A Point of No Return

The more we obey God, the greater we grow in holiness. A saying I read once, I don't know the author, but is true, "one of the elements of holiness is the absence of self awareness."

 

The self esteem teaching has been devastating to the Christian churches. It has taught people to value themselves above all others, it will slop over into attitudes about God. When we train ourselves to continually make sure we get what we want, it becomes an addiction, barely having time to diminish ourselves for the sake of others. Even those who claim they don't believe in the self esteem teaching have many ways they operate in this realm of psychology without realizing it.

 

Philippians 2:3 "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;"

We have to continue to evaluate our attitudes and actions to be able to confess them to God to be changed by Him.

 

1 Corinthians 11:31 "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged."

Those who are stubborn, fighting and arguing to maintain what they think is their elevated position, cannot grow, their only eventuality is regression in their walk and a downward spiral in rebellion.

 

Those who have rebellious hearts are in for a rough time, they may not see it immediately, it may take many years before they see the discipline of God, because God is patient, He gives us lots of time and many spankings to compel us to make a choice to obey Him. If one hangs onto their arrogance and rebellion there will be serious discipline. We can recover from the rebellion by confessing the sin and being cleansed, more humble and wiser, however often the consequences of many years of rebellion remain.

 

God does not remove all consequences, they are necessary to remind us what rebellion produces. We can be forgiven, humbled and cleansed, while passing on our lessons to others who have not yet rebelled to the point of no return, and there is a point of no return if we do not repent (change our mind) and confess it to God and those whom we have harmed.

Proverbs 17:11 "An evil man seeks only rebellion, and a cruel messenger will be sent against him."

Deuteronomy 28:47-48 "Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things, therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger and thirst, in nakedness, and lacking everything. And he will put a yoke of iron on your neck until he has destroyed you."

Matthew 4:7 "Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

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."

There is a point when God turns us over to our own foolishness and rebellion, no longer hearing prayers, no longer helping us, this is a very dangerous place to be for anyone.

 

Proverbs 29:1 "A man who hardens his neck after much reproof Will suddenly be broken beyond remedy."

Do we want to experience the blessing of God's presence in our lives, His direction and counsel, or would we rather ignore Him only to experience His anger upon us.

 

Arrogance and rebellion brings nothing but heartbreak to anyone, those who hang onto it are gaining nothing except what they have concocted in their own minds, the reality does not show any benefit to them spiritually. They main gain in worldly possessions, but their spiritual life is a down hill rolling snowball, only to end up at the bottom of the hills broken and useless.

Distraction Prevents Learning

There has been a practice that I have long disagreed with but find it difficult to meet anyone else who agrees with my thinking. 

The practice of diverting a child's attention when he is engaged in mean spirited play with another child, is common.  I have seen this often, one child will walk up and begin to take away another child's toy while the victim cries and holds tightly to his toy, a parent quickly steps in with another toy to distract the child with the new toy, rather than teaching empathy and kindness, they merely cause the child to think they no longer want the toy of their victim.

The reason I have always disagreed with this, is that when we distract a child, we have managed to avoid a fight, give the naughty child a reward for his attempted rudeness while giving the mean child more attention than the victim.  I realize the motivation behind this is to avoid all arguments, fights and bad feelings. 

But keep in mind that when we pay more attention in a positive way to the naughty child, the victim is basically ignored.  The victim had a struggle, the feelings were hurt, he was unjustly treated, but he is not comforted.

The proper thing to do, is teach the bully to give back the toy, say they are sorry and give comfort to the victim.  A child does not learn empathy and kindness when they are led to believe they must be distracted from doing evil, that they don't have to do anything they don't choose to do, there must be something in it for them. 

Americans don't realize how much they are training this generation to be selfish bullies by distracting them rather than disciplining and training them, by making them do the right thing. 

Lack of proper training and instruction perpetuates rudeness, thoughtlessness and lack of empathy for others.  Our culture has been so busy praising their children for normal insignificant things, so much so that the child is angry and vengeful when they are not being the center of attention, lavished with excessive amounts of admiration. 

It makes sense that children would gravitate toward the adults that heap accolades on them ad nauseum. Those who require accountability for their actions followed by instruction are treated with contempt as though they have done something wrong. 

I find this situation very backward and sad, that those who are attempting to do what is best for children will be devalued in the minds of the children and it will be the adults around them doing it. 
What to do about this?   I JUST DON'T KNOW, except to say that we do what we should in training when possible and walk away from those who are enabling children to be naughty.  If we have an opportunity to visit alone with the children, we can execute boundaries and standards at our home, but chances are good that the children will go home and resume where they left off with their parents. 

Children and even adults often take the path of least resistance for the sake of the love of their children.  It isn't very important any more whether or not something is good for a child, what takes center stage is what they want "right now." 

Is there any wonder we are seeing a dramatic increase in narcissism in our day, where standards are demeaned and mocked, while casual thinking is embraced and elevated.

Our families need a lot of prayer that the Lord would help the parents see the seriousness of the small actions and attitudes we take in raising children. Children are trained by every little thing, the big things don't come around very often, it is in the little things in everyday life,  that are opportunities for important life lessons.

Earth Our Training Ground

Have you noticed that the difficult times are those that teach us the most?

Is it possible that we are being trained for our service as leaders in the millennium?

 

Revelation 20:6 "Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years."

 

It helps me when I realize that everything that happens to us is for a reason. There is a saying in the exercise industry, "no pain no gain", could it be possible that we have to endure much here on earth to have wisdom for what we will have to handle as leaders after this life is over?

 

James 1:2-8

"2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."

 

When I think of all the times I just want to be bailed out of things, but couldn't, it is clear a lot of lessons would have been missed, had I not gone through.

 

Perhaps we were not only formed in our mother's womb, but continue to be Christ led and shaped all through this life. I can't say I enjoyed all the messy things, but I am excited about all I learned.

 

God knows me better than I know myself, He knew me while I was unborn.

 

Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."

 

Thankfully as believers we don't go through anything alone, even if there are no people to go through with us, Christ is always present, available and ready to hear. 

 

Hebrews 13:5 "Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”

 

Deuteronomy 31:6 ""Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you."

 

When we view our trials as blessings, keeping focused on Christ, we have great hope and expectation for the time when we will leave our training ground and begin our new assignment as priests on the other side.

Ungratefulness Demonstrated in Our Culture

Have you been blessed by God but dishonor Him through ungratefulness. Does the religious system you were raised in and the evil culture of our time hold you captive, so much so that you are willing to come against God's people to preserve what you are comfortable with.

When we do this with people, we are doing it to God too.

The Good News

The Good News, is that Christ came to save the lost, shedding His blood to cover the sin of mankind. No works are necessary to earn God's "good graces."
Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;"

After we have become born again we love God's principles and laws, we desire to honor and obey Him.
...

Romans 8:2 "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death."

They Did It To Christ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14-kR4TvyLs&feature=youtu.be

Excellent, this is an indication how we will be treated. Satan is working very hard, just as hard now as he was in Christ's time, to stir up the unbelievers against believers. If they will hate Christ claiming his miracles were from the devil, they will discredit us this way for the good that we do. They will see our good deeds as bad, even judging something they know nothing about, but choose to assume the worst because of their contempt for us.

When we attempt to bring good... sense to a situation based on the Scriptures, teaching things that would help and even save from hell, the response is going to be to destroy us, anyway they can.

One of the most effect ways of hurting people in our day is to turn family members against us, through gossip, innuendo and covert acts of meanness. Often there is no other reason other than the confidence we have in Christ, obeying Him, when others want us to disobey Him. Even when we require nothing of them, they will be angry that we don't do what they are doing.

John 15:18-19 "18"If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19"If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.…"

Psalm 118:7-9 "…7The LORD is for me among those who help me; Therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me. 8It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in man. 9It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in princes.…"

Proverbs 17:11 "An evil man seeks only rebellion, and a cruel messenger will be sent against him."

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."

An Evil Heart Demands Control

The condition of an evil heart demands control over everything and everyone else, they believe they know everything and those who do not cower to them are worthy of their contempt.

 

These evil people are heaping up the wrath of God against themselves.

 

Romans 2:8

"but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation."

 

Psalm 10

1 Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?

2 In pride the wicked hotly pursue the afflicted; Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised.

3 For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire, And the greedy man curses and spurns the Lord.

4 The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek Him.

All his thoughts are, “There is no God.”

5 His ways prosper at all times; Your judgments are on high, out of his sight;

As for all his adversaries, he snorts at them.

6 He says to himself, “I will not be moved; Throughout all generations I will not be in adversity.”

7 His mouth is full of curses and deceit and oppression; Under his tongue is mischief and wickedness.

8 He sits in the lurking places of the villages; In the hiding places he kills the innocent; His eyes stealthily watch for the unfortunate.

9 He lurks in a hiding place as a lion in his lair; He lurks to catch the afflicted;

He catches the afflicted when he draws him into his net.

10 He crouches, he bows down, And the unfortunate fall by his mighty ones.

11 He says to himself, “God has forgotten; He has hidden His face; He will never see it.”

12 Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up Your hand. Do not forget the afflicted.

13 Why has the wicked spurned God? He has said to himself, “You will not require it.”

14 You have seen it, for You have beheld mischief and vexation to take it into Your hand. The unfortunate commits himself to You; You have been the helper of the orphan.

15 Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer, Seek out his wickedness until You find none.

16 The Lord is King forever and ever; Nations have perished from His land.

17 O Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear

18 To vindicate the orphan and the oppressed, So that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror."

 

Psalm 36:1-4

"36 Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart; There is no fear of God before his eyes.

2 For it flatters him in his own eyes Concerning the discovery of his iniquity and the hatred of it.

3 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to [c]be wise and to do good.

4 He plans wickedness upon his bed; He sets himself on a path that is not good; He does not despise evil."

 

Psalm 50:16-22

16 But to the wicked God says, “What right have you to tell of My statutes

And to take My covenant in your mouth?

17 “For you hate discipline, And you cast My words behind you.

18 “When you see a thief, you are pleased with him, And you associate with adulterers.

19 “You let your mouth loose in evil And your tongue frames deceit.

20 “You sit and speak against your brother; You slander your own mother’s son.

21 “These things you have done and I kept silence; You thought that I was just like you; I will reprove you and state the case in order before your eyes.

22 “Now consider this, you who forget God, Or I will tear you in pieces, and there will be none to deliver."

 

Psalm 54:5-6

"5 He will recompense the evil to my foes; Destroy them in Your faithfulness.

6 Willingly I will sacrifice to You; I will give thanks to Your name, O Lord, for it is good."

 

Proverbs 21:24

"“Proud,” “Haughty,” “Scoffer,” are his names, Who acts with insolent pride."

 

Jude 1:8-16

"8 Yet in the same way these men, also by dreaming, defile the flesh, and reject authority, and revile angelic majesties.

9 But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

10 But these men revile the things which they do not understand; and the things which they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed.

11 Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

12 These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted;

13 wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever."