Sadly there are those who think they are born again, have never trusted Christ, wanting only to be protected by Him, but not wanting Him to interfere in their lives. They didn't want to seek His counsel, they didn't want to follow His principles, but they wanted His protection.
They wanted His stuff but they didn't want Him.
Matthew 7:21-23 "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.’"
Micah 3:4 "Then they will cry out to the LORD, But He will not answer them. Instead, He will hide His face from them at that time Because they have practiced evil deeds."
Proverbs 1:28 "Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:"
Psalm 66:18 "If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear;"
James 4:3 "You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures."
Proverbs 1:22-25 "“How long, O [a]naive ones, will you love [b]being simple-minded? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing And fools hate knowledge?
23 “Turn to my reproof, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.
24 “Because I called and you refused, I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention;
25 And you neglected all my counsel
And did not want my reproof"
For those who think that they can ignore God, spurn His instructions, defy His principles while persecuting His people, through flagrant disregard for their counsel, do not think that you will get away with it forever. There is a judgement coming, all your excuses, lies and ignorance will not save you from the wrath of God.
Christ came because He wants to save you from sin, from yourself and from hell. He is giving you every chance through His Word, the Bible. He has sent prophets and other believers for two thousand years until now, to bring this message. He died to this end, in payment for your sin, so that you could be rescued from all this mess, losing nothing but the evil and gaining all the peace and joy God has to offer.
Our circumstances do not necessarily change because we trust Christ, but how we view them takes an immense turn, they no longer control us. May you find the blessed peace that come through turning to Christ, no longer depending on your own devices but to completely trust in Christ.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Your Goodness Will Not Save You
When we consider that Christ had to shed His blood for us, how could we ever think that human effort to not sin would have any value? It is silly to think that we could keep our salvation by avoiding sin in our human effort when it took the shed blood of the Perfect Lamb to atone for it.
The only payment for sin is the shed blood of the Perfect Lamb, we could never atone for our own sin by working to keep from sinning, we can't even shed our own blood for our sin, because we are sinful through and through.
Hebrews 9:22 "And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
1 John 1:7″… the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth
us from all sin.”
4. Revelation 1:5 “… Unto him that loved us, and washed us
from our sins in his own blood.”
5. Exodus 12:13 “… and when I see the blood, I will pass over
you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you,
when I smite the land of Egypt.”
6. Revelation 12:11 “And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood
of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony …”
7. Hebrews 9:14 “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who
through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God,
purge your conscience …”
8. Hebrews 10:19, 22 “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter
into the holiest by the blood of Jesus … Let us draw near with a true
heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an
evil conscience …”
9. Exodus 29:37 “Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for
the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy…”
10. Hebrews 13:12 “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify
the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.”
God never said during the passover..."when I see how good you have been I will pass over you." NO! He said "when I see the blood I will pass over you."
The Old Testament account of the Passover lamb being killed, his blood being spread on the door posts, was an example of Christ to come and what He would do. His blood covered our sins when we trusted Him by faith. It was prophesy showing what God would do in the future. When Christ came, He fulfilled that prophesy, so that there was no longer any need to have the example, because the real Christ had finished that work.
When the Jews slaughtered the unblemished lamb and smeared the blood of that lamb on the door posts, the Holy Spirit would not bring death to that house.
When a person trusts Christ's shed blood on the cross for their sin, God looks at them and passes over us for judgement. We are no longer under the law of judgment for sin.
Then the Lord moves in, to be our helper, our counselor, our guide and our disciplinarian. All to grow us in holiness after being bought by His precious blood.
Later when the real Lamb of God was slaughtered on that cruel cross, He said that His blood was sufficient to cover the sin of all those who would place their trust in what Christ, nothing more is needed, not self effort of any kind will keep what we never earned in the first place.
John 15:26 "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:"
John 14:26 "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
John 14:16-18 ""I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."
Notice in verses 16-18 of these passages that God said "that He may be with you forever", in reference to the Holy Spirit. I believe God when He said that He would be with us forever.
Romans 8:16 "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,"
"that we ARE of God." are words that speak very loudly to me. When we have trusted Christ we are signed, sealed and delivered.
Romans 8:26 "In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;"
We can't even pray effectively, we need help with even that. When we know Christ is our righteousness, that we have none of our own, then we have no reason to think that anything we do would be of any value apart from Christ. There will be no boasting in heaven or on earth for those who have been born again.
Ephesians 2:1-10 "2 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,
2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."
So you see, we have no part in our salvation except to believe, placing our trust completely in Christ, all that He did and all that He will do in the future. If you are still trusting in your own ability to be good enough, then you are not born again.
The only payment for sin is the shed blood of the Perfect Lamb, we could never atone for our own sin by working to keep from sinning, we can't even shed our own blood for our sin, because we are sinful through and through.
Hebrews 9:22 "And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
1 John 1:7″… the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth
us from all sin.”
4. Revelation 1:5 “… Unto him that loved us, and washed us
from our sins in his own blood.”
5. Exodus 12:13 “… and when I see the blood, I will pass over
you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you,
when I smite the land of Egypt.”
6. Revelation 12:11 “And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood
of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony …”
7. Hebrews 9:14 “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who
through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God,
purge your conscience …”
8. Hebrews 10:19, 22 “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter
into the holiest by the blood of Jesus … Let us draw near with a true
heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an
evil conscience …”
9. Exodus 29:37 “Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for
the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy…”
10. Hebrews 13:12 “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify
the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.”
God never said during the passover..."when I see how good you have been I will pass over you." NO! He said "when I see the blood I will pass over you."
The Old Testament account of the Passover lamb being killed, his blood being spread on the door posts, was an example of Christ to come and what He would do. His blood covered our sins when we trusted Him by faith. It was prophesy showing what God would do in the future. When Christ came, He fulfilled that prophesy, so that there was no longer any need to have the example, because the real Christ had finished that work.
When the Jews slaughtered the unblemished lamb and smeared the blood of that lamb on the door posts, the Holy Spirit would not bring death to that house.
When a person trusts Christ's shed blood on the cross for their sin, God looks at them and passes over us for judgement. We are no longer under the law of judgment for sin.
Then the Lord moves in, to be our helper, our counselor, our guide and our disciplinarian. All to grow us in holiness after being bought by His precious blood.
Later when the real Lamb of God was slaughtered on that cruel cross, He said that His blood was sufficient to cover the sin of all those who would place their trust in what Christ, nothing more is needed, not self effort of any kind will keep what we never earned in the first place.
John 15:26 "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:"
John 14:26 "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
John 14:16-18 ""I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."
Notice in verses 16-18 of these passages that God said "that He may be with you forever", in reference to the Holy Spirit. I believe God when He said that He would be with us forever.
Romans 8:16 "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,"
"that we ARE of God." are words that speak very loudly to me. When we have trusted Christ we are signed, sealed and delivered.
Romans 8:26 "In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;"
We can't even pray effectively, we need help with even that. When we know Christ is our righteousness, that we have none of our own, then we have no reason to think that anything we do would be of any value apart from Christ. There will be no boasting in heaven or on earth for those who have been born again.
Ephesians 2:1-10 "2 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,
2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."
So you see, we have no part in our salvation except to believe, placing our trust completely in Christ, all that He did and all that He will do in the future. If you are still trusting in your own ability to be good enough, then you are not born again.
The Godly Man is Mocked in the Churches
The way the unregenerate man looks at God's people and God's preachers! And you think we will escape the judgement of God?
Hosea 9:7-9
7 The days of punishment have come, The days of retribution have come;
Let Israel know this! The prophet is a fool, The inspired man is demented,
Because of the grossness of your iniquity, And because your hostility is so great.
8 Ephraim was a watchman with my God, a prophet; Yet the snare of a bird catcher is in all his ways, And there is only hostility in the house of his God.
9 They have gone deep in depravity As in the days of Gibeah; He will remember their iniquity, He will punish their sins."
Hosea 9:7-9
7 The days of punishment have come, The days of retribution have come;
Let Israel know this! The prophet is a fool, The inspired man is demented,
Because of the grossness of your iniquity, And because your hostility is so great.
8 Ephraim was a watchman with my God, a prophet; Yet the snare of a bird catcher is in all his ways, And there is only hostility in the house of his God.
9 They have gone deep in depravity As in the days of Gibeah; He will remember their iniquity, He will punish their sins."
Rejection has no Power Over the Believer
I have been researching the matter of rejection and what it causes in people who have been left out of things or ignored. It can cause very serious emotional lifelong damage, however, in Christ we have the ability to overcome it with prayer and Bible reading. God has so much encouragement for those who follow hard after Christ and are rejected for it.
If I had not known the verses in the Bible about the rejection of those who bring the truth of Christ to the unsaved, I might be tempted to think that I was a nut case, unworthy of anyone's love.
What I discovered in my study is that, without Christ, those who are treated with disdain in family situations, can become mentally unstable with life long malities that seem impossible to get rid of.
All the information I read, from secular psychologists and even Christian psychologists made claims that if we "do" certain things we will be able to pull ourselves up by our boot straps and carry on a normal life, choosing for ourselves those who might love us.
I felt sad that these "do" things were also seemingly impossible, since we are not able to control the responses of others, we can "do" whatever, but if the response that comes back is more rejection, then we have accomplished nothing except further sadness and depression. Since it is human nature to choose to be friendly to those that look good on the outside, are in style with their clothing, engage in all the party trappings and never challenge anyone, we can expect that manipulative ploys don't work unless we meet all the other criteria for being accepted.
God commanded us in His Word to obey HIS commandments, which include walking away from those who do not want our message.
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
We are capable of obeying God no matter what the circumstances, but through Him and not of our own devices.
The focus of the psychologists, was building your own self esteem rather than developing a closer walk with Christ.
Philippians 2:3 "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;"
Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
When we seek to be acceptable to others by our manipulative ploys, we are setting ourselves up for failure. People do not respond the way we want them to and they are, at times, able to see through our disguise, not to mention the dishonesty of people and perception management through manipulation.
When the acceptance of people becomes our goal, then we have lost the battle. The goal of the believer should be to please God, grow in holiness and leave the decision of our companions to Him. There is much to say in the scriptures about those we choose to spend time with.
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
Those who have lived a life of rejection know that no matter what they it do, does not necessarily bring positive results. When we are dealing with a fallen world, a Christianity that looks more like a club full of beautiful people who are concerned more about fitting in than they do about Christ, we are left with a social organization that promotes popularity rather than holiness, no amount of manipulation will cause these people to live as they should, they must hear the truth of God's Word, that will reveal what is in their hearts.
Those who seek to manipulate their victims to be accepted by them, don't realize they are being dishonest. When we "play act" to win others, we are effectively lying to them. We are leading them to believe we love them, when in reality, we love ourselves and desire to be elevated in their eyes.
Love is not necessarily making others "feel good", that can happen when we show God's love, but there are times when love is discipline or correction. Correction and discipline are the most neglected and even denied forms of love on the planet today.
Verses about disobedience and discipline:
Acts 17:11-13, Deuteronomy 21:18-21, 1 Samuel 15:23, 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, Proverbs 23:13-14, Colossians 3, 1 John 3:4-5.
Remember when you are rejected because you wanted to obey God, you are not only, not alone, in terms of others who have been, but you have Christ living in you that has not rejected you, but accepted you fully because you trusted in His shed blood on the cross.
If I had not known the verses in the Bible about the rejection of those who bring the truth of Christ to the unsaved, I might be tempted to think that I was a nut case, unworthy of anyone's love.
What I discovered in my study is that, without Christ, those who are treated with disdain in family situations, can become mentally unstable with life long malities that seem impossible to get rid of.
All the information I read, from secular psychologists and even Christian psychologists made claims that if we "do" certain things we will be able to pull ourselves up by our boot straps and carry on a normal life, choosing for ourselves those who might love us.
I felt sad that these "do" things were also seemingly impossible, since we are not able to control the responses of others, we can "do" whatever, but if the response that comes back is more rejection, then we have accomplished nothing except further sadness and depression. Since it is human nature to choose to be friendly to those that look good on the outside, are in style with their clothing, engage in all the party trappings and never challenge anyone, we can expect that manipulative ploys don't work unless we meet all the other criteria for being accepted.
God commanded us in His Word to obey HIS commandments, which include walking away from those who do not want our message.
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
We are capable of obeying God no matter what the circumstances, but through Him and not of our own devices.
The focus of the psychologists, was building your own self esteem rather than developing a closer walk with Christ.
Philippians 2:3 "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;"
Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
When we seek to be acceptable to others by our manipulative ploys, we are setting ourselves up for failure. People do not respond the way we want them to and they are, at times, able to see through our disguise, not to mention the dishonesty of people and perception management through manipulation.
When the acceptance of people becomes our goal, then we have lost the battle. The goal of the believer should be to please God, grow in holiness and leave the decision of our companions to Him. There is much to say in the scriptures about those we choose to spend time with.
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
Those who have lived a life of rejection know that no matter what they it do, does not necessarily bring positive results. When we are dealing with a fallen world, a Christianity that looks more like a club full of beautiful people who are concerned more about fitting in than they do about Christ, we are left with a social organization that promotes popularity rather than holiness, no amount of manipulation will cause these people to live as they should, they must hear the truth of God's Word, that will reveal what is in their hearts.
Those who seek to manipulate their victims to be accepted by them, don't realize they are being dishonest. When we "play act" to win others, we are effectively lying to them. We are leading them to believe we love them, when in reality, we love ourselves and desire to be elevated in their eyes.
Love is not necessarily making others "feel good", that can happen when we show God's love, but there are times when love is discipline or correction. Correction and discipline are the most neglected and even denied forms of love on the planet today.
Verses about disobedience and discipline:
Acts 17:11-13, Deuteronomy 21:18-21, 1 Samuel 15:23, 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, Proverbs 23:13-14, Colossians 3, 1 John 3:4-5.
Remember when you are rejected because you wanted to obey God, you are not only, not alone, in terms of others who have been, but you have Christ living in you that has not rejected you, but accepted you fully because you trusted in His shed blood on the cross.
Monday, December 29, 2014
From Such Turn Away
In case you were wondering where we are in the prophetic time line, these verses will clear things up:
2 Timothy 3:1-5
"3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."
I am noticing the last verse, that many people violate because of family and a desire to be accepted by those close to them. "from such turn away."
2 Timothy 3:1-5
"3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."
I am noticing the last verse, that many people violate because of family and a desire to be accepted by those close to them. "from such turn away."
And Ye Shall Be Hated By All Men
How many times have you wept over the choices and lifestyles of family members, trying to reason with them, bringing the Word of God to show them the way of salvation, confronting their sin only to be deeply rejected? Not only are we rejected by those we try to help, but they share their anger with others and those people take on the same attitudes of the one who remains in their sin, while no one speaks to you about the interchange that brought about the hatred.
While all the other family members are enjoying one another, no matter what the sin in their lives, they keep you at arms length because you wanted to bring a greater understanding about the purpose and meaning of life, that being Christ Jesus.
Gossip abounds, nearly all is based on half truths and lies. There seems to be no solution to the mess.
I suspect from my visits on facebook with those who love the Lord with all their heart, that many are encountering this rejection and gossip.
Let me encourage you, Christ said it would be this way. Our culture has been raised on "self esteem" any correction or instruction is considered mean and rude by those who desire to be elevated in the eyes of others more than they care about what God thinks.
We are living in a culture that is narcissistic, completely full of self. Most young people today have been taught how wonderful they are, how much they can accomplish and that if they believe in something, no matter what it is, then they are doing well. This thinking makes it impossible for them to see the evil that is within them, we know that until they are broken over sin they will not become born again. Satan has managed to remove any sense of shame in this generation, so much so, that they refuse the message of repentance that leads to salvation.
Much of the hatred is based on superficial non-sense and perceived wrongs rather than anything of substance. The devil has twisted the minds of many to see things in a perverted fashion, while working to keep us from having meaningful and productive discussion to clarify misunderstandings.
There can be no reconciliation with those who have rejected Christ and His principles.
1 John 1:6 "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:"
Ephesians 5:11 "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."
Those who don't love the Lord want to hang onto their prejudices against believers who are following hard after the Lord. They shrink from anything that may dispel their desired attitudes toward the believer. Refusing to listen to reason, refusing to find out the truth, they continue in their sin, making their companions those who will accept anything to remain friends.
Mark 13:13 "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
Luke 21:17 "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake."
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.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator."
Much of the rejection comes in the form of favoritism toward those that accept sin while ignoring those who desire holiness.
Praise the Lord, you will be mocked, ignored, hated and rejected continually, knowing that they did the same things to Christ. Praise the Lord too, that we have one another, though many of us have hundreds of miles between us we are still one in Christ and family.
1 John 3:14 "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death."
Romans 12:10 "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;"
When we meet someone who loves to talk about the Lord, is transparent in their speech and who walks the walk as much as they talk the talk, then we can be sure we have met a brother or sister.
There are thousands of us out there, when we begin to feel alone, remember that fact.
We are never alone when we have Christ, and there are others around the world who are in the family of God, waiting for that day that we will be reunited with Christ and each other. His Spirit lives in us, one day we will see Him and each other face to face.
Revelation 22:1-7 "
1 Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb,
2 in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3 There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him;
4 they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.
5 And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.
6 And he said to me, “These words are faithful and true”; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must soon take place.
7 “And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who [e]heeds the words of the prophecy of this book."
1 Corinthians 13:12 "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."
Hallelujah, it is almost over now, one day everything will be fulfilled and we will be with our Lord.
While all the other family members are enjoying one another, no matter what the sin in their lives, they keep you at arms length because you wanted to bring a greater understanding about the purpose and meaning of life, that being Christ Jesus.
Gossip abounds, nearly all is based on half truths and lies. There seems to be no solution to the mess.
I suspect from my visits on facebook with those who love the Lord with all their heart, that many are encountering this rejection and gossip.
Let me encourage you, Christ said it would be this way. Our culture has been raised on "self esteem" any correction or instruction is considered mean and rude by those who desire to be elevated in the eyes of others more than they care about what God thinks.
We are living in a culture that is narcissistic, completely full of self. Most young people today have been taught how wonderful they are, how much they can accomplish and that if they believe in something, no matter what it is, then they are doing well. This thinking makes it impossible for them to see the evil that is within them, we know that until they are broken over sin they will not become born again. Satan has managed to remove any sense of shame in this generation, so much so, that they refuse the message of repentance that leads to salvation.
Much of the hatred is based on superficial non-sense and perceived wrongs rather than anything of substance. The devil has twisted the minds of many to see things in a perverted fashion, while working to keep us from having meaningful and productive discussion to clarify misunderstandings.
There can be no reconciliation with those who have rejected Christ and His principles.
1 John 1:6 "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:"
Ephesians 5:11 "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."
Those who don't love the Lord want to hang onto their prejudices against believers who are following hard after the Lord. They shrink from anything that may dispel their desired attitudes toward the believer. Refusing to listen to reason, refusing to find out the truth, they continue in their sin, making their companions those who will accept anything to remain friends.
Mark 13:13 "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
Luke 21:17 "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake."
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.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator."
Much of the rejection comes in the form of favoritism toward those that accept sin while ignoring those who desire holiness.
Praise the Lord, you will be mocked, ignored, hated and rejected continually, knowing that they did the same things to Christ. Praise the Lord too, that we have one another, though many of us have hundreds of miles between us we are still one in Christ and family.
1 John 3:14 "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death."
Romans 12:10 "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;"
When we meet someone who loves to talk about the Lord, is transparent in their speech and who walks the walk as much as they talk the talk, then we can be sure we have met a brother or sister.
There are thousands of us out there, when we begin to feel alone, remember that fact.
We are never alone when we have Christ, and there are others around the world who are in the family of God, waiting for that day that we will be reunited with Christ and each other. His Spirit lives in us, one day we will see Him and each other face to face.
Revelation 22:1-7 "
1 Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb,
2 in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3 There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him;
4 they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.
5 And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.
6 And he said to me, “These words are faithful and true”; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must soon take place.
7 “And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who [e]heeds the words of the prophecy of this book."
1 Corinthians 13:12 "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."
Hallelujah, it is almost over now, one day everything will be fulfilled and we will be with our Lord.
Sunday, December 28, 2014
God Said Not To Worry
When we find that nearly all our conversations with believers and even non-believers has to do with perfect food, perfect health and a buff body, we are witnessing the paranoia that satan has placed in the heart of the unregenerate. Even believers have bought into this deception.
Natural this and natural that, climate, environment, obsession over organic food, organic this and that, is nothing more than a distraction.
Of course we don't need to be ingesting poison, but the little amounts we get from the food is not harmful. We are being manipulated to be paranoid about the food that God provides.
If we live in a constant state of fear over our food, the devil can keep us busy choosing the right kind, rinsing them the right way, and many other things that distract us from the important things.
We are told by God not to worry about what we will eat, what we will say and where we will go, He has all of that taken care of.
When we obsess over our food, surroundings and health, we are lacking faith that God can take care of all of that.
I have more important things to be doing than studying constantly about the right kind of foods to eat and meds to take or the exercise. He has given me what I need when I need it.
I am convinced that the obsession with exercise is not godly or necessary. I have known many people who have never "exercised" a day in their life, nor have they physically worked hard. Their work was not physically stressful, but they lived to be a ripe old age.
Normal body activity is good for anyone, but exercise for the sake of the perfect body, is obsession. Perhaps if we were to be honest we would be able to admit we exercise to "look good" to others, while bragging about what we do, much more than any real concern about our health.
The obsession with food, exercise and natural medicines has been so overblown that it is almost nauseating. When I am in a group of believers regularly and every conversation is laced with, if not entirely dominated by "healthy" this or that, I become bored feeling like I need to get away and put my mind on something that really matters.
Many women especially, are so caught up in this "natural" craze that it is impossible to hold an intelligent conversation about the things of the Lord. They seem to have little interest in Scripture, prayer or anything else that has to do with our Christian walk, but have much to say about food and exercise.
It is not my goal to offend those who are into this natural thinking, however I do want to warn believers that many things we think are so important, have been overblown to the point of insanity.
Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?"
God said this and I believe Him!
Natural this and natural that, climate, environment, obsession over organic food, organic this and that, is nothing more than a distraction.
Of course we don't need to be ingesting poison, but the little amounts we get from the food is not harmful. We are being manipulated to be paranoid about the food that God provides.
If we live in a constant state of fear over our food, the devil can keep us busy choosing the right kind, rinsing them the right way, and many other things that distract us from the important things.
We are told by God not to worry about what we will eat, what we will say and where we will go, He has all of that taken care of.
When we obsess over our food, surroundings and health, we are lacking faith that God can take care of all of that.
I have more important things to be doing than studying constantly about the right kind of foods to eat and meds to take or the exercise. He has given me what I need when I need it.
I am convinced that the obsession with exercise is not godly or necessary. I have known many people who have never "exercised" a day in their life, nor have they physically worked hard. Their work was not physically stressful, but they lived to be a ripe old age.
Normal body activity is good for anyone, but exercise for the sake of the perfect body, is obsession. Perhaps if we were to be honest we would be able to admit we exercise to "look good" to others, while bragging about what we do, much more than any real concern about our health.
The obsession with food, exercise and natural medicines has been so overblown that it is almost nauseating. When I am in a group of believers regularly and every conversation is laced with, if not entirely dominated by "healthy" this or that, I become bored feeling like I need to get away and put my mind on something that really matters.
Many women especially, are so caught up in this "natural" craze that it is impossible to hold an intelligent conversation about the things of the Lord. They seem to have little interest in Scripture, prayer or anything else that has to do with our Christian walk, but have much to say about food and exercise.
It is not my goal to offend those who are into this natural thinking, however I do want to warn believers that many things we think are so important, have been overblown to the point of insanity.
Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?"
God said this and I believe Him!
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Do You Work and Lack Peace?
Exodus 12:21-28
21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go and take for yourselves lambs according to your families, and slay the Passover lamb. 22 You shall take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood which is in the basin, and apply some of the blood that is in the basin to the lintel and the two doorposts; and none of you shall go outside the door of his house until morning.
23 For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to smite you.
24 And you shall observe this event as an ordinance for you and your children forever.
25 When you enter the land which the Lord will give you, as He has [d]promised, you shall observe this rite.
26 And when your children say to you, ‘What does this rite mean to you?’
27 you shall say, ‘It is a Passover sacrifice to the Lord who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians, but spared our homes.’” And the people bowed low and worshiped.
28 Then the sons of Israel went and did so; just as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.
Christ was our passover Lamb, the blood of bulls and goats could not take away the sin of the world, but Christ did.
It was the sacrifice of spilt blood, that covered the sin of the Jews in the OT picture of salvation. But not the blood of the animals, that was merely a picture of their faith in what they knew would be coming in the future. The sacrifice of Christ on that cross.
No where in these accounts the picture or the fulfillment do we see the works of man entering into the covering of sin. It was the shed blood alone.
Hebrews 9:12-14
"and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"
No where did God say to the Jews that they had to do something other than spread the blood on the door posts for a sign that they trusted the sacrifice of the Savior to come in the future, Christ Jesus. They didn't know His name or who He was, but they knew He was promised and what He would do.
Isaiah 53
53 Who has believed our message?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him,
Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.
3 He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
4 Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried;
Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.
6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.
7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth;
Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment He was taken away; And as for His generation, who considered That He was cut off out of the land of the living
For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due?
9 His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth.
10 But the Lord was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days,
And the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand.
11 As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied;
By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many,
As He will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many,
And interceded for the transgressors."
How could anyone add to what our Savior did for us? No one can affect their own salvation in any form, no number of good works would atone for our own sin. Only the shed blood of a perfect Lamb could do that. We cannot shed our own blood for the atoning of our sin, and nothing less than the shed blood of a perfect Lamb would do.
We do not work our way to heaven, nor do we keep our salvation by our works.
The only way we could work for or keep our salvation is to die and shed our blood, but it would have to be a perfect person and no one is that, since we know blood of the Perfect Lamb had to be shed for us.
Shall we rest in the arms of the Savior, knowing He did it all!!!!!!
21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go and take for yourselves lambs according to your families, and slay the Passover lamb. 22 You shall take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood which is in the basin, and apply some of the blood that is in the basin to the lintel and the two doorposts; and none of you shall go outside the door of his house until morning.
23 For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to smite you.
24 And you shall observe this event as an ordinance for you and your children forever.
25 When you enter the land which the Lord will give you, as He has [d]promised, you shall observe this rite.
26 And when your children say to you, ‘What does this rite mean to you?’
27 you shall say, ‘It is a Passover sacrifice to the Lord who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians, but spared our homes.’” And the people bowed low and worshiped.
28 Then the sons of Israel went and did so; just as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.
Christ was our passover Lamb, the blood of bulls and goats could not take away the sin of the world, but Christ did.
It was the sacrifice of spilt blood, that covered the sin of the Jews in the OT picture of salvation. But not the blood of the animals, that was merely a picture of their faith in what they knew would be coming in the future. The sacrifice of Christ on that cross.
No where in these accounts the picture or the fulfillment do we see the works of man entering into the covering of sin. It was the shed blood alone.
Hebrews 9:12-14
"and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"
No where did God say to the Jews that they had to do something other than spread the blood on the door posts for a sign that they trusted the sacrifice of the Savior to come in the future, Christ Jesus. They didn't know His name or who He was, but they knew He was promised and what He would do.
Isaiah 53
53 Who has believed our message?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him,
Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.
3 He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
4 Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried;
Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.
6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.
7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth;
Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment He was taken away; And as for His generation, who considered That He was cut off out of the land of the living
For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due?
9 His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth.
10 But the Lord was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days,
And the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand.
11 As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied;
By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many,
As He will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many,
And interceded for the transgressors."
How could anyone add to what our Savior did for us? No one can affect their own salvation in any form, no number of good works would atone for our own sin. Only the shed blood of a perfect Lamb could do that. We cannot shed our own blood for the atoning of our sin, and nothing less than the shed blood of a perfect Lamb would do.
We do not work our way to heaven, nor do we keep our salvation by our works.
The only way we could work for or keep our salvation is to die and shed our blood, but it would have to be a perfect person and no one is that, since we know blood of the Perfect Lamb had to be shed for us.
Shall we rest in the arms of the Savior, knowing He did it all!!!!!!
Leave Room for the Lord to Reach Them
Far too many believers are withholding important teachings and information from baby believer out of fear that they will run away from God. We don't have to worry about that. If someone is born again and seeking the Lord, they will want to hear wisdom from God's Word.
If they resist in the beginning because they lack understanding, then eventually God will speak to them.
I have read many books in my lifetime. Some of them I thought were wonderful, after reading them, I put them away in my library and didn't see them again some 20 and 30 years later, only to realize that I no longer agreed with what was in them, because I had grown in the Lord.
God works with us over the years, sometimes we reject what a sage believer has to say initially, but as we grow, we look back and realize they were right and we now agree with them.
Don't think that someone is hopeless because they do not see something in their babyhood, the Lord may bring it back to them later, then they will see.
If they resist in the beginning because they lack understanding, then eventually God will speak to them.
I have read many books in my lifetime. Some of them I thought were wonderful, after reading them, I put them away in my library and didn't see them again some 20 and 30 years later, only to realize that I no longer agreed with what was in them, because I had grown in the Lord.
God works with us over the years, sometimes we reject what a sage believer has to say initially, but as we grow, we look back and realize they were right and we now agree with them.
Don't think that someone is hopeless because they do not see something in their babyhood, the Lord may bring it back to them later, then they will see.
Thursday, December 25, 2014
How Do We Honor Him?
Colossians 2:16
"Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day--"
Do we really understand this verse? Is it possible we are using this verse incorrectly?
Perhaps if we take this verse to it's logical extreme through our human understanding we might see the problem with our understanding of it.
Let's ask the questions, "would we judge a Christian brother who wants to celebrate a black mass in the church of satan?"
Something to pray about, how much error can we allow in a brother or sister before we feel a need to warn them, that they are in to something that blasphemes God, no matter how much they tack the name of "Jesus" or "Christ" onto the end of the sentence to make the celebration acceptable.
We must understand that God cares "HOW" we honor Him.
"Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day--"
Do we really understand this verse? Is it possible we are using this verse incorrectly?
Perhaps if we take this verse to it's logical extreme through our human understanding we might see the problem with our understanding of it.
Let's ask the questions, "would we judge a Christian brother who wants to celebrate a black mass in the church of satan?"
Something to pray about, how much error can we allow in a brother or sister before we feel a need to warn them, that they are in to something that blasphemes God, no matter how much they tack the name of "Jesus" or "Christ" onto the end of the sentence to make the celebration acceptable.
We must understand that God cares "HOW" we honor Him.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Repentance a Change of Mind
Repentance is not turning around and going the other way as some have taught. It is however "changing our mind", desiring for God to change us.
When we know that it must be Christ Who changes us, then we will more fully trust Him with our character and cleansing.
Those who are attempting to change themselves and cleanse themselves will fight a losing battle and end up in serious pride.
When Christ changes us, then we have no reason to boast, it is how He worked in us. I can honestly say I have always failed when I have tried to discipline myself to be good. But when I chose prayer as my discipline, trusting Christ, then I would be changed never to return to the old.
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
Ephesians 2:10 "10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
Our job is to confess our sinfulness, ask for God to change us and to submit when He works. If we do not confess and we do not ask, then we have no reason to expect God to work in us and we have every reason to believe we have never been born again.
1 John 1:9 "10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
Do you want a good relationship with a brother or sister, then we must be transparent, confessing and desiring to repair what is broken, by God's power, with Christ and with man.
James 5:16 "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Psalm 25:4-5 "Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long."
James 1:22 "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."
Notice in these verses, God is the One working in us! When we become born again, He saves and keeps us. He also works in us, through difficulties to clean out the impurities that are left in our fleshly nature. The more we submit as He speaks the more He will speak and the greater our growth.
If we refuse to listen to Him, He will stop speaking and we will not only stop growing but will regress in our walk.
1 Thessalonians 5:13-21 "14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. 16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise prophetic utterances. 21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil"
Ephesians 4:30 "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
God will not hear the prayers of those with a wrong heart.
James 4:3 "You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures."
When we know that it must be Christ Who changes us, then we will more fully trust Him with our character and cleansing.
Those who are attempting to change themselves and cleanse themselves will fight a losing battle and end up in serious pride.
When Christ changes us, then we have no reason to boast, it is how He worked in us. I can honestly say I have always failed when I have tried to discipline myself to be good. But when I chose prayer as my discipline, trusting Christ, then I would be changed never to return to the old.
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
Ephesians 2:10 "10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
Our job is to confess our sinfulness, ask for God to change us and to submit when He works. If we do not confess and we do not ask, then we have no reason to expect God to work in us and we have every reason to believe we have never been born again.
1 John 1:9 "10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
Do you want a good relationship with a brother or sister, then we must be transparent, confessing and desiring to repair what is broken, by God's power, with Christ and with man.
James 5:16 "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Psalm 25:4-5 "Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long."
James 1:22 "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."
Notice in these verses, God is the One working in us! When we become born again, He saves and keeps us. He also works in us, through difficulties to clean out the impurities that are left in our fleshly nature. The more we submit as He speaks the more He will speak and the greater our growth.
If we refuse to listen to Him, He will stop speaking and we will not only stop growing but will regress in our walk.
1 Thessalonians 5:13-21 "14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. 16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise prophetic utterances. 21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil"
Ephesians 4:30 "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
God will not hear the prayers of those with a wrong heart.
James 4:3 "You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures."
Do Not Go Down To Egypt For Your Help
Egypt has always been a symbol of rebellion and sin, in the Biblical accounts.
Isaiah 30:1-5
"“Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the Lord,
“Who execute a plan, but not Mine,
And [a]make an alliance, but not of My Spirit,
In order to add sin to sin;
2 Who proceed down to Egypt
Without consulting [b]Me,
To take refuge in the safety of Pharaoh
And to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt!
3 “Therefore the safety of Pharaoh will be your shame
And the shelter in the shadow of Egypt, your humiliation.
4 “For their princes are at Zoan
And their ambassadors arrive at Hanes.
5 “Everyone will be ashamed because of a people who cannot profit them,
Who are not for help or profit, but for shame and also for reproach."
We sought the advice of seculars in the raising of our children. We went down to Egypt for our counsel. They taught us to build up their pride through self esteem, exactly opposite of what our Lord taught. Sadly, nearly all the churches in the land, have adopted this philosophy that has devastated our families. We have never been as broken and impotent as we are right now, and getting worse all the time, while thinking we are doing fine.
Divorce and remarriage has been accepted as completely normal in spite of what God says about it. There are many who think as long as they are against abortion and other evils, they are alright with God, at the same time they are defying Him in many other ways, AND THEY DON'T SEE IT.
God wrote things to Israel in their rebellion, that apply to us today. The specific prophesy to them may not apply to us, but the principle of defying God brings about His chastisement for any nation that rebels against His principles, do apply to us..
Hosea 4:1-14
"Listen to the word of the Lord, O sons of Israel,
For the Lord has a case against the inhabitants of the land,
Because there is no faithfulness or kindness
Or knowledge of God in the land.
2 There is swearing, deception, murder, stealing and adultery.
They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed.
3 Therefore the land mourns,
And everyone who lives in it languishes
Along with the beasts of the field and the birds of the sky,
And also the fish of the sea disappear.
4 Yet let no one find fault, and let none offer reproof;
For your people are like those who contend with the priest.
5 So you will stumble by day,
And the prophet also will stumble with you by night;
And I will destroy your mother.
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also will reject you from being My priest.
Since you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children.
7 The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me;
I will change their glory into shame.
8 They feed on the sin of My people
And direct their desire toward their iniquity.
9 And it will be, like people, like priest;
So I will punish them for their ways
And repay them for their deeds.
10 They will eat, but not have enough;
They will play the harlot, but not increase,
Because they have stopped giving heed to the Lord.
11 Harlotry, wine and new wine take away the understanding.
12 My people consult their wooden idol, and their diviner’s wand informs them;
For a spirit of harlotry has led them astray,
And they have played the harlot, departing from their God.
13 They offer sacrifices on the tops of the mountains
And burn incense on the hills,
Under oak, poplar and terebinth,
Because their shade is pleasant.
Therefore your daughters play the harlot
And your brides commit adultery.
14 I will not punish your daughters when they play the harlot
Or your brides when they commit adultery,
For the men themselves go apart with harlots
And offer sacrifices with temple prostitutes;
So the people without understanding are ruined"
God promised that one day Israel would repent and return to God. We see this happening right now, individual Jews within Israel are finding Christ. Israel will lose two thirds of her people in the tribulation, the one third remaining will become born again. Israel is the only nation of the world that will trust Christ, the entire nation. All other nations will remain pagan, with individuals within them that become born again. From reading the rest of the book of Hosea we see this.
As for us, now in the nation of America, we remain as a rebellious nation, seeking God in our own way, making Him anything we want Him to be. The use of the word "prayer" has been perverted to merely be whatever anyone wants it to be, it has no power because those who use it, do not know the God of the Bible, no matter what they may say. Their understanding of God has been perverted by all the false teachings we have espoused over the past 200 years.
Hosea 5:4
"Their deeds will not allow them To return to their God. For a spirit of harlotry is within them, And they do not know the Lord."
America will not turn back to God, she is a pagan nation pretending to be "Christian." Our leaders are not what they claim, and our Christianity is not that of the Bible, but a watered down and perverted form of powerless religion.
Matthew 17:16-20
""I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him." And Jesus answered and said, "You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me." And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured at once. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not drive it out?" And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you."
We are a pretentious nation, we think as long as we speak good things, that by itself will make it be true. Many people are claiming things about themselves that are not only not true, but deceptive to others.
They say, "I am a good person", all the while living in adultery, teaching their children to love themselves more than God and doing whatever they want without consulting Him. Isaiah 30:1 (above)
There is only one hope for individual in our nation, and that is to repent from our sin, ask God to reveal truth to us and begin to obey what He tells us. We cannot do this without reading His Word the Bible, nor can reading the Bible be of any help if we are not praying for the understanding. It must be the Holy Spirit Who guides our thinking as we read.
Isaiah 30:1-5
"“Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the Lord,
“Who execute a plan, but not Mine,
And [a]make an alliance, but not of My Spirit,
In order to add sin to sin;
2 Who proceed down to Egypt
Without consulting [b]Me,
To take refuge in the safety of Pharaoh
And to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt!
3 “Therefore the safety of Pharaoh will be your shame
And the shelter in the shadow of Egypt, your humiliation.
4 “For their princes are at Zoan
And their ambassadors arrive at Hanes.
5 “Everyone will be ashamed because of a people who cannot profit them,
Who are not for help or profit, but for shame and also for reproach."
We sought the advice of seculars in the raising of our children. We went down to Egypt for our counsel. They taught us to build up their pride through self esteem, exactly opposite of what our Lord taught. Sadly, nearly all the churches in the land, have adopted this philosophy that has devastated our families. We have never been as broken and impotent as we are right now, and getting worse all the time, while thinking we are doing fine.
Divorce and remarriage has been accepted as completely normal in spite of what God says about it. There are many who think as long as they are against abortion and other evils, they are alright with God, at the same time they are defying Him in many other ways, AND THEY DON'T SEE IT.
God wrote things to Israel in their rebellion, that apply to us today. The specific prophesy to them may not apply to us, but the principle of defying God brings about His chastisement for any nation that rebels against His principles, do apply to us..
Hosea 4:1-14
"Listen to the word of the Lord, O sons of Israel,
For the Lord has a case against the inhabitants of the land,
Because there is no faithfulness or kindness
Or knowledge of God in the land.
2 There is swearing, deception, murder, stealing and adultery.
They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed.
3 Therefore the land mourns,
And everyone who lives in it languishes
Along with the beasts of the field and the birds of the sky,
And also the fish of the sea disappear.
4 Yet let no one find fault, and let none offer reproof;
For your people are like those who contend with the priest.
5 So you will stumble by day,
And the prophet also will stumble with you by night;
And I will destroy your mother.
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also will reject you from being My priest.
Since you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children.
7 The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me;
I will change their glory into shame.
8 They feed on the sin of My people
And direct their desire toward their iniquity.
9 And it will be, like people, like priest;
So I will punish them for their ways
And repay them for their deeds.
10 They will eat, but not have enough;
They will play the harlot, but not increase,
Because they have stopped giving heed to the Lord.
11 Harlotry, wine and new wine take away the understanding.
12 My people consult their wooden idol, and their diviner’s wand informs them;
For a spirit of harlotry has led them astray,
And they have played the harlot, departing from their God.
13 They offer sacrifices on the tops of the mountains
And burn incense on the hills,
Under oak, poplar and terebinth,
Because their shade is pleasant.
Therefore your daughters play the harlot
And your brides commit adultery.
14 I will not punish your daughters when they play the harlot
Or your brides when they commit adultery,
For the men themselves go apart with harlots
And offer sacrifices with temple prostitutes;
So the people without understanding are ruined"
God promised that one day Israel would repent and return to God. We see this happening right now, individual Jews within Israel are finding Christ. Israel will lose two thirds of her people in the tribulation, the one third remaining will become born again. Israel is the only nation of the world that will trust Christ, the entire nation. All other nations will remain pagan, with individuals within them that become born again. From reading the rest of the book of Hosea we see this.
As for us, now in the nation of America, we remain as a rebellious nation, seeking God in our own way, making Him anything we want Him to be. The use of the word "prayer" has been perverted to merely be whatever anyone wants it to be, it has no power because those who use it, do not know the God of the Bible, no matter what they may say. Their understanding of God has been perverted by all the false teachings we have espoused over the past 200 years.
Hosea 5:4
"Their deeds will not allow them To return to their God. For a spirit of harlotry is within them, And they do not know the Lord."
America will not turn back to God, she is a pagan nation pretending to be "Christian." Our leaders are not what they claim, and our Christianity is not that of the Bible, but a watered down and perverted form of powerless religion.
Matthew 17:16-20
""I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him." And Jesus answered and said, "You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me." And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured at once. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not drive it out?" And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you."
We are a pretentious nation, we think as long as we speak good things, that by itself will make it be true. Many people are claiming things about themselves that are not only not true, but deceptive to others.
They say, "I am a good person", all the while living in adultery, teaching their children to love themselves more than God and doing whatever they want without consulting Him. Isaiah 30:1 (above)
There is only one hope for individual in our nation, and that is to repent from our sin, ask God to reveal truth to us and begin to obey what He tells us. We cannot do this without reading His Word the Bible, nor can reading the Bible be of any help if we are not praying for the understanding. It must be the Holy Spirit Who guides our thinking as we read.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Pretense is Sin!
http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/why_are_christians_hypocrites.html
Pretense is a sin. When we choose to see things a certain way to enhance our own life, refusing to look at the truth of a matter, we are sinning.
Pretending is a form of lying. We can escape responsibility, we can make something look alright to be able to indulge, all the while leading someone else into a lie, deceiving them.
As believers we should always be willing to admit truth and speak it no matter what it brings. When we admit the truth about a matter, we can grow in holiness and move toward a closer relationship with Christ and with others.
When we pretend we do not grow, but as time progresses and we get older, we regress in our walk, becoming impotent in our witness, even encouraging sin in others.
Pretense is a sin. When we choose to see things a certain way to enhance our own life, refusing to look at the truth of a matter, we are sinning.
Pretending is a form of lying. We can escape responsibility, we can make something look alright to be able to indulge, all the while leading someone else into a lie, deceiving them.
As believers we should always be willing to admit truth and speak it no matter what it brings. When we admit the truth about a matter, we can grow in holiness and move toward a closer relationship with Christ and with others.
When we pretend we do not grow, but as time progresses and we get older, we regress in our walk, becoming impotent in our witness, even encouraging sin in others.
Not Our Flesh But His Power
As the children of God we should be continually asking Him to make us what He wants us to be. He tells us in His Word, but if we are thinking with our own mind rather than with the mind of Christ, our mind will pervert what we read. We need to be asking God to show us His way, removing from our thinking anything that is fleshly or worldly.
Are we willing to reject and discard anything that we were taught to follow Christ. Much of what we were taught as children is false and even satanic.
God will answer our prayers for Him to change us if we want it. Those who depend on their own fleshly strength will fail.
Ephesians 2:10 "
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
James 1:5 " If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
Psalm 28:7 " The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him."
Are we willing to reject and discard anything that we were taught to follow Christ. Much of what we were taught as children is false and even satanic.
God will answer our prayers for Him to change us if we want it. Those who depend on their own fleshly strength will fail.
Ephesians 2:10 "
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
James 1:5 " If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
Psalm 28:7 " The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him."
Monday, December 22, 2014
God's Way or Your Way?
I continue to be surprised at some of the things believers will defend, while not realizing those things are not Biblical or productive to a closer walk with Jesus Christ. These unBiblical things are detrimental to spiritual growth and oriented toward the emotional senses. When we focus on the emotion, more than truth we tend to error, missing God's blessing of intimacy with Him.
When we seek God, asking Him to show us truth, there should be many things that we abandon as we discover the heart of God.
Years ago I began praying that the Lord would remove from my thinking anything that is not Biblical truth, things that are merely human tradition that we have been led to believe were essential to our Christianity, but in fact deter us from a close relationship with Him.
The more I read the word of God and the more I seek His face, the more things I find that have been human tradition, having little to do with a born again believer and how we should be living our lives.
Our Christian culture has been burdened down with many traditions of men that were not only, not endorsed by God, but take us away from Him.
Mark 7:8 ""Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men."
Colossians 2:8 "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ."
Mark 7:1-13
"7 The Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered around Him when they had come from Jerusalem,
2 and had seen that some of His disciples were eating their bread with impure hands, that is, unwashed.
3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders;
4 and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received in order to observe, such as the washing of cups and pitchers and copper pots.)
5 The Pharisees and the scribes *asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?”
6 And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:
‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me.
7 ‘But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’
8 Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.”
9 He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.
10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, is to be put to death’;
11 but you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),’
12 you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother;
13 thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that."
The dishonoring of father and mother is only one way we dishonor God through our traditions. The most devastating way we have dishonored God is in the matter of the holidays, adding man made traditions and pagan worship practices, to the worship of our God, is an abomination to Him.
Christ gave us the model for worship in the Lord's Supper and in the way He taught us to pray. There is no need for anything to be added to what He told us. We add, because we like our own way better, it tickles the senses and brings about good feelings for us, but is a stench in the nostrils of God.
When we honor the ways of the pagans by adopting some of their traditions as our own, we have nullified the worship of God, relegating it to the level of the pagans. Bringing down His worship, rather than lifting it up, by obedience to what He told us to do.
Amos 5:18-24: "Alas, you who are longing for the day of the Lord,
For what purpose will the day of the Lord be to you?
It will be darkness and not light;
19 As when a man flees from a lion
And a bear meets him,
Or goes home, leans his hand against the wall
And a snake bites him.
20 Will not the day of the Lord be darkness instead of light,
Even gloom with no brightness in it?
21 “I hate, I reject your festivals,
Nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies.
22 “Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings,
I will not accept them;
And I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings.
23 “Take away from Me the noise of your songs;
I will not even listen to the sound of your harps.
24 “But let justice roll down like waters
And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."
God told us how to pray:
Matthew 6:9-13 "9 “Pray, then, in this way:
‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’"
When we are grateful to God alone, when we desire to be delivered from evil and when we desire His will in our lives, we will grow in holiness. We will not grow and we will regress when we mix paganism with the principles of God. Always this ends up negating God's message and our witness.
God told us what to celebrate:
Luke 22:19 "And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."
The Lord instructed us to hate the way of the pagans through the description of His mind toward their practices. No where in the Word do we see the Lord instructing us to celebrate anything other than His Feast day, the Lord's Supper and it was to be done whenever we come together, not once a year or once a month. His feast day was a demonstration of the fulfilled prophecy of His death, burial and resurrection. Man added "Christmas" with all it's pagan trappings, honoring the Catholic mass with it's veneration of a false god "santa." Man added "Easter" with all of it's pagan practices, honoring the goddess of fertility.
Even those who say they only focus on Christ on that day, cannot deny that they are participating in the celebration of the pagans by celebrating their holidays with them while even using their paganistic titles "Christmas and Easter. The Christian witness is destroyed when we participate in these abominations.
1 Corinthians 11:23-32
"23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread;
24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.
28 But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
29 For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly.
30 For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep.
31 But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged.
32 But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world."
Please pray and ask God: "Does it honor Him to "Christianize" pagan holidays"?
Deuteronomy 12:1-5
"12 “These are the statutes and the judgments which you shall carefully observe in the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you to possess as long as you live on the earth.
2 You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess serve their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree.
3 You shall tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and burn their Asherim with fire, and you shall cut down the engraved images of their gods and obliterate their name from that place.
4 You shall not act like this toward the Lord your God.
5 But you shall seek the Lord at the place which the Lord your God will choose from all your tribes, to establish His name there for His dwelling, and there you shall come."
You may say, "we are under grace now we are not bound to the old testament commandments." OH, do we not see the heart of God in these commandments. Why would we want to practice something God hates. He has not removed His hatred for the ways of the pagans. He has not endorsed an attitude of believers to do anything they want any way they choose. Do we care about the heart of God?
When our focus is on our "freedom" then we have an attitude problem. Our focus ought to be, "what shall I do that pleases God." We sin when we focus on what we think we can get away with, yes it is called sin. We honor God when we seek His Will His Way.
1 Corinthians 10:23
"All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify."
1 Peter 2:16
"Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God."
I remember chastising my children when I had given them a task to do, taught them how I wanted it done and they did it their own way. It is not helpful or kind to our parent or even employers if we get a job done but neglect to please the one who is the authority.
God cares "How" we do things, we forget this because our culture has taught us that if we did it, we were good for just the doing of it, no matter whether we did it the right way or not. This is lazy to say the least. God cares about the details and the excellence. He knows we will not be perfect, but also knows whether we care about His heart or whether we are just doing enough to get by without concern over pleasing Him. A parent knows this too!
As the Hebrew teacher said: "love is an action word, without the action, there is no love." The Hebrew word for "love", has two facets, one that we love by doing and the other that we love by withholding help. Both involve making a choice to do what is best for others and what honors God.
Perhaps we should be asking God what honors Him, rather than using phrases like "I am free in Christ to do what "I" want.
When we seek God, asking Him to show us truth, there should be many things that we abandon as we discover the heart of God.
Years ago I began praying that the Lord would remove from my thinking anything that is not Biblical truth, things that are merely human tradition that we have been led to believe were essential to our Christianity, but in fact deter us from a close relationship with Him.
The more I read the word of God and the more I seek His face, the more things I find that have been human tradition, having little to do with a born again believer and how we should be living our lives.
Our Christian culture has been burdened down with many traditions of men that were not only, not endorsed by God, but take us away from Him.
Mark 7:8 ""Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men."
Colossians 2:8 "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ."
Mark 7:1-13
"7 The Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered around Him when they had come from Jerusalem,
2 and had seen that some of His disciples were eating their bread with impure hands, that is, unwashed.
3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders;
4 and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received in order to observe, such as the washing of cups and pitchers and copper pots.)
5 The Pharisees and the scribes *asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?”
6 And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:
‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me.
7 ‘But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’
8 Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.”
9 He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.
10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, is to be put to death’;
11 but you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),’
12 you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother;
13 thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that."
The dishonoring of father and mother is only one way we dishonor God through our traditions. The most devastating way we have dishonored God is in the matter of the holidays, adding man made traditions and pagan worship practices, to the worship of our God, is an abomination to Him.
Christ gave us the model for worship in the Lord's Supper and in the way He taught us to pray. There is no need for anything to be added to what He told us. We add, because we like our own way better, it tickles the senses and brings about good feelings for us, but is a stench in the nostrils of God.
When we honor the ways of the pagans by adopting some of their traditions as our own, we have nullified the worship of God, relegating it to the level of the pagans. Bringing down His worship, rather than lifting it up, by obedience to what He told us to do.
Amos 5:18-24: "Alas, you who are longing for the day of the Lord,
For what purpose will the day of the Lord be to you?
It will be darkness and not light;
19 As when a man flees from a lion
And a bear meets him,
Or goes home, leans his hand against the wall
And a snake bites him.
20 Will not the day of the Lord be darkness instead of light,
Even gloom with no brightness in it?
21 “I hate, I reject your festivals,
Nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies.
22 “Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings,
I will not accept them;
And I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings.
23 “Take away from Me the noise of your songs;
I will not even listen to the sound of your harps.
24 “But let justice roll down like waters
And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."
God told us how to pray:
Matthew 6:9-13 "9 “Pray, then, in this way:
‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’"
When we are grateful to God alone, when we desire to be delivered from evil and when we desire His will in our lives, we will grow in holiness. We will not grow and we will regress when we mix paganism with the principles of God. Always this ends up negating God's message and our witness.
God told us what to celebrate:
Luke 22:19 "And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."
The Lord instructed us to hate the way of the pagans through the description of His mind toward their practices. No where in the Word do we see the Lord instructing us to celebrate anything other than His Feast day, the Lord's Supper and it was to be done whenever we come together, not once a year or once a month. His feast day was a demonstration of the fulfilled prophecy of His death, burial and resurrection. Man added "Christmas" with all it's pagan trappings, honoring the Catholic mass with it's veneration of a false god "santa." Man added "Easter" with all of it's pagan practices, honoring the goddess of fertility.
Even those who say they only focus on Christ on that day, cannot deny that they are participating in the celebration of the pagans by celebrating their holidays with them while even using their paganistic titles "Christmas and Easter. The Christian witness is destroyed when we participate in these abominations.
1 Corinthians 11:23-32
"23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread;
24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.
28 But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
29 For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly.
30 For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep.
31 But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged.
32 But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world."
Please pray and ask God: "Does it honor Him to "Christianize" pagan holidays"?
Deuteronomy 12:1-5
"12 “These are the statutes and the judgments which you shall carefully observe in the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you to possess as long as you live on the earth.
2 You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess serve their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree.
3 You shall tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and burn their Asherim with fire, and you shall cut down the engraved images of their gods and obliterate their name from that place.
4 You shall not act like this toward the Lord your God.
5 But you shall seek the Lord at the place which the Lord your God will choose from all your tribes, to establish His name there for His dwelling, and there you shall come."
You may say, "we are under grace now we are not bound to the old testament commandments." OH, do we not see the heart of God in these commandments. Why would we want to practice something God hates. He has not removed His hatred for the ways of the pagans. He has not endorsed an attitude of believers to do anything they want any way they choose. Do we care about the heart of God?
When our focus is on our "freedom" then we have an attitude problem. Our focus ought to be, "what shall I do that pleases God." We sin when we focus on what we think we can get away with, yes it is called sin. We honor God when we seek His Will His Way.
1 Corinthians 10:23
"All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify."
1 Peter 2:16
"Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God."
I remember chastising my children when I had given them a task to do, taught them how I wanted it done and they did it their own way. It is not helpful or kind to our parent or even employers if we get a job done but neglect to please the one who is the authority.
God cares "How" we do things, we forget this because our culture has taught us that if we did it, we were good for just the doing of it, no matter whether we did it the right way or not. This is lazy to say the least. God cares about the details and the excellence. He knows we will not be perfect, but also knows whether we care about His heart or whether we are just doing enough to get by without concern over pleasing Him. A parent knows this too!
As the Hebrew teacher said: "love is an action word, without the action, there is no love." The Hebrew word for "love", has two facets, one that we love by doing and the other that we love by withholding help. Both involve making a choice to do what is best for others and what honors God.
Perhaps we should be asking God what honors Him, rather than using phrases like "I am free in Christ to do what "I" want.
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Where is the Lord's Supper?
I never hear anyone speaking of the celebration of the Lord's Supper on facebook.
They will speak about every other holiday but never mention the Lord's Supper.
Interesting that the Lord's Supper is the only feast Christ gave us, and it is the one most ignored, not only by the world but also by those who say they are Christians.
Man brought all the popular holidays and everyone with few exceptions observe those, believers and non-believers alike love these days.
Why do you suppose the world loves the holidays we so adamantly hold onto as though they were a must? Perhaps it is because they are man made, self centered and festive.
The Lord's Supper is all about worship of our Lord. It has nothing to do with self, in fact we are told to examine ourselves to evaluate our sin, that we might be cleansed before we enter into that worship.
Which other of the holidays do we see a worship of Christ alone with a pure heart?
Luke 22:14-21
"14 When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. 15 And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; 18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood. 21 But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine on the table."
They will speak about every other holiday but never mention the Lord's Supper.
Interesting that the Lord's Supper is the only feast Christ gave us, and it is the one most ignored, not only by the world but also by those who say they are Christians.
Man brought all the popular holidays and everyone with few exceptions observe those, believers and non-believers alike love these days.
Why do you suppose the world loves the holidays we so adamantly hold onto as though they were a must? Perhaps it is because they are man made, self centered and festive.
The Lord's Supper is all about worship of our Lord. It has nothing to do with self, in fact we are told to examine ourselves to evaluate our sin, that we might be cleansed before we enter into that worship.
Which other of the holidays do we see a worship of Christ alone with a pure heart?
Luke 22:14-21
"14 When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. 15 And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; 18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood. 21 But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine on the table."
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Free Indeed!
John 8:36 "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
Freedom in Christ is the greatest place to be, free from the affects of intimidation from those who don't want to obey Christ.
Freedom from false guilt for not following the culture.
Freedom from the guilt of a conscience that must continually justify itself to be able to sleep at night.
Freedom to obey the Lord without any regrets!!!!
How many of you are experiencing this freedom? I sure am!
No amount of ridicule, intimidation or pressure could make me return to the bondage of compliance with a runaway culture.
Hallelujah, I am free indeed!
Freedom in Christ is the greatest place to be, free from the affects of intimidation from those who don't want to obey Christ.
Freedom from false guilt for not following the culture.
Freedom from the guilt of a conscience that must continually justify itself to be able to sleep at night.
Freedom to obey the Lord without any regrets!!!!
How many of you are experiencing this freedom? I sure am!
No amount of ridicule, intimidation or pressure could make me return to the bondage of compliance with a runaway culture.
Hallelujah, I am free indeed!
By God's Power and Might
So often we are more focused on the mechanics of ritual than we are on the spirit of worship. God said that we are to worship in "Spirit and in Truth."
Outward expressions of worship are not necessarily evidence of a heart submitted to Christ. Often ritualistic body language is nothing more than an emotional response to outer stimuli, usually in groups of people while hardly ever alone at home.
I am convinced that the spiritual life of those who are expressive in gatherings, is not nearly what is in their heart while alone at home, because those I have met those who display their emotions in public, and are not living obedient lives otherwise. There are some who are consistent both in gatherings and at home, but few.
Our culture places more emphasis on outward show of emotion than on inner spiritual character. We know this by their reaction when they are encouraged to obey God. Most of them use the words like, "don't judge", a lot when challenged to evaluate their sinful lifestyle.
There is an attitude that "I can live as I please, as long as I say the right things." I find more believers who mouth words than those who actually walk the walk. I also see more believers who believe they are all right with God, but are hostile when confronted with a sinful attitude or lack of obedience in a "sacred cow" area of their lives.
1 Samuel 15:22 "Samuel said, "Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams."
Our sacrifices of emotionalism in worship is not pleasing to God unless there has been a life of obedience outside the gatherings.
Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”
Colossians 3:22 Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.
Hebrews 13:17 (KJV) Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
1 Peter 4:16-17 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
When we roll our eyes at those in authority over us, when asked to do something, our spirit is in disobedience even if we do what we are told. I encountered this often when raising children. In front of me, they often would reluctantly do as I say and when my back was turned there were facial expressions and whispering that indicated a heart that was in rebellion.
Most children have done this, sadly some never grow out of it, continuing the same response to life that they had when they were children. The only difference between a child and an adult is that the child has to hide it so as not to be punished for it, but the adult can openly show disdain and rebellion without punishment, while making all those around them miserable because of their selfishness.
We think because we are adults we no longer have to submit to anyone any more, we can just let everything fly and be pleased that no one was able to control us.
We are controlled even when we think we are not. We are either controlled by the devil and his minions or we are controlled by Christ. When we follow our feelings in getting what we want our own way, the devil is manipulating our thinking, making us believe we are in control. Selfishness in someone shows they are not in control of themselves. They are controlled by their emotions and by the devil who manipulates us.
If we are to have "self control", we will have to ask the Lord to work it in us, shear will power will not make us able to resist temptation, only the power of God will give us the self-control we need to be obedient to Him.
Proverbs 25:28 "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls."
2 Peter 1:5-7 "2 Peter 1:5-7King James Version (KJV)
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
Titus 2:11-14 "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, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."
God redeems us and works in us that we might have His power to resist sin and have self control.
Outward expressions of worship are not necessarily evidence of a heart submitted to Christ. Often ritualistic body language is nothing more than an emotional response to outer stimuli, usually in groups of people while hardly ever alone at home.
I am convinced that the spiritual life of those who are expressive in gatherings, is not nearly what is in their heart while alone at home, because those I have met those who display their emotions in public, and are not living obedient lives otherwise. There are some who are consistent both in gatherings and at home, but few.
Our culture places more emphasis on outward show of emotion than on inner spiritual character. We know this by their reaction when they are encouraged to obey God. Most of them use the words like, "don't judge", a lot when challenged to evaluate their sinful lifestyle.
There is an attitude that "I can live as I please, as long as I say the right things." I find more believers who mouth words than those who actually walk the walk. I also see more believers who believe they are all right with God, but are hostile when confronted with a sinful attitude or lack of obedience in a "sacred cow" area of their lives.
1 Samuel 15:22 "Samuel said, "Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams."
Our sacrifices of emotionalism in worship is not pleasing to God unless there has been a life of obedience outside the gatherings.
Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”
Colossians 3:22 Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.
Hebrews 13:17 (KJV) Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
1 Peter 4:16-17 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
When we roll our eyes at those in authority over us, when asked to do something, our spirit is in disobedience even if we do what we are told. I encountered this often when raising children. In front of me, they often would reluctantly do as I say and when my back was turned there were facial expressions and whispering that indicated a heart that was in rebellion.
Most children have done this, sadly some never grow out of it, continuing the same response to life that they had when they were children. The only difference between a child and an adult is that the child has to hide it so as not to be punished for it, but the adult can openly show disdain and rebellion without punishment, while making all those around them miserable because of their selfishness.
We think because we are adults we no longer have to submit to anyone any more, we can just let everything fly and be pleased that no one was able to control us.
We are controlled even when we think we are not. We are either controlled by the devil and his minions or we are controlled by Christ. When we follow our feelings in getting what we want our own way, the devil is manipulating our thinking, making us believe we are in control. Selfishness in someone shows they are not in control of themselves. They are controlled by their emotions and by the devil who manipulates us.
If we are to have "self control", we will have to ask the Lord to work it in us, shear will power will not make us able to resist temptation, only the power of God will give us the self-control we need to be obedient to Him.
Proverbs 25:28 "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls."
2 Peter 1:5-7 "2 Peter 1:5-7King James Version (KJV)
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
Titus 2:11-14 "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, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."
God redeems us and works in us that we might have His power to resist sin and have self control.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Evaluating Our Beliefs is an Ongoing Process
Matthew 18:15-20
15 “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.
16 But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed.
17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
18 Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.
19 “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. 20 For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”
For as long as I can remember believers, including myself believed that verse 20 was the indication that we should always be gathered with others to pray or worship. I cannot count the number of times I have read these verses and missed that the two ideas were one. I had separated the "gathered together", verse 20, from the message of church discipline. And, many have separated verse 20 from the statement that "whatever you ask in My name it shall be done for them", from the church discipline.
And, yet, we see from these passages that the Lord was telling us that we should come together to evaluate sin in the body and agree on what is to be done. These verses are not speaking of coming together to worship, rather coming together to handle a sin matter. They also are telling us that whatever our decision about the sin matter, will be in the Lord's will sense we are seeking Him for what is to be done.
The statement "whatever we ask in His name", has nothing to do with getting whatever we want from God as long as we use the name of Christ. All these verses that we have taken out of context are directly related to church discipline.
It is no wonder that we have missed this, since almost all our lives we have heard the verses alone out of context. Our minds are programmed to see those verses alone. WE HAVE BEEN WRONG!
These verses separated from one another seem to indicate that there is no power in our prayer unless we are gathered together. We know this can't be true because Christ prayed alone, and so did the prophets. Some of my best times in prayer have been alone with God. There are no distractions by the words of others, that sometimes we may not even agree with. I take comfort in knowing that God prays on our behalf, since we really don't know how we should pray. It is good to pray with others from time to time, but that does not mean that we should always pray with others.
Romans 8:26 "In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;"
This mini study because of the challenge of another believer, has motivated me to look more closely at the context of any verse, guess what...I thought I was doing that, until I encounter a verse that was ingrained in my head from the beginning of my new birth in Christ, seen a particular way. The grooves in our brains, formed by continual repetition are nearly solidified, if we do not heed the challenges by fellow brothers and sisters, we remain in our ignorance.
Some of the grooves in our head that are nearly solidified from constant use and indoctrination by our culture might be as follows:
Christmas
Easter
Don't Judge
Self esteem teachings
one man pastorship in churches
worship teams
forgiving others for our own sake
let the Holy Spirit expose sin rather than speaking to people.
Giving ten percent of our "tithes" to God
Eating meat is a sin
It is kind to tell bereaved family at funerals that their deceased family member went to heaven.
The church is the new Israel
We must reform the church
We must make sure our delivery in witnessing is palatable to the hearer so they will receive it.
It is inappropriate to witness at funerals, weddings, birthdays or any other gathering where people are wanting to just enjoy their time.
There are many more of these grooves in our heads that need to be cleared out in order to more fully honor God.
Can any of you name some that are not listed here? This might be a great time to begin asking questions, the first one being, "what am I believing that is not Biblical?"
15 “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.
16 But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed.
17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
18 Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.
19 “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. 20 For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”
For as long as I can remember believers, including myself believed that verse 20 was the indication that we should always be gathered with others to pray or worship. I cannot count the number of times I have read these verses and missed that the two ideas were one. I had separated the "gathered together", verse 20, from the message of church discipline. And, many have separated verse 20 from the statement that "whatever you ask in My name it shall be done for them", from the church discipline.
And, yet, we see from these passages that the Lord was telling us that we should come together to evaluate sin in the body and agree on what is to be done. These verses are not speaking of coming together to worship, rather coming together to handle a sin matter. They also are telling us that whatever our decision about the sin matter, will be in the Lord's will sense we are seeking Him for what is to be done.
The statement "whatever we ask in His name", has nothing to do with getting whatever we want from God as long as we use the name of Christ. All these verses that we have taken out of context are directly related to church discipline.
It is no wonder that we have missed this, since almost all our lives we have heard the verses alone out of context. Our minds are programmed to see those verses alone. WE HAVE BEEN WRONG!
These verses separated from one another seem to indicate that there is no power in our prayer unless we are gathered together. We know this can't be true because Christ prayed alone, and so did the prophets. Some of my best times in prayer have been alone with God. There are no distractions by the words of others, that sometimes we may not even agree with. I take comfort in knowing that God prays on our behalf, since we really don't know how we should pray. It is good to pray with others from time to time, but that does not mean that we should always pray with others.
Romans 8:26 "In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;"
This mini study because of the challenge of another believer, has motivated me to look more closely at the context of any verse, guess what...I thought I was doing that, until I encounter a verse that was ingrained in my head from the beginning of my new birth in Christ, seen a particular way. The grooves in our brains, formed by continual repetition are nearly solidified, if we do not heed the challenges by fellow brothers and sisters, we remain in our ignorance.
Some of the grooves in our head that are nearly solidified from constant use and indoctrination by our culture might be as follows:
Christmas
Easter
Don't Judge
Self esteem teachings
one man pastorship in churches
worship teams
forgiving others for our own sake
let the Holy Spirit expose sin rather than speaking to people.
Giving ten percent of our "tithes" to God
Eating meat is a sin
It is kind to tell bereaved family at funerals that their deceased family member went to heaven.
The church is the new Israel
We must reform the church
We must make sure our delivery in witnessing is palatable to the hearer so they will receive it.
It is inappropriate to witness at funerals, weddings, birthdays or any other gathering where people are wanting to just enjoy their time.
There are many more of these grooves in our heads that need to be cleared out in order to more fully honor God.
Can any of you name some that are not listed here? This might be a great time to begin asking questions, the first one being, "what am I believing that is not Biblical?"
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Do Not Deny Others The Blessing
For those who have been born again.
I know you did not become born again without confessing your sin and desiring forgiveness.
Why would you deny others this very important blessing?
Having to face our sin, own it, and become cleansed from it, is a blessing. All those who have done it are free from the guilt of their sin, not because we forgave them but because they saw the need and answered the call of repentance.
May we stop forgiving people to feel better about ourselves, and obey God His way, not the way of the world. May we have a greater concern for the welfare of others, than we do for our own feelings.
I know you did not become born again without confessing your sin and desiring forgiveness.
Why would you deny others this very important blessing?
Having to face our sin, own it, and become cleansed from it, is a blessing. All those who have done it are free from the guilt of their sin, not because we forgave them but because they saw the need and answered the call of repentance.
May we stop forgiving people to feel better about ourselves, and obey God His way, not the way of the world. May we have a greater concern for the welfare of others, than we do for our own feelings.
Forgiveness is for the Purpose of Reconciliation
I hear this all the time, "if I don't forgive I will become bitter." Where is that in the Bible?
I feel no resentment toward those who have offended me and are not sorry. It is a psychological teaching that makes our culture think that it automatically follows that if we "say" we forgive, then the process has occurred.
When I encounter an offender, I don't treat them any differently than anyone else on the street. The thing I feel the most is sorrow that they don't see their sin and that God has not yet forgiven them.
I have no right to forgive what God has not forgiven, that makes me better than God.
God says "IF they repent forgive them." He also says "IF they come to you and ask seven times in a day." Notice in all the verses about forgiveness, the offender is coming to ask for forgiveness. No where will you find one scripture that says forgive them even if they are not repentant.
Our ultimate example is Christ. Christ died for us while we were yet sinners, but we were not yet forgiven, He extended forgiveness, but we have to want it. Throwing your forgiveness at the unrepentant person does nothing.
If you want to avoid bitterness toward someone, stop trying to throw your forgiveness into the air hoping it will land on the offender, and just pray for them.
If we have a heart for the lost and for the sinning brethren, then we will not be bitter, we will be on our knees. When there is love for mankind in our hearts, bitterness is not a part of our thinking, but reconciliation to God is first and foremost.
When we do not require repentance for sin, we leave the offender in a place of comfort with his sin, allowing him to believe it wasn't so bad after all. Every encounter teaches, we must continually obey the principles of God for anyone to grow.
Yes, by all means be ready to forgive when someone comes to ask, desire that they repent so that the relationship will be restored. Pray to this end, seek it, even if it means having to confront the sin, perhaps the offender doesn't realize they have sinned and need to be shown.
We need to stop throwing God's principles of operation under the bus in favor of the psychological mantras of our modern day. Man's way only leaves everyone feeling comfortable in their sin, God's way brings conviction and repentance. When we shortcut the principles to be able to "feel better", we miss the blessings of changed lives.
1 John 1:9 "IF we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Luke 17:3-4 "3 Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and IF HE REPENTS, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, SAYING I REPENT’ forgive him.”
I feel no resentment toward those who have offended me and are not sorry. It is a psychological teaching that makes our culture think that it automatically follows that if we "say" we forgive, then the process has occurred.
When I encounter an offender, I don't treat them any differently than anyone else on the street. The thing I feel the most is sorrow that they don't see their sin and that God has not yet forgiven them.
I have no right to forgive what God has not forgiven, that makes me better than God.
God says "IF they repent forgive them." He also says "IF they come to you and ask seven times in a day." Notice in all the verses about forgiveness, the offender is coming to ask for forgiveness. No where will you find one scripture that says forgive them even if they are not repentant.
Our ultimate example is Christ. Christ died for us while we were yet sinners, but we were not yet forgiven, He extended forgiveness, but we have to want it. Throwing your forgiveness at the unrepentant person does nothing.
If you want to avoid bitterness toward someone, stop trying to throw your forgiveness into the air hoping it will land on the offender, and just pray for them.
If we have a heart for the lost and for the sinning brethren, then we will not be bitter, we will be on our knees. When there is love for mankind in our hearts, bitterness is not a part of our thinking, but reconciliation to God is first and foremost.
When we do not require repentance for sin, we leave the offender in a place of comfort with his sin, allowing him to believe it wasn't so bad after all. Every encounter teaches, we must continually obey the principles of God for anyone to grow.
Yes, by all means be ready to forgive when someone comes to ask, desire that they repent so that the relationship will be restored. Pray to this end, seek it, even if it means having to confront the sin, perhaps the offender doesn't realize they have sinned and need to be shown.
We need to stop throwing God's principles of operation under the bus in favor of the psychological mantras of our modern day. Man's way only leaves everyone feeling comfortable in their sin, God's way brings conviction and repentance. When we shortcut the principles to be able to "feel better", we miss the blessings of changed lives.
1 John 1:9 "IF we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Luke 17:3-4 "3 Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and IF HE REPENTS, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, SAYING I REPENT’ forgive him.”
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