If something you want to do is not backed up by God's Word, then it is not God's Will!!!!
Friday, March 4, 2016
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Actions are more Powerful Than Words
"Our actions speak louder and truer than our words."
If our words do not match our actions, then we have some work to do in evaluating our heart attitude. We can hide from others through words, but only for a little while, soon people who get to know us will see if our words are true, or whether they are lies merely to impress others around us.
Let's learn to evaluate our inner spirit, to see if lines up with God's Word, that when we speak our words will be true!
Zechariah 8:16 "These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace;"
Proverbs 28:13 "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy."
Ephesians 4:15 "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,"
Psalm 5:6 "You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man."
Ephesians 4:25 "Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another."
John 8:44 "You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
2 Timothy 2:15 "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."
If our words do not match our actions, then we have some work to do in evaluating our heart attitude. We can hide from others through words, but only for a little while, soon people who get to know us will see if our words are true, or whether they are lies merely to impress others around us.
Let's learn to evaluate our inner spirit, to see if lines up with God's Word, that when we speak our words will be true!
Zechariah 8:16 "These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace;"
Proverbs 28:13 "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy."
Ephesians 4:15 "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,"
Psalm 5:6 "You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man."
Ephesians 4:25 "Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another."
John 8:44 "You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
2 Timothy 2:15 "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Pretense Destroys
Our culture has trained us to pretend the bad is not there, through sayings like, "if you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all." That means if it is negative and truthful, we should neglect truth to be positive.
This mantra is not only unBiblical it is damaging. Those who are honest and open, seeing the bigger picture and larger need for improvement, will be the one chastised for negativity.
Christ did more warning, correction, rebuke and chastisement than anything else, because He was dealing with a sinful, lost and rebellious culture, same as we have today.
It is time we begin truth telling, say it for the purpose of helping others to grow in righteousness, do not neglect that which is more important than happy feelings.
Hebrews 12:8 "But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons."
This mantra is not only unBiblical it is damaging. Those who are honest and open, seeing the bigger picture and larger need for improvement, will be the one chastised for negativity.
Christ did more warning, correction, rebuke and chastisement than anything else, because He was dealing with a sinful, lost and rebellious culture, same as we have today.
It is time we begin truth telling, say it for the purpose of helping others to grow in righteousness, do not neglect that which is more important than happy feelings.
Hebrews 12:8 "But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons."
True Sorrow Leads to Change
There is a difference between tears of pain because of what someone is going through as a result of their sin and tears of sorrow for what we have put someone else through. Tears do not always mean true repentance that brings a change in behavior.
2 Corinthians 7:10 "For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death."
Philippians 2:3 "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;"
Luke 6:25 "25 “Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep."
James 4:9 "Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom."
Someone who cares more about the pain of others, will be deeply sorrowful for what they have done to others.
Philippians 2:3-4 "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Promises not to repeat the same sin against others, are of no consequence unless it is backed up with a change in attitude and behavior. It is better to not make promises to change, rather confess what the sin is and seek God to change our hearts.
2 Chronicles 7:14 - "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Acts 3:19 - "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;"
When we say "I am so sorry" to a friend or family member, it can mean two things. It can mean that we are sorry we got caught or it can mean we are sorry for the consequences of our actions.
Saying we are sorry can also mean that we feel very badly that someone else was harmed by our actions. This last sorrow is the one that will rebuild a broken relationship.
The first display of sorrow over consequences while lacking sorrow over the pain we have caused others, only deepens the brokenness in the relationship.
Ezekiel 18:21-23 "21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: [and] not that he should return from his ways, and live?"
God wrote many things in His word about how to be a good friend, how to be a good husband or wife and how to raise children in relationships. Often our human relationships are a microcosm of our relationship with God.
How we view others often demonstrates how we view God. When we have little or no honor or respect for others, we will have little or no honor for God. We can do all the religious rituals in the world to impress those around us, but God is not impressed with our religious demonstrations, when our life has not demonstrated obedience to Him and love for others.
It is clear from God's Word that if we have love in our hearts, we will love others. Christ loved others to the point of going to the cross to pay for their sin. God gives everyone an opportunity to become born again, allowing God to change who they are into a new creation, then and only then, can we love others, if we have the love of God in us.
1 John 3:14 "We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death."
There is no love in competitiveness to appear superior to others. There is no love in a desire to control others. Those who possess the love of God care deeply about the welfare of others much more than their own. Their thoughts are continually bent toward blessing others with kindness and dignity. There is no dignity or kindness in a controlling spirit, one that attempts to shape others into their desired image of us.
When we love people we can enjoy their personalities, their quirks and differences. Of course this is not accepting sin, but realizing that we all struggle with sin, we are to show tenderness and mercy to our brothers and sisters, not to overlook sin, but to speak truth, while working to restore our brother or sister to fellowship though honesty and openness. Any display of superiority is sin and further damages relationships.
There can be no closeness when there is manipulation and deceitful pretense.
It is through honesty, integrity and love that we grow a quality relationship. There is no place for superiority among believers, all have fallen short of the glory of God and all have a journey of training in this life.
Psalm 41:11-13 - "By this I know that you delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me. But you have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever. Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen."
Psalm 101:1-2 - I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O LORD, I will make music. I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me? Will walk with integrity of heart within my house;"
Proverbs 28:18 - Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall."
Why do I write so much about relationships and narcissism? The answer is because we are encountering more of the sin of pride as we are moving into the last days of apostasy. Some of our most difficult relationships are in the church, the place we would expect to find the most love, we are encountering much arrogance and self exaltation.
The apostate church fosters an attitude of pride through the entitlement mentality called "health, wealth and prosperity" doctrine. This evil system is teaching people to focus on themselves while clamoring after worldly endeavors and prominence. When health, wealth and prosperity is the goal, there leaves little room for spiritual growth or proper godly relationships. How will we have the time to quietly reflect on our inner being when we are running after everything in the world we can possibly get our hands on?
May each one of us reflect on our own lives, comparing them with how Christ walked and what He valued. I think we will find that Christ was about relationships and self sacrifice for the sake of the brethren.
2 Corinthians 7:10 "For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death."
Philippians 2:3 "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;"
Luke 6:25 "25 “Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep."
James 4:9 "Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom."
Someone who cares more about the pain of others, will be deeply sorrowful for what they have done to others.
Philippians 2:3-4 "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Promises not to repeat the same sin against others, are of no consequence unless it is backed up with a change in attitude and behavior. It is better to not make promises to change, rather confess what the sin is and seek God to change our hearts.
2 Chronicles 7:14 - "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Acts 3:19 - "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;"
When we say "I am so sorry" to a friend or family member, it can mean two things. It can mean that we are sorry we got caught or it can mean we are sorry for the consequences of our actions.
Saying we are sorry can also mean that we feel very badly that someone else was harmed by our actions. This last sorrow is the one that will rebuild a broken relationship.
The first display of sorrow over consequences while lacking sorrow over the pain we have caused others, only deepens the brokenness in the relationship.
Ezekiel 18:21-23 "21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: [and] not that he should return from his ways, and live?"
God wrote many things in His word about how to be a good friend, how to be a good husband or wife and how to raise children in relationships. Often our human relationships are a microcosm of our relationship with God.
How we view others often demonstrates how we view God. When we have little or no honor or respect for others, we will have little or no honor for God. We can do all the religious rituals in the world to impress those around us, but God is not impressed with our religious demonstrations, when our life has not demonstrated obedience to Him and love for others.
It is clear from God's Word that if we have love in our hearts, we will love others. Christ loved others to the point of going to the cross to pay for their sin. God gives everyone an opportunity to become born again, allowing God to change who they are into a new creation, then and only then, can we love others, if we have the love of God in us.
1 John 3:14 "We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death."
There is no love in competitiveness to appear superior to others. There is no love in a desire to control others. Those who possess the love of God care deeply about the welfare of others much more than their own. Their thoughts are continually bent toward blessing others with kindness and dignity. There is no dignity or kindness in a controlling spirit, one that attempts to shape others into their desired image of us.
When we love people we can enjoy their personalities, their quirks and differences. Of course this is not accepting sin, but realizing that we all struggle with sin, we are to show tenderness and mercy to our brothers and sisters, not to overlook sin, but to speak truth, while working to restore our brother or sister to fellowship though honesty and openness. Any display of superiority is sin and further damages relationships.
There can be no closeness when there is manipulation and deceitful pretense.
It is through honesty, integrity and love that we grow a quality relationship. There is no place for superiority among believers, all have fallen short of the glory of God and all have a journey of training in this life.
Psalm 41:11-13 - "By this I know that you delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me. But you have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever. Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen."
Psalm 101:1-2 - I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O LORD, I will make music. I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me? Will walk with integrity of heart within my house;"
Proverbs 28:18 - Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall."
Why do I write so much about relationships and narcissism? The answer is because we are encountering more of the sin of pride as we are moving into the last days of apostasy. Some of our most difficult relationships are in the church, the place we would expect to find the most love, we are encountering much arrogance and self exaltation.
The apostate church fosters an attitude of pride through the entitlement mentality called "health, wealth and prosperity" doctrine. This evil system is teaching people to focus on themselves while clamoring after worldly endeavors and prominence. When health, wealth and prosperity is the goal, there leaves little room for spiritual growth or proper godly relationships. How will we have the time to quietly reflect on our inner being when we are running after everything in the world we can possibly get our hands on?
May each one of us reflect on our own lives, comparing them with how Christ walked and what He valued. I think we will find that Christ was about relationships and self sacrifice for the sake of the brethren.
Saturday, February 27, 2016
I Never Gave Up Anything That I Wanted
I never had to give up anything when I became a Christian, when I became born again the sinful lifestyle fell off because I no longer wanted it. Christ made me a brand new person, I no longer thought the same as I used to and I hate the things I used to enjoy. If someone is working real hard to stay away from sin, then I suggest they may not have been born again. The desire to sin repulses us, we may battle with old habits, but we don't like them, eventually we get to the place that we can't stand to be there anymore and we run from all that sin.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Ezekiel 11:19-20 "And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God."
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are HIS workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
2 Peter 1:4 "By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."
1 Peter 3:18-22 "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him."
You see....it's all about Christ. He paid the price, we confess our sinfulness and trust what He did on our behalf and He does all the rest of the work in us. He takes us through life experiences that prune us as a gardener prunes a rose bush, cutting out the limbs that do not produce so that new vibrant and beautiful limbs can grow. A plant cannot stay healthy without pruning, just as a believer will not grow healthy and strong without difficult life experiences.
It is when we have difficulties that we can see the real us. Our responses to those difficulties reveal to us our inner heart attitude, either choosing self will or God's will. Those who are close to the Lord are the ones who turn to him in difficulty. Those who do not turn to God will not grow healthy.
When there is an angry response to a rebuke or correction, that is our clue that rebellion still remains that God must deal with. Do not think for a minute that a stubborn heart is going to get away with anything. If we belong to God, there will be discipline for anyone who will not seek God. His purpose in this discipline is to bring us back to obedience and righteousness.
Titus 3:5 "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,"
Hebrews 12:6-8
6 For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives.”
7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons."
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