Never trust another person for your spirituality,
never emulate a person,
never believe everything another person may say no matter how good it sounds.
Discussing Scripture with someone who is profoundly and genuinely invested in the Word of God and depending on the Holy Spirit, can be a great help to us, however, asking the opinion of others who have used Scripture to validate their wrong doctrine, are not people we want to consult with, they will not be able to give us true answers based on the Word.
Test everything through the Scriptures and prayer that the Holy Spirit would show you truth.
John 16:13-14 "13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you.…"
You see, God promised us that if we seek Him, the Holy Spirit Who lives in us will tell us what we need to know. If we know His Word and we know Him, then we will have the answer to anything and everything.
Christ in us may delay the answer for a time, so that we can learn more before we get the answer. Then when the answer comes it will be intensely clear!!!
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Degrees Don't Make Us Born Again
A college degree in theology cannot make anyone born again, nor can it make them wise or holy!
Often a degree like this merely enhances an already prideful view of the recipients own importance.
The day we realize we are not capable of understanding anything no matter how educated we are, is the day the Holy Spirit can begin His work in us.
When someone is degreed, often they believe they have arrived and can begin the process of impressing others with their level of knowledge. There is no need to seek the Holy Spirit for the small things, only the big ones and only if they cannot figure them out for themselves based on their education.
This thinking will lead to arrogance and destruction for them and everyone else they influence.
How quickly Christians forget their need to trust Christ not only for their salvation but also for everything else after that.
Proverbs 3:5-6 "5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.…"
This verse is quoted a lot by educated people, but ignored in practice. It's nice to know the words, but actually trusting Christ for everything all the time is the real discipline.
So many false practices and doctrines have permeated the churches today that there is little faith and even less practice of God's principles.
We live in a culture that thinks it's enough to just know and say things, they don't have to be real in our lives as long as we know and say them. WHY?, you might ask, is this so? It is because our culture is more about appearances than substance. Most Christians are Christians in "knowing and saying" only, the substance of trusting Christ is just not there.
We know this because when they are challenged to evaluate their lives they become enraged, angry that anyone would even suggest they need to evaluate their lives. A humble person will be happy to answer calmly when challenged or will be ashamed and admit their need to rethink their life.
Often a degree like this merely enhances an already prideful view of the recipients own importance.
The day we realize we are not capable of understanding anything no matter how educated we are, is the day the Holy Spirit can begin His work in us.
When someone is degreed, often they believe they have arrived and can begin the process of impressing others with their level of knowledge. There is no need to seek the Holy Spirit for the small things, only the big ones and only if they cannot figure them out for themselves based on their education.
This thinking will lead to arrogance and destruction for them and everyone else they influence.
How quickly Christians forget their need to trust Christ not only for their salvation but also for everything else after that.
Proverbs 3:5-6 "5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.…"
This verse is quoted a lot by educated people, but ignored in practice. It's nice to know the words, but actually trusting Christ for everything all the time is the real discipline.
So many false practices and doctrines have permeated the churches today that there is little faith and even less practice of God's principles.
We live in a culture that thinks it's enough to just know and say things, they don't have to be real in our lives as long as we know and say them. WHY?, you might ask, is this so? It is because our culture is more about appearances than substance. Most Christians are Christians in "knowing and saying" only, the substance of trusting Christ is just not there.
We know this because when they are challenged to evaluate their lives they become enraged, angry that anyone would even suggest they need to evaluate their lives. A humble person will be happy to answer calmly when challenged or will be ashamed and admit their need to rethink their life.
It's All About Christ
Many people who go to Bible school come out with more knowledge that produces pride in them, but does not make them better Christians, it only enhances their already high opinion of themselves.
1 Corinthians 8:1-2 "1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.…"
When we depend on knowledge rather than Christ, it only brings us lower not higher. Some of the least educated people who are on fire for Christ, are that way because they depended on Him instead of status through knowledge.
It is the Holy Spirit that teaches and makes wise!
2 Timothy 3:12-17 " 12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
13 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."
Notice none of these verses tells us to seek out "good schools" or "teachers" but through Christ we learn. Teachers may teach us, but everything they say must be evaluated through Scripture and consulting the Holy Spirit.
It is foolish to believe someone just because they got an education or a degree from an institution. Some of the wisest people I have ever met never attended any formal training, they had the Holy Spirit. A college or university cannot possibly know more than the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is by faith that we trust the Holy Spirit to train us. If we trust in formal human training then our trust is not in the Holy Spirit, but rather a trust in man.
Psalm 118:8-9 " 8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in princes.…"
There is also pride in those who will not listen to anyone who is not educated or degreed. When we love to elevate self through rubbing elbows with those who are elevated by men, we have pride, that must be expunged before any spiritual growth can occur.
Often many people don't bother praying or trusting Christ because they feel they already have everything they need by the advice of man. They follow human traditions and mandates that God never gave, in order to feel special and superior. Becoming appreciated by man is more important to them than Christ and His truth.
Proverbs 29:25-26 "25 The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted. 26 Many seek the ruler's favor, But justice for man comes from the LORD.…"
1 Corinthians 8:1-2 "1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.…"
When we depend on knowledge rather than Christ, it only brings us lower not higher. Some of the least educated people who are on fire for Christ, are that way because they depended on Him instead of status through knowledge.
It is the Holy Spirit that teaches and makes wise!
2 Timothy 3:12-17 " 12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
13 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."
Notice none of these verses tells us to seek out "good schools" or "teachers" but through Christ we learn. Teachers may teach us, but everything they say must be evaluated through Scripture and consulting the Holy Spirit.
It is foolish to believe someone just because they got an education or a degree from an institution. Some of the wisest people I have ever met never attended any formal training, they had the Holy Spirit. A college or university cannot possibly know more than the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is by faith that we trust the Holy Spirit to train us. If we trust in formal human training then our trust is not in the Holy Spirit, but rather a trust in man.
Psalm 118:8-9 " 8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in princes.…"
There is also pride in those who will not listen to anyone who is not educated or degreed. When we love to elevate self through rubbing elbows with those who are elevated by men, we have pride, that must be expunged before any spiritual growth can occur.
Often many people don't bother praying or trusting Christ because they feel they already have everything they need by the advice of man. They follow human traditions and mandates that God never gave, in order to feel special and superior. Becoming appreciated by man is more important to them than Christ and His truth.
Proverbs 29:25-26 "25 The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted. 26 Many seek the ruler's favor, But justice for man comes from the LORD.…"
Friday, March 24, 2017
True Friends Are Priceless
YES, YES!!!! Those who are willing to go through the hard times with us are the ones who will be the greatest joy when there are no hard times.
Relationships are built on every aspect of our lives, not just the fun stuff.
Romans 12:15
"15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep."
Sharing everything, the good the bad and the ugly, makes a lasting and deep relationship.
Follow the Link:
Relationships are built on every aspect of our lives, not just the fun stuff.
Romans 12:15
"15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep."
Sharing everything, the good the bad and the ugly, makes a lasting and deep relationship.
Follow the Link:
When Children Grow Up
When children are little they only step on your feet as they grow older they step on your heart.
This is why some people look at what is happening in our culture and wish that their children would remain little children.
Pray, Pray, "Pray!!!!
This is why some people look at what is happening in our culture and wish that their children would remain little children.
Pray, Pray, "Pray!!!!
No One is Above Another
When someone desires to be above others, they are playing a role using a false self. No one is above another person, we have all had to come to Christ the same way, that is brokenness over our sinfulness, while seeking for Christ to change us into a new creation.
Once a person realizes how sinful they were before they were born again, they cannot hold an elevated opinion of themselves.
We do have confidence but it is not in us, it is in Christ and the joy we exude does not have to do with how good we feel about ourselves but rather how good is Christ.
The greatest freedom anyone can experience is the freedom to be who we are, admit our failings while trusting Christ for any needed changes.
Those who cannot admit their sinfulness are in bondage to a false self that they are continually having to show to others, the hiding is stressful. Often the stress comes out in attacking others for things that most wouldn't even think were wrong.
When someone has a false self, they must squash anything in others that might expose that false self. Others may be living a life that shines it's light on the false self, then the objective of the narcissist is to find something wrong with their target to darken them so the light is dimmed.
One way to darken one who lives their true self is to provoke them with irrational words or anger, causing them to become irritated or angry. This "weakness" in us as they would see it, is their excuse that we are the problem and they are the victim. The narcissist always focuses on the actions of others, real or imagined, as though they are never the fault, always the victim, even though they provoked the whole mess.
Innocent comments are twisted to seem mean or hateful, this is the way narcissist process information about those they seek to ruin. They often use half truths and out and out lies to justify their own contemptuous behavior.
No one can dim our light if we don't let them. When we are innocent, have not committed any sin, then we don't have to agonize over the misguided reactions of those who choose to view us as evil in their own minds.
All the apostles and Christ Himself were lied against by those who didn't like the message they brought. Narcissists always hate those who shine the light of Christ on their evil spirit.
Often we don't even have to say or do anything, just our lifestyle and our joy is enough to enrage the devil that lives in these people. Even if the devil does not possess them, he deeply twists their thinking to believe what is not true.
Just as he deceived Eve in the garden with sinful thoughts, he does today in the minds of many around us. When we walk with Christ we can see when he is attempting to twist our minds and resist him with Scripture, just as Christ did when He was tempted in the desert.
When we know what is going on, we can detach ourselves from the antics of the narcissist and still love them enough to give them the gospel. If they resist, we do what Christ did and that is to walk away.
The devil has many tactics in his bag of tricks, if we are not awake, know the Bible and walk with Christ, we could be sucked into the nonsense.
Thankfully our solution is really quite simple, know God's Word, ask Him for wisdom and understanding and then do whatever He tell us.
John 14:29-31 "…29 And now I have told you before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe. 30 I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming, and he has no claim on Me. 31 But I do exactly what the Father has commanded Me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Get up! Let us go on from here.…"
Christ taught us that the devil has no power over us unless we let him, through stubbornness and ignorance.
Once a person realizes how sinful they were before they were born again, they cannot hold an elevated opinion of themselves.
We do have confidence but it is not in us, it is in Christ and the joy we exude does not have to do with how good we feel about ourselves but rather how good is Christ.
The greatest freedom anyone can experience is the freedom to be who we are, admit our failings while trusting Christ for any needed changes.
Those who cannot admit their sinfulness are in bondage to a false self that they are continually having to show to others, the hiding is stressful. Often the stress comes out in attacking others for things that most wouldn't even think were wrong.
When someone has a false self, they must squash anything in others that might expose that false self. Others may be living a life that shines it's light on the false self, then the objective of the narcissist is to find something wrong with their target to darken them so the light is dimmed.
One way to darken one who lives their true self is to provoke them with irrational words or anger, causing them to become irritated or angry. This "weakness" in us as they would see it, is their excuse that we are the problem and they are the victim. The narcissist always focuses on the actions of others, real or imagined, as though they are never the fault, always the victim, even though they provoked the whole mess.
Innocent comments are twisted to seem mean or hateful, this is the way narcissist process information about those they seek to ruin. They often use half truths and out and out lies to justify their own contemptuous behavior.
No one can dim our light if we don't let them. When we are innocent, have not committed any sin, then we don't have to agonize over the misguided reactions of those who choose to view us as evil in their own minds.
All the apostles and Christ Himself were lied against by those who didn't like the message they brought. Narcissists always hate those who shine the light of Christ on their evil spirit.
Often we don't even have to say or do anything, just our lifestyle and our joy is enough to enrage the devil that lives in these people. Even if the devil does not possess them, he deeply twists their thinking to believe what is not true.
Just as he deceived Eve in the garden with sinful thoughts, he does today in the minds of many around us. When we walk with Christ we can see when he is attempting to twist our minds and resist him with Scripture, just as Christ did when He was tempted in the desert.
When we know what is going on, we can detach ourselves from the antics of the narcissist and still love them enough to give them the gospel. If they resist, we do what Christ did and that is to walk away.
The devil has many tactics in his bag of tricks, if we are not awake, know the Bible and walk with Christ, we could be sucked into the nonsense.
Thankfully our solution is really quite simple, know God's Word, ask Him for wisdom and understanding and then do whatever He tell us.
John 14:29-31 "…29 And now I have told you before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe. 30 I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming, and he has no claim on Me. 31 But I do exactly what the Father has commanded Me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Get up! Let us go on from here.…"
Christ taught us that the devil has no power over us unless we let him, through stubbornness and ignorance.
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