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.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
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.
Israel Still Belong To God
If God were finished with Israel , why would He return there to Jerusalem. He said:
Acts 1:9-11 "9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."
Matthew 24:30 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."
Romans 11:1-5
Israel’s Rejection Not Total
11: I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
2 God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying,
3 “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life”?
4 But what does the divine response say to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”
5 Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Many in Israel have rejected Christ, but there is a remnant there that are born again and they will be the nation of Israel in the end times that bring the gospel to the rest of the world at that time. Two thirds of Israel will be removed leaving one third that will be the nation of Israel spoken of at the end of all things.
Romans 11:7-16
7 What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. 8 Just as it is written:
“God has given them a spirit of stupor,
Eyes that they should not see
And ears that they should not hear,
To this very day.”
9 And David says: “Let their table become a snare and a trap,
A stumbling block and a recompense to them.
10 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see,
And bow down their back always.”
Israel’s Rejection Not Final
11 I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.
12 Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!
13 For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,
14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them.
15 For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
16 For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches."
Acts 1:9-11 "9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."
Matthew 24:30 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."
Romans 11:1-5
Israel’s Rejection Not Total
11: I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
2 God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying,
3 “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life”?
4 But what does the divine response say to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”
5 Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Many in Israel have rejected Christ, but there is a remnant there that are born again and they will be the nation of Israel in the end times that bring the gospel to the rest of the world at that time. Two thirds of Israel will be removed leaving one third that will be the nation of Israel spoken of at the end of all things.
Romans 11:7-16
7 What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. 8 Just as it is written:
“God has given them a spirit of stupor,
Eyes that they should not see
And ears that they should not hear,
To this very day.”
9 And David says: “Let their table become a snare and a trap,
A stumbling block and a recompense to them.
10 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see,
And bow down their back always.”
Israel’s Rejection Not Final
11 I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.
12 Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!
13 For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,
14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them.
15 For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
16 For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches."
Friday, October 10, 2014
Change of Mind is Different from Turning and Going the Other Way
Interesting, many people are being taught that "repent" means to turn around and go the other way, when in fact, it means to have a change of mind.
If it meant to turn around and go the other way it would mean we are to work for our salvation, but when we know it means to change our mind, then we can trust Christ and He does all the work in us.
Hallelujah! I would rather He do it than me, He knows me better than I do and will know exactly what is needed.
Ephesians 2:10 "10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
If it meant to turn around and go the other way it would mean we are to work for our salvation, but when we know it means to change our mind, then we can trust Christ and He does all the work in us.
Hallelujah! I would rather He do it than me, He knows me better than I do and will know exactly what is needed.
Ephesians 2:10 "10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
Religious Ritual Detracts
Religious ritual detracts from the worship of God, it diverts our attention from Christ and His Holy Spirit that lives in us, to self that we might "feel good" about what we do rather than glory in what He did!
Mark 7:5-8
"5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?”
6 He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:
‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.
7 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men —the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."
If we feel a need to "do" something for the Lord, we are probably indulging in ritual. If we are born again the Lord speak to us through the Holy Spirit and His Word, there is no need for external ritual to feel close to God. No one can be closer to us than to live in our bodies while possessing all knowledge in His very essence.
John 14:26
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."
Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Notice that the "fruit of the Spirit" has more to do with attitudes and character qualities than it does with actions. If we are in the Spirit we will have the fruits and they will lead to right actions. The Spiritual always comes first before the actions. If we try to place the actions before the fruit, then we are fleshly and cannot be pleasing to God.
It is actually possible to do wonderful things for God, that make sense to us, but if He never told us to do them, then we are self willed. Our response to God ought to be "Lord what do you want?"
1 Corinthians 6:19
"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,"
When we realize that we no longer belong to ourselves but are under the power of the Holy Spirit, we can have great joy about that while anticipating the next thing the Holy Spirit will teach us and the next road He will take us down.
Those who are doing their Christianity in the flesh, thinking they are doing God a favor, are fleshly and missing the amazing blessings Christ has for us as He works in us.
Ephesians 2:10
"10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
John 1612-16
"“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you."
Isaiah 11:2
"And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord."
When we begin seeking God's Will through His Word and prayer that the Holy Spirit will work in us, then we will have the freedom from self will that God promised. God will not override our will, but He delights in those who want to know His.
Romans 8:9
"You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him."
We are either born again by the Holy Spirit or we are not. If you are not sure where you stand with God, ask Him, let Him reveal to you your status, are you born again or are you without Him and attempting to attain heaven by your works or will power?
Ephesians 2:8-9
"8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Mark 7:5-8
"5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?”
6 He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:
‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.
7 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men —the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."
If we feel a need to "do" something for the Lord, we are probably indulging in ritual. If we are born again the Lord speak to us through the Holy Spirit and His Word, there is no need for external ritual to feel close to God. No one can be closer to us than to live in our bodies while possessing all knowledge in His very essence.
John 14:26
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."
Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Notice that the "fruit of the Spirit" has more to do with attitudes and character qualities than it does with actions. If we are in the Spirit we will have the fruits and they will lead to right actions. The Spiritual always comes first before the actions. If we try to place the actions before the fruit, then we are fleshly and cannot be pleasing to God.
It is actually possible to do wonderful things for God, that make sense to us, but if He never told us to do them, then we are self willed. Our response to God ought to be "Lord what do you want?"
1 Corinthians 6:19
"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,"
When we realize that we no longer belong to ourselves but are under the power of the Holy Spirit, we can have great joy about that while anticipating the next thing the Holy Spirit will teach us and the next road He will take us down.
Those who are doing their Christianity in the flesh, thinking they are doing God a favor, are fleshly and missing the amazing blessings Christ has for us as He works in us.
Ephesians 2:10
"10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
John 1612-16
"“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you."
Isaiah 11:2
"And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord."
When we begin seeking God's Will through His Word and prayer that the Holy Spirit will work in us, then we will have the freedom from self will that God promised. God will not override our will, but He delights in those who want to know His.
Romans 8:9
"You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him."
We are either born again by the Holy Spirit or we are not. If you are not sure where you stand with God, ask Him, let Him reveal to you your status, are you born again or are you without Him and attempting to attain heaven by your works or will power?
Ephesians 2:8-9
"8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast."
The Cart Before the Horse
God will never take from us what He has given to us.
John 1612-16
"“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you."
There is no example in the Bible of God removing the Holy Spirit from a person who has become born again, and made into a new creation. NOT ONE!!!!
No one can find a Scripture that says "and God removed His Holy Spirit."
Those who think one can lose their salvation have put the cart before the horse, they have place their own works above the works of the Holy Spirit. Negating the power of the Holy Spirit while elevating self will and personal actions.
John 1612-16
"“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you."
There is no example in the Bible of God removing the Holy Spirit from a person who has become born again, and made into a new creation. NOT ONE!!!!
No one can find a Scripture that says "and God removed His Holy Spirit."
Those who think one can lose their salvation have put the cart before the horse, they have place their own works above the works of the Holy Spirit. Negating the power of the Holy Spirit while elevating self will and personal actions.
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