Also, I notice that none of the ants has a need to be better than anyone else, their only concern is getting the job done, no one needs to be special or first.
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Thursday, October 16, 2014
Go to the Ant you Sluggard
Notice how they are working together, each one doing their job within the framework of the whole group. Ants are not individualistic as we humans have become. This mentality of individualism has made us isolated and less productive. When we are a narcissistic culture we prefer not to be instructed, corrected or fall in line with any authority. When we honor God then our aim ought to be compliance to the group to make everyone look good, not compromising God's principles, but enhancing them.
Also, I notice that none of the ants has a need to be better than anyone else, their only concern is getting the job done, no one needs to be special or first.
Also, I notice that none of the ants has a need to be better than anyone else, their only concern is getting the job done, no one needs to be special or first.
Punishment is here and there is more to come!
Sound Familiar?
Ezekiel 12:1
"12 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 2 “Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, which has eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear; for they are a rebellious house"
What was God's response to this "rebellious house?"
Ezekiel 12:25-28
"25 For I the Lord will speak, and whatever word I speak will be performed. It will no longer be delayed, for in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and perform it,” declares the Lord God.’”
26 Furthermore, the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 27 “Son of man, behold, the house of Israel is saying, ‘The vision that he sees is for many years from now, and he prophesies of times far off.’ 28 Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “None of My words will be delayed any longer. Whatever word I speak will be performed,”’” declares the Lord God"
A nation that spurns the name of the Lord will be disciplined. When all laws of morality are struck down and the leaders follow after wickedness, then is when we can expect the chastisement of the Lord. He will abandon us to ourselves, the most frightening thing that could happen.
Proverbs 1:24-33
"“Because I called and you refused,
I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention;
25 And you neglected all my counsel And did not want my reproof;
26 I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes,
27 When your dread comes like a storm And your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
When distress and anguish come upon you.
28 “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently but they will not find me,
29 Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the Lord.
30 “They would not accept my counsel, They spurned all my reproof.
31 “So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way
And be satiated with their own devices.
32 “For the waywardness of the naive will kill them,
And the complacency of fools will destroy them.
33 “But he who listens to me shall live securely
And will be at ease from the dread of evil."
Proverbs 14:34
"Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people."
One of the ways our nation has dishonored God has been the proliferation of false prophets, preaching lies of prosperity and health, rather than a gospel of repentance.
While people are dying and on their way to hell, foolish prosperity preachers are preaching self esteem, clamoring after health and wealth as though it matters for eternity, when it is diverting the attentions of the hearers from eternity, keeping them focused on their own pleasure in this life.
Ezekiel 13:1-8
"13 Then the word of the Lord came to me saying,
2 “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy from their own inspiration, ‘Listen to the word of the Lord!
3 Thus says the Lord God, “Woe to the foolish prophets who are following their own spirit and have seen nothing.
4 O Israel, your prophets have been like foxes among ruins.
5 You have not gone up into the breaches, nor did you build the wall around the house of Israel to stand in the battle on the day of the Lord.
6 They see falsehood and lying divination who are saying, ‘The Lord declares,’ when the Lord has not sent them; yet they hope for the fulfillment of their word.
7 Did you not see a false vision and speak a lying divination when you said, ‘The Lord declares,’ but it is not I who have spoken?”’”
8 Therefore, thus says the Lord God, “Because you have spoken falsehood and seen a lie, therefore behold, I am against you,” declares the Lord God."
The Lord is against our country, we know this because the Lord must be consistent, He hates that we have aborted 55 million babies, their blood cries out from the land,we have taught our children in the schools to embrace sin, such as self esteem, homosexuality, immoral sexual behavior while attempting to remove any sense of gender differences.
The women have left the safety of their home to place themselves in contact with the world while forcing them to rely on ungodly caretakers for their children.
Satan has destroyed the family through divorce and remarriage, with a direct correlation between remarriage and the increase in child abuse of every sort. When half the marriages in our church gatherings are in this state of adultery, we know that the culture as a whole tends to be even worse than that of the organized church. When the church will not uphold the standard of God, the humanistic secular culture sure is not going to.
Shacking up is the new norm, many children who were from broken families, see no reason to bother to get married. They have been taught by example, that our word means nothing, our actions are for self, and our attitude is to fight for what we want, deferring to no one for the good of others.
We have taught "self esteem" in our culture for more than 40 years now and this is where it has led us, a life of misery without the wisdom to even admit that we are miserable and worst of all, we have negated God and His principles, even disdaining them while pursuing our own wicked desires.
God has no choice but to punish us as a nation. Any thought of recovery is futile and silly outside of total repentance nation wide. Even then God must still punish us for our evil.
The only hope we have is for individuals to repent finding their way to the cross. Each one admitting the evil that is in their heart, desiring to be changed into a new creation by Christ. Then that individual will be saved, but the nation will still endure chastisement.
Get ready for a total collapse of the United States as we have known it. God is using evil people to destroy us for our rebellion.
Are you going to repent, (change your mind) allowing God to change you into a new creation? It is your only hope and time is running out.
Ezekiel 12:1
"12 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 2 “Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, which has eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear; for they are a rebellious house"
What was God's response to this "rebellious house?"
Ezekiel 12:25-28
"25 For I the Lord will speak, and whatever word I speak will be performed. It will no longer be delayed, for in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and perform it,” declares the Lord God.’”
26 Furthermore, the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 27 “Son of man, behold, the house of Israel is saying, ‘The vision that he sees is for many years from now, and he prophesies of times far off.’ 28 Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “None of My words will be delayed any longer. Whatever word I speak will be performed,”’” declares the Lord God"
A nation that spurns the name of the Lord will be disciplined. When all laws of morality are struck down and the leaders follow after wickedness, then is when we can expect the chastisement of the Lord. He will abandon us to ourselves, the most frightening thing that could happen.
Proverbs 1:24-33
"“Because I called and you refused,
I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention;
25 And you neglected all my counsel And did not want my reproof;
26 I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes,
27 When your dread comes like a storm And your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
When distress and anguish come upon you.
28 “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently but they will not find me,
29 Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the Lord.
30 “They would not accept my counsel, They spurned all my reproof.
31 “So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way
And be satiated with their own devices.
32 “For the waywardness of the naive will kill them,
And the complacency of fools will destroy them.
33 “But he who listens to me shall live securely
And will be at ease from the dread of evil."
Proverbs 14:34
"Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people."
One of the ways our nation has dishonored God has been the proliferation of false prophets, preaching lies of prosperity and health, rather than a gospel of repentance.
While people are dying and on their way to hell, foolish prosperity preachers are preaching self esteem, clamoring after health and wealth as though it matters for eternity, when it is diverting the attentions of the hearers from eternity, keeping them focused on their own pleasure in this life.
Ezekiel 13:1-8
"13 Then the word of the Lord came to me saying,
2 “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy from their own inspiration, ‘Listen to the word of the Lord!
3 Thus says the Lord God, “Woe to the foolish prophets who are following their own spirit and have seen nothing.
4 O Israel, your prophets have been like foxes among ruins.
5 You have not gone up into the breaches, nor did you build the wall around the house of Israel to stand in the battle on the day of the Lord.
6 They see falsehood and lying divination who are saying, ‘The Lord declares,’ when the Lord has not sent them; yet they hope for the fulfillment of their word.
7 Did you not see a false vision and speak a lying divination when you said, ‘The Lord declares,’ but it is not I who have spoken?”’”
8 Therefore, thus says the Lord God, “Because you have spoken falsehood and seen a lie, therefore behold, I am against you,” declares the Lord God."
The Lord is against our country, we know this because the Lord must be consistent, He hates that we have aborted 55 million babies, their blood cries out from the land,we have taught our children in the schools to embrace sin, such as self esteem, homosexuality, immoral sexual behavior while attempting to remove any sense of gender differences.
The women have left the safety of their home to place themselves in contact with the world while forcing them to rely on ungodly caretakers for their children.
Satan has destroyed the family through divorce and remarriage, with a direct correlation between remarriage and the increase in child abuse of every sort. When half the marriages in our church gatherings are in this state of adultery, we know that the culture as a whole tends to be even worse than that of the organized church. When the church will not uphold the standard of God, the humanistic secular culture sure is not going to.
Shacking up is the new norm, many children who were from broken families, see no reason to bother to get married. They have been taught by example, that our word means nothing, our actions are for self, and our attitude is to fight for what we want, deferring to no one for the good of others.
We have taught "self esteem" in our culture for more than 40 years now and this is where it has led us, a life of misery without the wisdom to even admit that we are miserable and worst of all, we have negated God and His principles, even disdaining them while pursuing our own wicked desires.
God has no choice but to punish us as a nation. Any thought of recovery is futile and silly outside of total repentance nation wide. Even then God must still punish us for our evil.
The only hope we have is for individuals to repent finding their way to the cross. Each one admitting the evil that is in their heart, desiring to be changed into a new creation by Christ. Then that individual will be saved, but the nation will still endure chastisement.
Get ready for a total collapse of the United States as we have known it. God is using evil people to destroy us for our rebellion.
Are you going to repent, (change your mind) allowing God to change you into a new creation? It is your only hope and time is running out.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Avoid Those Who Are Divisive
2 Timothy 3:1-5 "3 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away"
All too often we encounter ungodly and resistant people who attempt to undermine our walk with Christ at every turn. I believe these are the people God is speaking of when He tells us to avoid those who will not hear.
We cannot avoid unsaved people when giving them the gospel, however once they have been told and refuse, we are to leave and not look back. If they change their mind, they will know where to find us if they are previous friends and family. If they were strangers, then God will send someone else when they are ready to hear truth and receive it.
Matthew 10:14
"And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet."
We need not second guess the Lord, if we do as He says we can have peace that He has directed our path. Sometimes people will recall our words and actions later, realizing they should have listened, they will find us if they need us or they will see us in heaven lately.
We are not responsible to hang in there trying and trying and trying with the same people who keep us in an emotional roller coaster, hoping they will finally get it. God designed the Christian walk to be one of moving on, continually moving forward. When someone is resistant, we are to move on to the next person the Lord has for us.
When the difficult unsaved person is a spouse or parent, we must remain with them, but that does not mean that we have to engage in conflict with them. We can live as we are directed by God, while praying for their souls. We can also pray for them to one day find the Lord themselves.
Our job is to obey Christ no matter what!
John 14:15
"“If you love me, you will keep my commandments."
Romans 6:16 "Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?"
James 1:22
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
Joshua 1:8
"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."
Romans 8:28
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
We can obey Christ and leave all the results to Him, even if we lose everyone to walk with Him.
All too often we encounter ungodly and resistant people who attempt to undermine our walk with Christ at every turn. I believe these are the people God is speaking of when He tells us to avoid those who will not hear.
We cannot avoid unsaved people when giving them the gospel, however once they have been told and refuse, we are to leave and not look back. If they change their mind, they will know where to find us if they are previous friends and family. If they were strangers, then God will send someone else when they are ready to hear truth and receive it.
Matthew 10:14
"And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet."
We need not second guess the Lord, if we do as He says we can have peace that He has directed our path. Sometimes people will recall our words and actions later, realizing they should have listened, they will find us if they need us or they will see us in heaven lately.
We are not responsible to hang in there trying and trying and trying with the same people who keep us in an emotional roller coaster, hoping they will finally get it. God designed the Christian walk to be one of moving on, continually moving forward. When someone is resistant, we are to move on to the next person the Lord has for us.
When the difficult unsaved person is a spouse or parent, we must remain with them, but that does not mean that we have to engage in conflict with them. We can live as we are directed by God, while praying for their souls. We can also pray for them to one day find the Lord themselves.
Our job is to obey Christ no matter what!
John 14:15
"“If you love me, you will keep my commandments."
Romans 6:16 "Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?"
James 1:22
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
Joshua 1:8
"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."
Romans 8:28
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
We can obey Christ and leave all the results to Him, even if we lose everyone to walk with Him.
The New Normals
For all those who think that we can fight for right and win in the coming elections, think again.
We will not come out of this. When homosexuality is endorsed by our leaders and promoted in our schools, we are at the end of our reign as a world power.
All anyone has to do is look at history to see that, it is this point at which a country began going under and never came back, even being conquered by another government, in this case likely, Islam.
We will never see the United States the same again and the next generation will not remember what we were, they will think socialism is normal. The school system will not teach them the real heritage of our country, but will modify the books to enhance their own agenda.
Do we not understand that "O" has led the way in promoting Islam in our government. We have a new evil that desires to convert the people by the sword, while murdering all those who will not submit to Islam.
Once something a law is implemented there is no turning back. Islam is well on it's way to becoming a new normal.
Remember the last time socialism was endorsed and implemented in the form of "Social Security"? Social Security was suppose to be temporary, it never went away but is becoming bankrupt being robbed for other purposes for which it was intended.
Franklin D. Roosevelt founded this government agency with the misguided idea that, if we forced people to save by taking their money, it would be assured that they would have a good retirement in their old age, when in reality it was a ploy to have our money to promote their "distribution of wealth" program. It was suppose to be a self supporting system, not funded by the government, and temporary, but as we know, nothing ever stays pure as long as corrupt governments are involved.
The problem with this mentality is that it is based on the government playing the role of parent, the child would be paying his money to the government, while the government would decided how much of it we would get back in retirement.
What we were not told is that if we didn't have to give our money to the government, for our own retirement, we could have invested it in safe ways and have far more for retirement than, "the powers that be", would return to us in our old age. They could use our money for things that it was not intended to fund, while also giving to others who never paid into the system, not to mention liberal causes that they determined worthy.
The demise of our government has been in the works for years, escaping our notice because we have all we need and more. We didn't think that things would progress to the degree that it has. If the culture had known the principles of God in the Scriptures, they would have recognized the insidious way in which the government was moving us in the direction of a dictatorship and, now we are there!
Our president is operating as fully as a dictator as any leader can, ignoring our constitution, ignoring congress and moving us closer to an Islamic state as possible. There is an invasion going on through our unprotected borders, homosexuality is being promoted, abortions are the new norm, while many more laws and rules are governing us than ever before.
Our country is not declining because of the evil leaders, even though God is using them. Our country is declining because of the wickedness in the hearts of the people as a whole.
There is still a remnant of believers who remain faithful to God, in this country, however the whole is not honoring God, but promoting secular teachings while thinking they are right.
Matthew 24:38-39
"For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, lmarrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, kso will be the coming of the Son of Man"
The United States was the last bastion of freedom in the world, other than Israel. When the entire world is under the rule of the wicked one, and all nations are against Israel....we are there now...then will Christ come for His church and the tribulation will commence.
Those who are not born again, don't have much time left to make a choice to trust Christ.
We will not come out of this. When homosexuality is endorsed by our leaders and promoted in our schools, we are at the end of our reign as a world power.
All anyone has to do is look at history to see that, it is this point at which a country began going under and never came back, even being conquered by another government, in this case likely, Islam.
We will never see the United States the same again and the next generation will not remember what we were, they will think socialism is normal. The school system will not teach them the real heritage of our country, but will modify the books to enhance their own agenda.
Do we not understand that "O" has led the way in promoting Islam in our government. We have a new evil that desires to convert the people by the sword, while murdering all those who will not submit to Islam.
Once something a law is implemented there is no turning back. Islam is well on it's way to becoming a new normal.
Remember the last time socialism was endorsed and implemented in the form of "Social Security"? Social Security was suppose to be temporary, it never went away but is becoming bankrupt being robbed for other purposes for which it was intended.
Franklin D. Roosevelt founded this government agency with the misguided idea that, if we forced people to save by taking their money, it would be assured that they would have a good retirement in their old age, when in reality it was a ploy to have our money to promote their "distribution of wealth" program. It was suppose to be a self supporting system, not funded by the government, and temporary, but as we know, nothing ever stays pure as long as corrupt governments are involved.
The problem with this mentality is that it is based on the government playing the role of parent, the child would be paying his money to the government, while the government would decided how much of it we would get back in retirement.
What we were not told is that if we didn't have to give our money to the government, for our own retirement, we could have invested it in safe ways and have far more for retirement than, "the powers that be", would return to us in our old age. They could use our money for things that it was not intended to fund, while also giving to others who never paid into the system, not to mention liberal causes that they determined worthy.
The demise of our government has been in the works for years, escaping our notice because we have all we need and more. We didn't think that things would progress to the degree that it has. If the culture had known the principles of God in the Scriptures, they would have recognized the insidious way in which the government was moving us in the direction of a dictatorship and, now we are there!
Our president is operating as fully as a dictator as any leader can, ignoring our constitution, ignoring congress and moving us closer to an Islamic state as possible. There is an invasion going on through our unprotected borders, homosexuality is being promoted, abortions are the new norm, while many more laws and rules are governing us than ever before.
Our country is not declining because of the evil leaders, even though God is using them. Our country is declining because of the wickedness in the hearts of the people as a whole.
There is still a remnant of believers who remain faithful to God, in this country, however the whole is not honoring God, but promoting secular teachings while thinking they are right.
Matthew 24:38-39
"For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, lmarrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, kso will be the coming of the Son of Man"
The United States was the last bastion of freedom in the world, other than Israel. When the entire world is under the rule of the wicked one, and all nations are against Israel....we are there now...then will Christ come for His church and the tribulation will commence.
Those who are not born again, don't have much time left to make a choice to trust Christ.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Salt and Light is Our Calling
Matthew 5:13
""You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men."
We know from chemistry class that salt cannot change it's chemistry. It can only be diluted through mixing it with other contaminating elements.
When we mix our Christian walk with the things and ways of the world we become useless for the kingdom of God.
Matthew 5:14-16
"14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
We are the spiritual light in this world, without us there is no light for the world. That light is Christ in us.
We have a responsibility to illuminate the world with the righteousness of Christ.
We have a responsibility to be the salt, untainted by impurities.
We can only be salt and light if we are diligently in the Word of God for the purpose of obeying what God tells us. When we disobey God while living like the world, we darken our light and dilute our salt.
Matthew 5:3-12New King James Version (NKJV)
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
""You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men."
We know from chemistry class that salt cannot change it's chemistry. It can only be diluted through mixing it with other contaminating elements.
When we mix our Christian walk with the things and ways of the world we become useless for the kingdom of God.
Matthew 5:14-16
"14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
We are the spiritual light in this world, without us there is no light for the world. That light is Christ in us.
We have a responsibility to illuminate the world with the righteousness of Christ.
We have a responsibility to be the salt, untainted by impurities.
We can only be salt and light if we are diligently in the Word of God for the purpose of obeying what God tells us. When we disobey God while living like the world, we darken our light and dilute our salt.
Matthew 5:3-12New King James Version (NKJV)
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
It's All in the Word of God!
I cannot help those who do not want my help. And, God does not help those who do not want His help.
In order to be helped, we must want it, but want it God's way. The only helpful solutions in life are written in the Word of God.
When we have a problem, any problem, we can go to the Bible and see the principles there that guide decisions.
How do we handle a sinning brother or sister? It's in there!
How do we handle our finances? It's in there!
How do we mend relationships? It's in there!
How do we act in marriage? It's in there!
How do we relate to authority figures? It's in there!
How should children respond to parents? It's in there!
How do I love? It's in there!
Every question anyone can ask, has a principle in the Bible to answer it.
Go to God, not to the culture, not to family or friends unless they are godly ones who will repeat God's principles to you...opening the Word to find the answers.
Do not look for those who will say what you want to hear, rather go to those who will direct you back to God and His principles?
All of the answers to life are in the Holy Scriptures!
2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;"
In order to be helped, we must want it, but want it God's way. The only helpful solutions in life are written in the Word of God.
When we have a problem, any problem, we can go to the Bible and see the principles there that guide decisions.
How do we handle a sinning brother or sister? It's in there!
How do we handle our finances? It's in there!
How do we mend relationships? It's in there!
How do we act in marriage? It's in there!
How do we relate to authority figures? It's in there!
How should children respond to parents? It's in there!
How do I love? It's in there!
Every question anyone can ask, has a principle in the Bible to answer it.
Go to God, not to the culture, not to family or friends unless they are godly ones who will repeat God's principles to you...opening the Word to find the answers.
Do not look for those who will say what you want to hear, rather go to those who will direct you back to God and His principles?
All of the answers to life are in the Holy Scriptures!
2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;"
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Youth Groups Have A Problem
Has anyone wondered why many of the youth groups in the church are having so many problems? The youth are less godly, more accepting of worldly standards and unteachable than ever before in the organized church.
Perhaps it is because the Scriptures about leadership are being ignored.
The criteria for a leader in the church is clearly stated in Titus.
Titus 1:6-9 "If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it."
Notice that these leaders were men and not women.
These men were not young men but in fact, they had grown children who were faithful to God. It is wrong to have "youth leaders" who are as young or nearly as young as the people they are suppose to be ministering to.
1 Timothy 3:6 "Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil."
The concept of "youth groups" or "worship leaders" who tend to be young people, is not a Scriptural standard. The only worship leader mentioned in the Word of God, is the Holy Spirit, he lives in all believers and needs no help from inexperienced and worldly young people who love to get in front and show off.
If we do things as the Word of God commands, we will have no need of "youth leaders" or "worship leaders."
The Holy Spirit is the leader of worship and the older gentlemen and ladies are the leaders of the youth, older men teaching young men and older women teaching young women.
We do not automatically discount a young man leading in the church entirely, however, he will be sold out to Christ desiring for the Bible to be his guide in all things and under the mentorship of the older believers.
He will have already been witnessing his faith somewhere in his sphere of influence, while studying the Word himself diligently.
A young on fire believing man will have no need nor desire of "fun programs" to draw in the youth, he will depend entirely on the Holy Spirit to draw those who want to hear, rather than tricking them into coming by cleaver programs, that tend to water down the gospel and divert the attention of the youth from holiness.
Modern marketing techniques have destroyed worship, making the gathering nothing more than a social club where everyone will be comfortable.
The best way to win someone to the Lord is to make them uncomfortable, by showing them their sin and the need to trust Christ to save them. Any other human method will only inoculate those who come, making the true gospel of repentance less desirable when they do finally hear it. Mankind will take the most traveled and happiest route if they are given the choice.
The only remedy for the modern church gathering if for those that attend to repent of their worldly leanings, get back to the Word for the purpose of obey it and much prayer for those who would be in opposition.
The best thing for the organized apostate church now would be for those who are attending to make the choice to follow Christ or to leave. Those who remain will be the faithful ones who desire holiness and true worship through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Perhaps it is because the Scriptures about leadership are being ignored.
The criteria for a leader in the church is clearly stated in Titus.
Titus 1:6-9 "If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it."
Notice that these leaders were men and not women.
These men were not young men but in fact, they had grown children who were faithful to God. It is wrong to have "youth leaders" who are as young or nearly as young as the people they are suppose to be ministering to.
1 Timothy 3:6 "Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil."
The concept of "youth groups" or "worship leaders" who tend to be young people, is not a Scriptural standard. The only worship leader mentioned in the Word of God, is the Holy Spirit, he lives in all believers and needs no help from inexperienced and worldly young people who love to get in front and show off.
If we do things as the Word of God commands, we will have no need of "youth leaders" or "worship leaders."
The Holy Spirit is the leader of worship and the older gentlemen and ladies are the leaders of the youth, older men teaching young men and older women teaching young women.
We do not automatically discount a young man leading in the church entirely, however, he will be sold out to Christ desiring for the Bible to be his guide in all things and under the mentorship of the older believers.
He will have already been witnessing his faith somewhere in his sphere of influence, while studying the Word himself diligently.
A young on fire believing man will have no need nor desire of "fun programs" to draw in the youth, he will depend entirely on the Holy Spirit to draw those who want to hear, rather than tricking them into coming by cleaver programs, that tend to water down the gospel and divert the attention of the youth from holiness.
Modern marketing techniques have destroyed worship, making the gathering nothing more than a social club where everyone will be comfortable.
The best way to win someone to the Lord is to make them uncomfortable, by showing them their sin and the need to trust Christ to save them. Any other human method will only inoculate those who come, making the true gospel of repentance less desirable when they do finally hear it. Mankind will take the most traveled and happiest route if they are given the choice.
The only remedy for the modern church gathering if for those that attend to repent of their worldly leanings, get back to the Word for the purpose of obey it and much prayer for those who would be in opposition.
The best thing for the organized apostate church now would be for those who are attending to make the choice to follow Christ or to leave. Those who remain will be the faithful ones who desire holiness and true worship through the power of the Holy Spirit.
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