Welfare Is Ruining This Country

Welfare Is Ruining America

Our present administration has promised freedom to the people. Those who think they have been promised freedom, consider it freedom to be completely dependent on the government for everything, when in fact it is bondage.

Our government has managed to convince a large segment of our people that freedom means "getting free stuff", such as Obama phones, free health care and food stamps.

There is no greater bondage than having to subsist on government funds with government rules and government oversight. It is no different than a child living with their parents under constant supervision, monitoring our every move.

We have been taught the past 30 years a different definition of freedom, a definition so perverted that many people feel free as long as they can live in sin while accepting hand outs from a government that takes money from the hard working citizen to give that same money away to lazy, whining and immoral individuals whose focus is only one thing.....themselves.

There is only one solution to this mess, but it is not for the masses, but for each individual who will decide for themselves to live as Christ instructed, working hard, accepting no charity but willing to give it when the need is legitimate.

Too many people are willing to accept freebees, when they have no need nor do they deserve them.

Our country is neglecting the elderly to give to undeserving and lazy young people claiming many disabilities that were never considered disabilities before in our country, many of the things considered disabilities are difficult but not impossible for holding down a job.

There are difficult and legitimate needs, that must be considered, however far too many give away programs are providing for those who could earn their own way, but find it more enjoyable to sponge off of others. For some reason that I cannot understand, those on the public dole don't feel as though it is charity to be supported by the government, but would be embarrassed to accept help from churches and other help organization.

At least the non-governmental organization would have to screen their applicants more closely, while managing their money much better, but the money would not come from the pockets of those who are earning their money unless they wanted to donate.

It is one thing to receive funds from someone who has chosen to be generous, and quite another to force everyone to donate when they have no power to evaluate how the money is being used.

1 Thessalonians 4:10-12

"10 for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, 12 so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need."

Often I hear from those receiving government assistance that they are planning to go to work to earn some money, but it never happens. Part of the problem is that even believers lack faith that God can give them a job. They also don't want to take the jobs at the bottom, to work their way up. They want jobs that they like, they want to enjoy their job. There is fear that if they don't make it in a job, then it would be harder to get onto welfare again in the future. Fear a the biggest motivator for those on welfare to stay on welfare.

The government would do better to use public funds to train and teach recipients to get off the public dole.

Proverbs 14:23

"23 In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty."

So many who are on the public assistance, don't want to work at a job they don't like. We can enjoy every job no matter how menial when we do it as unto the Lord. We can actually choose to be diligent in our work, doing our best, displaying excellence even if our job is a washroom attendant. Our joyful and grateful attitude toward God will allow us to be an asset to our employer and a pleasure to be around by those who encounter us.

Proverbs 12:11

"11 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who pursues worthless things lacks sense."

The government has taken the dignity away from those whom they have encouraged to remain idle through hand outs.

There is an old saying, "give a man a fish and feed him for a day, show a man to fish and give him food for a lifetime."

We are not dignifying a man by making him dependent like a little child, on something he has no control over. However we bring honor and purpose to a man when we show him he can make his own living, manage his own money and work his way up the proverbial ladder of success over time.

The fast food mentality of supplying all a man's need immediately, has discouraged and degraded individuals and our culture as a whole.

Psalm 90:17 "Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands."

Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,"

Ephesians 4:28 "He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need."

God will bless the work of the hands of a man who determines to obey God with his hands. There is dignity, purpose and joy in hard work. Let us not forget that work was God's invention, even in the garden, the very beginning of creation the Lord gave the original couple, Adam and Eve work to do, it fulfills us to accomplish a job, especially if we did our best.

Those who are receiving welfare fraudulently from the government are stealing not from the government but from all those who worked hard to earn their own living and have paid into the system.

Ephesians 4:28 "He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need."

I would ask that no one come here to justify themselves, but take what has been written and go to prayer with it. I have no desire to debate this nor allow opinions based on emotionalism or hard luck stories. We could all whine about many things and justify disobedience against God, this forum is not for this purpose.

If someone is taking money from the government legitimately, then there should be no guilt over this, those who have put into the system many years and have lost their job, then they are entitled to unemployment for a reasonable period of time. There are other instances that are like this, the worker has payed in and it is time for him to draw back out, then that is also another matter. This post may not be for you, those who have worked hard all your lives, have paid your taxes and are now retiring, this post is not for you either.

Time Out is Damaging to Children

I think that it is cruel to isolate a child from the family through the use of "time out". I believe it is better to give them their spanking and allow them to continue with the family.

Sending them to time out feels a little like the "silent treatment", that can be very damaging to young children. It sends the message that we don't like you to be with us. Children need to learn to take their licks and get back up and keep on going with those that care about them.

I have noticed that "time out", leaves a child to stew and become bitter. God said to use the rod, in love we can do this and allow the child to learn that punishment redirects us, and when we have been disciplined and learned to obey, we can continue with the family.

Punishment is not for the purpose of revenge, but for redirecting the behavior. When the behavior has been corrected, then they know they are loved, and the reason for the discipline, they were allowed continue with the family as though they were still loved and valued.

I used to ask my children "whose fault is this spanking", they would answer "mine Mommy." They knew I didn't want to have to spank them, but their behavior required it. The attitude was not that "we don't like you", the attitude was "you have acted badly and must learn to behave properly."

Manipulation and intimidation damages children, "time out" is a form of manipulation rather than discipline. It teaches a child to use emotional black mail rather than discipline and straight talk to resolve a matter.

Unwed Pregnancy is a Shame not a Celebration

I am astonished at what I am running into. I have seen unwed "Christian mothers posting pictures of themselves in their tight maternity tops on facebook, flaunting their condition, while other believers congratulate them as though it is as normal as apple pie.

Why are believers congratulating unwed mothers as though they were married? These same women will talk of God's blessing as though Godapproves of their immorality.

Where is the shame and confession that they have sinned? And, Where is the church discipline that demonstrates that these young girls have offended a holy God?

Jeremiah 6:15
"Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done? They were not even ashamed at all; They did not even know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time that I punish them, They shall be cast down," says the LORD."

It is one thing to be tender and loving to a young pregnant woman who is truly repentant desiring to be restored to the Lord, and quite another matter to accept and celebrate an unwed pregnancy when the woman has no sense of confession of sin and even parades her sin as though it were something to brag about.

I do not approve of baby showers for unwed mothers. If someone wants to privately extend a kind hand by giving needs for a baby in an unwed situation, it seems more appropriate than throwing a party of celebration. The celebrations should be for those who became mothers God's way, through first getting married.

Sin is celebrated on every level these days, only reproducing attitudes of more sin. The more we accept it without challenge, the more people are likely to indulge.

We are not properly dealing with sin in the church, because of this, it is growing, nearly out of control. Where is the preaching of holiness?

When half the babies now are born out of wedlock, then we know the church has had no influence in their communities and even worse than that, the sin is entering the church.

1 John 2:4 "Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,"

Titus 1:15-16 "To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work."

Foul Language is not for the Believer

Am I wrong, do I see many more Christians on facebook who use Bible verses one time and fowl language, worldly entertainment and angry volitol attitudes the next?

Believers do not accidentally let slip, filthy language, it doesn't even come to mind, unless they are brand new believers. Then they would become convicted and want the Lord to expunge it from their vocabulary.

Our culture has become very crass, even in the church, we see the use of words that would have offended everyone, believer and non-believer alike, just 50 years ago.

The proliferation of media of every sort, has infected the Christian mind with a virus contaminated with foul matter that deadens the brain and the conscience.

Those who think they have not been affected need to ask the Lord to show them. Too many people think it is alright to let sludge come pouring out of their mouth at one moment while quoting a Bible verse the next, usually out of context to suit their own purposes.

Ephesians 5:3-4
"1 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks."

Colossians 4:6 "Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person."

1 Timothy 6:11 "But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness."

We are not to adopt the ways of the world to fit in, but we are to obey Christ, no matter what the culture is doing.

Proverbs 15:9 "The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness."

Hebrews 12:14 "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:"

When we are concerned about our language it is an indication that we care about protecting our testimony. Our lives, speech and attitudes, send a message either degrading the character of God or upholding His holiness. Filthy words do not emerge from one who is reading the Scripture daily with the intent of growing in holiness.

Psalms 71:15 - 71:18

"15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness [and] thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers [thereof].

16 I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, [even] of thine only.

17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto [this] generation, [and] thy power to every one [that] is to come."

Good Deeds Are Not The Answer

Something we forget sometimes is that there is no one sin any more deserving of hell than another.

God cannot have any sin, no matter how small in His presence.

God looks at the wickedness of our heart before we are born again and sees that we are capable of every sin imaginable.

Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?"

Society restrains us some, family pressure restrains us and the Holy Spirit that lives in believers restrain us some, but that potential for terrible things still dwells in our heart until we are born again.

The answer to this mess, and the problem of the dead and wicked heart is to confess that we are helpless and hopeless, desiring to be changed into a new creation by Christ, and then He will come in and change us. It is a lifelong process of cleansing that He will do.

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."

It's not hard to become born again, in fact it is so easy, it is hard for people to believe it. Christ did all the work on the cross, He does all the work in our hearts after we have confessed. He took the penalty for our sin, which was death.

Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and [a]that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."

The strain of continually trying to measure up is removed when we become born again. God works in us, convicting of sin, redirecting our hearts and giving us new desires in line with His Will.

Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

If the Bible Says it I believe it!

If the Bible Says it I believe it!

When I was a child it was common knowledge that dogs had special healing powers in their tongues. When we got a sore on our finger or leg, our mother would tell us to go let the dog lick it, it will heal faster.  After all dogs lick their own wounds and they heal quickly.

I believed what Mom said because it seemed to work.  I questioned this one day, because there were others more educated than I who said it wasn't true it was only a wives tale. 

Then one day a study came out, the scientists discovered that dogs have a natural antibiotic in their saliva that has healing qualities.  I squeeled with delight, because what the uneducated experienced person said was true.  No need for "scientific evidence", the experience people had with it, prove to heal the wounds.

Then one day I ran across this scripture:  Luke 16:21 "Who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores."

There was a time when scientists determined that the earth was flat.  Later other scientists discovered it was really round. 

Guess what God said about it?   Isaiah 40:22 "It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in."

God tells us all we need to know in His Word.  Those who knew the Bible would have known that the earth was round and dogs can heal a sore by licking it. 

The Bible is the best science book that ever existed and completely accurate.  We can be assured if the Bible says it, then we can believe it.

Anyone Still Think We Don't Deserve Judgment?

Anyone Still Think We Don't Deserve Judgment?

People are becoming more emboldened to flaunt their sin now that everything is being accepted by our culture. Things are getting worse, sin is increasing, I notice it is becoming more cruel than I have ever seen it.

I have noticed more people acting demon possessed. We never used to see this in our country, at least not in the open as it is now. They are becoming naked and violent. Recently someone placed a video of this, I was astonished at it. Violent demon possessed naked people in public places, attacking others.

Then I was reminded of the "naked bike ride", in Portland just 40 miles down the road from us. It happens every year now, the people ride through the streets, thousands of them in their birthday suits as they flaunt their shame. If I wrote here what they do in that ride, it would be censored. YES, I said "thousands."

The boldness of flagrant sin is happening regularly now, those who do them would have been arrested just 40 years ago, now they are allowed openly to thumb their noses at decency and righteousness.

Nakedness was a shame according to the Bible, when a culture was conquered by another army, the people were paraded out of town naked to shame them. Now the culture is displaying their own shame, they are doing it to themselves.

Abortion, homosexuality, nakedness in the streets, materialism, broken families from divorce and remarriage, drugs, alcohol, corruption in the government, shacking up, more babies born out of wedlock than in marriage, marking the body in course and brutish displays through tatooing, piercings that disfigure the body in grotesque exhibitons of rebellion, young people are shooting other young people in schools and then committing suicide, Teachers are having affairs with their students, child molestation has increased and more! This is the state of our culture, all these things are growing, the people who do them are becoming cruel and indifferent to their fellow man....Narcissism is dominating the culture AND worse of all, these things are in the organized churches of our day.

Anyone still think we do not deserve judgement?

Success Does Not A Christian Make

Success Does Not A Christian Make

Preachers should preach to the people in the gatherings, for the purpose of growing the flock in holiness and convicting those in the gathering who may not be saved, but think they are.

Unfortunately there are those who are preachers and have never been born again. May the Lord have mercy on them and bring them to a place of brokenness over their sinful state.

Just because someone is in the pulpit, does not mean they are born again.

Just because someone says they are "a Christian", does not mean they are born again.

Just because someone follows all the rules and harms no one, does not mean they are born again.

Just because someone is successful in finances or accomplished in their talents, does not mean they are born again.

It might be surprising to some, that many people who go to church believe that if one is in the pulpit, if they say they are Christians, if they follow all the rules or if they are accomplished in business, one or all of these things, makes a person a good Christian.

These people may be Christians in the sense that they go to church and will tell you if you ask them, but they are not necessarily born again. None of these things prove that we are born again.

God used the most despised and rejected people to carry His gospel, those who did not fit in to the culture in which they lived. The were fish swimming up stream, even often discouraged for lack of support and responsiveness from those that they were sent to serve.

Our modern Christian culture has relegated Christianity to a superficial set of social rules that bear little resemblance to the born again life. Often these unspoken rules have hindered the gospel message by disallowing for rebuke, boldness and straight talk.

The best way to help our friends and family is to be boldly honest about everything, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Avoiding truth and sweeping sin and our spiritual state under the rug can only harm us.

John 3:31-35

"31 “He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

32 What He has seen and heard, of that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true.

34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.

35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand.

36 He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”"

Hospitality is Basic to the Christian Walk

Hospitality is Basic to the Christian Walk                                        

On another post there was mention of what we would do if we were faced with our President, who we believe is destroying our nation, coming to our house.  Would we show him hospitality or would we refuse him entrance into our home. 

My thinking is that, if the Lord sent him to my house, then He would want me to show our leader the same courtesy and respect that  I would any other unbeliever who comes to my door.

Our President, is condemned under God's wrath as are all those who have rejected Christ. He is one of those people God told us to try to reach with the Gospel.  We don't go to the mission field to reach the saved, we go to reach the lost, all of whom are on their way to hell, our desire is that they become born again, how can they if they never hear.

Romans 10:14 "How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?"

I am more likely to show hospitality to a non-believer than a rebellious Christian who is living in sin. That person must be disciplined under God's commands to put away the one who claims to be a believer but refuses to live as Christ told us.

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 "9 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people;

10 I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world.

11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?

13 But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves."

No one can know what God is doing in another person's heart no matter what things look like.  We must obey what God said in His Word, for the non-believer we bring the gospel and God's love, for the sinning believer we bring discipline because of God's love.

No one can know what God is doing in our own hearts when we serve non-believers, the very people who curse us.

Luke 6:28 "Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you."

We are not called to serve only those who love us, but in serving those who hate us, we heap hot coals of kindness. 

Proverbs 25:22 "For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the LORD will reward you."

God can make the foulest clean, just when we thought He could not reach someone because of their vile heart, He shows us how little we know about what He is doing.

We are called to obey in hospitality, even strangers, and leave all the results of our obedience to the Lord.

Hebrews 12:2 "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it."

We try too hard, I know I have at times, to figure out who is who and what is what.  When a matter is made clear by the Lord, then there is no changing my mind, however, many things are not made clear.  We are called to be hospitable, when it is within our power to do so, then we must obey, and leave the results to God.

There are times when the Lord tells us to stay away from those who claim to be brothers and sisters who are walking disobediently and unteachable, then we must do as God tells us to do, but we must be sure that He is speaking and not our own prideful heart.

The Christian walk is one of self sacrifice. We must learn to ignore insults, not to respond in kind to those who revile us and to let go of our tight controls on our things, our pride and our acquaintances.

We can trust God to tell us what to do and when.  He knows the heart of every person on this earth, what they need and what we should be or do.  Trusting that Christ will work in us we can leave everything to Him.

There is great freedom and peace in learning to hear God while obeying what we hear.

No one else has to understand what God has told us to do, that also is in His hands.

Proverbs 3:5-8

"5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart  And do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones."

No One Can Make Me

No One Can Make Me                                                             

Ever wonder how a person can do something seemingly completely out of character?

No one does what is out of character, the merely let fly what was inside all along.

No one all of a sudden becomes a new thing, they have been harboring it in their heart for a long time and have begun to be tired of the playacting, it becomes too much work, so they finally let their feelings fly, and the real them emerges.

No one can make a person be, say or do anything that is against their character. We can only bring out what was already in the inner most being, that has been hidden.

Mark 7:21 "For from within, out of people's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders,"

Remove the Divisive Man

Remove the Divisive Man

This seems like a no-brainer to me, but we would be surprised how many people in the pulpit think like the story I am about to relay.

We once attended a church where the pastor held the Bible over his head and said this:

"All of the answers to life's problems are not in this book and all of the answers to life's problems are not Christ."

We left that church and were criticized for causing division by leaving.

I laughed and stated clearly that those who stand for truth and righteousness are not the divisive ones, it is those who bring false and satanic doctrine that are causing division.

Romans 16:17

"Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them."

Titus 3:10

"As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,"

Unfortunately often those who are divisive are the ones who stand in the pulpit. If the people under them are too weak and beggarly to remove such a man, then that is when it is time to leave.

Say Good Bye To Youth Mission Trips

Over the years we have been asked from time to time to give to "short term mission trips", for the youth. After watching the mentality of the youth and the content of the mission trip, we decided that this was one kind of ministry to which we would not contribute.

Sending youth out to a foreign country for two weeks is not my idea of missions. Missionaries are people who have dedicated their lives to the work of the Lord, studying long hours, spending much time in prayer to know God intimately before hearing His call to minister to the people they will be serving.

Anyone entering the mission field should know God's Word well, while having a proven record of evangelism in their own communities, learning from the older folks who have walked many years with God.

A missionary should have a good record of serving by preaching, meeting physical needs of those in their sphere of influence and are respectful and obedient to their parents.

I will say this about what I have seen in the modern youth mission trips, they are nothing more than free paid vacations, on the donations of others. First the churches that encourage them, teach the youth to beg others for money to be able to go.

The youth are sending out letters soliciting funds from people in their families that they have not seen in years and would otherwise have no contact with. When the young people are turned down, these same youth have no further contact with them, except an occasional form letter for update, never personally addressing the family it is sent to. These letters have little if any content about the Lord, but have many pictures of the people they enjoy.

There is no need to expose the young people to missions by sending them out before they are mature and ready to serve fervently under all conditions of hardship. When a person is called to missions, there is a dedicatedness in their soul that cannot be quenched by anyone or anything, only then is a person ready to dedicate their lives for full time service.

We have taught the young people to go to mission because they will have fun and lots of people will like them, a sort of fraternity or sorority. The dedication to holiness, the willingness to suffer, the selflessness that is required for missions is not there when a child is getting excited about a trip, rather than driven by the Lord to serve others.

We don't need to "experience" something before considering it, we only have to pray, let the Holy Spirit lead and He will give us what we need when we need it after we have done our homework and have proven we are wanting to really serve the Lord.

Play will not be on the list of priorities at all for the dedicated gospel driven young person, in fact he won't fit in anywhere in the modern church, he will be different, set apart and focused on one thing.....Christ!

Popularity is a Clue

Popularity is a Clue

Recently I have been hearing about those who are attending Bible college to be leaders in their local church. Might I say that God never told men to ordain other men who are called to ministry.

Our culture of training preachers how to be preachers, while encouraging men to think with their own mind, rather than spending much time in prayer learning how to hear the Holy Spirit, has created men who think of ministry more in terms of a job rather than a calling of God. They think of ministry as a safe place to be where they can get the people to like them, a sort of glorified social club. If they keep the people happy they can have a salary from the donations that come in until they retire.

This is the reason we have so many in the pulpit today who are there to entertain the people, rather than bringing a strong message that convicts of sin, trains others in righteousness and encourages the assembly to evaluate their own hearts in light of the Scriptures.

A true preacher of the word will lose people rather than people being drawn to them. Those who are popular tend to be those who "follow the rules" about wining friends and influencing people.

The gospel is not very important to them, they are fixated on popularity rather than caring for the spiritual needs of the flock. The sermons in these churches are one long joke fest, laughing throughout the services shows us the mentality of the preacher and the believers who attend these gatherings.

The mentality that pervades the modern church gathering are the same principles that run Hollywood, keep the people happy, through entertainment, even if it is in the form of continual joking throughout the sermon.

I have looked at the face books of these stand up comedians, they focus mostly on sports, politics and fun mission trips.

When they speak of the mission trips they show pictures of young people engaged in laughing and amusement. They speak about the place they are, the fun things they did and the friends they made, very little about the gospel if anything is mentioned.

There is no mention of Bible studies and their content nor is there mention of anyone becoming born again or growing in the Lord.

I see no mention of prayer meetings or the content of prayer meetings.

Of course this is not all that I see, there are some dedicated preachers that are not acting like this, but they are few compared to the number that exist.

What we need is for those who have entered the profession of Pastor, to repent, get on their knees before God and ask for deliverance from wrong attitudes that take them away from Christ.

2 Timothy 4:1-8

"1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:

2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,

4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing"

Pride Will Keep Us From Spiritual Growth

Pride Will Keep Us From Spiritual Growth                                                   

We cannot obey Christ while indulging in pride.  Our pride will keep us from Spiritual growth and holiness.

Pride will keep us from serving God, in order to serve Him, we must be seeking His Will His way.

Proverbs 8:13

""The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverted mouth, I hate."

Proverbs 3:5-6

"5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart  And do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight."

The Minions of Satan Abound

When encountering a narcissistic controller, it is best to calmly state the truth, when they explode, calmly repeat it again and if they become over the top, then just calmly walk away.

Notice the word "calmly." Upsetting us is the goal of the arguer, so we must not give them what they are wanting.

The reason people use an explosion is to intimidate, is to cause frustration. When they see that their tactic has not worked they will be embarrassed and either stop or leave. We can stand our ground, without addressing their response and continue to calmly state our case.

The purpose of an explosion is to cause others to be out of control, for some strange reason, it makes the person who intimidated ,feel in control of others.

We must be confident that we are right and that we did nothing wrong. Often when someone explodes we assume we must have been offensive. Our confidence in what we are saying is important.

I was treated this way for many years with a narcissistic brother. They have the ability to make an insecure person feel stupid when they did or said nothing wrong.

A narcissist will elevate their voice, mock what you said no matter how insignificant it was, while speaking and acting superior to their victim.

Those who feel a need to dominate others will use an elevated voice to gain control over their victim, feeling empowered when they have managed to cause anger in their target.

God gave us some guidelines for dealing with these kind of people. When someone displays this mentality regularly and especially around you when they don't do it to others they think they respect, then we have a Scripture we can follow that helps us remain confident, in control and calm.

Proverbs 26:4 "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be like him."

And, Proverbs 22:24 "Do not associate with a man given to anger; Or go with a hot-tempered man,"

Sometimes we live with these people and cannot get away from them, as was my case with a brother. In these situations it is best to never allow them to anger us or get caught up in their push to fight. Leaving their presence whenever they begin their foolishness, going away to a room to pray, is the best action to take.

Proverbs 14:7 - "Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not [in him] the lips of knowledge."

Fighters, mockers, and intimidaters, will work on us until they see they can have no control over our emotions or reactions. The best thing to do is to never "react", but to calmly state the truth and leave the room for them to have no one to fight with.

God never said that we have to make another person understand. He gave us many guidelines about what to do when a person will not listen, one of those guidelines is to shake the dust from our feet.

We can live in peace when we do not keep company with those who are hell bent on arguing or fighting to win, rather than interested in truth.

Discussing to find the truth is far different from fighting and arguing to be the victor.

We are going to see more of this silliness perpetrated by arguers, because our world is becoming increasingly narcissistic and irrational. It is important that we walk closely with the Lord and guard our time, spending as little time as possible with those who are sent by Satan to ruin our joy and peace.

May the Holy Spirit guide all of us as we encounter the minions of darkness who control the mouths and hearts of the rebellious.

"God Gave Us A Brain"? Yikes!

"God Gave Us A Brain"  Who Do We Think We Are?

To believers who have been changed into a New Creation by Christ.  

John 14:16-17
16 "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."

Why would we try to figure out things with our own minds, when we have God Who created the universe, living inside of us?  God, Who created our very bodies, Who knows the end from the beginning, the details of our past and our future!

We are terribly prideful sometimes, we think we don't have to consult with God because we are convinced of our own abilities without even knowing the future, we tell God what He should do expecting Him to give us what we want.  

I wonder sometimes if God laughs at us as we tell Him what He should do, when He knows perfectly what should be done.  Instead of asking Him to show us what we need to be doing, we instruct Him as a two year old child would attempt to instruct his parents.  

We must look very silly to God at times. 

We think we are so intelligent, forgetting that God knows things we could never know, even our own hearts, He knows, we do not have the ability to look at our own hearts in truth.  We have an elevated opinion of ourselves that must make the Lord shake His head.

It must be insulting at times for the Lord, when His children boldly and brazenly command Him to do what they want, when the Lord knows what is best.  

John 14:16-17
16" And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."

The Helper, the Holy Spirit is not someone living in us to do our bidding like a puppet on a string.  He is living in us to be our adviser, a coach Who continually tells us what to do and when to do it and which way to go.  He is God, with all knowledge and perfect wisdom. 

Galatians 3:3 "Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?"

I have heard it said that "God gave us a brain", in reference to being able to think things through on our own.  This is nothing more than an excuse to trust in ourselves, rather than admitting our inadequacy and trusting in Christ Who lives in us in the form of the Holy Spirit. 

We have a corrupted brain, we have talents and practical knowledge, but it is tainted by sin and the flesh.  

Growing In Grace

Growing In Grace

As believers we understand that we have moved from the Letter of the Law to the Spirit of the Law when we became born again.

2 Corinthians 3:6 "6 who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament — not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life."

When our heart is right, then our actions will be an outpouring of that inner Spiritual beauty.

If our focus is more, if not entirely, on the physical life, then we are neglecting the most important element of the Christian walk, and that is the heart.

Matthew 15:18-20
"18 But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. 20 These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.”

Matthew 15:8
"8 ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me."

Anyone can keep up a pretense for a time, even a lifetime of outward good works, but they will not be able to sustain it forever. Those who are convinced works are more important than anything else are attempting to appear good in the eyes of others. We are not called to make others elevate us, we are called to honor Christ in all our ways that He might be glorified.

We have nothing to prove to anyone else. Our attitude is very different when Christ is the reason for all we do, than if we are fixated on being admired by men. The desire to be elevated only produces anger and bitterness when our efforts fail to impress others.

Matthew 7:21-23
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Those who focus first on the outward actions before the Spiritual, are placing the cart before the horse. Our actions do not gain us salvation nor do they cleanse us.

When the heart is right, then the outward actions of obedience will be right.

Every believer is continually growing, some faster than others, but everyone grows. God will continue to work in our lives. As His children we are subject to many circumstances that will develop and mature us. If we think we can get away with disobedience against our Father without consequences, think again.

Hebrews 12:6 "FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES."

The consequences of disobedience can be lifelong. God will not hear the prayers of those who ignore Him.

Isaiah 59:2 "But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear."

1 Peter 3:7
"7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with [a]someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered."

To grow in holiness we must first desire to be cleansed and changed by God. Without the desire, God will not work in us. He may send us difficulties to cause us to desire His help, but He will never force anyone.

I wonder how often the answer to our troubles was just around the corner, but were impeded because of our stubbornness?

Do we want to grow in holiness, seeing the blessings of our prayers answered, then we must confess our attitude, listen to God for the answer and then obey when it comes.

What We Won't Need In Heaven

What we won't need in heaven

Because we won't get dirty, there will be no need for towels, wash cloths or soap of any kind, nor will we need machines to wash our cloths.

Because we won't get sick, there will be no need of medicines, nor will we need vitamins to help us stay healthy.

Because we will not get tired, we won't need beds, because we won't need beds there will be no need for sheets,  because we won't get cold there will be no need for blankets,  heavy coats, boots or hats.

Because our vision will be perfect there will be no need for eye glass or eye doctors.

Because there will be no darkness, there will be no need for lamps, candles or flashlights.

 Because our minds will be in perfect working order, there will be no need for scratch pads to help us remember or calendars to keep appointments.

There will be no need for appointments because there will be no need for doctors or repair  men. Sometimes I wonder how much time we have spent in the offices of the healing profession because of illness or even just fear of illness.  Or, how much time we spend waiting for cars to be fixed, along with every other machine we use.

Because there will be no rain, we will have no need of umbrellas or rain coats.

Because there will be no snow, there will be no need of snow shovels or plows.

Because nothing will break, there will be no need of all the tools we use now to maintain a working environment or the glues that bond things.

Because the bugs behave themselves we will have no need of sprays to protect the fruit trees or vegetables.

Because tigers, bears, dogs, cats and all other animals won't bite or harm us there will be no need for guns or fences to protect ourselves.

Because the day will not be too hot and there is no night, we will live in a perfect environment, without worry, fear or hardship.  There will be no need to prepare for the winter cold or the summer heat.  

Because our nose will never get a cold or allergy, we will not need tissue, no need of Bandaides or antibiotics for injuries. 

Because our skin and bodies are perfect we will have no need for cosmetics or hair treatments. 

I know this list could be much longer, it seems to me that most of what we use today will not be needed in heaven.  

I don't know about you, but I rejoice when I ponder the gravity of our inheritance, the immensity of the blessing that awaits us.  

How many hours and much money, seem wasted on things just to survive and stay healthy. I am grateful that God has proved for us in this stage of our existence, however I do look forward to the day when it will be all over.  

This life for the believer seems like dung compared to where we are going.  Even so, the Lord gives us joy in our hearts, knowing that this earth, for the believer, is a testing time, to strengthen and grow us spiritually. We do not respond to it the way a non-believer does.  

It is our spiritual "gym" or "health club", we work out every day, when we fail we get up again to experience the next day of testing.  Our work out manual is the Bible!  It tells us where we have progressed and where we have failed and are in need of more exercise.  

It is the Holy Spirit Who sustains and teaches us.  

Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

1 Corinthians 6:19 
"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,"

Isaiah 11:2 
"The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD."

More is Caught Than Taught

"More is caught than taught."

We can tell our children the right things and still violate our own instruction to them, through our actions.

If a child hears the right things, but sees opposite actions, they will ignore what we say and do what they see us doing.

When we tell a child he shouldn't talk too much, then we had better be sure we are not "talking too much", through dominating conversations.

When we tell a child he should share, and then get upset when our spouse wants a piece of our candy, we are teaching by example, not to share.

When we tell our children to obey the Bible, while ignoring many of the principles written in it, then we are teaching our children to ignore the bible or cherry pick what we like.

When we tell our children they should respect us while we  show disrespect and dishonor to their grandparents, then we teach our children to disrespect and dishonor us.

When we tell our children not to be prideful and then treat others with contempt through favoritism, we are teaching snobbery to our children, that they need only show love and honor to those they like.

When we teach our children to serve others by making them serve us, but they never see us serving others, then we have taught them not to serve, and to make others serve them.

To punish a child for snappishness toward their siblings and then practice snappishness toward others ourselves, we have just taught our children to manipulate others through snappishness in conversation.

It is vitally important that our speech match our attitudes and actions.  Children will always take the easy road and the road most traveled, that which is familiar to them in daily living circumstances. 

We must be sure that our hearts are compliant to the Word, then and only then will our actions be the same as what is coming out of our mouths.

Does Counsel Offend Us, Or Do We Welcome It!

Does Counsel Offend Us, Or Do We Welcome It!

Those who have a fighting spirit, feeling the need to dominate every conversation, never listening to understand what others have to say, are self absorbed and elevated in their own eyes.

Proverbs 12:15 "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel."

What Do We Do With A Challenge

What Do We Do With A Challenge

Some of us have been judged as mean spirited or lacking concern about the lost or our fellow believers because we told the truth boldly.  There are those who would accuse us because there is sin in their own lives, they want others to accept their sin through silence. 

1 Thessalonians 2:1-6

"1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain,

2 but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.

3 For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit;

4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.

5 For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness—

6 nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority."

Every believer has the mandate and authority to speak the truth.  The greatest love we can have for anyone is to be open and honest about all things.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit we bring God's love, correction, exhortation and rebuke are a part of that love that most superficial believers want to ignore today. 

Those who fight back bitterly when confronted with truth, do so not because they are not guilty, but because they are guilty.  The hardest thing for a rebellious heart to hear is rebuke.

Titus 1:13 "This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;" 

Ecc. 7:5 "It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools."

Proverbs 28:26

"He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered."

Prov. 14:3 "In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them."

A godly man or woman who seeks the Lord, will not fight back because of correction, but will go to prayer over a challenge.  If the challenge is unjust, then God will show them and they will be able to move on without the need to fight or explain themselves. If the challenge is true, then the godly person will praise God for what has been shown and grow a little more. 

Proverbs 9:9 "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning."

James 1:2-5

"2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."

4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

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."