A missionary couple who were retired once told me many years ago, when I was a young new believer, that we should compromise the principles of God for the sake of unity in the church.
I was young and far less educated in the Word than I am now and yet I was still shocked. I knew that didn't make sense because God told me to obey from the beginning. How could I disobey God to please another person? It was unthinkable, even then as a baby believer.
I was once told by a believer that someone was not a liar just because they told one lie. I knew that couldn't be right because someone who was not a liar could never tell even one lie.
I've been told by Christians that we should just forgive the unrepentant, even though God does not do that and even instructs us to wait for repentance before forgiving. It is a model of how He operates with mankind. I was told I would not be forgiven by God if I did not forgive the unrepentant and that I would become bitter. But none of this made sense when I read the Bible and the following verses. God said to bless those who curse me; this is not forgiveness. Repentance and forgiveness is to reconcile a broken relationship, both are needed. When someone is not sorry, there can be no reconciliation.
Luke 17:3-4 "3 Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him."
We are to bless those who curse us so we do not become like them; this is not forgiveness. The purpose here is to ensure we protect ourselves from being influenced to act as the unrepentant person acts.
Peter 3:9-14 "9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you would inherit a blessing."
“The one who desires life, to love and see good days,
Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.
11 He must turn away from evil and do good;
He must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous,
And His ears attend to their prayer,
But the face of the Lord is against evildoers.”
13 And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you [b]are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be in dread,"
Romans 12:17-21 "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
Matthew 5:39-42 "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also; if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well; and if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles."
It has been suggested that in this passage, "give him the other cheek also" means turn and walk away. This would not be a command to let him hit you again; it is a command to turn and leave, without comment.
As the years went by, I was told many things that were unbiblical, and yet scripture was used out of context and without understanding to justify the opposite of God's meaning.
Bible study women's groups are encouraged to think about what they want to believe superficially about a passage, rather than delving into its true meaning.
There is a saying that sounds good but has been misleading: "If the plain sense makes sense, then do not seek any other sense." I disagree with this because when we read the Bible through the lens of the Western mindset, we will get many things wrong.
We must pray that the Holy Spirit show us the truth so that we do not operate from false presumptions based on our own culture. Sadly, psychology has permeated many ideas in the intellect of the modern Christian. Some of what psychology has observed is correct, but how they interpret it will be wrong, and often what to do about it will be erroneous.
If you asked a person in our day what "church" means, they are most likely going to point to a building with a paid pastor overseeing things. This is not at all what God commanded in His Word. We were never told to build temples or pay one man to be over all the other men in the group.
The mindset of the modern Christian is that the man in the elevated pulpit is the man with the knowledge, and that we could not measure up to that. The practice of elevating that man with all the pews facing forward in a worshipful stance sends the message that everyone else is to sit, listen, and believe whatever he says. He has become the mediator between those in the pews and the man on the pedastal.
I have been told by Christians that I couldn't know something from the Bible because I didn't have a degree from a seminary. This tells us it is not the Holy Spirit believers are seeking, but rather educated men from colleges with accreditations, as though these places have a special in with God that we could not have.
John 16:13-14 "13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you.…"
What has happened in the church gatherings is that man is elevated above Jesus Christ. The people trust the man to tell them the truth, but do not seek the Holy Spirit for truth.
When we seek men first, we are making the man our mediator instead of Christ.
1 Timothy 2:5 " 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,"
Who is your mediator, God or man?
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Saturday, February 14, 2026
The Highest and Most Fulfilling Role of the Woman
Women's lib has been deceived into thinking they must be just like men to be worthy of respect. Since they have lowered themselves by rejecting what and who they are, they have created a world less respectful of them than they were when they were following their God given role as keepers of the home.
There was a quote from William Ross Wallace that says, "The hand that rocks the cradle rules a nation."
Women had far more influence in the culture than they realized when they nurtured and protected children, as well as took charge of and managed the home front.
Women were the stabilizing force behind the family structure. The foundation of the emotional and spiritual power and energy in the family unit.
Those who relegated women to a position of silence in the home debilitated the family. They silenced an integral part of the functioning of the marriage and steadiness of the family.
Yes, men were given the roles of the wage earner and those who fought the wars. When they came home from those demanding and exhausting activities, they were met with the stable environment of safety provided by the woman.
In our day, women are the wage earners and the combat fighters, leaving their homes defenseless as they attempt to act like men, while abandoning the greatest calling of all, which is to shape the hearts of the young ones who will one day be the influencers of the next generation.
Satan was very clever, using the same ploy he did in the garden with Eve. He convinced her that her calling was not enough and that she was missing out on something greater for herself.
Satan has always used "self" as the motive for people to desert their most important calling to chase after something that enticed but in the long run was ruinous, not only to themselves but also for their families and for the nation as a whole.
If you wish to read God's way for the powerful and productive life of the woman, read Proverbs 31. It is the story of a woman who is greatly fulfilled, busy, and productive in her very important role.
There was a quote from William Ross Wallace that says, "The hand that rocks the cradle rules a nation."
Women had far more influence in the culture than they realized when they nurtured and protected children, as well as took charge of and managed the home front.
Women were the stabilizing force behind the family structure. The foundation of the emotional and spiritual power and energy in the family unit.
Those who relegated women to a position of silence in the home debilitated the family. They silenced an integral part of the functioning of the marriage and steadiness of the family.
Yes, men were given the roles of the wage earner and those who fought the wars. When they came home from those demanding and exhausting activities, they were met with the stable environment of safety provided by the woman.
In our day, women are the wage earners and the combat fighters, leaving their homes defenseless as they attempt to act like men, while abandoning the greatest calling of all, which is to shape the hearts of the young ones who will one day be the influencers of the next generation.
Satan was very clever, using the same ploy he did in the garden with Eve. He convinced her that her calling was not enough and that she was missing out on something greater for herself.
Satan has always used "self" as the motive for people to desert their most important calling to chase after something that enticed but in the long run was ruinous, not only to themselves but also for their families and for the nation as a whole.
If you wish to read God's way for the powerful and productive life of the woman, read Proverbs 31. It is the story of a woman who is greatly fulfilled, busy, and productive in her very important role.
Edify One Another Through the Holy Spirit
If you are in a church gathering in which the people are not edifying you and will not allow you to edify them, it is time to leave.
God said the purpose of meeting together is for us to edify one another, equipping one another in the Lord, to go from that place living more fully for the Lord than you did before.
Hebrews 3:13 "But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness."
Ephesians 4:29 "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen."
Romans 14:19 "So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification."
Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."
Hebrews 10:24-25 "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
May each one depend on the Lord Jesus Christ, not on others, and may that dependence help one another to more fully rely on our Savior.
God said the purpose of meeting together is for us to edify one another, equipping one another in the Lord, to go from that place living more fully for the Lord than you did before.
God never placed one man in charge of edifying a group. He commanded that we all edify one another with the truth allowing the Holy Spirit to be the One Who directs everything.
Hebrews 3:13 "But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness."
Ephesians 4:29 "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen."
Romans 14:19 "So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification."
Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."
Hebrews 10:24-25 "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
May each one depend on the Lord Jesus Christ, not on others, and may that dependence help one another to more fully rely on our Savior.
Changing God's Word is to Corrupt it!!!!
"Corruptio opotimi pessima" The corruption of the best is the worst. Think about this in terms of God's Word and how we use it!
Friday, February 13, 2026
Living by the Word of God
1 Corinthians 3:6 "Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, :Do not go beyond what is written.' Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other."
America has moved so far beyond Biblical standards that it lives on cliches and snippets of good-sounding platitudes while disrespecting God and those who obey the Word.
Matthew 15:8-9 "8 ‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far away from Me.
9 And in vain do they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
Isaiah 29:13 "Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men."
Isaiah 1:11-15 “What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. / When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? / Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly."
Perhaps our hearts would be humbled and transformed by the washing of our hearts through the water of the Word.
America has moved so far beyond Biblical standards that it lives on cliches and snippets of good-sounding platitudes while disrespecting God and those who obey the Word.
Matthew 15:8-9 "8 ‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far away from Me.
9 And in vain do they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
Isaiah 29:13 "Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men."
Isaiah 1:11-15 “What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. / When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? / Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly."
Perhaps our hearts would be humbled and transformed by the washing of our hearts through the water of the Word.
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Boasting is a Sin as is Provoking Someone to Become Jealous is also a Sin
Boasting is a sin, and attempting to provoke someone else to jealousy is also a sin.
James 4:16
As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
Proverbs 27:2
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
Jeremiah 9:23
Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,"
Proverbs 27:1
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
1 Corinthians 4:7
For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
Psalm 94:4
They pour out their arrogant words; all the evildoers boast.
James 3:5
So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
2 Corinthians 11:30
If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
1 Corinthians 1:31
So that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Proverbs 25:14
Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.
Jeremiah 9:23-24
Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
Galatians 6:14
But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
James 4:13-16
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
Isaiah 10:15
Shall the axe boast over him who hews with it, or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it? As if a rod should wield him who lifts it, or as if a staff should lift him who is not wood!
Jeremiah 9:24
But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.
2 Corinthians 10:17
Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Psalm 34:2
My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.
Romans 12:3
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
James 4:16
As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
Proverbs 27:2
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
Jeremiah 9:23
Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,"
Proverbs 27:1
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
1 Corinthians 4:7
For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
Psalm 94:4
They pour out their arrogant words; all the evildoers boast.
James 3:5
So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
2 Corinthians 11:30
If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
1 Corinthians 1:31
So that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Proverbs 25:14
Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.
Jeremiah 9:23-24
Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
Galatians 6:14
But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
James 4:13-16
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
Isaiah 10:15
Shall the axe boast over him who hews with it, or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it? As if a rod should wield him who lifts it, or as if a staff should lift him who is not wood!
Jeremiah 9:24
But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.
2 Corinthians 10:17
Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Psalm 34:2
My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.
Romans 12:3
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
The Pain of Being a Real Thinker
Copied & pasted. So well said:
“The pain of being a real thinker in a blind world is realising that truth feels like betrayal to those who live in lies.
You see what others ignore, and that vision becomes both your gift and your curse.
The more clearly you think, the more isolated you become.
You learn that silence is safer than wisdom because the world doesn’t listen; it reacts.
People call you strange when you refuse to follow their blindness.
You become the outcast not because you’re wrong, but because you see too much.
Every truth you speak sounds like rebellion in the ears of the comfortable.
You begin to understand that being awake in a sleeping world means living in a state of loneliness.
The pain isn’t in seeing the truth, it’s in watching others choose illusions over light.
You carry questions others fear to ask, and answers they refuse to accept.
They mock what they don’t understand and hate what challenges their comfort zone.
Your voice trembles not from fear, but from the weight of knowing too deeply.
The blind world calls your clarity arrogance, your independence defiance, your empathy weakness.
You see beauty and tragedy in the same moment and realise that wisdom is both a blessing and a burden.
Sometimes you envy those who don’t think, for ignorance has its peace.
You learn that truth-tellers are not celebrated; they are crucified before they are remembered.
In the end, the thinker’s heart breaks not from rejection, but from caring too much for a world that doesn’t see.
Every thinker dies a little each time they realise knowledge cannot fix blindness.
Yet still, you think, you question, you feel because even in pain, your soul refuses to go dark.
And that is both your suffering and your strength, the unending ache of seeing clearly in a world that chooses not to.”
“The pain of being a real thinker in a blind world is realising that truth feels like betrayal to those who live in lies.
You see what others ignore, and that vision becomes both your gift and your curse.
The more clearly you think, the more isolated you become.
You learn that silence is safer than wisdom because the world doesn’t listen; it reacts.
People call you strange when you refuse to follow their blindness.
You become the outcast not because you’re wrong, but because you see too much.
Every truth you speak sounds like rebellion in the ears of the comfortable.
You begin to understand that being awake in a sleeping world means living in a state of loneliness.
The pain isn’t in seeing the truth, it’s in watching others choose illusions over light.
You carry questions others fear to ask, and answers they refuse to accept.
They mock what they don’t understand and hate what challenges their comfort zone.
Your voice trembles not from fear, but from the weight of knowing too deeply.
The blind world calls your clarity arrogance, your independence defiance, your empathy weakness.
You see beauty and tragedy in the same moment and realise that wisdom is both a blessing and a burden.
Sometimes you envy those who don’t think, for ignorance has its peace.
You learn that truth-tellers are not celebrated; they are crucified before they are remembered.
In the end, the thinker’s heart breaks not from rejection, but from caring too much for a world that doesn’t see.
Every thinker dies a little each time they realise knowledge cannot fix blindness.
Yet still, you think, you question, you feel because even in pain, your soul refuses to go dark.
And that is both your suffering and your strength, the unending ache of seeing clearly in a world that chooses not to.”
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