
We are not called to collect friends to prove how well we are doing, we are called of God to tell the truth and leave all the results to Him.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.…"
Results and many friends are not a measure of our spirituality, often they can be evidence that we are not preaching the true gospel but rather a gospel of happiness and pleasure to be liked by others. This is a very selfish worldly motive, not honoring to God.
God said that we will be hated by everyone, I believe that means most people, when we speak His truth.
Isaiah 66:5
"Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at His word: "Your brothers who hate you, who exclude you for My name's sake, Have said, 'Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy.' But they will be put to shame."
Matthew 10:22 "22 You will be hated by everyone on account of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. "
Take comfort in knowing that we will be persecuted in varying degrees for our stand for truth, it is expected and will be the means by which we grow in holiness as well as boldness.
James 1:2-5 "James 1:2-10King James Version (KJV)
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
Hallelujah!!!!!
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