Saturday, November 25, 2017
The Book of Truth
The Bible is not a book of suggestions! It's God's Word to us, do we love Him or not?
Blaspheming the Holy Spirit
Why do so many people who say they believe in Christ think it is perfectly alright to ignore His principles, the ones He gave us in the Bible.
They act as though as long as we have "love", and they have no definition for that except emotional feelings, we become the bad guy when we ask them to define love from the perspective of Christ.
John 14:15-16 "15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—…"
We cannot claim to love Christ if we think His commandments and principles are optional. When we love someone we seek to please them. When there is no desire to obey the commands and principles of Christ, there is no love for Him.
When there is no desire to help other believers to obey the commands of Christ, then there is no love for those people.
Love these days is defined as "emotional happiness." Thus we have the man-made rule of "lifestyle evangelism", a concept not written in the Word of God. We are to hear the promptings of the Holy Spirit and do as He directs.
Rom 8:13 KJV - "13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."
Rom 8:14
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."
We are not to adhere to the tactics and training of man in our evangelism, but only through the Holy Spirit do we obey God. Those who mock the Holy Spirit, treating Him as though He does not speak to us, placing man's teachings above the rule and power of the Holy Spirit, are in serious danger of blasphemy.
Luke 12:10
"10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven."
They act as though as long as we have "love", and they have no definition for that except emotional feelings, we become the bad guy when we ask them to define love from the perspective of Christ.
John 14:15-16 "15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—…"
We cannot claim to love Christ if we think His commandments and principles are optional. When we love someone we seek to please them. When there is no desire to obey the commands and principles of Christ, there is no love for Him.
When there is no desire to help other believers to obey the commands of Christ, then there is no love for those people.
Love these days is defined as "emotional happiness." Thus we have the man-made rule of "lifestyle evangelism", a concept not written in the Word of God. We are to hear the promptings of the Holy Spirit and do as He directs.
Rom 8:13 KJV - "13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."
Rom 8:14
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."
We are not to adhere to the tactics and training of man in our evangelism, but only through the Holy Spirit do we obey God. Those who mock the Holy Spirit, treating Him as though He does not speak to us, placing man's teachings above the rule and power of the Holy Spirit, are in serious danger of blasphemy.
Luke 12:10
"10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven."
Friday, November 24, 2017
The Addictions of Divorce and Remarriage
Sometimes I think that divorce and remarriage has become an addiction in our culture, it's the first "go to " solution for many.
Endorsing Divorce and Remarriage
Why do so many endorse and defend divorce and remarriage? The answer is simple, they love their sin.
Pray for the Pretenders
Bitterness of Heart:
"A bitter person might spew their inner hurt and anger by saying and doing things that hurt the feelings of others, exhibiting ruthless verbal and emotional cruelty. Somehow, it makes the bitter individual feel better for a minute to see someone else suffer as they perceive themselves to be unfairly suffering. May 19, 2015" (from people also ask)
It is not bitterness to watch the world around us and sense a spirit of evil surrounding us, hating it and speaking against it. Sometimes people will say we are bitter because we choose our companions carefully and desire to have love, joy and kindness as our companions. This is not bitterness but Scriptural:
Proverbs 13:20-21 "20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm. 21 Adversity pursues sinners, But the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity.…"
1 Corinthians 15:33 "33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
A righteous person prays for those who have harmed and are unrepentant, but they do not have a relationship with them.
Those who say they are angry at God, are demonstrating bitterness, they wanted their own way, refuse to consult or worship Him and even blame Him for not having what they want from life.
Proverbs 16:28
"A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends."
Those who do not love God as we love Him, will cause division and contention continually. Nothing we say or do that honors God will be acceptable to them.
Amos 3:3 "Two cannot walk together if they are not in agreement."
Yes, we pray for those who do not love God, that they will one day become born again. However, constant companionship with them will not cause them to want God, only God can bring to them circumstances that make them see their need for Him.
Isaiah 26:10-11 " 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. 11 O LORD, Your hand is lifted up yet they do not see it. They see Your zeal for the people and are put to shame; Indeed, fire will devour Your enemies.…"
Proverbs 14:7
"Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge."
Psalm 26:4-5
"I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked."
Many Christians today remain spiritual babies because they do not read their Bibles, they do not obey it if they do and their constant companions are those who are in the world, even those who despise the ways of God.
It is interesting that it is human nature to lean into whomever or whatever is around us, out of fear of being alone.
2 Corinthians 6:14
"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?"
Those who love Christ prefer being alone with Christ to being surrounded by those who have no interest in Him. The truth of the matter is this; when we love Christ more than life itself we will be alone a lot. The peace of the Lord sustains us to a much greater measure than the companionship of those who are contemptuous toward us and toward God.
If we are in desperate need of human companionship, so much so that we would rather deny Christ, remain silent about His principles in order to have people around us, then we know that we worship and honor our own desires more than we do Christ. We lose our desire to be loved and adored by people when we have Christ living in us. We do desire the companionship of others who love Him, but if there are none in our community, then it is Christ we hang on to.
The more times we spend with Christ the less time we want to spend with the unsaved except to give them the gospel. It is not pleasurable to be with ungodly people, it is a mission to show them Christ.
Our pleasure as truly Bible believing Christians is to see someone come to Christ. Their accomplishments, their desires and their goals are nothing compared to their potential salvation. If losing everything brings them to the Lord, then that is the greater thing. The possessions and comfort is nothing in this life compared to the glory to come for those who have trusted Christ and walk with Him daily. Hallelujah!
Romans 8:17-18 "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.…"
Notice that this passage is quite clear about our walk with Christ! We will be persecuted, mocked, demeaned, even by those who claim to be Christians because of the proliferation of pretenders that fill our churches. Many unbelievers attend church, but they do not know the Lord, so they will work against the one who loves Christ.
Matthew 7:21-23
I Never Knew You
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
2 Corinthians 6:16-18 "…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.”…"
Pray for those who are lost to become saved, even those who are pretenders.
"A bitter person might spew their inner hurt and anger by saying and doing things that hurt the feelings of others, exhibiting ruthless verbal and emotional cruelty. Somehow, it makes the bitter individual feel better for a minute to see someone else suffer as they perceive themselves to be unfairly suffering. May 19, 2015" (from people also ask)
It is not bitterness to watch the world around us and sense a spirit of evil surrounding us, hating it and speaking against it. Sometimes people will say we are bitter because we choose our companions carefully and desire to have love, joy and kindness as our companions. This is not bitterness but Scriptural:
Proverbs 13:20-21 "20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm. 21 Adversity pursues sinners, But the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity.…"
1 Corinthians 15:33 "33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
A righteous person prays for those who have harmed and are unrepentant, but they do not have a relationship with them.
Those who say they are angry at God, are demonstrating bitterness, they wanted their own way, refuse to consult or worship Him and even blame Him for not having what they want from life.
Proverbs 16:28
"A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends."
Those who do not love God as we love Him, will cause division and contention continually. Nothing we say or do that honors God will be acceptable to them.
Amos 3:3 "Two cannot walk together if they are not in agreement."
Yes, we pray for those who do not love God, that they will one day become born again. However, constant companionship with them will not cause them to want God, only God can bring to them circumstances that make them see their need for Him.
Isaiah 26:10-11 " 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. 11 O LORD, Your hand is lifted up yet they do not see it. They see Your zeal for the people and are put to shame; Indeed, fire will devour Your enemies.…"
Proverbs 14:7
"Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge."
Psalm 26:4-5
"I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked."
Many Christians today remain spiritual babies because they do not read their Bibles, they do not obey it if they do and their constant companions are those who are in the world, even those who despise the ways of God.
It is interesting that it is human nature to lean into whomever or whatever is around us, out of fear of being alone.
2 Corinthians 6:14
"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?"
Those who love Christ prefer being alone with Christ to being surrounded by those who have no interest in Him. The truth of the matter is this; when we love Christ more than life itself we will be alone a lot. The peace of the Lord sustains us to a much greater measure than the companionship of those who are contemptuous toward us and toward God.
If we are in desperate need of human companionship, so much so that we would rather deny Christ, remain silent about His principles in order to have people around us, then we know that we worship and honor our own desires more than we do Christ. We lose our desire to be loved and adored by people when we have Christ living in us. We do desire the companionship of others who love Him, but if there are none in our community, then it is Christ we hang on to.
The more times we spend with Christ the less time we want to spend with the unsaved except to give them the gospel. It is not pleasurable to be with ungodly people, it is a mission to show them Christ.
Our pleasure as truly Bible believing Christians is to see someone come to Christ. Their accomplishments, their desires and their goals are nothing compared to their potential salvation. If losing everything brings them to the Lord, then that is the greater thing. The possessions and comfort is nothing in this life compared to the glory to come for those who have trusted Christ and walk with Him daily. Hallelujah!
Romans 8:17-18 "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.…"
Notice that this passage is quite clear about our walk with Christ! We will be persecuted, mocked, demeaned, even by those who claim to be Christians because of the proliferation of pretenders that fill our churches. Many unbelievers attend church, but they do not know the Lord, so they will work against the one who loves Christ.
Matthew 7:21-23
I Never Knew You
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
2 Corinthians 6:16-18 "…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.”…"
Pray for those who are lost to become saved, even those who are pretenders.
Thursday, November 23, 2017
The Most Celebrated False God in America
Yes, all those who celebrate Christmas and include Santa in that celebration have a false Jesus. Christ would never endorse a false god.
Exodus 34:14 "14 for you shall not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God--"
When someone yearns for there to be a Santa, so much so that they look into the skies to pretend he is coming, teaching it to their children and even signing the gifts in Santa's name, leaving out treats for him, have made him a god in their hearts.
Most Christians in our country will not spend as much time talking about Christ as they do about Santa, in fact they almost never teach about Christ but will spend hours talking about Santa and his miracles that never really happen, but everyone wishes would happen.
Matthew 5:28 "28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
If God will call it the sin of adultery to so much as wish to be with another woman, how much more He is angered when someone yearns after Santa as their hope and their joy.
Exodus 34:14 "14 for you shall not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God--"
When someone yearns for there to be a Santa, so much so that they look into the skies to pretend he is coming, teaching it to their children and even signing the gifts in Santa's name, leaving out treats for him, have made him a god in their hearts.
Most Christians in our country will not spend as much time talking about Christ as they do about Santa, in fact they almost never teach about Christ but will spend hours talking about Santa and his miracles that never really happen, but everyone wishes would happen.
Matthew 5:28 "28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
If God will call it the sin of adultery to so much as wish to be with another woman, how much more He is angered when someone yearns after Santa as their hope and their joy.
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
A Spiritual Rebellion
There is a spirit of rebellion that inhabits our culture. This spirit is a spirit of independence, not just from God but from everyone else too, except of course those who validate everything about them.
Luke 18:9-14 "18:9 Jesus also told this parable to some who were confident that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else.
10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: extortionists, unrighteous people, adulterers – or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’
13 The tax collector, however, stood far off and would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, be merciful to me, sinner that I am!’
14 I tell you that this man went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
There are Bibles in nearly every home in this country, sometimes more than one, but there remains a famine in the land, of the word of God.
Isaiah 30:1-2 "1"Woe to the rebellious children," declares the LORD, "Who execute a plan, but not Mine, And make an alliance, but not of My Spirit, In order to add sin to sin; 2 Who proceed down to Egypt Without consulting Me, To take refuge in the safety of Pharaoh And to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt! "
Egypt is a picture of the world with all it's sin, when we turn to the world for our counsel or to our own fallen minds, we end up with garbage and most often the opposite of God's meaning for us.
Most of the people who have Bibles in their homes tend to let them collect dust, never opening them, let alone actually reading to find answers.
Devils have bewitched people to think they can read the Bible using their own interpretations rather than asking the Holy Spirit for guidance.
2 Peter 1:20-21 "20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from the prophet’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever brought about through human initiative, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.…"
The root of this rebellion of independence is false religion orchestrated by the devil to cause people to believe they are very wise by being able to come up with their own answers that contradict God's Words.
Emotionalism is a part of all this rebellion. The need for people to "feel" good about themselves overrides truth. So many people walk in pride about how good they think they are. They will even say "I'm a good person", something a humble and contrite heart would never dare to say.
Those who walk in this pride can never admit any failings, even becoming enraged when someone else points one out.
2 Timothy 2:21 "21 So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work. "
The all important key to all of this is to seek God through the Holy Spirit and to read the Bible for God's truth not our own understanding.
Proverbs 3:6-8 "…6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.…"
Luke 18:9-14 "18:9 Jesus also told this parable to some who were confident that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else.
10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: extortionists, unrighteous people, adulterers – or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’
13 The tax collector, however, stood far off and would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, be merciful to me, sinner that I am!’
14 I tell you that this man went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
There are Bibles in nearly every home in this country, sometimes more than one, but there remains a famine in the land, of the word of God.
Isaiah 30:1-2 "1"Woe to the rebellious children," declares the LORD, "Who execute a plan, but not Mine, And make an alliance, but not of My Spirit, In order to add sin to sin; 2 Who proceed down to Egypt Without consulting Me, To take refuge in the safety of Pharaoh And to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt! "
Egypt is a picture of the world with all it's sin, when we turn to the world for our counsel or to our own fallen minds, we end up with garbage and most often the opposite of God's meaning for us.
Most of the people who have Bibles in their homes tend to let them collect dust, never opening them, let alone actually reading to find answers.
Devils have bewitched people to think they can read the Bible using their own interpretations rather than asking the Holy Spirit for guidance.
2 Peter 1:20-21 "20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from the prophet’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever brought about through human initiative, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.…"
The root of this rebellion of independence is false religion orchestrated by the devil to cause people to believe they are very wise by being able to come up with their own answers that contradict God's Words.
Emotionalism is a part of all this rebellion. The need for people to "feel" good about themselves overrides truth. So many people walk in pride about how good they think they are. They will even say "I'm a good person", something a humble and contrite heart would never dare to say.
Those who walk in this pride can never admit any failings, even becoming enraged when someone else points one out.
2 Timothy 2:21 "21 So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work. "
The all important key to all of this is to seek God through the Holy Spirit and to read the Bible for God's truth not our own understanding.
Proverbs 3:6-8 "…6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.…"
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