God tells us to love others BETTER than ourselves. We are born loving ourselves too much. The more we focus on self the more selfish we become.
Those who are "others" focused almost never speak about themselves. We love others by forgetting about self, losing pride and focusing on Christ, that will make us love others better.
All the places, only about three, in the Bible that speak about esteem is condemning esteem for self and redirecting our esteem toward God. The whole self esteem teaching is anti-Christian and anti-God.
Philippians 2:3-4 "…2 then make my joy complete by being of one mind, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.
4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.…"
So many people in the psychological industry focus on verse 4 that says "you should look not only to your own interests", to justify focus on self, but that statement does not say to focus on self first, it merely explains that we have a propensity to naturally focus on self, rather God is telling us to take into account the needs of others.
Ephesians 5:29 " 29 Indeed, no one ever hated his own body, but he nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church."
Anyone who says they hate themselves, is not aware that they don't hate themselves, God says no one ever hated himself. Those who claim that they hate themselves are merely expressing their anger that they do not have exactly what they want, which is clearly an expression of self love.
Even those who would want to kill themselves are focused on the helplessness to obtain what they want so they want to end a life in protest at not achieving their goal.
Those who lack confidence are more fixated on what others think of them than on Christ. When we know that Christ died for us, that He dwells in us and we can do everything He has called us to do, then we do not lack confidence, perhaps self confidence yes, but our confidence as believers ought to be in Christ, not ourselves.
If we have the confidence in Christ that a small child has in his father or mother, then we don't need to be worried about our own confidence. We can trust Christ and proceed in strength and resolve because we know Who He is!
I have no desire to have confidence in me, the day I left that behind was the freest day of my life. My joy and confidence is now in Christ, the One Who directs me and gives me what I need when I need it. It is when I take my eyes off of Christ that I begin to falter. Just like Peter when he walked on water with Christ. He was fine while he had his eyes on Christ, it was when his focus was on what he was doing himself that he began to sink.
Bottom Line: Stop focusing on your own confidence and place it in Christ, then fear has no control over us.
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Saturday, November 5, 2016
The Downward Spiral for America
As long as the people of the United States continue to be pleasure seeking, selfish and prosperous, we can expect the downward spiral to progress exponentially.
How many of you see friends and relatives slowing their entertainment mentality, giving up their pleasures and seeking the Lord in prayer as would be expected in a culture that is repenting, confessing and turning from their sin?
We as a country are deeply committed to our freedom to live as we please no matter how wicked, this is not a nation that God is going to bless or endure. This is really what's behind the support of a conservative candidate. I don't see either candidate calling for repentance, only that God will bless with a win.
I have little interest in the borders, the finances and the freedom for pleasure, my focus is the gospel, will a sin sick nation repent, confess and turn from sin.
Repentance on every level is needed, a deep sorrow over sin while a turning to Christ is the only way that God will relent from His judgment of America.
How many of you see friends and relatives slowing their entertainment mentality, giving up their pleasures and seeking the Lord in prayer as would be expected in a culture that is repenting, confessing and turning from their sin?
We as a country are deeply committed to our freedom to live as we please no matter how wicked, this is not a nation that God is going to bless or endure. This is really what's behind the support of a conservative candidate. I don't see either candidate calling for repentance, only that God will bless with a win.
I have little interest in the borders, the finances and the freedom for pleasure, my focus is the gospel, will a sin sick nation repent, confess and turn from sin.
Repentance on every level is needed, a deep sorrow over sin while a turning to Christ is the only way that God will relent from His judgment of America.
Family the Microcosm of the Culture
The family is a "microcosm" of the culture as a whole. What we see happening in our families is very likely what is going on all over the country and perhaps the world.
"Microcosm Definition: a community, place, or situation regarded as encapsulating in miniature the characteristic qualities or features of something much larger."
So often we see thing in terms of what we think the rest of the world is doing, forgetting that the rest of the world only shows us their best side, pretending that there is no struggle or evil. All we have to do is watch what happens when we speak about Christ or challenge anyone to greater holiness.
People are no different world wide, they have the same struggles, the same heartaches, the same family dynamics as everyone else. These struggles may manifest themselves in varying ways based on culture, but nonetheless they are basically same everywhere.
1 Peter 4:12-19
"12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified."
The passage in 1 Peter speaks to every believer all over the world all the time.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 "3 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these."
I notice from the 2 Timothy 3 passage that the people described there have a "form of godliness", they believe their deeds and antics are good when in fact they are evil.
Romans 3:22-23 "…22 And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"
When we know that everyone who loves Christ will encounter the same things, we don't have to take personally anything that comes against us. Answer transparently, honestly, while considering truth in terms of the Bible.
If we are embarrassed or offended let it be because we were wrong and in need of change, not because someone else controlled our feelings by their manipulation. False guilt keeps us in a continual state of insecurity, making us less bold for Christ.
If we have sinned and are guilty, then we must confess it and move on to do better. If discernment shows us that others are attempting to control us through false guilt, then we can shake it off and continue with Christ as though their tactics had no affect at all.
1 John 1:9 "9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
"Microcosm Definition: a community, place, or situation regarded as encapsulating in miniature the characteristic qualities or features of something much larger."
So often we see thing in terms of what we think the rest of the world is doing, forgetting that the rest of the world only shows us their best side, pretending that there is no struggle or evil. All we have to do is watch what happens when we speak about Christ or challenge anyone to greater holiness.
People are no different world wide, they have the same struggles, the same heartaches, the same family dynamics as everyone else. These struggles may manifest themselves in varying ways based on culture, but nonetheless they are basically same everywhere.
1 Peter 4:12-19
"12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified."
The passage in 1 Peter speaks to every believer all over the world all the time.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 "3 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these."
I notice from the 2 Timothy 3 passage that the people described there have a "form of godliness", they believe their deeds and antics are good when in fact they are evil.
Romans 3:22-23 "…22 And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"
When we know that everyone who loves Christ will encounter the same things, we don't have to take personally anything that comes against us. Answer transparently, honestly, while considering truth in terms of the Bible.
If we are embarrassed or offended let it be because we were wrong and in need of change, not because someone else controlled our feelings by their manipulation. False guilt keeps us in a continual state of insecurity, making us less bold for Christ.
If we have sinned and are guilty, then we must confess it and move on to do better. If discernment shows us that others are attempting to control us through false guilt, then we can shake it off and continue with Christ as though their tactics had no affect at all.
1 John 1:9 "9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
The Medes and the Persians?
Daniel 5:25-28
25 “Now this is the inscription that was written out: ‘MENĒ, MENĒ, TEKĒL, UPHARSIN.’ 26 This is the interpretation of the message: ‘MENĒ’—God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it. 27 ‘TEKĒL’—you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient. 28 ‘PERĒS’—your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.”
The Medes: An Iranian people who lived in the area of "Media."
The Persians: Iranian ethnic group.
Does this seem almost apropo to our modern times?
25 “Now this is the inscription that was written out: ‘MENĒ, MENĒ, TEKĒL, UPHARSIN.’ 26 This is the interpretation of the message: ‘MENĒ’—God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it. 27 ‘TEKĒL’—you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient. 28 ‘PERĒS’—your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.”
The Medes: An Iranian people who lived in the area of "Media."
The Persians: Iranian ethnic group.
Does this seem almost apropo to our modern times?
Friday, November 4, 2016
Safety or Righteousness?
Help me understand!
I see so many Christians either posting nothing but family pictures and updated reports of family events while others are almost entirely political. What I don't see on these pages is anything about Christ.
I know that I cannot judge the heart of other believers based on facebook entirely, but I do have to wonder if it is an important clue. Don't we talk about on social media that which is on our mind most often? Is it possible that many if not most believers are ashamed to speak of Christ, embarrassed for fear of being mocked or ignored?
We are living in the last of the last days, Christ is very close to coming for His church, why are most believers not focused on their home going? Why are they enamored with the politics of saving this country if we are not going to be here much longer?
Christ told us our home is in heaven, our hope is in the return of Christ for His church, so why are we not compelled to speak about Him more than anything else?
It concerns me when the vantage point of a believer is nearly completely earthly, concerned about their safety, their money, their pleasure almost exclusively. These things are of interest to us, but rank low on the list of important matters.
Our spiritual condition ought to be taking up more space in our minds than anything else. Our home going along with our walk with Christ ought to have so much space in our brains that there is little time for the less important matters.
The way in which our country is headed is only important in terms of why it is going this way, that being the lost souls who are headed to hell for their rejection of Christ and those who have not yet understood the gospel message of salvation.
It might be good to ask ourselves, "why do I pray for my nation." If we pray for our nation because we want to be safe, fat and happy, then we have the wrong focus entirely as a believer. If we pray for our nation because we desire to see souls saved from their sin and hell, then that is the right focus. Perhaps it would be good to be completely honest and begin praying in the will of God.
If our heart is inclined toward the lost souls we are to be concerned about and the walk of fellow believers, then we are where we should be in our mind set. In love with Christ translates into a life when everything all the time is about Him.
Deuteronomy 6:5
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might."
John 14:15
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments."
John 17:24-26
"Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
We must understand that God may take our nation through terrible times to wake up the sleeping believers and to show non-believers their need for Christ. To pray that God save our nation is not always the best prayer. Perhaps in these end times it would be good to pray for hardship that God's purpose might be fulfilled.
After all, isn't it more important that souls are saved than for us to live out our days in safety and pleasure? Just sayin!!!!
I see so many Christians either posting nothing but family pictures and updated reports of family events while others are almost entirely political. What I don't see on these pages is anything about Christ.
I know that I cannot judge the heart of other believers based on facebook entirely, but I do have to wonder if it is an important clue. Don't we talk about on social media that which is on our mind most often? Is it possible that many if not most believers are ashamed to speak of Christ, embarrassed for fear of being mocked or ignored?
We are living in the last of the last days, Christ is very close to coming for His church, why are most believers not focused on their home going? Why are they enamored with the politics of saving this country if we are not going to be here much longer?
Christ told us our home is in heaven, our hope is in the return of Christ for His church, so why are we not compelled to speak about Him more than anything else?
It concerns me when the vantage point of a believer is nearly completely earthly, concerned about their safety, their money, their pleasure almost exclusively. These things are of interest to us, but rank low on the list of important matters.
Our spiritual condition ought to be taking up more space in our minds than anything else. Our home going along with our walk with Christ ought to have so much space in our brains that there is little time for the less important matters.
The way in which our country is headed is only important in terms of why it is going this way, that being the lost souls who are headed to hell for their rejection of Christ and those who have not yet understood the gospel message of salvation.
It might be good to ask ourselves, "why do I pray for my nation." If we pray for our nation because we want to be safe, fat and happy, then we have the wrong focus entirely as a believer. If we pray for our nation because we desire to see souls saved from their sin and hell, then that is the right focus. Perhaps it would be good to be completely honest and begin praying in the will of God.
If our heart is inclined toward the lost souls we are to be concerned about and the walk of fellow believers, then we are where we should be in our mind set. In love with Christ translates into a life when everything all the time is about Him.
Deuteronomy 6:5
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might."
John 14:15
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments."
John 17:24-26
"Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
We must understand that God may take our nation through terrible times to wake up the sleeping believers and to show non-believers their need for Christ. To pray that God save our nation is not always the best prayer. Perhaps in these end times it would be good to pray for hardship that God's purpose might be fulfilled.
After all, isn't it more important that souls are saved than for us to live out our days in safety and pleasure? Just sayin!!!!
What to do with a Hardened Person
This was my response to a sister who wanted to hear hope for those that have hardened hearts.
Here is the comment I made to her:
It seems that the only way a hardened heart can be softened again is through very devastating events that show them their own heart and helplessness. Let us not be the ones to continue to make them feel comfortable in their sin, even empowering them by accepting their behavior as though it is normal.
John 12:39-40
"Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.”
The warning is there to prevent those whose hearts are not yet hardened and to ask ourselves if we have one of those hearts. However there is always hope that God will do something to soften a heart.
Romans 9:18
"So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills."
Acts 3:19
"Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out,"
Ephesians 2:3
"Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."
Often we have to let go of the frustration we feel when we see loved ones seemingly too hard to reach. We have no idea what is going on in their hearts. It is possible that the anger of the hardened person is the evidence that they are convicted and that one day they will get tired of being so angry all the time.
I have seen it happen, someone who was resistant seemingly unreachable, began to see the folly of their arrogance and stubbornness. Eventually life catches up with us, some sooner than others. Sometimes it takes years and even old age for some to realize they need Christ.
My focus has to be Christ, if someone does not want to walk the walk with me, then I have to let them go and leave them to God. There remains a smidgen of hope within me, but I do not dwell on it everyday, even being able to carry on my life without them in joy and peace.
Sometimes it takes years to get to the point of letting go, perhaps the sin in our loved one is so great that they become worse as they age, making it easier to let go.
Personally, our life is much more peaceful without these people who bring constant drama and grief to our lives. Once we let go the joy and peace returns and in full measure.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 shows us that God not only gives us permission to walk away, but commands us to get away from them.
1 Corinthians 5:13 "…12 What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
The encouragement is not in everything becoming as we would like, but in knowing that we can move on, become closer to Christ while possessing more joy and peace if we remove them from our lives.
Having said that, we don't have to ignore them on the street, be mean to them if they drop by, or do anything that would leave us guilty of unkindness. We just don't make them a part of our everyday lives anymore. We have not chosen this route, they have chosen it by their continual attitudes and actions that dishonor God.
Here is the comment I made to her:
It seems that the only way a hardened heart can be softened again is through very devastating events that show them their own heart and helplessness. Let us not be the ones to continue to make them feel comfortable in their sin, even empowering them by accepting their behavior as though it is normal.
John 12:39-40
"Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.”
The warning is there to prevent those whose hearts are not yet hardened and to ask ourselves if we have one of those hearts. However there is always hope that God will do something to soften a heart.
Romans 9:18
"So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills."
Acts 3:19
"Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out,"
Ephesians 2:3
"Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."
Often we have to let go of the frustration we feel when we see loved ones seemingly too hard to reach. We have no idea what is going on in their hearts. It is possible that the anger of the hardened person is the evidence that they are convicted and that one day they will get tired of being so angry all the time.
I have seen it happen, someone who was resistant seemingly unreachable, began to see the folly of their arrogance and stubbornness. Eventually life catches up with us, some sooner than others. Sometimes it takes years and even old age for some to realize they need Christ.
My focus has to be Christ, if someone does not want to walk the walk with me, then I have to let them go and leave them to God. There remains a smidgen of hope within me, but I do not dwell on it everyday, even being able to carry on my life without them in joy and peace.
Sometimes it takes years to get to the point of letting go, perhaps the sin in our loved one is so great that they become worse as they age, making it easier to let go.
Personally, our life is much more peaceful without these people who bring constant drama and grief to our lives. Once we let go the joy and peace returns and in full measure.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 shows us that God not only gives us permission to walk away, but commands us to get away from them.
1 Corinthians 5:13 "…12 What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
The encouragement is not in everything becoming as we would like, but in knowing that we can move on, become closer to Christ while possessing more joy and peace if we remove them from our lives.
Having said that, we don't have to ignore them on the street, be mean to them if they drop by, or do anything that would leave us guilty of unkindness. We just don't make them a part of our everyday lives anymore. We have not chosen this route, they have chosen it by their continual attitudes and actions that dishonor God.
Thursday, November 3, 2016
Christ Died for All
If Christ had focused on His feelings, He never would have gone to the cross on our behalf.
Luke 22:42 "42“ Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him."
Next time we hear someone say, "God wouldn't want me to go through that", remind them that God didn't withhold His perfect Son who had no sin, to suffer and die for others even while they were still sinners.
Romans 5:7-9 "…7 It is rare indeed for anyone to die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!…"
Knowing that most of mankind would not receive Him, Christ went to the cross anyway for those who would choose Him. He desired that everyone come to Him, but knew most would not.
2 Corinthians 5:15 "15 And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again. "
Luke 22:42 "42“ Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him."
Next time we hear someone say, "God wouldn't want me to go through that", remind them that God didn't withhold His perfect Son who had no sin, to suffer and die for others even while they were still sinners.
Romans 5:7-9 "…7 It is rare indeed for anyone to die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!…"
Knowing that most of mankind would not receive Him, Christ went to the cross anyway for those who would choose Him. He desired that everyone come to Him, but knew most would not.
2 Corinthians 5:15 "15 And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again. "
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