Spiritual Growth Comes Through Humility

Down through the years I have experienced the loss of friends in various ways. Some of my friends moved into a philosophy of life that didn't share my values, others physically moved away or I moved physically away.

Some friends got angry over something, when I asked to discuss the matter, they declined and ended the friendship, if I had been guilty of something I needed to correct, I wouldn't have known what it was because they would not share what made them angry.

There have also been friends that I had to drift apart from because there wasn't a kindred spirit, we were not interested in the same things in life, didn't view life in the same way bringing conflict or hurt feelings to the association. Some of these friendships ended because of gossip, desiring to hold me in contempt on the basis of what they had heard, they made the choice to believe what they heard rather than come to me to find out the whole matter.

When we read the story of David and Jonathan in the Bible, we might think that everyone gets to have a close friendship like that one. They were buddies who deeply loved one another, even sacrificing for the other.

1 Samuel 18:1-4 "18 David finished talking to Saul. After that, Jonathan became David’s closest friend. He loved David as much as he loved himself. 2 (From that day on Saul kept David as his servant and didn’t let him go back to his family.) 3 So Jonathan made a pledge of mutual loyalty with David because he loved him as much as he loved himself. 4 Jonathan took off the coat he had on and gave it to David along with his battle tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt."
When we read this story we might be tempted to feel a sense of loss because we don't have a relationship with anyone like that. We have to remember that this particular relationship was unique, that very few people have one like this. It is normal in life to have a few superficial friends but rare to find one as deeply loving as that of David and Jonathan.

Especially in these last days of apostasy, it will be harder than ever to trust anyone, because superficiality, self esteem and personal pleasure dominate the thinking of most people. Friendships on this basis cannot last, they dissolve eventually because when self is on the throne, no one else matters, these friendships are not sustainable.
A deep and loving relationship requires sacrifice, empathy and concern for someone other than ourselves. The 2 Timothy 3 description of the attitudes of the last days, indicate the difficulty in finding a loving person who can be trusted with our deepest concerns, problems, joys and accomplishments. Most people today cannot be bothered with anyone that doesn't personally elevate them, while feeling contempt for anyone who corrects or challenges them. Even when we have done something well, the selfish ones become jealous attempting to sabotage our joy through covert meanness.
A true godly friend will have the freedom to challenge us without fear of being demeaned. A godly friend does not desire vengeance against someone who has challenged or corrected them, rather they are appreciative for the input of their friend, considering the advice even desiring to hear it, when there is a disagreement. A godly friend loves to hear about our victories and talents, they are as happy about our accomplishments as they would be about their own.

Wise people understand that we all have blind sides, a good friend can help us see what we could not see by ourselves or about ourselves. Some people have more discernment than others. Some people have been through more experiences than we have and can add information to a situation that we had not thought of. A humble wise friend shares to help, not to demean as well as working encourage when we have done well. They don't indulge in flattery, they genuinely share encouragement admitting when we did well and redirecting us when we are veering off the path.

People do not grow wise all by themselves, they grow in wisdom by first reading the Word, seeking God in prayer and listening to the direction of those who have had a proven life of obedience to the Lord, even with all their failings, they have learned things through those failings that we do not know because they were not a part of our life experience.

I grieve at times these days over the younger folks who think they know everything, they cannot grow spiritually, emotionally or in holiness because they dig their heels in whenever someone shows them something different from what they want to believe. An elevated view of ones self causes this malady of self importance, preventing growth in wisdom.

If you have ever met anyone who seems to have stagnated at the level of a 12 year old when their real age is 45, you have experienced a self absorbed one who never learned because rebellion and arrogance was bound up in their heart all those years.

God tells us that rebellion is as devastating as the sin of witchcraft, it goes back to the original arrogance and rebellion of Lucifer in heaven when he thought he could be as powerful as God.
The solution is in the Word of God:

1 Samuel 15:23 ""For rebellion is as the sin of divination, And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king."

Isaiah 26:10 "Though the wicked is shown favor, He does not learn righteousness; He deals unjustly in the land of uprightness, And does not perceive the majesty of the LORD."

Proverbs 9:9 "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning."

Psalm 27
"27 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold[a] of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet[b] I will be confident.
4 One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire[c] in his temple.
5 For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
8 You have said, “Seek[d] my face.”
My heart says to you,
“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”[e]
9 Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
O God of my salvation!
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
but the Lord will take me in.
11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they breathe out violence.
13 I believe[f] that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living!
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!"

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Resolving Problems Takes Prayer

We must be Biblically wise and Holy Spirit led to know when to speak and when not to speak. We meet people all the time who covertly attempt to manipulate us, by leaving out important information or twisting the truth a little to appear to be something they are not, or to deny what they know to be true. 

When we are faced with dishonesty in a relationship it erodes trust, making it difficult if not impossible to resolve anything. Often those who don't want to talk anything out, are walking in pride, more interested in maintaining their image than developing a quality close relationship.

When we care deeply about someone we want truth to be a dominate part of our relationships. It is only through truth, confession and repentance that we can resolve relationship problems. When one party is willing to discuss things and the other is not, then there is no chance of resolving conflict or destructive behavior, distrust grows to further damage.

Ephesians 5:1-21
"5 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;
4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
7 Therefore do not be partakers with them;
8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;
12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.
13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.
14 For this reason it says,"
“Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.”
15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;
20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;
21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ."

OH NO, Another Book of Heresy

OH NO, not another one!!! I am still getting over "The Prayer of Jabez", "The Shack" and "The Purpose Driven Life." Authors think they can make up anything they like and God will bless it.

The book "Jesus Calling" is another new age book by a woman who claims to get special messages from God. I can't tell you the number of books over the years that were deceptive, misleading and downright heretical, that sadly many believers embraced.

This book, according to others who have read it, is fraught with heresy and new age teachings including channeling, allowing a spirit to speak to her while she writes down what the spirit says.

God is clear that any "new revelation" not already in the Word is nothing more than adding to God's Word and therefore forbidden.

Revelation 22:8 "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book,"

Matthew 24:24 "For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. "

1 Corinthians 4:6 "Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other."

Bottom line: There is no need for any new revelation, everything we have is in the Word of God inspired by Him and complete. Anything added to the Word is sin worthy of rejection.

The End is Very Near

Here is where we are folks, with one difference, this is the final judgment for the entire world. The saints will be taken out soon and the wrath of God will begin.

The Godly Show Compassion and Empathy

One of the things that always amazes me is when liberals get angry at chopped up baby pictures, notice they are not ashamed or moved to tears for the destroyed babies, they are just plain angry that someone showed them the pictures.

Why are they not angry that someone did it to the babies.
Show them a picture of an abused dog and they will come unglued at the abuse, not the showing of the picture.

This just goes to prove that liberals know in their heart of hearts that abortion is evil and torturous of the innocent. They are twisted in their minds, to defends the torture of human beings, while angry at the abuse of animals. We need to be angry at the abuse of both the human being and the animal.

When there is compassion and empathy in ones heart, any form of abuse to any living thing is reprehensible. Compassion is an overall heart condition, not something we edit in and out according to our personal desires.

Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Colossians 3:12
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

1 Peter 3:8
"8 To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;"

1 John 3:17
"But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?"

Acts 20:35
"In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Zechariah 7:9
"Thus has the LORD of hosts said, 'Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother;

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Wicked Prophets Abound

I attended a "prophecy conference" once in a small town we lived in. I thought I was attending a Bible study, what I encountered was devastating foolishness. The prophecy wasn't anything to do with the end times, but rather a charlatan working his wiles on weak minded people looking for a spiritual high.

A man in the pulpit told idiotic stories, made the people laugh all through the preaching, told everyone they had a wonderful prediction for their life and invited them to line up to hear their personal prediction.

I was shaking my head all the way through the non-sense, the preacher noticed that I was disapproving of him, called me out in the middle of the preaching to mock me in front of a couple of hundred people. He then saw my son sitting next to me, calling him out, inviting him to come up to the podium. I told him not to go and he didn't. After the meeting a friend overheard this foolish preacher telling someone that my son was going to commit suicide.

After the preaching this miserable preacher had the people line up, the line was very long, to hear their prediction. Everyone got a special story for their life, all good and wonderful. The smiling faces and laughing voices were like clanging symbols to me.

One lady in the mess was discouraged, because when she was next in line to hear her prediction, the preacher told her he knew she like to bake cookies. The woman was portly and grandmotherly looking, she told him she didn't bake cookies, he then treated her with dismissiveness, even mocking her. I was so glad that woman saw the evil of this wicked man.

One thing I noticed in all this is that everyone who was excited to hear the preacher and have their fortune predicted, were given a good report, a slap on the back and went away happy. The one person, me, who did not approve was called out for ridicule and an evil prediction was given for my son.

One way to expose a wicked person is to disapprove of their actions or words and watch what comes out of them. They are enraged and vindictive when anyone challenges their authority or reveals their lies.

Proverbs 6:12-16 "A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech, winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, points with his finger, with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord; therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in a moment he will be broken beyond healing. There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him:"

No New Prophecy

Please do not place on my wall anything having to do with self proclaimed modern day "prophetesses" or "prophets." All prophecy has already been written in the word of God, there is nothing new needed for the believer to live by faith. 

 

Matthew 12:39"But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet;"

2 Corinthians 5:6-10 "6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."

I understand the temptation to learn about our fate here on earth and what we might do to thwart anything coming against us, but lets remember that we are not a people who are worried about our fate, we know that whatever we go through will be in God's hands.

We also know that if the Lord has a plan to hide us from difficulty, He may not tell us ahead of time, He will just say to us one day, "I want you to go here", even without us knowing why we are going to a place, it may be a place of protection. Often our life circumstances change, it isn't until later down the road that we see why. He may also not protect our bodies from hardship, we know this because very godly believers get ill are rejected by family and encounter many life difficulties, they are blessings from God to build our character and stretch our spiritual muscles. God always protects our spirit, but may not protect our bodies or circumstances.

If God ordains that we go through hard things, then we need to remember that He knew all about it before it came to us and will give us strength to go through it. 

 

Isaiah 40:29 "29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."

Psalm 29:11 "The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace."

The peace we have is not physical peace but rather Spiritual, the strength we have is not physical strength but Spiritual. Christ is our peace and our strength. We tend to focus on the physical often, thinking we have no peace because of the life we live and that we have no strength because our body is failing, but the Lord focuses on our spiritual well being.

I have at times agonized over something that I wanted to happen or didn't want to happen, as I prayed I became content. My peace left me temporarily while I was hoping for something to happen or not happen, that was not the will of God. As I returned to trust in Christ, He gave me peace that remains, if a change is going to happen, then that is up to Him and not me.

There have been times when I placed my trust more in my feelings than in Christ. I had to repent from paying attention to my feelings more than God, then is when the peace returned. I learned over the years to ignore my feelings and go to prayer. Wonderful things can happen in our soul when we disregard the flesh and pay close attention to God's Word and His principles.

The more we focus on perceived fears, emotions and desires, the greater possibility of deception and the less tranquility we experience.

I recall the story of Corry Ten Boom, a woman captured by the Nazi's, placed in a prison camp to endure many hardships and the loss of her sister who died there. She had a period of discouragement while in that camp, but when she began to focus on Christ, her joy and trust returned to her. 

 

“Often I have heard people say, ‘How good God is! We prayed that it would not rain for our church picnic, and look at the lovely weather!’ Yes, God is good when He sends good weather. But God was also good when He allowed my sister, Betsie, to starve to death before my eyes in a German concentration camp. I remember one occasion when I was very discouraged there. Everything around us was dark, and there was darkness in my heart. I remember telling Betsie that I thought God had forgotten us. ‘No, Corrie,’ said Betsie, ‘He has not forgotten us. Remember His Word: “For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him.” ” Corrie concludes, “There is an ocean of God’s love available—there is plenty for everyone. May God grant you never to doubt that victorious love—whatever the circumstances.” Corry Ten Boom

All these internet warnings about the existence of concentration camps being prepared for U.S. citizens, may or may not be true, but it is not our business to fret over what might or might not be happening behind the scenes. Our business is to keep our eyes on Christ, obey Him as He leads and endure whatever He has for us with hope and expectation as we live out our lives for Him, no matter what is done to us on earth. Our future is not only bright but spectacularly so, when we consider our salvation and the events to come. 

 

We have no need of more prophets to tell us future events, we can rely on the Holy Spirit Who lives in each one of us, to guide us as we go. 

 

Warning: Matthew 24:11 "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many."