It almost seems as though we are getting stronger the closer we approach the return of Christ.
As though we know we are losing nothing when rejected by this wicked world.
What is coming is so much greater, that our joy at rejection and our coming home going are so strong we feel little if anything when ungodly people come against us.
In fact, we are grieved not that we are being rejected, but that those who reject us are on their way down the wide road to hell and think everything is alright.
Romans 8:18 "17 And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him. 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God.…"
Hallelujah!!!!!
Monday, October 30, 2017
Sunday, October 29, 2017
The Joy Grows
My joy grows even though the world around me grows more insane by the moment.
It is Christ Who is my joy, no matter what ridiculous antics surround me, He is always steady and always right. Hallelujah!
John 3:1-36
"Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ..."
It is Christ Who is my joy, no matter what ridiculous antics surround me, He is always steady and always right. Hallelujah!
John 3:1-36
"Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ..."
What is Love
1 John 3:15-17 "…15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer. 16 By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?…"
To provide for the physical, emotional and spiritual need of a brother or sister in Christ, is love as God sees it.
To ignore, neglect and mock anyone in need who is a brother or sister is to demonstrate hatred toward them.
To provide for the physical, emotional and spiritual need of a brother or sister in Christ, is love as God sees it.
To ignore, neglect and mock anyone in need who is a brother or sister is to demonstrate hatred toward them.
Acceptance of Sin in the Body
Those one or two in a congregation of 500, who speak the truth in exposing sin, will be the ones who are disciplined.
Those one or two will be ignored and possibly run out. The ones who get disciplined in the churches are those who speak truth while those who are sinning get all the loves!
Can anyone relate?
2 Corinthians 6:17 "…16 What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” 17 “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” 18 And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”…"
Those one or two will be ignored and possibly run out. The ones who get disciplined in the churches are those who speak truth while those who are sinning get all the loves!
Can anyone relate?
2 Corinthians 6:17 "…16 What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” 17 “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” 18 And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”…"
Writing My Thoughts
I write my thoughts when I am convinced my spoken words will not be received.
Why do I think my spoken words will not be received by some people? Because they have demonstrated many times in the past that they will not allow me to get an entire thought expressed without argument or interruption.
Ones ideas can more easily be ignored, forgotten, twisted and mocked when they are merely spoken. Often it is claimed we never said something or our delivery was mean, so I choose often to write my thoughts, others can choose to ignore them, but they have the option of going over them again, just as I stated them, when they are written.
We live in a culture that demands that all ideas be considered equal. There is no right or no wrong, but everything is as we choose for it to be, whatever we decide is right and whatever we decide is wrong and everyone listening must accept our conclusion even if we disagree.
When every idea is determined to be of the same value, then no idea is of greater value than another. In other words, all ideas have no value.
When we use excuses in circumstances to justify sin, then we are saying that God's principles have no more value than all the other ideas out there that also have no value.
If every idea has value, then no idea has greater value than any other idea. In short, nothing is of value except the feelings that generate from being accepted.
God says exactly the opposite from what our culture is teaching.
There is only one way to the Father in heaven, not many ways, as you choose:
John 14:6 " 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Only God's commandments have value:
John 14:15 15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
It is only through learning to think the way God thinks that has value:
Colossians 3:2
"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Titus 2:11-12 "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,"
So, which ideas are acceptable? Those ideas and standards that come from God are what is acceptable, anything contrary to His principles is sin and not acceptable to the believer or to God.
Why do I think my spoken words will not be received by some people? Because they have demonstrated many times in the past that they will not allow me to get an entire thought expressed without argument or interruption.
Ones ideas can more easily be ignored, forgotten, twisted and mocked when they are merely spoken. Often it is claimed we never said something or our delivery was mean, so I choose often to write my thoughts, others can choose to ignore them, but they have the option of going over them again, just as I stated them, when they are written.
We live in a culture that demands that all ideas be considered equal. There is no right or no wrong, but everything is as we choose for it to be, whatever we decide is right and whatever we decide is wrong and everyone listening must accept our conclusion even if we disagree.
When every idea is determined to be of the same value, then no idea is of greater value than another. In other words, all ideas have no value.
When we use excuses in circumstances to justify sin, then we are saying that God's principles have no more value than all the other ideas out there that also have no value.
If every idea has value, then no idea has greater value than any other idea. In short, nothing is of value except the feelings that generate from being accepted.
God says exactly the opposite from what our culture is teaching.
There is only one way to the Father in heaven, not many ways, as you choose:
John 14:6 " 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Only God's commandments have value:
John 14:15 15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
It is only through learning to think the way God thinks that has value:
Colossians 3:2
"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Titus 2:11-12 "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,"
So, which ideas are acceptable? Those ideas and standards that come from God are what is acceptable, anything contrary to His principles is sin and not acceptable to the believer or to God.
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Claiming or Really Believing
It's easy to claim we believe something when we are not faced with the challenge. Do we believe when we have to step up?
Can we still believe what we claim, when expressing it will lose us something?
Can we still believe what we claim, when expressing it will lose us something?
To Disregard the Principles of God is to Disregard Him
Why do I write so much about the things I see happening around me?
The answer is simple, I become frustrated at the continual violations of the Word of God on the part of Christians, and know that 99% of the time when I voice those concerns, NO ONE will listen. Not only does no one listen, those who violate God's word hold in contempt the believer who dares to point out the sin. While those who are accepting of the sin are encouraged to treat with contempt the one who stands for God's word.
I recently encountered a young woman who is a believer, she has all the right words and even the lifestyle of a believer, however, she has been dating a man who is not a believer. Although he shows an interest in some things about God, he has never made a profession of faith, nor has been convinced in his heart that Christ is the only way to heaven.
Also of concern to me is that the parents of this lovely young woman seem to be satisfied that the man she dates is friendly, kind, has manners and has a job. Because they do not want to experience the loss of a daughter, they capitulate in their belief that an unmarried woman should not be linked, through dating or marriage to someone who does not love God.
All dating is a precursor to marriage. If one is dating then there is the expectation that marriage will be in the future. If dating is not a plan of the future, then the dating is simply playing with fire.
A young believing woman who is giving her heart away to an unbeliever is placing the love of that man over her love for Christ.
I know that I risk enduring contempt once again as I write my concerns. I will be accused of writing instead of speaking to the person, even though I have no expectation that this person would listen to me. If I spoke to this person I would be accused of a mean spirited delivery, if I say nothing they will accuse me of saying nothing. I am "dammed if I do and dammed if I don't."
When someone is being encouraged by all the family and friends that surround them, it is most unlikely that they will listen to someone who has not been a part of their life, someone who has been neglected and ignored nearly all her life, is not someone that would have the ear of anyone in that circle. In fact I would be considered an interloper, since in times past I was told through intimidation and mocking that I had no business telling any of them the wisdom I desired to share from God's Word. Basically I was told, in covert manipulation, that I had no business inputting into their lives and should mind my own business, even after they told me their plans. I guess I was suppose to listen, shake my head politely and approve of every single thing they decide.
In other words, I have been told in no uncertain terms that I have no business counseling any of them on the matters in their life. They claim to be believers, but want to live their life without my counsel or my concerns, so I have to believe they would never listen to me anyway.
SO....my heart grieves about what I see going on, the flippancy with which the word of God is being ignored, while His principles are spurned, as though they are of no concern at all. As long as everyone is happy, the one who comes along and places the fly in the ointment by disapproving of violations of God's Word, will be the one neglected, hated and treated with contempt, as though they are doing something wrong.
Satan always makes the one who brings God's truth, look like the trouble maker, while those who violate and mock God's principles are elevated with kind and loving responses.
Proverbs 27:6
"6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."
I have prayed that the Lord would give me the right words and the time to speak to this young woman, but I am getting no inkling from Him that I should do so.
I know that I can never attend the wedding of a believer marrying a non-believer, that will also be a sad day for me. I had to do this a couple of times before, declining to attend the marriage of a divorced person who was remarrying, that too left me an object of gossip and mocking.
I have to keep remembering that Christ in me will not leave me at peace while encouraging someone in their sin. The hard part is that most believers do not consider it sin to date a non-believer.
Unbelievers are in rebellion against Christ, there is no expectation that they will ever seek Him for their standard in life.
Why does God say not to be "unequally yoked"?
1 Corinthians 15:33 " 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
When we link ourselves with those who do not love God, they WILL influence our ways. They will not be interested in the principles of God that direct us in raising of children, our entertainment, our desire for worship or holiness in the household.
The terrible true is that unbelievers are "god haters." They will not respond favorably to the expression of their girlfriend/boyfriend or wife in the matter of life toward God.
They may go along in the beginning because of their infatuation but that infatuation will fade the moment we assert our standard that reflects our love for Christ. When we find ourselves having to turn down activities and correct blasphemous language, the ire of the unbeliever will emerge, even if one believes "this man or woman would never act like that", comes from serious lack of experience and discernment.
The non-believer will be angry when we refuse to watch a particular show on television or will not attend the weddings of divorced and remarried people, or decline to attend many ungodly and God dishonoring activities that we cannot bring ourselves to participate in.
The non-believer will enjoy many things of the world that we hate. They will be angry when we will not participate. All that gooy lovey stuff will disappear the day we begin to realize we cannot go along with the things an unbelieving spouse enjoys doing.
Unbelievers have no standard, they have no Rock on which to base their actions, everything they do is based on the culture, those people who encourage their sinfulness and their own selfishly desire for pleasure. Unbelievers do not take disagreement or criticism well, they will fight and argue to win even when winning takes them to an undesirable place.
There are many books that warn young Christian women to avoid the pit falls of dating or marrying a non-believer, I could even write a book like that, but really all anyone needs is the Bible, that gives commands and principles regarding obedience to Christ. If we are seeking the Lord with all our heart, He will warn us and we will run like the wind from anything or anyone that dishonors Him.
I keep remembering that one who has been held in contempt by ungodly family members for years, is not likely to have a voice in anything they do. The Lord has helped me come to terms with this over the years, but once in a while I have to grieve over the mess I see others making of their lives, because of their refusal to seek Christ.
Proverbs 8:17
"I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me."
Deuteronomy 4:29
"But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul."
Lamentations 3:25
"The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him."
There will be consequences for those who ignore God's principles, that is the grief that comes from watching a believer completely disregard Christ.
To disregard His principles is to disregard Him.
The answer is simple, I become frustrated at the continual violations of the Word of God on the part of Christians, and know that 99% of the time when I voice those concerns, NO ONE will listen. Not only does no one listen, those who violate God's word hold in contempt the believer who dares to point out the sin. While those who are accepting of the sin are encouraged to treat with contempt the one who stands for God's word.
I recently encountered a young woman who is a believer, she has all the right words and even the lifestyle of a believer, however, she has been dating a man who is not a believer. Although he shows an interest in some things about God, he has never made a profession of faith, nor has been convinced in his heart that Christ is the only way to heaven.
Also of concern to me is that the parents of this lovely young woman seem to be satisfied that the man she dates is friendly, kind, has manners and has a job. Because they do not want to experience the loss of a daughter, they capitulate in their belief that an unmarried woman should not be linked, through dating or marriage to someone who does not love God.
All dating is a precursor to marriage. If one is dating then there is the expectation that marriage will be in the future. If dating is not a plan of the future, then the dating is simply playing with fire.
A young believing woman who is giving her heart away to an unbeliever is placing the love of that man over her love for Christ.
I know that I risk enduring contempt once again as I write my concerns. I will be accused of writing instead of speaking to the person, even though I have no expectation that this person would listen to me. If I spoke to this person I would be accused of a mean spirited delivery, if I say nothing they will accuse me of saying nothing. I am "dammed if I do and dammed if I don't."
When someone is being encouraged by all the family and friends that surround them, it is most unlikely that they will listen to someone who has not been a part of their life, someone who has been neglected and ignored nearly all her life, is not someone that would have the ear of anyone in that circle. In fact I would be considered an interloper, since in times past I was told through intimidation and mocking that I had no business telling any of them the wisdom I desired to share from God's Word. Basically I was told, in covert manipulation, that I had no business inputting into their lives and should mind my own business, even after they told me their plans. I guess I was suppose to listen, shake my head politely and approve of every single thing they decide.
In other words, I have been told in no uncertain terms that I have no business counseling any of them on the matters in their life. They claim to be believers, but want to live their life without my counsel or my concerns, so I have to believe they would never listen to me anyway.
SO....my heart grieves about what I see going on, the flippancy with which the word of God is being ignored, while His principles are spurned, as though they are of no concern at all. As long as everyone is happy, the one who comes along and places the fly in the ointment by disapproving of violations of God's Word, will be the one neglected, hated and treated with contempt, as though they are doing something wrong.
Satan always makes the one who brings God's truth, look like the trouble maker, while those who violate and mock God's principles are elevated with kind and loving responses.
Proverbs 27:6
"6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."
I have prayed that the Lord would give me the right words and the time to speak to this young woman, but I am getting no inkling from Him that I should do so.
I know that I can never attend the wedding of a believer marrying a non-believer, that will also be a sad day for me. I had to do this a couple of times before, declining to attend the marriage of a divorced person who was remarrying, that too left me an object of gossip and mocking.
I have to keep remembering that Christ in me will not leave me at peace while encouraging someone in their sin. The hard part is that most believers do not consider it sin to date a non-believer.
Unbelievers are in rebellion against Christ, there is no expectation that they will ever seek Him for their standard in life.
Why does God say not to be "unequally yoked"?
1 Corinthians 15:33 " 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
When we link ourselves with those who do not love God, they WILL influence our ways. They will not be interested in the principles of God that direct us in raising of children, our entertainment, our desire for worship or holiness in the household.
The terrible true is that unbelievers are "god haters." They will not respond favorably to the expression of their girlfriend/boyfriend or wife in the matter of life toward God.
They may go along in the beginning because of their infatuation but that infatuation will fade the moment we assert our standard that reflects our love for Christ. When we find ourselves having to turn down activities and correct blasphemous language, the ire of the unbeliever will emerge, even if one believes "this man or woman would never act like that", comes from serious lack of experience and discernment.
The non-believer will be angry when we refuse to watch a particular show on television or will not attend the weddings of divorced and remarried people, or decline to attend many ungodly and God dishonoring activities that we cannot bring ourselves to participate in.
The non-believer will enjoy many things of the world that we hate. They will be angry when we will not participate. All that gooy lovey stuff will disappear the day we begin to realize we cannot go along with the things an unbelieving spouse enjoys doing.
Unbelievers have no standard, they have no Rock on which to base their actions, everything they do is based on the culture, those people who encourage their sinfulness and their own selfishly desire for pleasure. Unbelievers do not take disagreement or criticism well, they will fight and argue to win even when winning takes them to an undesirable place.
There are many books that warn young Christian women to avoid the pit falls of dating or marrying a non-believer, I could even write a book like that, but really all anyone needs is the Bible, that gives commands and principles regarding obedience to Christ. If we are seeking the Lord with all our heart, He will warn us and we will run like the wind from anything or anyone that dishonors Him.
I keep remembering that one who has been held in contempt by ungodly family members for years, is not likely to have a voice in anything they do. The Lord has helped me come to terms with this over the years, but once in a while I have to grieve over the mess I see others making of their lives, because of their refusal to seek Christ.
Proverbs 8:17
"I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me."
Deuteronomy 4:29
"But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul."
Lamentations 3:25
"The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him."
There will be consequences for those who ignore God's principles, that is the grief that comes from watching a believer completely disregard Christ.
To disregard His principles is to disregard Him.
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