Friday, March 29, 2019
Live With Discernment, Learn When to Say No
Narcissists invite you to the party so you can see them ignoring you. Don't feel obligated to attend. God told us to come out from among them and be separate. When we see that a group, whether family, church or in the community does not love our God, we have no obligation to be a part of their parties.
Seek God for the Burial
Paul said, "even if I give my body to be burned." There is no prohibition against cremation in the Bible, nor is there a command to be buried in a box in the ground. Jesus Christ was placed in a cave, there is also no command to be placed in a cave. This is one matter in which God gave us choices.
If we have great faith we don't have to worry about our body decomposing. All the bodies from 2000 years ago are gone. God told us we would begin from dust and end in dust, we can leave it up to Him how He puts us back together again when we die. Of course speaking to believers here.
If we have great faith we don't have to worry about our body decomposing. All the bodies from 2000 years ago are gone. God told us we would begin from dust and end in dust, we can leave it up to Him how He puts us back together again when we die. Of course speaking to believers here.
So Your Sins Were not So Bad?
Have you ever met people who believe they were never bad? I met someone who proclaimed that his sins were not as bad as the sins of others. I had to laugh, no one is good before they are born again. Everyone who is not born again is going to hell, that's how bad their sinfulness is even if all they ever did was steal a pencil from a friend.
All sin is so evil that it cannot be in the presence of a Holy God. Even one small sin is enough to keep us out of heaven and into hell. It is not the one sin that is the problem, it is the sinfulness of the entire being that causes one to commit the one sin.
All the good deeds of unsaved people are as filthy rags to God. Everyone who is not born again do their good deeds to be elevated in their own eyes and the eyes of others, not to please God. God is not even a mention on the minds of unsaved people.
Those who think their sins were not as bad as the sins of others don't realize that sinfulness is in the heart even before there is an act. People who care deeply about impressing others can very effectively hide their evil, even through an entire lifetime.
This is why people are so shocked when someone does a heinous act against another human being when all their lives they lived exemplary in front of the community. Evil is in the heart before its ever an act.
It is hard to imagine that a born again believer who has been broken over his sinfulness would ever think his sins were not as bad as the sins of others.
This man was not only arrogant but often rude to others thinking that his rudeness was justified, even denying he was rude. There were also times when this man would claim his rudeness was just a joke and his offense should have been amusing.
There are more pretenders in the church gatherings today than there are authentic believers. We are seeing more people easily angered at the mention of truth than ever before. In the past non-believers had respect for Christians. Today we have "Christians" who are angry all the time at the suggestion that they might need to adjust their beliefs to match the Biblical principles.
I have had more people in the church angry at the mention of truth than non-believers.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."
There are many myths floating around the church gatherings today, spurning God's Word to elevate self. We are truly in the last days. For us it is hope to see these things happening, but for the world who rejects Christ it is very bad news.
A Show of Respect
Respect is always needed with everyone. When someone chooses to treat one person with respect but not another, then that person is not a respectful person as a whole, they are merely putting on a show of respect to those they wish to impress.
When there is authentic respect it is toward everyone all the time, not selective.
An attitude of respect is not turned on and off based on who one is visiting. It is a character quality that respects people. It does not mean we do not have boundaries or that we tolerate evil.
Romans 12:10
'10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."
Philippians 2:3
"3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;"
When we are regarding others as above ourselves we will never leave room for snarky and rude responses.
1 Peter 2:17
"17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king."
John 13:34-35
"34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
There is no love in rude superior attitudes. The longer we are away from these responses the uglier they are when we encounter them again.
Lets not allow anyone to change us into a narcissist by beating them at their own game. Just don't play at all!!!!!
When there is authentic respect it is toward everyone all the time, not selective.
An attitude of respect is not turned on and off based on who one is visiting. It is a character quality that respects people. It does not mean we do not have boundaries or that we tolerate evil.
Romans 12:10
'10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."
Philippians 2:3
"3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;"
When we are regarding others as above ourselves we will never leave room for snarky and rude responses.
1 Peter 2:17
"17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king."
John 13:34-35
"34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
There is no love in rude superior attitudes. The longer we are away from these responses the uglier they are when we encounter them again.
Lets not allow anyone to change us into a narcissist by beating them at their own game. Just don't play at all!!!!!
Do Not Despair, Everything Has a Purpose
When we know that God allowed everything in our lives, even the difficult things, for our training we can view them differently. I am convinced that everything we learn in this life will serve us in the Millennium when we rule with Christ. I cannot believe all we go through here is only for here. By the time we get to the end of our life we just go home and start all over again? NO! I believe what we learn here will serve us well when we rule with Christ. A sort of Spiritual boot camp.
Hebrews 12:11 "12:11 Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it."
Hebrews 12:8 "12:8 But if you do not experience discipline, something all sons have shared in, then you are illegitimate and are not sons."
Philippians 1:6 "1:6 For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."
1 Samuel 18:5 "On every mission on which Saul sent him, David achieved success. So Saul appointed him over the men of war. This pleased not only all the army, but also Saul’s servants."
God works very much the same now and in the next life the way He worked here on this earth. Everything we are trained for is not just for ourselves, but for service, here in this life but also in the Millennium. This is my opinion, if you can prove this wrong then I am interested in your thoughts.
I just can't believe that we go through this life as born again believers only to lose all the training we had here when we pass into the Millennium.
Revelation 20:4 "4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years."
Perhaps the earth will return to its state before the fall. Adam and Eve were given dominion over the earth.
(Genesis 1:28) "And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth” .
When this life is over those who loved Christ will be rewarded with power to rule nations.
(Luke 22:28-30) "You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel .
We will judge the angels:
1 Corinthians 6:2–3
2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!
This life is very short, whatever we must endure here is nothing more than boot camp for the best that is yet to come. Do not despair in your trials, keep focused on the lesson and the purpose. That purpose is to ultimately glorify God for all eternity.
Hebrews 12:11 "12:11 Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it."
Hebrews 12:8 "12:8 But if you do not experience discipline, something all sons have shared in, then you are illegitimate and are not sons."
Philippians 1:6 "1:6 For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."
1 Samuel 18:5 "On every mission on which Saul sent him, David achieved success. So Saul appointed him over the men of war. This pleased not only all the army, but also Saul’s servants."
God works very much the same now and in the next life the way He worked here on this earth. Everything we are trained for is not just for ourselves, but for service, here in this life but also in the Millennium. This is my opinion, if you can prove this wrong then I am interested in your thoughts.
I just can't believe that we go through this life as born again believers only to lose all the training we had here when we pass into the Millennium.
Revelation 20:4 "4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years."
Perhaps the earth will return to its state before the fall. Adam and Eve were given dominion over the earth.
(Genesis 1:28) "And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth” .
When this life is over those who loved Christ will be rewarded with power to rule nations.
(Luke 22:28-30) "You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel .
We will judge the angels:
1 Corinthians 6:2–3
2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!
This life is very short, whatever we must endure here is nothing more than boot camp for the best that is yet to come. Do not despair in your trials, keep focused on the lesson and the purpose. That purpose is to ultimately glorify God for all eternity.
Group Think
Group Think?
For an entire group of people, whether church, school or family, who places undo pressure on others to think like they think is the definition of "group think".
Born again believer are called to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. When we do this we will be unpopular. Most people have their own idea of what they like to be right, but is in fact defiance toward God.
When we stand for the principles of God in spite of what others are pressuring us to do and believe, we will be hated. Those who "group think" cannot tolerate anyone who doesn't think they way the group demands.
Flying monkeys do very little thinking on their own. They continually look to the group to see what will be acceptable to everyone else and proceed from there.
What is on the inside of the narcissist is inconsistent because it is based on feelings and group think. Their inside can never be harmonious with their outside. There is much hypocrisy going on all the time. With one person they will be one way but with the group they will be another way. They contradict themselves a lot.
I once told a facebook friend I prefer that she not come to contradict what I was teaching on facebook. She agreed not to do it anymore. Then I commented on one of her posts on her facebook, not in contradiction but to add more clarity to the post. She came back to me to ask me not to contradict her on her facebook. I agreed not to comment anymore. The reason I agreed not to comment at all is because what I wrote was not contradictory just adding too the understanding.
Because I asked her not to contradict me, she interpreted anything I would write in comments to her as "contradicting" her.
Then a few posts later this woman came back to contradict me on one of my posts and I deleted her comment. She then blocked me for deleting her comment. You see, I am convinced she wanted to control my facebook, influencing people not to believe me and could not tolerate that I placed a boundary. That boundary was that she could comment as long as it did not contradict me. She hated that I placed a boundary and had to find a way to make me the mean one.
I am so familiar with this tactic it was clear to me what was happening. Narcissists must feel like the one in control, the smarter one, the superior one. When they cannot be that with others then they must eliminate the one who dares to be themselves.
I block people too for being rude or arrogant. However I don't usually do it unless I see that someone is deliberately violating my boundaries and rules. I have had interesting disagreements on my facebook, even good discussion, but some things I cannot compromise on because God has clearly shown me the truth about those things. I tend to write about what God has shown me, not very often on things I am not sure about.
Asking good questions to find out the answer is not the same as asking a question or making a comment to provoke them in some way. I recognize when there is a trap developing as apposed to an honest question or comment.
I appreciate all of you who discuss calmly without personal attacks. When the insults begin to fly we know someone is not seeking truth they are merely wanting to fight to win.
Proverbs 10:18 "He who conceals hatred has lying lips, And he who spreads slander is a fool."
Proverbs 12:15-25
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.
16 A fool’s anger is known at once,
But a prudent man conceals dishonor.
17 He who speaks truth tells what is right,
But a false witness, deceit.
18 There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips will be established forever,
But a lying tongue is only for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy.
21 No harm befalls the righteous,
But the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
But those who deal faithfully are His delight.
23 A prudent man conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims folly.
24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the slack hand will be put to forced labor.
25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,
But a good word makes it glad.
For an entire group of people, whether church, school or family, who places undo pressure on others to think like they think is the definition of "group think".
Born again believer are called to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. When we do this we will be unpopular. Most people have their own idea of what they like to be right, but is in fact defiance toward God.
When we stand for the principles of God in spite of what others are pressuring us to do and believe, we will be hated. Those who "group think" cannot tolerate anyone who doesn't think they way the group demands.
Flying monkeys do very little thinking on their own. They continually look to the group to see what will be acceptable to everyone else and proceed from there.
What is on the inside of the narcissist is inconsistent because it is based on feelings and group think. Their inside can never be harmonious with their outside. There is much hypocrisy going on all the time. With one person they will be one way but with the group they will be another way. They contradict themselves a lot.
I once told a facebook friend I prefer that she not come to contradict what I was teaching on facebook. She agreed not to do it anymore. Then I commented on one of her posts on her facebook, not in contradiction but to add more clarity to the post. She came back to me to ask me not to contradict her on her facebook. I agreed not to comment anymore. The reason I agreed not to comment at all is because what I wrote was not contradictory just adding too the understanding.
Because I asked her not to contradict me, she interpreted anything I would write in comments to her as "contradicting" her.
Then a few posts later this woman came back to contradict me on one of my posts and I deleted her comment. She then blocked me for deleting her comment. You see, I am convinced she wanted to control my facebook, influencing people not to believe me and could not tolerate that I placed a boundary. That boundary was that she could comment as long as it did not contradict me. She hated that I placed a boundary and had to find a way to make me the mean one.
I am so familiar with this tactic it was clear to me what was happening. Narcissists must feel like the one in control, the smarter one, the superior one. When they cannot be that with others then they must eliminate the one who dares to be themselves.
I block people too for being rude or arrogant. However I don't usually do it unless I see that someone is deliberately violating my boundaries and rules. I have had interesting disagreements on my facebook, even good discussion, but some things I cannot compromise on because God has clearly shown me the truth about those things. I tend to write about what God has shown me, not very often on things I am not sure about.
Asking good questions to find out the answer is not the same as asking a question or making a comment to provoke them in some way. I recognize when there is a trap developing as apposed to an honest question or comment.
I appreciate all of you who discuss calmly without personal attacks. When the insults begin to fly we know someone is not seeking truth they are merely wanting to fight to win.
Proverbs 10:18 "He who conceals hatred has lying lips, And he who spreads slander is a fool."
Proverbs 12:15-25
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.
16 A fool’s anger is known at once,
But a prudent man conceals dishonor.
17 He who speaks truth tells what is right,
But a false witness, deceit.
18 There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips will be established forever,
But a lying tongue is only for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy.
21 No harm befalls the righteous,
But the wicked are filled with trouble.
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
But those who deal faithfully are His delight.
23 A prudent man conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims folly.
24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the slack hand will be put to forced labor.
25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,
But a good word makes it glad.
The Family Mobbing
Parents were given the job of raising their children. After the children are raised they are to go out and make their own lives. These children are not to come back to parents and begin to dictate to their parents about anything.
If an adult child has decided they want to help their parent in their elders years, they must consider the parents desires and honor them by considering their situation and desires. Any adult child who attempts to control the parents are disrespectful and dishonoring.
I have met many people who think because someone is old they can be bossed as if they were small children. This is disrespectful and dishonoring.
I heard it from "The Royal We" that families are often turned into gangs. Extended family tends to dominate over the individuals in the family even after they had left the home. They place pressure on extended family to do things the way the "family" wants it done. To think the way the family does, to say the things the family says and to act the way the family does. This is a cult!!!!
Often the extended family place pressure on grown family members to do things the way that family decides, even show up at every family event as though it were an obligation.
God made it clear that the family of the Believer in Christ are those who love Christ. We have no obligation to maintain relationships with those who act badly, not matter whether they claim to be Christians or not.
Matthew 12:46-50
Changed Relationships
46 While He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him.
47 Someone said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You.”
48 But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?”
49 And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers!
50 For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”
It is wonderful when bio family are also believers in and followers of Christ. Sadly this is rare, most believers who love Christ have few if any bio family members who are supportive of their decision to follow Christ.
Even many families that claim Christianity do not follow the Bible and even become angry when the scripture is mentioned to support a point in a discussion.
When we find that we cannot discuss calmly and with love a matter of principle in the Bible, that is the time to politely exit and distance ourselves. When we remain with unsaved or superficially Christian family members we only find ourselves becoming more silent to appease those who will become angry.
When we see that there is no respect for us or our God, that is when it is time to move on to more healthy relationships.
I cannot tell you the joy the Lord floods back into our lives when we make the choice to follow Him even if no one else goes with us. We may be alone for a time, but eventually God brings others who love Him the way we do. What a joy it is when He finds these people for us. Hallelujah!!
If an adult child has decided they want to help their parent in their elders years, they must consider the parents desires and honor them by considering their situation and desires. Any adult child who attempts to control the parents are disrespectful and dishonoring.
I have met many people who think because someone is old they can be bossed as if they were small children. This is disrespectful and dishonoring.
I heard it from "The Royal We" that families are often turned into gangs. Extended family tends to dominate over the individuals in the family even after they had left the home. They place pressure on extended family to do things the way the "family" wants it done. To think the way the family does, to say the things the family says and to act the way the family does. This is a cult!!!!
Often the extended family place pressure on grown family members to do things the way that family decides, even show up at every family event as though it were an obligation.
God made it clear that the family of the Believer in Christ are those who love Christ. We have no obligation to maintain relationships with those who act badly, not matter whether they claim to be Christians or not.
Matthew 12:46-50
Changed Relationships
46 While He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him.
47 Someone said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You.”
48 But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?”
49 And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers!
50 For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”
It is wonderful when bio family are also believers in and followers of Christ. Sadly this is rare, most believers who love Christ have few if any bio family members who are supportive of their decision to follow Christ.
Even many families that claim Christianity do not follow the Bible and even become angry when the scripture is mentioned to support a point in a discussion.
When we find that we cannot discuss calmly and with love a matter of principle in the Bible, that is the time to politely exit and distance ourselves. When we remain with unsaved or superficially Christian family members we only find ourselves becoming more silent to appease those who will become angry.
When we see that there is no respect for us or our God, that is when it is time to move on to more healthy relationships.
I cannot tell you the joy the Lord floods back into our lives when we make the choice to follow Him even if no one else goes with us. We may be alone for a time, but eventually God brings others who love Him the way we do. What a joy it is when He finds these people for us. Hallelujah!!
Confession is the Only Solution to Sin
The reason God tells us to confess our sin to be cleansed is because this is where the victory lies. When we confess, it is the indicator that we really hated what we did and want to fix it.
Those who cannot confess will not be cleansed and will not grow spiritually. So many "Chrisitans" remain infants all their lives because they refuse to admit their sin, disrespect and covert meanness. Those who will not confess to God and others cannot fix broken relationships. They love their own pride more than they love other people.
The good news is that anyone, no matter how sinful can ask God to cleanse them in their brokenness and He will do it. Those that refuse to confess and be cleansed will only remain in their sin and grow worse over time.
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."
No one ever stands still, we either grow in holiness or we regress. Those who will not confess always regress. This is why we see old people acting badly in their elderly years. They spend their entire lives hiding their real self until they got too tired to hide anymore and just let their real selves emerge.
So many people hang onto pride and self-will thinking it elevates them. Sadly one day, if not confessed, that pride will bring them low. There is only one solution to pride, that is to confess it and be cleansed by God.
Isaiah 2:12
"A Day of Reckoning Coming
12 For the Lord of hosts will have a day of reckoning
Against everyone who is proud and lofty
And against everyone who is lifted up,"
Those who cannot confess will not be cleansed and will not grow spiritually. So many "Chrisitans" remain infants all their lives because they refuse to admit their sin, disrespect and covert meanness. Those who will not confess to God and others cannot fix broken relationships. They love their own pride more than they love other people.
The good news is that anyone, no matter how sinful can ask God to cleanse them in their brokenness and He will do it. Those that refuse to confess and be cleansed will only remain in their sin and grow worse over time.
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."
No one ever stands still, we either grow in holiness or we regress. Those who will not confess always regress. This is why we see old people acting badly in their elderly years. They spend their entire lives hiding their real self until they got too tired to hide anymore and just let their real selves emerge.
So many people hang onto pride and self-will thinking it elevates them. Sadly one day, if not confessed, that pride will bring them low. There is only one solution to pride, that is to confess it and be cleansed by God.
Isaiah 2:12
"A Day of Reckoning Coming
12 For the Lord of hosts will have a day of reckoning
Against everyone who is proud and lofty
And against everyone who is lifted up,"
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