We are going to find more and more pretenders who are angry with authentic believers. They will defend their traditions of men as well as their own sinful lives. Our own families will hate us for our radical Christianity, that is, the Christianity that actually follows the Word of God in His Scriptures.
They will accuse us of things that are not true while they are exhibiting those very things. They will trample of the word of God to embrace their false doctrines. They will attempt to gossip in an effort to ruin our reputations.
These people will accuse us of lack of faith for adhering to God's Word while they live rebellious unrestrained lives. These people will accuse us of our past that is forgiven and gone, even as we live for Christ, those who accuse us wallow in their own pride determined to make us look wrong for following Christ.
They will say, "don't judge" as they falsely judge us. They will tell us we are walking disobediently because we do not adhere to their traditions and false doctrines while they are contemptous toward the word of God.
Welcome to the end times brothers and sisters. The devil is ramping up his efforts to malign and demean us, but our God, is far more powerful than he. There is nothing he can do to ruin us, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit and He is our defender.
Ephesians 1:12-14 "…12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory. 13 And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth— the gospel of your salvation— you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory."
Don't fear the devil, he cannot harm the Spirit in us!!!!
2 Timothy 1:7
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
If you lose all family members because of your radical walk with Christ, if you lose everyone in your community, praise God we walk so dramatically with Christ that it turns away the heard hearted and those who walk
Monday, December 2, 2019
1 John 2:18-20
Amen!
"18 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us. 20 You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.…"
"18 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us. 20 You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.…"
Emotionalism Leads People Astray
In my personal experience all the "Pentecostals" I have known in our region of the country are emotionally driven. They depend more on their emotions for the moment than they do on Scripture.
In fact they will fight to defend sin when faced with Scripture, believing their emotions make the sin alright. Sort of like narcissists who believer their "feelings are facts." We need to read God's Word, believe it and then obey it even if it goes against our feelings.
John 14:15-16 "15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—…"
Those who say they love God but deny His Scriptures are lying. They want to believe of themselves as good people that see many miracles but they are willing to accept false miracles and false doctrines to "feel" spiritual.
The born again believer is more concerned about seeking God, hearing from Him and obeying His Word than they are in superficial hype and false miracles.
Matthew 16:4
"4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” And He left them and went away."
Those who walk in faith need not grandiose signs other than the signs God already gave us in His Word.
Often those who seek after another sign for their eyes to see and their emotions to embrace have little to no faith in the Bible they claim to read. They disobey more of the scripture than they obey to defend worldly excuses to disobey God. And worse yet they often lie against God by claiming the Scriptures say things God never said. They do not rightly divide the word to discern God's truth.
2 Timothy 2:14-16
An Unashamed Workman
14 Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,"
When reading God's word we must pray, study and dig for the truth. If Christ in us is not the One teaching us our studies are in vain.
In fact they will fight to defend sin when faced with Scripture, believing their emotions make the sin alright. Sort of like narcissists who believer their "feelings are facts." We need to read God's Word, believe it and then obey it even if it goes against our feelings.
John 14:15-16 "15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—…"
Those who say they love God but deny His Scriptures are lying. They want to believe of themselves as good people that see many miracles but they are willing to accept false miracles and false doctrines to "feel" spiritual.
The born again believer is more concerned about seeking God, hearing from Him and obeying His Word than they are in superficial hype and false miracles.
Matthew 16:4
"4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” And He left them and went away."
Those who walk in faith need not grandiose signs other than the signs God already gave us in His Word.
Often those who seek after another sign for their eyes to see and their emotions to embrace have little to no faith in the Bible they claim to read. They disobey more of the scripture than they obey to defend worldly excuses to disobey God. And worse yet they often lie against God by claiming the Scriptures say things God never said. They do not rightly divide the word to discern God's truth.
2 Timothy 2:14-16
An Unashamed Workman
14 Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,"
When reading God's word we must pray, study and dig for the truth. If Christ in us is not the One teaching us our studies are in vain.
Will Your Name Remain in the Book of Life?
All the names of every person were written in the book of life. Many have been blotted out.....why?.
1 Timothy 2:3-5 "…3 This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,"
Only when a person dies is his name blotted out of the book of life when they reject Christ. Those who are born again and sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise until He comes for us will not be blotted out. They remain in that book for eternity.
Ephesians 1:12-14 "…12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory. 13 And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth— the gospel of your salvation— you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.…"
1 John 2:19-20 "19 They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us. 20 You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.…"
Judas was a pretender who was never born again, he had tasted the good fruit of Christ but never trusted in Him.
Hebrews 12:5-7 "…
5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not 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?…"
All those who are born again are over-comers. Those who claim to be "Christians" will not overcome and that will be the proof they never belonged to Christ in the first. place.
1 Timothy 2:3-5 "…3 This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,"
Only when a person dies is his name blotted out of the book of life when they reject Christ. Those who are born again and sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise until He comes for us will not be blotted out. They remain in that book for eternity.
Ephesians 1:12-14 "…12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory. 13 And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth— the gospel of your salvation— you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.…"
1 John 2:19-20 "19 They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us. 20 You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.…"
Judas was a pretender who was never born again, he had tasted the good fruit of Christ but never trusted in Him.
Hebrews 12:5-7 "…
5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not 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?…"
All those who are born again are over-comers. Those who claim to be "Christians" will not overcome and that will be the proof they never belonged to Christ in the first. place.
In the Line of Fire!
Are you in the line of fire right now? Are you IN the fire right now? Read Daniel 3 and learn to trust in Christ.
Daniel 13:13-25
"13 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king.
14 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up?
15 Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.
18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”
Saved in Fiery Trial
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.
20 And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. "
22 Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego.
23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?”
They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.”
25 “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”
"13 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king.
14 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up?
15 Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.
18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”
Saved in Fiery Trial
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.
20 And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. "
22 Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego.
23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?”
They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.”
25 “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”
Daniel 3: If the Three Hebrew Boys can do it, So Can You!
God allows us our choices and when our choices are against Him, He allows us to be happy in them, but that does not make them safe. "Feelings" are not a measure of truth, the devil is very good at making our feelings think we are safe when we are in grave danger.
John 12:48 (Rejecting Jesus Christ, the scariest place to be)
"The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day."
John 8:44
"44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
The human condition is that every person is either of God or the devil. The devil makes many believe they are happy and safe when just the opposite is the truth. Christ brings truth and great joy.
Our Spirit is only safe when we are in Christ. Even when we suffer for doing what is right we maintain that everylasting joy in the middle of our tears. Those who are not in Christ are on their way to hell, the devil knows this. He is dedicated to lying to anyone who rejects Christ. Making them believe they are having their own ideas but in reality they are being influenced by the unseen demonic forces.
1 Peter 5:7-9 "…7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.…"
The only way to resist the devil is to have the Spirit of God living in us. The way to have the Spirit of God living in us is to confess sinfulness and desire to be changed by Christ into a new creation. When this happens the thoughts and desires change to the opposite of what they were before. We no longer live for self but we live for Christ. Who lives in us.
Bottom line: Everyone is controlled by either the devil or by God. No one is in control of their own life. If someone is of the devil they are not safe but on their way to hell, no matter how they feel. Those who are in Christ are safe from the evil one and are on their way to heaven because they trusted Christ.
Many people who think they are safe because they are making their own choices don't realize that their choices are not based in wisdom but in the flesh which is controlled by the devil.
Our bodies are not safe no matter what we do, but our Spirit is safe in Christ. We suffer like the rest of the world in physical ill health at times but we remain joyful in the midst of it because we know this world is not all their is, our real home and our new body comes later when this life is over.
Those who are in Christ will be persecuted by others for our faith, but our Spirit gives us strength for this short time on earth. AND, it is short compared to eternity. I can tell you from experience that at 67 years of age there have been many trials and physical challenges but my Spirit grows in joy and wisdom every day as I depend on Christ for His strength, strength I would not have except for Him.
Rather than enjoying superficial happiness and sin, it is best to admit that sin to be cleansed by Christ. Once someone does this their is no more happiness in sin.
James 1:15 "Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death."
James 1:2-3 "2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."
Hallelujah!!! May many who read this realize how wonderful it is to be in Christ, that He paid the penalty of sin for us. All anyone has to do is admit their sinfulness, ask to be cleansed by Christ and watch how He changes perspectives and lives, and best of all eternity for everyone who will believe in Christ.
Our circumstances do not always change when we trust in Christ but our perspective about those circumstances do change while we have the strength in Him to go through them with Him. He always goes through with us.
For those of you who have difficult marriages, there is no need to bail out to save yourself, you can pray that God make you what you should be through it all.
Daniel 3, find the account there, in which Christ walked in the fire with the young Hebrew men.
John 12:48 (Rejecting Jesus Christ, the scariest place to be)
"The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day."
John 8:44
"44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
The human condition is that every person is either of God or the devil. The devil makes many believe they are happy and safe when just the opposite is the truth. Christ brings truth and great joy.
Our Spirit is only safe when we are in Christ. Even when we suffer for doing what is right we maintain that everylasting joy in the middle of our tears. Those who are not in Christ are on their way to hell, the devil knows this. He is dedicated to lying to anyone who rejects Christ. Making them believe they are having their own ideas but in reality they are being influenced by the unseen demonic forces.
1 Peter 5:7-9 "…7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.…"
The only way to resist the devil is to have the Spirit of God living in us. The way to have the Spirit of God living in us is to confess sinfulness and desire to be changed by Christ into a new creation. When this happens the thoughts and desires change to the opposite of what they were before. We no longer live for self but we live for Christ. Who lives in us.
Bottom line: Everyone is controlled by either the devil or by God. No one is in control of their own life. If someone is of the devil they are not safe but on their way to hell, no matter how they feel. Those who are in Christ are safe from the evil one and are on their way to heaven because they trusted Christ.
Many people who think they are safe because they are making their own choices don't realize that their choices are not based in wisdom but in the flesh which is controlled by the devil.
Our bodies are not safe no matter what we do, but our Spirit is safe in Christ. We suffer like the rest of the world in physical ill health at times but we remain joyful in the midst of it because we know this world is not all their is, our real home and our new body comes later when this life is over.
Those who are in Christ will be persecuted by others for our faith, but our Spirit gives us strength for this short time on earth. AND, it is short compared to eternity. I can tell you from experience that at 67 years of age there have been many trials and physical challenges but my Spirit grows in joy and wisdom every day as I depend on Christ for His strength, strength I would not have except for Him.
Rather than enjoying superficial happiness and sin, it is best to admit that sin to be cleansed by Christ. Once someone does this their is no more happiness in sin.
James 1:15 "Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death."
James 1:2-3 "2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."
Hallelujah!!! May many who read this realize how wonderful it is to be in Christ, that He paid the penalty of sin for us. All anyone has to do is admit their sinfulness, ask to be cleansed by Christ and watch how He changes perspectives and lives, and best of all eternity for everyone who will believe in Christ.
Our circumstances do not always change when we trust in Christ but our perspective about those circumstances do change while we have the strength in Him to go through them with Him. He always goes through with us.
For those of you who have difficult marriages, there is no need to bail out to save yourself, you can pray that God make you what you should be through it all.
Daniel 3, find the account there, in which Christ walked in the fire with the young Hebrew men.
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