If you have been one who has been continually rejected by others because you thought differently, then you know what it feels like to be alone.
If you have been rejected by most people for trusting Christ, as you refuse to give into the latest fad that demotes Christ to just another wise person, then you know what it is to be alone with Christ.
When you are alone it hurts to have few or no friends. When you are alone with Christ the joy is full and blessed.
When we depend on Christ we have no need of others to validate us. We have Christ Who knows everything about us, what we need and what our future holds.
We love people, even those who have rejected us, but are not addicted to their love, validation or presence.
When we meet another Christ filled Christian that is gravy in our walk with Christ, our joy is doubled.
What an amazing God we serve! Hallelujah!!!!
Friday, August 31, 2018
Who Gave the Most?
The Lord Jesus Christ cared more than anyone could possibly care. AND yet look what mankind did to Him. He continues to stretch out His hand, however there is a limit to this stretch, it ends a the rapture. After that He will stretch out some more in the tribulation but the reach will include terrible attention getters in the form of illness, natural disasters and immense loss. One can trust hIm now, go up in the rapture to be with Him or one can refuse until believers and the Holy Spirit is taken out and go through hardship that has never been seen before.
Lynda Searcy said this:
"I’ve learned that no matter how much I care , some people don’t just care back !"
Lynda Searcy said this:
"I’ve learned that no matter how much I care , some people don’t just care back !"
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
The Pollyanna Mentality Does More Harm than Good
I have a hard time with "Pollyanna's", the reason is that they cannot fix what is wrong or warn anyone because they never see the problems. They interpret everything in terms of their desired belief instead of what is real.
This type person cannot be helpful to someone who has been treated badly because they will be told maybe the perp really didn't mean it or we saw it wrong. They do not comfort in ways that help. Perhaps the "Pollyanna" mentality serves them so they don't have to face hard things.
If we are confident in the Lord we can see everything in reality and it does not devastate us.
Truth is freeing and pretense is bondage.
This type person cannot be helpful to someone who has been treated badly because they will be told maybe the perp really didn't mean it or we saw it wrong. They do not comfort in ways that help. Perhaps the "Pollyanna" mentality serves them so they don't have to face hard things.
If we are confident in the Lord we can see everything in reality and it does not devastate us.
Truth is freeing and pretense is bondage.
The are not as Confused as you may Think
This whole matter of "gender confusion" is nearly as irrational as one can get. I can understand someone who is deeply sinful wishing they could be the gender that they are not. What I can't understand is any doubt as to what they really are.
One only has to observe that they either "have one of those" or they don't "have one of those", to determine which gender they are.
Science proves it not only by observation but by function. The matter of gender confusion goes beyond insanity as it moves into the realm of the demonic.
In these last days we see how senseless it is that one would be confused about their own gender. Lacking good sense is a part of these end times.
The matter of choosing to believe the opposite of what God said is in fact demonic. Just as the devil spoke lies into the ears of Eve in the garden from the beginning, he is doing it now when mankind is deeply invested in personal esteem.
It is strangely against nature to want to be the gender that was not given to us at birth.
What was considered strange and ludicrous just 50 years ago is becoming accepted a little more each day.
It isn't bad enough that these gender confused individuals and those who promote it are confused themselves, but they are dedicated to forcing others to accept it.
Why, we might ask ourselves? Why do those who desire to be a gender other than what God made them, feel a need to force everyone else to accept and even endorse their behavior?
I think the answer is simple, those who have this disordered thinking really don't believe it themselves or they would be able to accept that others are not on board with them.
When we believe in what we are doing we have no need to force others to accept it, we simply live it out ourselves, even if we are alone.
The transgender person knows their behavior is deviant or they wouldn't need so desperately the acceptance or validation from others.
One of the traits of the narcissist is their ability to rage at simplest of things when someone does not validate them through disagreement. The narcissist must have the validation of others to exist. This is why they use many and varying manipulation and intimidation to force others to see them as superior.
Christ-like confident people have no need to intimidate others, they have no need to be validated by others, their security is in God and not man. It is the insecure person who must force others to accept whatever they are doing, they have no strength without the continual praise and confirmation of others.
It is wonderful when we know what we believe and can stand alone. It is also wonderful when we can fellowship with like minded people in solidarity.
God intended for believers to be strong alone and even stronger together. We are a family of worshipers of God, He is our strength and guide. Those who realize this are the best of friends because of their oneness in Christ.
When we see the world pressing in all around us, attempting to destroy us through their desire to control our thinking, we know that we have within us One Who is stronger than man and stronger than the devil, that is Jesus Christ.
No one can force us to believe or support that which is not blessed by God.
Psalm 29:1
"Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty, Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength."
Psalm 93:1
"The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The LORD has clothed and girded Himself with strength; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved."
One only has to observe that they either "have one of those" or they don't "have one of those", to determine which gender they are.
Science proves it not only by observation but by function. The matter of gender confusion goes beyond insanity as it moves into the realm of the demonic.
In these last days we see how senseless it is that one would be confused about their own gender. Lacking good sense is a part of these end times.
The matter of choosing to believe the opposite of what God said is in fact demonic. Just as the devil spoke lies into the ears of Eve in the garden from the beginning, he is doing it now when mankind is deeply invested in personal esteem.
It is strangely against nature to want to be the gender that was not given to us at birth.
What was considered strange and ludicrous just 50 years ago is becoming accepted a little more each day.
It isn't bad enough that these gender confused individuals and those who promote it are confused themselves, but they are dedicated to forcing others to accept it.
Why, we might ask ourselves? Why do those who desire to be a gender other than what God made them, feel a need to force everyone else to accept and even endorse their behavior?
I think the answer is simple, those who have this disordered thinking really don't believe it themselves or they would be able to accept that others are not on board with them.
When we believe in what we are doing we have no need to force others to accept it, we simply live it out ourselves, even if we are alone.
The transgender person knows their behavior is deviant or they wouldn't need so desperately the acceptance or validation from others.
One of the traits of the narcissist is their ability to rage at simplest of things when someone does not validate them through disagreement. The narcissist must have the validation of others to exist. This is why they use many and varying manipulation and intimidation to force others to see them as superior.
Christ-like confident people have no need to intimidate others, they have no need to be validated by others, their security is in God and not man. It is the insecure person who must force others to accept whatever they are doing, they have no strength without the continual praise and confirmation of others.
It is wonderful when we know what we believe and can stand alone. It is also wonderful when we can fellowship with like minded people in solidarity.
God intended for believers to be strong alone and even stronger together. We are a family of worshipers of God, He is our strength and guide. Those who realize this are the best of friends because of their oneness in Christ.
When we see the world pressing in all around us, attempting to destroy us through their desire to control our thinking, we know that we have within us One Who is stronger than man and stronger than the devil, that is Jesus Christ.
No one can force us to believe or support that which is not blessed by God.
Psalm 29:1
"Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty, Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength."
Psalm 93:1
"The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The LORD has clothed and girded Himself with strength; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved."
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
2 Timothy 4:1-5
"1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."
2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."
Monday, August 27, 2018
The Holy Spirit Never Left Believers
For those who think the Holy Spirit hops in and out of people over their sin I will explain it this way: there is not one account in the Bible of the Holy Spirit leaving a believer after Christ sent Him to all believers when He went into heaven.
Butterflies Never Go Back
God gave us a perfect analogy of eternal security of the believer! That is the butterfly who starts out as a worm. After he emerges from the cocoon he can never go back to the worm again.
The Butterfly Cannot Go Back to a Worm
There are so many now who are using the mantra; "Christ doesn't leave us but we can leave Him."
This is not true, it is heresy, here is the truth:
When Christ changes us into a new creation we can never change ourselves back again. We do not leave Him ever, we do endure to the end. Those who do not endure were never born again. These people are mentioned in
This is not true, it is heresy, here is the truth:
When Christ changes us into a new creation we can never change ourselves back again. We do not leave Him ever, we do endure to the end. Those who do not endure were never born again. These people are mentioned in
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.’"
When a person appears to have left God, they were never with God. God never changed them. When Christ changes someone they are no longer the old man, they are completely changed, they didn't do it themselves, it was Christ Who did it.
When we become born again we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise as a Guarantee of our inheritance.
Ephesians 1:13-14 "13 And in Him you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, having heard and believed the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. 14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.…"
We cannot undo what Christ did! He never leaves us or forsakes us, but He does discipline those He loves who disobey.
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?…"
"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.’"
When a person appears to have left God, they were never with God. God never changed them. When Christ changes someone they are no longer the old man, they are completely changed, they didn't do it themselves, it was Christ Who did it.
When we become born again we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise as a Guarantee of our inheritance.
Ephesians 1:13-14 "13 And in Him you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, having heard and believed the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. 14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.…"
We cannot undo what Christ did! He never leaves us or forsakes us, but He does discipline those He loves who disobey.
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?…"
It Wasn't Your Delivery
Notice how some people will focus on our delivery, which wasn't bad but they will say so, rather than the message we bring. It is easier to say I don't like you than it is to say I don't like God.
There are people these days who will accuse us of not saying something the right way as the reason for rejecting our message.
Silly isn't it, when the message is good and I agree with it then I hardly notice how it was said. And the same thing is true of those who claim it was about our message. They know their complaint had little to do with the way something was said, it was the content they didn't like but they lie and say it was our delivery.
When we bring the principles of God and His Word to support it, we are often met with anger. The excuse that is used for rejecting the message is our delivery. It distracts from the message. If the hearer can make us feel bad about HOW we said something they can feel better about not accepting what they know is true.
People who are easily offended are often if not always self focused and resistant to truth. They remain prideful, if they were not prideful they would simply disagree with the message explaining their disagreement or go to prayer to see if they could be wrong.
Those who are prideful and resistant to correction will always turn a discussion into a personal attack. Their hope and aim is to embarrass us into slinking away in shame for approaching the subject with them.
When we become strong in telling the truth we no longer fear the reaction of the hearer. Eventually we get to a place where the attacks roll off of us like butter on a hot knife.
Sometimes it actually becomes amusing to watch the "same old, same old" in terms of the nonsense responses to truth. These people use exactly the same words in nearly every encounter, they might sound like this;
"don't judge me", "you said it mean", "you think your better", "you don't know my heart."
I love that "you don't know my heart" thing, it is suppose to make us timid about continuing in the discussion. But in fact it declares loudly that the person using the phrase does not understand that we cannot do in actions or attitudes something different from what is in our hearts. The attitudes and actions are the proof of what's in our hearts.
Only someone who has murder in their heart can carry out a murder.
Only someone who is a liar at heart can tell a lie.
Only someone who has lust in their heart can commit fornication or adultery.
Only someone who has jealousy in their heart can gossip and lie against others.
Only someone who loves idols in their heart can place anything above God in importance in their lives.
It's all there in the ten commandments, sin is in the heart first before any actions are taken. In fact sin can be in the heart without any actions taken at all. It can lie there dormant wishing it could be acted upon. Sins of the heart do come out in subtle forms without us realizing it. It is impossible to hide what is in the heart, but eventually it will begin to seep out in subtle and nearly undetectable ways unless the viewer is discerning.
Giving gifts to manipulate others without any love attached to it is one way it seeps out through the pores.
Telling half truths that cause others to believe things that are not true is one form of lying without actually telling a whole lie. But let me inform you that a half truth is a whole lie.
Remember the condition of the heart fleshes out in our actions.
In recent years I was in a discussion with a group of Christian youth who were angry that I confronted them about their clothing at the beach. The girls were wearing bikinis that were much smaller than the ones that came out in the 70's.
In that discussion the youth leader argued that I didn't know what was in the hearts of these girls, that they really loved the Lord.
My response was that I did know what was in their heart by the way they were dressed. Not only by the way they were dressed but also the way the acted that gave ample evidence that they had lust and exhibitionism in their hearts.
These young ladies were showing pictures of themselves in their bikinis, climbing on top of the young men at the beach to form a pyramid. Can you imagine what that looked like,as these young ladies climbed the backs of the young men. When they fell they fell all over one another.
Now my question....."And this was alright with the youth leader?" REALLY!!!!!! What kind of youth leader endorse this conduct for those she is suppose to mentor?
The infamous lines they used frequently in the discussion were these; "your judging" and "you don't know their heart."
Once again....we know a person's heart by their conduct, its that simple.
1 John 3:18 "18 Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth. "
We knew these young women didn't love the young men or they would have attempted to protect the men from lust. We knew those young men didn't love those women because they enjoyed that attention and lust. No one was protecting anyone else not even the youth leaders.
God clearly states that we are not to do anything that will cause our brothers or sisters to fall.
Matthew 18:9
"If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be cast into the fiery hell."
Matthew 18:7
"Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!"
There are people these days who will accuse us of not saying something the right way as the reason for rejecting our message.
Silly isn't it, when the message is good and I agree with it then I hardly notice how it was said. And the same thing is true of those who claim it was about our message. They know their complaint had little to do with the way something was said, it was the content they didn't like but they lie and say it was our delivery.
When we bring the principles of God and His Word to support it, we are often met with anger. The excuse that is used for rejecting the message is our delivery. It distracts from the message. If the hearer can make us feel bad about HOW we said something they can feel better about not accepting what they know is true.
People who are easily offended are often if not always self focused and resistant to truth. They remain prideful, if they were not prideful they would simply disagree with the message explaining their disagreement or go to prayer to see if they could be wrong.
Those who are prideful and resistant to correction will always turn a discussion into a personal attack. Their hope and aim is to embarrass us into slinking away in shame for approaching the subject with them.
When we become strong in telling the truth we no longer fear the reaction of the hearer. Eventually we get to a place where the attacks roll off of us like butter on a hot knife.
Sometimes it actually becomes amusing to watch the "same old, same old" in terms of the nonsense responses to truth. These people use exactly the same words in nearly every encounter, they might sound like this;
"don't judge me", "you said it mean", "you think your better", "you don't know my heart."
I love that "you don't know my heart" thing, it is suppose to make us timid about continuing in the discussion. But in fact it declares loudly that the person using the phrase does not understand that we cannot do in actions or attitudes something different from what is in our hearts. The attitudes and actions are the proof of what's in our hearts.
Only someone who has murder in their heart can carry out a murder.
Only someone who is a liar at heart can tell a lie.
Only someone who has lust in their heart can commit fornication or adultery.
Only someone who has jealousy in their heart can gossip and lie against others.
Only someone who loves idols in their heart can place anything above God in importance in their lives.
It's all there in the ten commandments, sin is in the heart first before any actions are taken. In fact sin can be in the heart without any actions taken at all. It can lie there dormant wishing it could be acted upon. Sins of the heart do come out in subtle forms without us realizing it. It is impossible to hide what is in the heart, but eventually it will begin to seep out in subtle and nearly undetectable ways unless the viewer is discerning.
Giving gifts to manipulate others without any love attached to it is one way it seeps out through the pores.
Telling half truths that cause others to believe things that are not true is one form of lying without actually telling a whole lie. But let me inform you that a half truth is a whole lie.
Remember the condition of the heart fleshes out in our actions.
In recent years I was in a discussion with a group of Christian youth who were angry that I confronted them about their clothing at the beach. The girls were wearing bikinis that were much smaller than the ones that came out in the 70's.
In that discussion the youth leader argued that I didn't know what was in the hearts of these girls, that they really loved the Lord.
My response was that I did know what was in their heart by the way they were dressed. Not only by the way they were dressed but also the way the acted that gave ample evidence that they had lust and exhibitionism in their hearts.
These young ladies were showing pictures of themselves in their bikinis, climbing on top of the young men at the beach to form a pyramid. Can you imagine what that looked like,as these young ladies climbed the backs of the young men. When they fell they fell all over one another.
Now my question....."And this was alright with the youth leader?" REALLY!!!!!! What kind of youth leader endorse this conduct for those she is suppose to mentor?
The infamous lines they used frequently in the discussion were these; "your judging" and "you don't know their heart."
Once again....we know a person's heart by their conduct, its that simple.
1 John 3:18 "18 Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth. "
We knew these young women didn't love the young men or they would have attempted to protect the men from lust. We knew those young men didn't love those women because they enjoyed that attention and lust. No one was protecting anyone else not even the youth leaders.
God clearly states that we are not to do anything that will cause our brothers or sisters to fall.
Matthew 18:9
"If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be cast into the fiery hell."
Matthew 18:7
"Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!"
Actions are not Fruit
Actions are not fruit. The fruit are character qualities, from these character qualities come right actions. But the character comes first.
Galatians 5:22-23
"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
We can do good deeds to glorify ourselves, they do not count with God. The true character qualities that come from Christ in us and flesh out in our actions are the only actions that count.
Galatians 5:22-23
"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
We can do good deeds to glorify ourselves, they do not count with God. The true character qualities that come from Christ in us and flesh out in our actions are the only actions that count.
The Devil's Lies
The devil is twisted, he will speak lies into the minds of people just like he spoke to Eve in the garden.
He will say things in his sneaky little inklings:
"she did that to hurt you"
"He wasn't trying to help, he just wants to control you."
"Its alright to take what doesn't belong to you, after all you have a right."
"The Bible really doesn't say that, God is withholding truth from you."
"She/he's mean, they said that to hurt you."
"They think they are better because they have wealth."
"They are poor because their lazy or foolish."
"You should hate them, they have something you don't have."
"She this and he that", all of which is not true at all, but the devil will convince those who are full of jealousy and rage that they have good reasons to despise those they hate.
The devil brings ideas into the minds of those who have no defense against him. They are so full of self they love to hear the things the devil speaks into their heads.
Do not fear these people, they wallow in their own slime, it leaves them hopeless, helpless and depressed, dejected, discouraged and demoralized.
The only way this sort of person can come out of their sadness is to keep elevating self, keep tormenting others and keep listening to the lies of the devil. The vicious circle spins them out of control, a sort of hamster wheel, they cannot stop they must run and run and run on that wheel, they are tired but they can never stop.
Here is the solution that can get this person off the hamster wheel, the only solution, that is to confess their sins before God, ask to be cleansed by Him and continue on to evaluate every thought according to God's Word from that time forward.
2 Corinthians 10:5
"5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,"
Just saying!!!!
He will say things in his sneaky little inklings:
"she did that to hurt you"
"He wasn't trying to help, he just wants to control you."
"Its alright to take what doesn't belong to you, after all you have a right."
"The Bible really doesn't say that, God is withholding truth from you."
"She/he's mean, they said that to hurt you."
"They think they are better because they have wealth."
"They are poor because their lazy or foolish."
"You should hate them, they have something you don't have."
"She this and he that", all of which is not true at all, but the devil will convince those who are full of jealousy and rage that they have good reasons to despise those they hate.
The devil brings ideas into the minds of those who have no defense against him. They are so full of self they love to hear the things the devil speaks into their heads.
Do not fear these people, they wallow in their own slime, it leaves them hopeless, helpless and depressed, dejected, discouraged and demoralized.
The only way this sort of person can come out of their sadness is to keep elevating self, keep tormenting others and keep listening to the lies of the devil. The vicious circle spins them out of control, a sort of hamster wheel, they cannot stop they must run and run and run on that wheel, they are tired but they can never stop.
Here is the solution that can get this person off the hamster wheel, the only solution, that is to confess their sins before God, ask to be cleansed by Him and continue on to evaluate every thought according to God's Word from that time forward.
2 Corinthians 10:5
"5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,"
Just saying!!!!
The Covert Hides Effectively but Only for Awhile
A covert narcissist can hide very effectively a wicked heart while appearing wonderful to those who don't know the signs or those who have never confronted them about sin.
Do not be fooled, appearances are very deceiving! Actors and actresses lie for a living. They can make us believe they are people of stellar character in a play or movie while living like rebels and heathens in real life.
Politicians are this way too. Far too often people rely on appearances and words to discern the truth about people They miss the clues because they are choosing to follow their desired feelings about someone rather than seeing the clues.
It is the targets or those closely associated with these covert types who can tell you the truth about them.
Sometimes we are shocked that someone was arrested for crimes because all we saw in them was the false persona of virtue they allowed us to see.
Luke 6:45
"The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."
Know this, that eventually the authentic heart of a covert will emerge when they become too weary to keep up the pretense any longer.
Those who are coverts can become born again and cleansed from their sin of pride. This is our prayer and our hope. Just as God forgave and cleanses us, they too can experience the same thing, it is their choice.
Ezekiel 36:26
"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."
Do not be fooled, appearances are very deceiving! Actors and actresses lie for a living. They can make us believe they are people of stellar character in a play or movie while living like rebels and heathens in real life.
Politicians are this way too. Far too often people rely on appearances and words to discern the truth about people They miss the clues because they are choosing to follow their desired feelings about someone rather than seeing the clues.
It is the targets or those closely associated with these covert types who can tell you the truth about them.
Sometimes we are shocked that someone was arrested for crimes because all we saw in them was the false persona of virtue they allowed us to see.
Luke 6:45
"The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."
Know this, that eventually the authentic heart of a covert will emerge when they become too weary to keep up the pretense any longer.
Those who are coverts can become born again and cleansed from their sin of pride. This is our prayer and our hope. Just as God forgave and cleanses us, they too can experience the same thing, it is their choice.
Ezekiel 36:26
"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."
The Two Prodigals
Trudi mentioned on her status today the story of the prodigal son and how wonderfully the son repented and the father took him back. A success story we all dream about.
One thing many people fail to notice too is that there were two prodigals in that story. The one that stayed and the one that left.
The older one who stayed did it out of duty. He was jealous for the repentance of his younger brother and refused to come to the celebration when his father wanted him to come. He refused to acknowledge the repentance of the younger brother, he had bitterness in his heart.
Many of you have experienced this in your families. Your siblings saw the sin in your life as you were younger, but will not see the change Christ made in you after trusting Christ.
There is jealousy that keeps these siblings in bondage. As long as they refuse to see the difference in you, the miracle of God's salvation in you, there cannot be a relationship.
There is no peace and joy in those who love to hang onto the sin that used to be but has not been for many years. The gossip continues, the lie that keeps them bound up in their own sin of pride may be an indication that they are not born again.
Born again believers are excited when someone has changed and when their life has demonstrated one of service to God.
We see this choice to believe the old in non-believers, but it is very hard to understand in those who claim to be "Christian." I have even had non-believers express the change in a new believer, how much more should a born again believer notice it.
2 Corinthians 5:16-18 "…16 So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:…"
One thing many people fail to notice too is that there were two prodigals in that story. The one that stayed and the one that left.
The older one who stayed did it out of duty. He was jealous for the repentance of his younger brother and refused to come to the celebration when his father wanted him to come. He refused to acknowledge the repentance of the younger brother, he had bitterness in his heart.
Many of you have experienced this in your families. Your siblings saw the sin in your life as you were younger, but will not see the change Christ made in you after trusting Christ.
There is jealousy that keeps these siblings in bondage. As long as they refuse to see the difference in you, the miracle of God's salvation in you, there cannot be a relationship.
There is no peace and joy in those who love to hang onto the sin that used to be but has not been for many years. The gossip continues, the lie that keeps them bound up in their own sin of pride may be an indication that they are not born again.
Born again believers are excited when someone has changed and when their life has demonstrated one of service to God.
We see this choice to believe the old in non-believers, but it is very hard to understand in those who claim to be "Christian." I have even had non-believers express the change in a new believer, how much more should a born again believer notice it.
2 Corinthians 5:16-18 "…16 So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:…"
Past Present and Future is Covered in the Blood
How could my present sin be covered when Christ died 2000 years ago. This could only be true if His blood shed then covered my sin now. Therefore it is sensible to realize that Christ's sacrifice covered future sin then and still does now.
David Novitsky said:
"Anyone who tells you that only your past sins were forgiven at the Cross still has scales on their eyes and should not be teaching the Bible."
David Novitsky said:
"Anyone who tells you that only your past sins were forgiven at the Cross still has scales on their eyes and should not be teaching the Bible."
We Warn to Help
We warn to help, in case you were thinking we were just enjoying misery.
Ezekiel 3:18-19 "18 If I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die ,’ but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood. 19 But if you warn a wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness and his wicked way, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved yourself.…"
Those who do not want to be helped will rage as well as ignore us, their reaction is not our business, that is God's business, leave it with Him.
Ezekiel 3:18-19 "18 If I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die ,’ but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood. 19 But if you warn a wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness and his wicked way, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved yourself.…"
Those who do not want to be helped will rage as well as ignore us, their reaction is not our business, that is God's business, leave it with Him.
We Warn to Help
There are those who might complain that we are too negative always correcting, instructing and exposing error and false preachers.
My answer to them is this; we live in a very wicked world in which mankind has stooped to the basest level possible to indulge themselves.
In this time we see apostasy in the church, corruption in the government and broken family relationships, usually for no other reason than the desire people have to elevate themselves by degrading others.
It is interesting to me that many believers can so freely ignore that which angers God, while pampering and comforting those who have mocked him.
We cannot win people to Christ by ignoring the very sin God tells us to warn them about. That makes no sense at all. We do not in others to Christ by treating them with the same closeness that we do Christian sisters and brothers who are in obedience to Christ.
To act overly friendly and accommodating to those who hate Christ is to diminish Him. After all, He hates their sin and their rebellion against Him Yes of course we do not treat anyone with disrespect but we do not become close to them the same way we are to our brothers and sisters.
2 Corinthians 6:3-14 "
13As a fair exchange, I ask you as my children: Open wide your hearts also. 14Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? "
Being overly friendly to the point of affirming everything they do is to validate the evil that they do.
Isaiah 26:10 "10 Though grace is shown to the wicked man, he does not learn righteousness. In the land of righteousness he acts unjustly and fails to see the majesty of the LORD."
We warn the unbelievers because we love Christ and the one that we warn. If that person who was warned becomes born again, then they become our brother or sister and are welcomed with great joy into the family of God. That is our ultimate hope in sharing the warnings with unbelievers. We want them to enjoy the freedom and love we do from our choice to become born again.
Our warning often includes the message that we cannot change ourselves. Salvation is so very easy, it simply a matter of saying we believe in Christ, the price He paid for our sin and we want Him to change us into a new creation.
Those who have been changed by Christ because they wanted to be cleansed from sin and saved from hell, are the happiest and most joyful people on this earth. Even impervious to the attacks of unjust people, the believer plods along trusting that Christ has our back no matter what we go through. Hallelujah!!!!
Luke 10:21-22 "21 At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.
22 All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”
When we become born again the Scriptures are open to us in ways we never knew. The wisdom of God is so much greater than the wisdom of the world, we are filled with overwhelming joy at the learning of it.
We can speak the truth no matter how "negative" the world thinks it is and remain joyful because our hope is beyond this world. We await something far greater than our minds can imagine and it is coming soon for us.
Hallelujah!!!!
My answer to them is this; we live in a very wicked world in which mankind has stooped to the basest level possible to indulge themselves.
In this time we see apostasy in the church, corruption in the government and broken family relationships, usually for no other reason than the desire people have to elevate themselves by degrading others.
It is interesting to me that many believers can so freely ignore that which angers God, while pampering and comforting those who have mocked him.
We cannot win people to Christ by ignoring the very sin God tells us to warn them about. That makes no sense at all. We do not in others to Christ by treating them with the same closeness that we do Christian sisters and brothers who are in obedience to Christ.
To act overly friendly and accommodating to those who hate Christ is to diminish Him. After all, He hates their sin and their rebellion against Him Yes of course we do not treat anyone with disrespect but we do not become close to them the same way we are to our brothers and sisters.
2 Corinthians 6:3-14 "
13As a fair exchange, I ask you as my children: Open wide your hearts also. 14Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? "
Being overly friendly to the point of affirming everything they do is to validate the evil that they do.
Isaiah 26:10 "10 Though grace is shown to the wicked man, he does not learn righteousness. In the land of righteousness he acts unjustly and fails to see the majesty of the LORD."
We warn the unbelievers because we love Christ and the one that we warn. If that person who was warned becomes born again, then they become our brother or sister and are welcomed with great joy into the family of God. That is our ultimate hope in sharing the warnings with unbelievers. We want them to enjoy the freedom and love we do from our choice to become born again.
Our warning often includes the message that we cannot change ourselves. Salvation is so very easy, it simply a matter of saying we believe in Christ, the price He paid for our sin and we want Him to change us into a new creation.
Those who have been changed by Christ because they wanted to be cleansed from sin and saved from hell, are the happiest and most joyful people on this earth. Even impervious to the attacks of unjust people, the believer plods along trusting that Christ has our back no matter what we go through. Hallelujah!!!!
Luke 10:21-22 "21 At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.
22 All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”
When we become born again the Scriptures are open to us in ways we never knew. The wisdom of God is so much greater than the wisdom of the world, we are filled with overwhelming joy at the learning of it.
We can speak the truth no matter how "negative" the world thinks it is and remain joyful because our hope is beyond this world. We await something far greater than our minds can imagine and it is coming soon for us.
Hallelujah!!!!
Sunday, August 26, 2018
Cheap Forgiveness
When someone forgives to make themselves feel better but not to reconcile a relationship it is superficial and of little value. Since forgiveness is cheap these days, without required confession, no one really values it.
Forgiveness in our culture is nothing more than words to elevate self, without any sense of a reconciled relationship, it has no value for spiritual growth or deeper relationships.
Its sort of like cheap grace, in which people think they will gain heaven by speaking words, but have no desire to be changed by Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:16-18 "…16 So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:"
A reconciled relationship is based on one party confessing sin and the other forgiving them. Without both elements words just fall to the ground without anyone changing anything.
Forgiveness in our culture is nothing more than words to elevate self, without any sense of a reconciled relationship, it has no value for spiritual growth or deeper relationships.
Its sort of like cheap grace, in which people think they will gain heaven by speaking words, but have no desire to be changed by Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:16-18 "…16 So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:"
A reconciled relationship is based on one party confessing sin and the other forgiving them. Without both elements words just fall to the ground without anyone changing anything.
The WAY We Think
The WAY one thinks will determines their response to every situation.
If someone is invited to a meal by someone whom they do not like, the guest will be critical of the food, the table settings, the decorations and everything else that goes on in the gathering. That person will be seen as all bad and completely inept.
Those who are born again believers ought to move past their prejudice toward someone to maintain a stance of respect and objectivity in spite of their feelings.
Someone who cannot validate in any way the one for whom they have contempt, is walking in pride obeying their feelings rather than rational evaluation. They often act as though they are enjoying their evil feelings of superiority. This person is to be avoided, they bring only chaos to any relationship.
Those who treat others badly, whether covertly or openly, are demonstrating deep contempt merely because they desire to appear superior.
When we know what we were before we became born again and what we would still be without Christ, we could never treat someone else disrespectfully or contemptuously simply to elevate self.
And, yes, I do question the salvation of those who have not changed in all their years as a Christian. When we become born again the fruit becomes evident to all who want to admit the change in us.
There are those in our lives who do not want to admit that we have changed, because they have not changed. Remaining exactly the same after 40 years of church attendance is a very big clue that the one who does not change was never born again. There are many of these in the church today. A further clue is that when challenged on scripture to obey God, these people become angry and vengeful.
Those who question themselves saying, "I wonder if I am a selfish fleshly person", are likely not that, because a narcissist would never question themselves, they would refuse to look at themselves in truth.
Those who question themselves in a desire to grow spiritually are the ones who WILL grow, they WILL progress because the Lord loves to give us what we want when it aligns with His principles.
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."
May those who walk in pride repent and may those who seek the Lord be blessed with great wisdom as they obey what they know from the Word.
If someone is invited to a meal by someone whom they do not like, the guest will be critical of the food, the table settings, the decorations and everything else that goes on in the gathering. That person will be seen as all bad and completely inept.
Those who are born again believers ought to move past their prejudice toward someone to maintain a stance of respect and objectivity in spite of their feelings.
Someone who cannot validate in any way the one for whom they have contempt, is walking in pride obeying their feelings rather than rational evaluation. They often act as though they are enjoying their evil feelings of superiority. This person is to be avoided, they bring only chaos to any relationship.
Those who treat others badly, whether covertly or openly, are demonstrating deep contempt merely because they desire to appear superior.
When we know what we were before we became born again and what we would still be without Christ, we could never treat someone else disrespectfully or contemptuously simply to elevate self.
And, yes, I do question the salvation of those who have not changed in all their years as a Christian. When we become born again the fruit becomes evident to all who want to admit the change in us.
There are those in our lives who do not want to admit that we have changed, because they have not changed. Remaining exactly the same after 40 years of church attendance is a very big clue that the one who does not change was never born again. There are many of these in the church today. A further clue is that when challenged on scripture to obey God, these people become angry and vengeful.
Those who question themselves saying, "I wonder if I am a selfish fleshly person", are likely not that, because a narcissist would never question themselves, they would refuse to look at themselves in truth.
Those who question themselves in a desire to grow spiritually are the ones who WILL grow, they WILL progress because the Lord loves to give us what we want when it aligns with His principles.
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."
May those who walk in pride repent and may those who seek the Lord be blessed with great wisdom as they obey what they know from the Word.
Saturday, August 25, 2018
Only Through Christ Alone
Most people think they are going to heaven for the one or two good acts they have done in their life. They are working their way to heaven without actually doing much. Little do they realize that it doesn't matter how many good works they do, it will not get them there.
Only believing Christ will one become saved from their sin and hell.
Ephesians 2:8-10 "…8 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 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."
Only believing Christ will one become saved from their sin and hell.
Ephesians 2:8-10 "…8 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 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."
They Rejected God's Messengers
Those who hate truth always hate the one who brings it!!!
Paul and all the apostles who were martyred.
Jesus Christ they hung on a tree and many others down through the ages had more to lose than we do, rejection of friendship.....really....how could that possibly compare to what the apostles and other martyrs endured.
Especially our Lord Jesus Christ who gave up His elevated status in heaven to come to earth and endure the worst form of rejection......and get this......that those who persecuted Him might be saved.
Go figure!!!!!
Paul and all the apostles who were martyred.
Jesus Christ they hung on a tree and many others down through the ages had more to lose than we do, rejection of friendship.....really....how could that possibly compare to what the apostles and other martyrs endured.
Especially our Lord Jesus Christ who gave up His elevated status in heaven to come to earth and endure the worst form of rejection......and get this......that those who persecuted Him might be saved.
Go figure!!!!!
Friday, August 24, 2018
When the Last Believer Believes
I am convinced that the day they shut the Christians down is the day we will be going up in the rapture. God is using this medium right now for the end times push to get out the truth. When the truth has been given and the last soul has come to Christ, we will all be going home and facebook will have no witness to comfort people.
Imagine a world in which there is no hope. The earth is falling apart, people have become frighteningly mean and brutal but there is no where one can escape.
This is the picture of the tribulation after the saints have been removed in the rapture.
The warnings have gone out over the entire earth, that the rapture is coming and soon the choice to be saved will be finished for those who have heard and rejected.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 "1 As God’s fellow workers, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For He says: “In the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation! "
Imagine a world in which there is no hope. The earth is falling apart, people have become frighteningly mean and brutal but there is no where one can escape.
This is the picture of the tribulation after the saints have been removed in the rapture.
The warnings have gone out over the entire earth, that the rapture is coming and soon the choice to be saved will be finished for those who have heard and rejected.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 "1 As God’s fellow workers, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For He says: “In the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation! "
Remove the Idols in Your Mind
There is one mediator between God and man, that is Christ Jesus!
When anyone elevates their pastor as the authority over them, then they have an idol. Christ is the only authority over the born again believer.
Leaders in the church are helpers, servers to remind us of God's Words, they have no authority to dictate for Christ.
Leaders in the church lead by example and teaching, not mandates or allegiance to them.
1 Peter 5:2-3 "…2Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. "
1 Timothy 2:5 "5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,"
If anyone is confessing to or obeying a priest they are placing that priest in the roll of Christ, he is an idol. Stop placing men in the roll that only belongs to Christ.
When anyone elevates their pastor as the authority over them, then they have an idol. Christ is the only authority over the born again believer.
Leaders in the church are helpers, servers to remind us of God's Words, they have no authority to dictate for Christ.
Leaders in the church lead by example and teaching, not mandates or allegiance to them.
1 Peter 5:2-3 "…2Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. "
1 Timothy 2:5 "5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,"
If anyone is confessing to or obeying a priest they are placing that priest in the roll of Christ, he is an idol. Stop placing men in the roll that only belongs to Christ.
Fool Equals Narcissist
"Fools" is the word God uses for "narcissists". They hate correction or instruction. Since they believe they already know everything, or at least desire to present the false image of knowing everything, they can never admit when they have flaws or were wrong about something.
These self righteous people exude an attitude of superiority over those they perceive to be less than they.
One can never get to know another person as long as they are minimizing them for personal aggrandizement.
There can never be a good relationship with anyone, since the only people they allow in their lives are those who elevate them. Superficiality and pretense dominates their lives to such a degree that no one can know them and no one measures up to them.
Hiding is the favorite MO of the narcissist. They come unglued when anyone finds them out. The one who has discovered the real them become the target to be destroyed. If the target cannot be dominated by the narcissist, the narcissist will attempt to control how others view the target through half truth and lies in their gossip.
Proverbs 18:2
"A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion."
When a fool is confronted with anything about themselves they will rage and carry out revenge.
Proverbs 1:7
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
We live in a world now that is increasing in this mentality of superiority due to the self esteem teaching. Those who elevate self above others cannot learn and grow.
We are watching a world in which adults are acting more like children than they are like adults.
The play mentality that dominates our culture is keeping people spiritually and emotionally younger than their biological age.
God calls this foolishness!
1 Corinthians 13:11 "11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I set aside childish ways."
Our church gatherings are full of gown up children who need entertainment to keep them engaged. They cannot seem to just enjoy worshiping, it must be lively and fun, as though attending a party.
In the first century church the people brought food, worshiped and preached all day, it was their joy. The purpose was to worship God, grow in wisdom and fellowship with one another around the Word of God. The meal was to be able to stay all day without having to leave to eat.
There are many distractions today that cause people to want to "get it over with quickly", so they can go home and play.
Most of us have had that sense that "the service went to long today", its a brain washing we endured when we were growing up, one in which church was a place you went to fulfill an obligation.
Sadly relationships have become this way too. If there isn't entertainment involved many will not visit those who do not provide amusement.
Believers, do not be discouraged by this, keep your fervor by realizing this is prophesied for the end times. The best way to endure this is to become the person God wants you to be through the help of the Holy Spirit.
Remind yourself that Lot did not have others to come alongside, neither did Noah. All the prophets were living in cultures just like ours today, having no one to come along side, they had only God to keep them encouraged.
We are not called to be what our culture wants us to be, we are free to be what God wants for us no matter what anyone else is doing, even if we obey God all by ourselves.
These self righteous people exude an attitude of superiority over those they perceive to be less than they.
One can never get to know another person as long as they are minimizing them for personal aggrandizement.
There can never be a good relationship with anyone, since the only people they allow in their lives are those who elevate them. Superficiality and pretense dominates their lives to such a degree that no one can know them and no one measures up to them.
Hiding is the favorite MO of the narcissist. They come unglued when anyone finds them out. The one who has discovered the real them become the target to be destroyed. If the target cannot be dominated by the narcissist, the narcissist will attempt to control how others view the target through half truth and lies in their gossip.
Proverbs 18:2
"A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion."
When a fool is confronted with anything about themselves they will rage and carry out revenge.
Proverbs 1:7
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
We live in a world now that is increasing in this mentality of superiority due to the self esteem teaching. Those who elevate self above others cannot learn and grow.
We are watching a world in which adults are acting more like children than they are like adults.
The play mentality that dominates our culture is keeping people spiritually and emotionally younger than their biological age.
God calls this foolishness!
1 Corinthians 13:11 "11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I set aside childish ways."
Our church gatherings are full of gown up children who need entertainment to keep them engaged. They cannot seem to just enjoy worshiping, it must be lively and fun, as though attending a party.
In the first century church the people brought food, worshiped and preached all day, it was their joy. The purpose was to worship God, grow in wisdom and fellowship with one another around the Word of God. The meal was to be able to stay all day without having to leave to eat.
There are many distractions today that cause people to want to "get it over with quickly", so they can go home and play.
Most of us have had that sense that "the service went to long today", its a brain washing we endured when we were growing up, one in which church was a place you went to fulfill an obligation.
Sadly relationships have become this way too. If there isn't entertainment involved many will not visit those who do not provide amusement.
Believers, do not be discouraged by this, keep your fervor by realizing this is prophesied for the end times. The best way to endure this is to become the person God wants you to be through the help of the Holy Spirit.
Remind yourself that Lot did not have others to come alongside, neither did Noah. All the prophets were living in cultures just like ours today, having no one to come along side, they had only God to keep them encouraged.
We are not called to be what our culture wants us to be, we are free to be what God wants for us no matter what anyone else is doing, even if we obey God all by ourselves.
Saved Eternally at the Moment of Salvation
For those who think they are working their way to heaven through their obedience, remember you cannot be good enough and you cannot save yourself by your works.
Christ is the One Who saves, we merely believe and He does all the rest of the work. We become born again, sealed by His Holy Spirit never to be lost again. EVER!!!!! We become "ETERNALLY Saved."
Ephesians 1:13-14 "13 And in Him you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, having heard and believed the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. 14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.…"
Hebrews 13:5 "Let your manner of living be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have. For He hath said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”;
Hebrews 12:5-7 "…5And 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. 6For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.” 7Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"
Matthew 7:21-23 as you have quoted above is speaking of people who claim to be Christian but were pretenders who were never born again. Notice in that passage God says, "I NEVER knew you." He didn's say "I used to know you." He Said "I NEVER knew you."
Prov 3:11-12 "My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in."
1 Cor 11:32 "But when God does judge us, he disciplines us as his own sons, that we may not be involved in the general condemnation of the world."
We are not sinless but we do sin less as we grow in holiness. If God's blood didn't cover all our sin, then His death on the cross was foolishness. He paid the price for our sin and gives us the grace to grow in holiness through the training of His Holy Spirit. We are counted as seated with Christ right now in the heavenlies, because of His seal.
Ephesians 2:5-7 "…5 made us alive with Christ, even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved! 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.…"
Christ is the One Who saves, we merely believe and He does all the rest of the work. We become born again, sealed by His Holy Spirit never to be lost again. EVER!!!!! We become "ETERNALLY Saved."
Ephesians 1:13-14 "13 And in Him you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, having heard and believed the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. 14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.…"
Hebrews 13:5 "Let your manner of living be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have. For He hath said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”;
Hebrews 12:5-7 "…5And 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. 6For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.” 7Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"
Matthew 7:21-23 as you have quoted above is speaking of people who claim to be Christian but were pretenders who were never born again. Notice in that passage God says, "I NEVER knew you." He didn's say "I used to know you." He Said "I NEVER knew you."
Prov 3:11-12 "My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in."
1 Cor 11:32 "But when God does judge us, he disciplines us as his own sons, that we may not be involved in the general condemnation of the world."
We are not sinless but we do sin less as we grow in holiness. If God's blood didn't cover all our sin, then His death on the cross was foolishness. He paid the price for our sin and gives us the grace to grow in holiness through the training of His Holy Spirit. We are counted as seated with Christ right now in the heavenlies, because of His seal.
Ephesians 2:5-7 "…5 made us alive with Christ, even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved! 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.…"
God's Commands Differ from Man's
The One Man Pastor System: is modeled after the Catholic church, having no basis in Scripture.
This is the system in which one man is given all authority over preaching as well as setting down rules for the congregation. When we are born again our leader is the Holy Spirit.
When the "pastor" declares a rule that is not Biblical we are not obligated to follow that rule. When there are elders, a plurality of leadership, there is less chance of abuse. Each person is responsible for their own spiritual growth.
Too many pew sitters believe everything the one man says because he is educated in schools God never commanded. They think the pastor has a special in with God they do not have.
They have elevated that one man above others in the congregation who might be gifted in preaching and teaching but they are not allowed because they have not been ordained by man.
It is the Holy Spirit that calls men to be in these elders positions not man. This is a hard concept for those who have been raised all their lives to believe "pastor" is a special position above others in the gathering.
This is the system in which one man is given all authority over preaching as well as setting down rules for the congregation. When we are born again our leader is the Holy Spirit.
When the "pastor" declares a rule that is not Biblical we are not obligated to follow that rule. When there are elders, a plurality of leadership, there is less chance of abuse. Each person is responsible for their own spiritual growth.
Too many pew sitters believe everything the one man says because he is educated in schools God never commanded. They think the pastor has a special in with God they do not have.
They have elevated that one man above others in the congregation who might be gifted in preaching and teaching but they are not allowed because they have not been ordained by man.
It is the Holy Spirit that calls men to be in these elders positions not man. This is a hard concept for those who have been raised all their lives to believe "pastor" is a special position above others in the gathering.
Thursday, August 23, 2018
What is wrong with the church today?
Leave it to God
When you are reduced to utter weakness and are persuaded that you can do nothing whatever, then God will do everything.
-Watchman Nee
-Watchman Nee
Monday, August 20, 2018
Trust Him not Predictions
I can trust the Lord for each day and each hour in each day. There is no need for me to know what tomorrow will bring, He has that covered.
I do not appreciate nor want anyone to come to me telling me what God told them about my future. If God wants me to know something He will tell me.
Its one thing to pray blessing for someone and quite another to predict what the Lord will do.
Matthew 6:34
"34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
I do not appreciate nor want anyone to come to me telling me what God told them about my future. If God wants me to know something He will tell me.
Its one thing to pray blessing for someone and quite another to predict what the Lord will do.
Matthew 6:34
"34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Sunday, August 19, 2018
Listen to God not the Narcissist
The testimony of a young woman who grew up to believe she was not worthy of love.
"As a young child I was told regularly that I was stupid and ugly. I was told I was fat when I was thin. I was told I could not do what other people did. I was chastised with disparaging remarks when I did something right or good." The more I began to develop interests and talents the worse I was treated.
"Over the years the people that emotionally and spiritually abused me never stopped how they treated me, they just hid it a little better when I was married and left home. They knew they could no longer get away with blatantly abusing me so they did it secretly while making others believe they were a great family.
"As time passed over the years the abusers began to work on my children and husband to turn them against me too.
When we hear these kind of stories its hard to believe these things happen. Since many families do not operate this way, it seems like a story invented to invoke sympathy.
Because of my testimony I have met others who have been through this all their lives. Those who grew up believing they were too stupid to succeed, too fat for anyone to love and too ugly to be attractive to anyone. None of it was true but those that were suppose to love us wanted us to believe it and it hurt deeply.
Those who have strong personalities weather the storm of childhood and run when they get the chance. Others who do not have the strength to run, they remain for a lifetime of abuse.
The experiences of an abusive family of origin can make us or break us. Its a test for us to see if we can be strong enough to refuse to believe the lies told about us. Those who are not strong or do not have the Lord will become immoral, engaging in activities that are destructive out of anger and rage.
There is a saying I read recently, I don't know who wrote it but it goes like this; "if the narcissist cannot control you, they will attempt to control how others see you."
My suggestion is for those who have been abused and have remained silent all their years into adulthood, must allow themselves to tell the truth. If those abusers and their flying monkeys get angry and leave you, then you are better off than you were before.
Being alone with Christ is far better than remaining with abusers who will never change. Sadly they prefer to see you as the little child they loved to abuse as though you never grew up, they continue their abuse only more covertly and subtlely than before.
If they can make you look like a lunatic to others they will count it as a win for them.
Matthew 12:47-49 "…47 Someone told Him, “Look, Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to You.” 48 But Jesus replied, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” 49 Pointing to His disciples, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers."
If you are a born again believer you have a Father and your brothers and sisters are those who love Him, that is the Father in heaven and Jesus Christ. No earthly family member can be for us what Christ can be.
You will still wish your family would act correctly. Just remember that our fantasies about our families changing almost never come true. Yes, we can pray but leaving them to God to deal with them. Our continued presence in their life leaves them content with their habit of abuse. Removing ourselves may do more than remaining.
Never allow others to say foolish things like; "just love them." These are people who have never been abused, they have no clue as to the damage narcissists can do. Staying is not a show of love for abusers, it is foolish to continue with those who are not sorry for their abuse.
We have love in our hearts, we are not bitter but we are protecting our walk with Christ. Bad people will attempt to influence us to be bitter and angry like they are, while glorying in our falls.
1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
How does bad company corrupt good character? There are two ways bad company corrupts good character, one is to make us so angry at their antics that we explode in anger leaving a bad witness for everyone watching, bringing out the worst in us. Another way bad company corrupts good character is the propensity for us to want to do and say what others do and say just to be accepted by them.
God knows our weaknesses and so does the devil. God warns us to stay away from people who promote sin in us. While the devil says, "just love them", to cause guilt in us to remain in company with them.
When in doubt, go to the Word of God and do what He commands. Expunge from your mind all those lies the culture has taught, even the Christian culture who has bought into the lies of the enemy through psychology.
There are those who will pressure you to remain with abusers as though allowing them to abuse us will cause them to change. Here is God's answer to that.
Isaiah 26:10-11 "10 Though grace is shown to the wicked man, he does not learn righteousness. In the land of righteousness he acts unjustly and fails to see the majesty of the LORD. 11 O LORD, Your hand is upraised, but they do not see it. They will see Your zeal for Your people, and be put to shame. The fire set for Your enemies will consume them!…"
Be encouraged, God cares deeply for your plight, He sees it all, all the time.
"As a young child I was told regularly that I was stupid and ugly. I was told I was fat when I was thin. I was told I could not do what other people did. I was chastised with disparaging remarks when I did something right or good." The more I began to develop interests and talents the worse I was treated.
"Over the years the people that emotionally and spiritually abused me never stopped how they treated me, they just hid it a little better when I was married and left home. They knew they could no longer get away with blatantly abusing me so they did it secretly while making others believe they were a great family.
"As time passed over the years the abusers began to work on my children and husband to turn them against me too.
When we hear these kind of stories its hard to believe these things happen. Since many families do not operate this way, it seems like a story invented to invoke sympathy.
Because of my testimony I have met others who have been through this all their lives. Those who grew up believing they were too stupid to succeed, too fat for anyone to love and too ugly to be attractive to anyone. None of it was true but those that were suppose to love us wanted us to believe it and it hurt deeply.
Those who have strong personalities weather the storm of childhood and run when they get the chance. Others who do not have the strength to run, they remain for a lifetime of abuse.
The experiences of an abusive family of origin can make us or break us. Its a test for us to see if we can be strong enough to refuse to believe the lies told about us. Those who are not strong or do not have the Lord will become immoral, engaging in activities that are destructive out of anger and rage.
There is a saying I read recently, I don't know who wrote it but it goes like this; "if the narcissist cannot control you, they will attempt to control how others see you."
My suggestion is for those who have been abused and have remained silent all their years into adulthood, must allow themselves to tell the truth. If those abusers and their flying monkeys get angry and leave you, then you are better off than you were before.
Being alone with Christ is far better than remaining with abusers who will never change. Sadly they prefer to see you as the little child they loved to abuse as though you never grew up, they continue their abuse only more covertly and subtlely than before.
If they can make you look like a lunatic to others they will count it as a win for them.
Matthew 12:47-49 "…47 Someone told Him, “Look, Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to You.” 48 But Jesus replied, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” 49 Pointing to His disciples, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers."
If you are a born again believer you have a Father and your brothers and sisters are those who love Him, that is the Father in heaven and Jesus Christ. No earthly family member can be for us what Christ can be.
You will still wish your family would act correctly. Just remember that our fantasies about our families changing almost never come true. Yes, we can pray but leaving them to God to deal with them. Our continued presence in their life leaves them content with their habit of abuse. Removing ourselves may do more than remaining.
Never allow others to say foolish things like; "just love them." These are people who have never been abused, they have no clue as to the damage narcissists can do. Staying is not a show of love for abusers, it is foolish to continue with those who are not sorry for their abuse.
We have love in our hearts, we are not bitter but we are protecting our walk with Christ. Bad people will attempt to influence us to be bitter and angry like they are, while glorying in our falls.
1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
How does bad company corrupt good character? There are two ways bad company corrupts good character, one is to make us so angry at their antics that we explode in anger leaving a bad witness for everyone watching, bringing out the worst in us. Another way bad company corrupts good character is the propensity for us to want to do and say what others do and say just to be accepted by them.
God knows our weaknesses and so does the devil. God warns us to stay away from people who promote sin in us. While the devil says, "just love them", to cause guilt in us to remain in company with them.
When in doubt, go to the Word of God and do what He commands. Expunge from your mind all those lies the culture has taught, even the Christian culture who has bought into the lies of the enemy through psychology.
There are those who will pressure you to remain with abusers as though allowing them to abuse us will cause them to change. Here is God's answer to that.
Isaiah 26:10-11 "10 Though grace is shown to the wicked man, he does not learn righteousness. In the land of righteousness he acts unjustly and fails to see the majesty of the LORD. 11 O LORD, Your hand is upraised, but they do not see it. They will see Your zeal for Your people, and be put to shame. The fire set for Your enemies will consume them!…"
Be encouraged, God cares deeply for your plight, He sees it all, all the time.
Narcissists Accuse Others
In a recent article my husband read that the molesting priests would abuse the boys and then send them to confessional to confess to their abuser their sin.
This is absolutely classic narcissism. The narcissist does evil to their target and then blames the target for making them do it.
Unbelievable!!!!!
Lord come quickly!!!
This is absolutely classic narcissism. The narcissist does evil to their target and then blames the target for making them do it.
Unbelievable!!!!!
Lord come quickly!!!
Saturday, August 18, 2018
Disobedient and Stubborn Servants
I find it interesting that many Christians are all atwitter when they are complimented and praised, but become angry, using covert tactics of meanness when they have been corrected.
Doesn't it seem strange that often mankind will take the good stuff but refuse to use the correction as an opportunity to make a change in their hearts?
If mankind could see correction as a good thing the way they see praise and flattery, there would be far more people improving in their attitude and behavior.
Job 2:9-10
"…9 Then Job's wife said to him, “Do you still retain your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10“ You speak as a foolish woman speaks,” he told her. “Should we accept from God only good and not adversity?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said."
Everything that we encounter including correction or rebuke is for our own good. When someone spurns those who bring correction they are missing an opportunity to grow in holiness.
Happiness is not the goal of the born again believer, holiness is the goal. When we see spiritual growth as the goal of everything we can embrace a challenge for improvement. We can embrace an opportunity to confess what is wrong to go on to embrace what is better.
Those who resist and rage against correction will never grow but in fact they regress. What they had will be taken from them because of their own stubbornness.
Matthew 25:29-30 "29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 30 And throw that worthless servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’…"
The passage in Matthew is speaking of servants who did not grow the treasure that was given to them. And, those who did not grow but even wasted and refused to be diligent in their gifts will regress. The implication here is that those who are stubborn and lazy about their spirituality will be those who have not trusted Christ but wanted to do things the easy way, their own way.
If you have another perspective on this passage I would like to hear it
Doesn't it seem strange that often mankind will take the good stuff but refuse to use the correction as an opportunity to make a change in their hearts?
If mankind could see correction as a good thing the way they see praise and flattery, there would be far more people improving in their attitude and behavior.
Job 2:9-10
"…9 Then Job's wife said to him, “Do you still retain your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10“ You speak as a foolish woman speaks,” he told her. “Should we accept from God only good and not adversity?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said."
Everything that we encounter including correction or rebuke is for our own good. When someone spurns those who bring correction they are missing an opportunity to grow in holiness.
Happiness is not the goal of the born again believer, holiness is the goal. When we see spiritual growth as the goal of everything we can embrace a challenge for improvement. We can embrace an opportunity to confess what is wrong to go on to embrace what is better.
Those who resist and rage against correction will never grow but in fact they regress. What they had will be taken from them because of their own stubbornness.
Matthew 25:29-30 "29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 30 And throw that worthless servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’…"
The passage in Matthew is speaking of servants who did not grow the treasure that was given to them. And, those who did not grow but even wasted and refused to be diligent in their gifts will regress. The implication here is that those who are stubborn and lazy about their spirituality will be those who have not trusted Christ but wanted to do things the easy way, their own way.
If you have another perspective on this passage I would like to hear it
Friday, August 17, 2018
Do Not Quench Him
God will not hear the prayers of disobedient believers.
Those who say they are born again but walk in continual rebellion to the commands of God will be disciplined.
1 Thessalonians 5:18-19 "…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,…"
Hebrews 12:6 "…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?…"
One is not in obedience simply by saying they like the principles of God. One must actually be practicing what they say, this is what proves a person's words to be true.
James 2:17-19 "…17 So too, faith by itself, if it is not complemented by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons know that—and shudder.…"
Far too many people in our culture think just speaking something makes it truth, they fail to understand that speaking and not obeying is the same as lying.
When someone says things just to get others to accept them, they are manipulating with lies to keep someone else happy. Its never a good idea to pretend in this way as though God can't see what they are doing. God sees these lies, He sees the deception and the disobedience, nothing escapes God's notice.
Hebrews 4:12-14 "12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. 14 Therefore, since we have such a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess.…"
Those who say they are born again but walk in continual rebellion to the commands of God will be disciplined.
1 Thessalonians 5:18-19 "…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,…"
Hebrews 12:6 "…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?…"
One is not in obedience simply by saying they like the principles of God. One must actually be practicing what they say, this is what proves a person's words to be true.
James 2:17-19 "…17 So too, faith by itself, if it is not complemented by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons know that—and shudder.…"
Far too many people in our culture think just speaking something makes it truth, they fail to understand that speaking and not obeying is the same as lying.
When someone says things just to get others to accept them, they are manipulating with lies to keep someone else happy. Its never a good idea to pretend in this way as though God can't see what they are doing. God sees these lies, He sees the deception and the disobedience, nothing escapes God's notice.
Hebrews 4:12-14 "12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. 14 Therefore, since we have such a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess.…"
The Pew Dweller
Amen, this is why it is so difficult for me to reconcile that some people go to church, never speak of God, even act embarrassed at the mention of His name, rage when challenged mildly to think more scripturally, and even punish those who expect Biblical responses to things.
I meet more of these kind of Christians than I do authentic. I have to believe the pew people who act as described above never really became born again, they simply decided to join the Christian club without any love for Christ. But that's just me!
When I became born again my entire "WAY" of thinking was changed. I was ultra sensitive to any sin in my heart even before it became an action. Which prevented me from committing the outward sin. I confessed much in those beginning years and was cleansed of it. The sins I find in myself now are more attitudes that are more like temptations.
When someone is angry at correction then they are probably not seeking the Holy Spirit for cleansing.
False Humility or Authentic Humility
So many people have superiority complexes that they fail to see their sinfulness. I don't think these people can be saved.
I came to Christ because God opened my eyes to my sinfulness. It caused me to be broken and ready to be cleansed by Christ.
How can someone be cleansed by Christ while still remaining confident about their own goodness? Sadly this is in the church!
I see also much false humility, the shuffling of feet while looking downward toward their shoes, their eyes shifted away from those they speak to as though they are not worthy. Never any mention of their past sinfulness and that Christ cleansed them. They do not see that they ever needed cleansing. In the next moment they are raging because someone told them they were wrong about something.
False humility is a sin, its a cover up for anger that remains inside. Authentic humility does not hang its head, turn away its eyes or shuffle its feet. Authentic humility looks straight at someone while telling the truth.
Philippians 2:3-11
"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men."
James 4:6
"But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Those who demonstrate false humility are false in every area of their lives. Pretense is a character flaw through and through, not only in one area.
Colossians 3:12
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,"
False meekness is the pretense that one must appear weak. True meekness is as someone once said; "power under control." Meek people are not mousy, they just know that Christ is their leader and they have nothing of themselves to offer. They are not sad or whimpy, they are confident and powerful while knowing what they are and what Christ is.
Romans 12:3
"For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned."
False humility is proud of the humility they pretend to have in themselves. Their brand of humility is human concocted not God driven.
An authentically humble person does not have to "try" to be humble or "appear" to be so, they just operate this way naturally because they are walking in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 11:2
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom."
I came to Christ because God opened my eyes to my sinfulness. It caused me to be broken and ready to be cleansed by Christ.
How can someone be cleansed by Christ while still remaining confident about their own goodness? Sadly this is in the church!
I see also much false humility, the shuffling of feet while looking downward toward their shoes, their eyes shifted away from those they speak to as though they are not worthy. Never any mention of their past sinfulness and that Christ cleansed them. They do not see that they ever needed cleansing. In the next moment they are raging because someone told them they were wrong about something.
False humility is a sin, its a cover up for anger that remains inside. Authentic humility does not hang its head, turn away its eyes or shuffle its feet. Authentic humility looks straight at someone while telling the truth.
Philippians 2:3-11
"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men."
James 4:6
"But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Those who demonstrate false humility are false in every area of their lives. Pretense is a character flaw through and through, not only in one area.
Colossians 3:12
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,"
False meekness is the pretense that one must appear weak. True meekness is as someone once said; "power under control." Meek people are not mousy, they just know that Christ is their leader and they have nothing of themselves to offer. They are not sad or whimpy, they are confident and powerful while knowing what they are and what Christ is.
Romans 12:3
"For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned."
False humility is proud of the humility they pretend to have in themselves. Their brand of humility is human concocted not God driven.
An authentically humble person does not have to "try" to be humble or "appear" to be so, they just operate this way naturally because they are walking in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 11:2
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom."
Thursday, August 16, 2018
Fornication is a Real Word God Uses
If you are not married and sleeping with someone you are sinning, its called "fornication." God hates it!!!
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
"Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
Galatians 5:19-21
"Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
"Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
Galatians 5:19-21
"Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."
The Culture Has Gone Stark Raving Mad
The culture has gone stark raving mad! Those that do not do the sins that are offensive to God will approve of those who do them. This is equally offensive, perhaps because the acceptance of these sins there is created a lazy attitude in the entire culture.
Ephesians 5:6-8 "…6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,…"
The more sin abounds in a culture the less justice there is and the more injustice rules every area of life.
Isaiah 59:2-4 "…2 But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. 3 For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice. 4 No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case honestly. They rely on empty pleas; they tell lies; they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity.…"
The more sin is ignored or accepted the more it grows. Those whose heart is inclined toward sin but are restrained in practicing it, will have less influence in the culture for fear of rejection.
The law is made for the law breaker. Those who have good hearts do not need laws they simply don't want to do bad things. Those with pretend goodness will do the sins as soon as they can get away with it without any rejection for it.
1 Timothy 1:8-10 "…8 Now we know that the Law is good, if one uses it legitimately. 9 We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching…"
In our county we have around 70% of the babies born out of wedlock. Since everyone is throwing baby showers and giggling over their extended bellies, there is no sense of shame for engaging in sin that produced those babies.
Shame is nearly a thing of the past now. Parents are coddling their adult children by not chastising them for their sinful behavior. The fear of being abandoned by their children for correcting them drives the weak minded parents to protect sin and engage with their children no matter what sin they live.
If I am weary of watching this nonsense imagine how God must feel!!!!!
To ignore God's principles is the same as ignoring Him. To pretend He never gave any rules is to mock Him.
Dismissiveness of God's principles is dismissiveness of God.
1 John 1:9
"9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
But we have to want to be cleansed, God will not force anyone, but He will bring mighty big consequences, spankings that help us see our stubborn hearts.
Ephesians 5:6-8 "…6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,…"
The more sin abounds in a culture the less justice there is and the more injustice rules every area of life.
Isaiah 59:2-4 "…2 But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. 3 For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice. 4 No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case honestly. They rely on empty pleas; they tell lies; they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity.…"
The more sin is ignored or accepted the more it grows. Those whose heart is inclined toward sin but are restrained in practicing it, will have less influence in the culture for fear of rejection.
The law is made for the law breaker. Those who have good hearts do not need laws they simply don't want to do bad things. Those with pretend goodness will do the sins as soon as they can get away with it without any rejection for it.
1 Timothy 1:8-10 "…8 Now we know that the Law is good, if one uses it legitimately. 9 We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching…"
In our county we have around 70% of the babies born out of wedlock. Since everyone is throwing baby showers and giggling over their extended bellies, there is no sense of shame for engaging in sin that produced those babies.
Shame is nearly a thing of the past now. Parents are coddling their adult children by not chastising them for their sinful behavior. The fear of being abandoned by their children for correcting them drives the weak minded parents to protect sin and engage with their children no matter what sin they live.
If I am weary of watching this nonsense imagine how God must feel!!!!!
To ignore God's principles is the same as ignoring Him. To pretend He never gave any rules is to mock Him.
Dismissiveness of God's principles is dismissiveness of God.
1 John 1:9
"9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
But we have to want to be cleansed, God will not force anyone, but He will bring mighty big consequences, spankings that help us see our stubborn hearts.
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