"The same grace that saved us, keeps us saved." Nick Bevilacqua
We cannot earn salvation by our works, nor can we keep that salvation or lose it by our works.
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Keeping the Peace or Making the Peace
Peace Keepers never solve anything, however a Peace Makers is one who works to resolve a problem by confronting it, discussing it and coming up with truth.
Peace Keepers never resolve anything, they just smile sweetly going on to accept all sin as though nothing is wrong, making everyone happy in the process.
The Peace Maker, tend to make people angry and unhappy, but it isn't because they are trying to upset people, it is because those who hear the solutions according to the principles of God, refuse to listen, fearing they might have to confess sin, ask forgiveness and demonstrate a willingness to change behavior.
Yep, the peace keeper runs from conflict to save themselves, while the peace maker faces conflict to resolve it.
Peace Keepers never resolve anything, they just smile sweetly going on to accept all sin as though nothing is wrong, making everyone happy in the process.
The Peace Maker, tend to make people angry and unhappy, but it isn't because they are trying to upset people, it is because those who hear the solutions according to the principles of God, refuse to listen, fearing they might have to confess sin, ask forgiveness and demonstrate a willingness to change behavior.
Yep, the peace keeper runs from conflict to save themselves, while the peace maker faces conflict to resolve it.
From Slaver to Born Again Believer
John Newton: the man who transported 20,000 slaves to the United States, remembering the anguish he caused them, laments what he did, as he also rejoices in the grace of God toward him when he became born again.
His quote:
"I am not what I ought to be — ah, how imperfect and deficient! I am not what I wish to be — I abhor what is evil, and I would cleave to what is good!"
I am not what I hope to be — soon, soon shall I put off mortality, and with mortality all sin and imperfection.
Yet, though I am not what I ought to be, nor what I wish to be, nor what I hope to be, I can truly say, I am not what I once was; a slave to sin and Satan; and I can heartily join with the apostle, and acknowledge, "By the grace of God I am what I am."
The song he wrote in response to the grace of God that led him out of the slavery trade and into Christ, reflects his gratefulness:
Amazing Grace, written by John Newton and sung by nearly every Christian;
"Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav'd a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev'd;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ'd!
Thro' many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call'd me here below,
Will be forever mine."
His quote:
"I am not what I ought to be — ah, how imperfect and deficient! I am not what I wish to be — I abhor what is evil, and I would cleave to what is good!"
I am not what I hope to be — soon, soon shall I put off mortality, and with mortality all sin and imperfection.
Yet, though I am not what I ought to be, nor what I wish to be, nor what I hope to be, I can truly say, I am not what I once was; a slave to sin and Satan; and I can heartily join with the apostle, and acknowledge, "By the grace of God I am what I am."
The song he wrote in response to the grace of God that led him out of the slavery trade and into Christ, reflects his gratefulness:
Amazing Grace, written by John Newton and sung by nearly every Christian;
"Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav'd a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev'd;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ'd!
Thro' many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call'd me here below,
Will be forever mine."
Visions and Dreams
When visions and dreams are constantly needed to build our faith, then we lack faith.
Romans 10:17 " 17 Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ."
Christ is called "The Word", He has written in the Bible everything He wants us to know. When we believe Him, then we are demonstrating faith.
1 Corinthians 4:6 "6 Brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written.” Then you will not take pride in one man over another. "
Notice in this last verse, we are not to "take pride in one man over another."
All have the Holy Spirit, no one is greater than another. Where there is an elevating of man, there is idolatry.
Romans 10:17 " 17 Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ."
Christ is called "The Word", He has written in the Bible everything He wants us to know. When we believe Him, then we are demonstrating faith.
1 Corinthians 4:6 "6 Brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written.” Then you will not take pride in one man over another. "
Notice in this last verse, we are not to "take pride in one man over another."
All have the Holy Spirit, no one is greater than another. Where there is an elevating of man, there is idolatry.
Reformation or Transformation?
Today is the anniversary of the "Reformation", it is interesting that that term is being used to describe the action of Martin Luther's posting of his theses to the door of the Catholic church.
I am glad it happened, this action opened the door to the Bible ending up in the hands of the common folks as well as declaring that salvation was through faith in Christ alone, without works.
The only correction I feel is necessary in the use of the word "Reformation" it seems to imply the church needed to be "reformed." That was not what was needed.
Those who desire to be saved must be "transformed", meaning that the old us is not made over to become different. When Christ changes a person into a born again believer, He completely changes us into a new creation. The old is completely removed and replaced by His Spirit. We are still trapped in this flesh, but our Spirit belongs to Him and we no longer think the way we used to think.
2 Corinthians 5:16-18 "…16 So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:…"
If we are born again we have been "Transformed", made into a completely new person, never to return to the old again, because the old has been eliminated.
Ephesians 4:17-19
"17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness."
Those who walk in the flesh desire to believe they are being the good person, they do not need transformation, they just need to "do" better.
Those who walk in the Spirit depend on the Spirit of God to guide them, change them and instruct them.
John 16:13-14 "13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you.…"
Notice from these verses in John that those who walk in the Spirit will glorify God, they will not glorify themselves. That is one of the obvious clues of the non-believer pretending to be a Christian, they always ultimately end up glorifying self.
The born again believer loves to bring glory to God, not to themselves, in fact, those who love Christ hate for the attention to be on themselves.
Colossians 3:16-17 "…16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
I am glad it happened, this action opened the door to the Bible ending up in the hands of the common folks as well as declaring that salvation was through faith in Christ alone, without works.
The only correction I feel is necessary in the use of the word "Reformation" it seems to imply the church needed to be "reformed." That was not what was needed.
Those who desire to be saved must be "transformed", meaning that the old us is not made over to become different. When Christ changes a person into a born again believer, He completely changes us into a new creation. The old is completely removed and replaced by His Spirit. We are still trapped in this flesh, but our Spirit belongs to Him and we no longer think the way we used to think.
2 Corinthians 5:16-18 "…16 So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:…"
If we are born again we have been "Transformed", made into a completely new person, never to return to the old again, because the old has been eliminated.
Ephesians 4:17-19
"17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness."
Those who walk in the flesh desire to believe they are being the good person, they do not need transformation, they just need to "do" better.
Those who walk in the Spirit depend on the Spirit of God to guide them, change them and instruct them.
John 16:13-14 "13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you.…"
Notice from these verses in John that those who walk in the Spirit will glorify God, they will not glorify themselves. That is one of the obvious clues of the non-believer pretending to be a Christian, they always ultimately end up glorifying self.
The born again believer loves to bring glory to God, not to themselves, in fact, those who love Christ hate for the attention to be on themselves.
Colossians 3:16-17 "…16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
Heros are for Idolaters
For the born again believer, to place anyone in "hero" status is to have an idol.
No one deserves that status but Jesus Christ alone.
Romans 12:2
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
No one deserves that status but Jesus Christ alone.
Romans 12:2
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Monday, October 30, 2017
The Joy Grows Stronger
It almost seems as though we are getting stronger the closer we approach the return of Christ.
As though we know we are losing nothing when rejected by this wicked world.
What is coming is so much greater, that our joy at rejection and our coming home going are so strong we feel little if anything when ungodly people come against us.
In fact, we are grieved not that we are being rejected, but that those who reject us are on their way down the wide road to hell and think everything is alright.
Romans 8:18 "17 And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him. 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God.…"
Hallelujah!!!!!
As though we know we are losing nothing when rejected by this wicked world.
What is coming is so much greater, that our joy at rejection and our coming home going are so strong we feel little if anything when ungodly people come against us.
In fact, we are grieved not that we are being rejected, but that those who reject us are on their way down the wide road to hell and think everything is alright.
Romans 8:18 "17 And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him. 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God.…"
Hallelujah!!!!!
Sunday, October 29, 2017
The Joy Grows
My joy grows even though the world around me grows more insane by the moment.
It is Christ Who is my joy, no matter what ridiculous antics surround me, He is always steady and always right. Hallelujah!
John 3:1-36
"Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ..."
It is Christ Who is my joy, no matter what ridiculous antics surround me, He is always steady and always right. Hallelujah!
John 3:1-36
"Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ..."
What is Love
1 John 3:15-17 "…15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer. 16 By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?…"
To provide for the physical, emotional and spiritual need of a brother or sister in Christ, is love as God sees it.
To ignore, neglect and mock anyone in need who is a brother or sister is to demonstrate hatred toward them.
To provide for the physical, emotional and spiritual need of a brother or sister in Christ, is love as God sees it.
To ignore, neglect and mock anyone in need who is a brother or sister is to demonstrate hatred toward them.
Acceptance of Sin in the Body
Those one or two in a congregation of 500, who speak the truth in exposing sin, will be the ones who are disciplined.
Those one or two will be ignored and possibly run out. The ones who get disciplined in the churches are those who speak truth while those who are sinning get all the loves!
Can anyone relate?
2 Corinthians 6:17 "…16 What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” 17 “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” 18 And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”…"
Those one or two will be ignored and possibly run out. The ones who get disciplined in the churches are those who speak truth while those who are sinning get all the loves!
Can anyone relate?
2 Corinthians 6:17 "…16 What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” 17 “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” 18 And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”…"
Writing My Thoughts
I write my thoughts when I am convinced my spoken words will not be received.
Why do I think my spoken words will not be received by some people? Because they have demonstrated many times in the past that they will not allow me to get an entire thought expressed without argument or interruption.
Ones ideas can more easily be ignored, forgotten, twisted and mocked when they are merely spoken. Often it is claimed we never said something or our delivery was mean, so I choose often to write my thoughts, others can choose to ignore them, but they have the option of going over them again, just as I stated them, when they are written.
We live in a culture that demands that all ideas be considered equal. There is no right or no wrong, but everything is as we choose for it to be, whatever we decide is right and whatever we decide is wrong and everyone listening must accept our conclusion even if we disagree.
When every idea is determined to be of the same value, then no idea is of greater value than another. In other words, all ideas have no value.
When we use excuses in circumstances to justify sin, then we are saying that God's principles have no more value than all the other ideas out there that also have no value.
If every idea has value, then no idea has greater value than any other idea. In short, nothing is of value except the feelings that generate from being accepted.
God says exactly the opposite from what our culture is teaching.
There is only one way to the Father in heaven, not many ways, as you choose:
John 14:6 " 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Only God's commandments have value:
John 14:15 15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
It is only through learning to think the way God thinks that has value:
Colossians 3:2
"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Titus 2:11-12 "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,"
So, which ideas are acceptable? Those ideas and standards that come from God are what is acceptable, anything contrary to His principles is sin and not acceptable to the believer or to God.
Why do I think my spoken words will not be received by some people? Because they have demonstrated many times in the past that they will not allow me to get an entire thought expressed without argument or interruption.
Ones ideas can more easily be ignored, forgotten, twisted and mocked when they are merely spoken. Often it is claimed we never said something or our delivery was mean, so I choose often to write my thoughts, others can choose to ignore them, but they have the option of going over them again, just as I stated them, when they are written.
We live in a culture that demands that all ideas be considered equal. There is no right or no wrong, but everything is as we choose for it to be, whatever we decide is right and whatever we decide is wrong and everyone listening must accept our conclusion even if we disagree.
When every idea is determined to be of the same value, then no idea is of greater value than another. In other words, all ideas have no value.
When we use excuses in circumstances to justify sin, then we are saying that God's principles have no more value than all the other ideas out there that also have no value.
If every idea has value, then no idea has greater value than any other idea. In short, nothing is of value except the feelings that generate from being accepted.
God says exactly the opposite from what our culture is teaching.
There is only one way to the Father in heaven, not many ways, as you choose:
John 14:6 " 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Only God's commandments have value:
John 14:15 15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
It is only through learning to think the way God thinks that has value:
Colossians 3:2
"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Titus 2:11-12 "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,"
So, which ideas are acceptable? Those ideas and standards that come from God are what is acceptable, anything contrary to His principles is sin and not acceptable to the believer or to God.
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Claiming or Really Believing
It's easy to claim we believe something when we are not faced with the challenge. Do we believe when we have to step up?
Can we still believe what we claim, when expressing it will lose us something?
Can we still believe what we claim, when expressing it will lose us something?
To Disregard the Principles of God is to Disregard Him
Why do I write so much about the things I see happening around me?
The answer is simple, I become frustrated at the continual violations of the Word of God on the part of Christians, and know that 99% of the time when I voice those concerns, NO ONE will listen. Not only does no one listen, those who violate God's word hold in contempt the believer who dares to point out the sin. While those who are accepting of the sin are encouraged to treat with contempt the one who stands for God's word.
I recently encountered a young woman who is a believer, she has all the right words and even the lifestyle of a believer, however, she has been dating a man who is not a believer. Although he shows an interest in some things about God, he has never made a profession of faith, nor has been convinced in his heart that Christ is the only way to heaven.
Also of concern to me is that the parents of this lovely young woman seem to be satisfied that the man she dates is friendly, kind, has manners and has a job. Because they do not want to experience the loss of a daughter, they capitulate in their belief that an unmarried woman should not be linked, through dating or marriage to someone who does not love God.
All dating is a precursor to marriage. If one is dating then there is the expectation that marriage will be in the future. If dating is not a plan of the future, then the dating is simply playing with fire.
A young believing woman who is giving her heart away to an unbeliever is placing the love of that man over her love for Christ.
I know that I risk enduring contempt once again as I write my concerns. I will be accused of writing instead of speaking to the person, even though I have no expectation that this person would listen to me. If I spoke to this person I would be accused of a mean spirited delivery, if I say nothing they will accuse me of saying nothing. I am "dammed if I do and dammed if I don't."
When someone is being encouraged by all the family and friends that surround them, it is most unlikely that they will listen to someone who has not been a part of their life, someone who has been neglected and ignored nearly all her life, is not someone that would have the ear of anyone in that circle. In fact I would be considered an interloper, since in times past I was told through intimidation and mocking that I had no business telling any of them the wisdom I desired to share from God's Word. Basically I was told, in covert manipulation, that I had no business inputting into their lives and should mind my own business, even after they told me their plans. I guess I was suppose to listen, shake my head politely and approve of every single thing they decide.
In other words, I have been told in no uncertain terms that I have no business counseling any of them on the matters in their life. They claim to be believers, but want to live their life without my counsel or my concerns, so I have to believe they would never listen to me anyway.
SO....my heart grieves about what I see going on, the flippancy with which the word of God is being ignored, while His principles are spurned, as though they are of no concern at all. As long as everyone is happy, the one who comes along and places the fly in the ointment by disapproving of violations of God's Word, will be the one neglected, hated and treated with contempt, as though they are doing something wrong.
Satan always makes the one who brings God's truth, look like the trouble maker, while those who violate and mock God's principles are elevated with kind and loving responses.
Proverbs 27:6
"6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."
I have prayed that the Lord would give me the right words and the time to speak to this young woman, but I am getting no inkling from Him that I should do so.
I know that I can never attend the wedding of a believer marrying a non-believer, that will also be a sad day for me. I had to do this a couple of times before, declining to attend the marriage of a divorced person who was remarrying, that too left me an object of gossip and mocking.
I have to keep remembering that Christ in me will not leave me at peace while encouraging someone in their sin. The hard part is that most believers do not consider it sin to date a non-believer.
Unbelievers are in rebellion against Christ, there is no expectation that they will ever seek Him for their standard in life.
Why does God say not to be "unequally yoked"?
1 Corinthians 15:33 " 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
When we link ourselves with those who do not love God, they WILL influence our ways. They will not be interested in the principles of God that direct us in raising of children, our entertainment, our desire for worship or holiness in the household.
The terrible true is that unbelievers are "god haters." They will not respond favorably to the expression of their girlfriend/boyfriend or wife in the matter of life toward God.
They may go along in the beginning because of their infatuation but that infatuation will fade the moment we assert our standard that reflects our love for Christ. When we find ourselves having to turn down activities and correct blasphemous language, the ire of the unbeliever will emerge, even if one believes "this man or woman would never act like that", comes from serious lack of experience and discernment.
The non-believer will be angry when we refuse to watch a particular show on television or will not attend the weddings of divorced and remarried people, or decline to attend many ungodly and God dishonoring activities that we cannot bring ourselves to participate in.
The non-believer will enjoy many things of the world that we hate. They will be angry when we will not participate. All that gooy lovey stuff will disappear the day we begin to realize we cannot go along with the things an unbelieving spouse enjoys doing.
Unbelievers have no standard, they have no Rock on which to base their actions, everything they do is based on the culture, those people who encourage their sinfulness and their own selfishly desire for pleasure. Unbelievers do not take disagreement or criticism well, they will fight and argue to win even when winning takes them to an undesirable place.
There are many books that warn young Christian women to avoid the pit falls of dating or marrying a non-believer, I could even write a book like that, but really all anyone needs is the Bible, that gives commands and principles regarding obedience to Christ. If we are seeking the Lord with all our heart, He will warn us and we will run like the wind from anything or anyone that dishonors Him.
I keep remembering that one who has been held in contempt by ungodly family members for years, is not likely to have a voice in anything they do. The Lord has helped me come to terms with this over the years, but once in a while I have to grieve over the mess I see others making of their lives, because of their refusal to seek Christ.
Proverbs 8:17
"I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me."
Deuteronomy 4:29
"But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul."
Lamentations 3:25
"The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him."
There will be consequences for those who ignore God's principles, that is the grief that comes from watching a believer completely disregard Christ.
To disregard His principles is to disregard Him.
The answer is simple, I become frustrated at the continual violations of the Word of God on the part of Christians, and know that 99% of the time when I voice those concerns, NO ONE will listen. Not only does no one listen, those who violate God's word hold in contempt the believer who dares to point out the sin. While those who are accepting of the sin are encouraged to treat with contempt the one who stands for God's word.
I recently encountered a young woman who is a believer, she has all the right words and even the lifestyle of a believer, however, she has been dating a man who is not a believer. Although he shows an interest in some things about God, he has never made a profession of faith, nor has been convinced in his heart that Christ is the only way to heaven.
Also of concern to me is that the parents of this lovely young woman seem to be satisfied that the man she dates is friendly, kind, has manners and has a job. Because they do not want to experience the loss of a daughter, they capitulate in their belief that an unmarried woman should not be linked, through dating or marriage to someone who does not love God.
All dating is a precursor to marriage. If one is dating then there is the expectation that marriage will be in the future. If dating is not a plan of the future, then the dating is simply playing with fire.
A young believing woman who is giving her heart away to an unbeliever is placing the love of that man over her love for Christ.
I know that I risk enduring contempt once again as I write my concerns. I will be accused of writing instead of speaking to the person, even though I have no expectation that this person would listen to me. If I spoke to this person I would be accused of a mean spirited delivery, if I say nothing they will accuse me of saying nothing. I am "dammed if I do and dammed if I don't."
When someone is being encouraged by all the family and friends that surround them, it is most unlikely that they will listen to someone who has not been a part of their life, someone who has been neglected and ignored nearly all her life, is not someone that would have the ear of anyone in that circle. In fact I would be considered an interloper, since in times past I was told through intimidation and mocking that I had no business telling any of them the wisdom I desired to share from God's Word. Basically I was told, in covert manipulation, that I had no business inputting into their lives and should mind my own business, even after they told me their plans. I guess I was suppose to listen, shake my head politely and approve of every single thing they decide.
In other words, I have been told in no uncertain terms that I have no business counseling any of them on the matters in their life. They claim to be believers, but want to live their life without my counsel or my concerns, so I have to believe they would never listen to me anyway.
SO....my heart grieves about what I see going on, the flippancy with which the word of God is being ignored, while His principles are spurned, as though they are of no concern at all. As long as everyone is happy, the one who comes along and places the fly in the ointment by disapproving of violations of God's Word, will be the one neglected, hated and treated with contempt, as though they are doing something wrong.
Satan always makes the one who brings God's truth, look like the trouble maker, while those who violate and mock God's principles are elevated with kind and loving responses.
Proverbs 27:6
"6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."
I have prayed that the Lord would give me the right words and the time to speak to this young woman, but I am getting no inkling from Him that I should do so.
I know that I can never attend the wedding of a believer marrying a non-believer, that will also be a sad day for me. I had to do this a couple of times before, declining to attend the marriage of a divorced person who was remarrying, that too left me an object of gossip and mocking.
I have to keep remembering that Christ in me will not leave me at peace while encouraging someone in their sin. The hard part is that most believers do not consider it sin to date a non-believer.
Unbelievers are in rebellion against Christ, there is no expectation that they will ever seek Him for their standard in life.
Why does God say not to be "unequally yoked"?
1 Corinthians 15:33 " 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
When we link ourselves with those who do not love God, they WILL influence our ways. They will not be interested in the principles of God that direct us in raising of children, our entertainment, our desire for worship or holiness in the household.
The terrible true is that unbelievers are "god haters." They will not respond favorably to the expression of their girlfriend/boyfriend or wife in the matter of life toward God.
They may go along in the beginning because of their infatuation but that infatuation will fade the moment we assert our standard that reflects our love for Christ. When we find ourselves having to turn down activities and correct blasphemous language, the ire of the unbeliever will emerge, even if one believes "this man or woman would never act like that", comes from serious lack of experience and discernment.
The non-believer will be angry when we refuse to watch a particular show on television or will not attend the weddings of divorced and remarried people, or decline to attend many ungodly and God dishonoring activities that we cannot bring ourselves to participate in.
The non-believer will enjoy many things of the world that we hate. They will be angry when we will not participate. All that gooy lovey stuff will disappear the day we begin to realize we cannot go along with the things an unbelieving spouse enjoys doing.
Unbelievers have no standard, they have no Rock on which to base their actions, everything they do is based on the culture, those people who encourage their sinfulness and their own selfishly desire for pleasure. Unbelievers do not take disagreement or criticism well, they will fight and argue to win even when winning takes them to an undesirable place.
There are many books that warn young Christian women to avoid the pit falls of dating or marrying a non-believer, I could even write a book like that, but really all anyone needs is the Bible, that gives commands and principles regarding obedience to Christ. If we are seeking the Lord with all our heart, He will warn us and we will run like the wind from anything or anyone that dishonors Him.
I keep remembering that one who has been held in contempt by ungodly family members for years, is not likely to have a voice in anything they do. The Lord has helped me come to terms with this over the years, but once in a while I have to grieve over the mess I see others making of their lives, because of their refusal to seek Christ.
Proverbs 8:17
"I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me."
Deuteronomy 4:29
"But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul."
Lamentations 3:25
"The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him."
There will be consequences for those who ignore God's principles, that is the grief that comes from watching a believer completely disregard Christ.
To disregard His principles is to disregard Him.
Friday, October 27, 2017
His Amazing Grace
It is amazing, the grace God showed toward us, because we all know what it feels like to be disliked or ignored, we want to reject the person who does this. If we are believers we don't act in angry ways toward these people, but it is unlikely that we will take their sin on ourselves to pay their penalty.
Romans 5:6-8 "6 For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 It is rare indeed for anyone to die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.…"
Romans 5:6-8 "6 For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 It is rare indeed for anyone to die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.…"
Unjustified Sin
Anyone who lives a lifestyle of "I don't have to", to justify sin, cannot be born again. Not because they lost their salvation, but because they never wanted to be changed by Christ in the first place. Those who come to Christ authentically come broken over their sinfulness and desire to be changed by Him.
Words Must Match the Actions
There is an old saying that goes like this; "More is caught than taught." Our example speaks far louder than our words. If our words do not match our actions, then those watching have no reason to believe us.
1 Peter 3:10 "10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech."
It is a form of deceit to say one thing and do another.
1 Peter 3:10 "10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech."
It is a form of deceit to say one thing and do another.
Growing in Holiness
The more we see ourselves in truth and confess what we see, the more we will grow in holiness. Those who cannot admit what they are, do not grow.
We must always be asking the Lord to reveal our shortcomings to us, that we would confess them to grow in holiness.
We must always be asking the Lord to reveal our shortcomings to us, that we would confess them to grow in holiness.
An Affair as Seen by God
There are those who will become angry at a married person having an affair with someone other than their spouse, but have no problem with someone divorcing their spouse eventually remarrying someone else.
God calls remarriage after a divorce, adultery.
Luke 16:18 "Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery."
This instruction from Christ clearly states in the original languages that this practice of adultery is an on going state, not a one act that goes away after the remarriage.
Those how think the next marriage after a divorce is a legitimate marriage is denying the words of Christ.
God calls remarriage after a divorce, adultery.
Luke 16:18 "Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery."
This instruction from Christ clearly states in the original languages that this practice of adultery is an on going state, not a one act that goes away after the remarriage.
Those how think the next marriage after a divorce is a legitimate marriage is denying the words of Christ.
Are You Good Enough?
How many of you think you are good enough Christians, raise you hands?
Romans 3:10 "10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 There is no one who understands; no one who seeks God.…"
Anyone who thinks they are good enough to get into heaven, will not be going there. Those who love to recount their good deeds as reasons why they will make into heaven, do not understand that nothing they DO will get them into heaven. Only those who have trusted what Christ DID on the cross will be going to heaven, not based on their good deeds but on His finished work on the cross on our behalf.
Those who think they will get into heaven because they KEPT their salvation cannot be saved either. One cannot receive salvation by grace alone and claim to keep themselves saved by their own works.
We are born again by trusting Christ, for believing, for salvation, after that for growth and for works and everything else in between. It's all about Him. To take any credit for our salvation is to diminish what Christ did on that cross.
Matthew 7:21-23
I Never Knew You
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
Ephesians 2:10
"10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Romans 3:10 "10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 There is no one who understands; no one who seeks God.…"
Anyone who thinks they are good enough to get into heaven, will not be going there. Those who love to recount their good deeds as reasons why they will make into heaven, do not understand that nothing they DO will get them into heaven. Only those who have trusted what Christ DID on the cross will be going to heaven, not based on their good deeds but on His finished work on the cross on our behalf.
Those who think they will get into heaven because they KEPT their salvation cannot be saved either. One cannot receive salvation by grace alone and claim to keep themselves saved by their own works.
We are born again by trusting Christ, for believing, for salvation, after that for growth and for works and everything else in between. It's all about Him. To take any credit for our salvation is to diminish what Christ did on that cross.
Matthew 7:21-23
I Never Knew You
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
Ephesians 2:10
"10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
The Culture Has It Wrong
Those who belong to Christ will see discipline and correction to keep them on the narrow path. Never fear brothers and sisters, if you are being chastised, then you are dearly loved.
Children today have difficulty understanding discipline as love, they see it as hate because the culture has convinced them that it is mean to discipline.
Hebrews 12:5-9
"…5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, or lose heart when He rebukes you.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.”
7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"
"…8 If you do not experience discipline like everyone else, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
9 Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live?…"
Children today have difficulty understanding discipline as love, they see it as hate because the culture has convinced them that it is mean to discipline.
Hebrews 12:5-9
"…5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, or lose heart when He rebukes you.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.”
7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"
"…8 If you do not experience discipline like everyone else, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
9 Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live?…"
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Refusing to Confess Brings Discipline
If we are not confessing sin, we will not be cleansed, if we are not cleansed because we stubbornly will not confess, then God will bring discipline to those who have a staunchness against discipline.
1 John 1:9
"9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Psalm 11:5
"The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence."
Hebrews 12:8
"If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons."
1 John 1:9
"9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Psalm 11:5
"The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence."
Hebrews 12:8
"If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons."
Cleansed by the Holy Spirit
Those who have become born again by the Holy Spirit hate the sin that we do. After salvation sins begin to fall off because we want to be cleansed. God said this to believers:
1 John 1:9
"9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
We will be continually challenged and cleansed for the rest of our lives as long as we are trapped in this body of death.
Romans 7:14-15 "…14 We know that the Law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do. But what I hate, I do. 16 And if I do what I do not desire, I admit that the Law is good.…"
When we seek the Holy Spirit, He will answer, revealing everything in us that needs correction, then He will bring about circumstances that redirect our thinking. We cannot be or do what is right until our thinking is adjusted.
It is our thinking that directs everything else. If we think right then our actions will come out right. If we think in twisted ways, we will only be able to pretend for a short time until the real us emerges during the difficult times.
If someone is constantly picking on us, then we know that person has contempt for us. If someone is treating us with kindness and respect, we know that person loves us. The proof of the mentality is seen in the sustained and permanent ways in which we operate.
Those who are fake cannot sustain goodness, but the truly good person will be continually kind and loving without deviation, except in rare instances where they are under stress, but then quickly they feel badly and confess. The Lord hates wickedness, He lives in us and we will take on the ways of the Holy Spirit Who lives in us.
Psalm 11:5
"The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence."
John 3:36
"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him."
Hebrews 12:5-7 "…5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, or lose heart when He rebukes you. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.” 7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"
Hebrews 12:8
"If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons."
1 John 1:9
"9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
We will be continually challenged and cleansed for the rest of our lives as long as we are trapped in this body of death.
Romans 7:14-15 "…14 We know that the Law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do. But what I hate, I do. 16 And if I do what I do not desire, I admit that the Law is good.…"
When we seek the Holy Spirit, He will answer, revealing everything in us that needs correction, then He will bring about circumstances that redirect our thinking. We cannot be or do what is right until our thinking is adjusted.
It is our thinking that directs everything else. If we think right then our actions will come out right. If we think in twisted ways, we will only be able to pretend for a short time until the real us emerges during the difficult times.
If someone is constantly picking on us, then we know that person has contempt for us. If someone is treating us with kindness and respect, we know that person loves us. The proof of the mentality is seen in the sustained and permanent ways in which we operate.
Those who are fake cannot sustain goodness, but the truly good person will be continually kind and loving without deviation, except in rare instances where they are under stress, but then quickly they feel badly and confess. The Lord hates wickedness, He lives in us and we will take on the ways of the Holy Spirit Who lives in us.
Psalm 11:5
"The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence."
John 3:36
"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him."
Hebrews 12:5-7 "…5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, or lose heart when He rebukes you. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.” 7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"
Hebrews 12:8
"If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons."
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Let the Holy Spirit Be the One to Guide
I am not sure I can think of anything more divisive and senseless than those who start arguments over the version of the Bible we use. It can go on and on and on, but I see no words in the Bible, no matter what version you are using, that we should only use a particular version, they are ALL translations of the original words of God, that's why we need the Holy Spirit to sort it all out.
There....I'm done!
There....I'm done!
Mostly There is no Searching
When we do not walk in fear, we sense no need to intimidate others into doing as we please. We can speak softly and leave all the results to God.
We can allow others to express their personality when there is no sin involved.
It is fear that motivates people to lash out when often there is no need to do so.
Those who are secure in Christ and comfortable with who they are in Christ feel no need to exact revenge when there is a disagreement.
Disagreements can be times of learning and even endearing ourselves to others, they need never be a vicious battle with the intent on winning or hurting someone to maintain superiority.
There is only a win when both parties in a disagreement have spoken long enough, each having their say, while coming to a consensus. When two cannot come to a consensus, then the loving challenge is expressed to go to prayer and Bible search to discover which one might be right.
Yep, this happens all the time doesn't it? LOL, LOL Most of the time these days no one leaves a conversation to revisit the Word and to pray for understanding.
We are never to compromise when we know truth, but we can always gather our evidence, comparing it with the evidence of the other person. But this does not happen either! Nope, mostly, few study, few pray and there is almost never a seeking after truth.....mostly!
We can allow others to express their personality when there is no sin involved.
It is fear that motivates people to lash out when often there is no need to do so.
Those who are secure in Christ and comfortable with who they are in Christ feel no need to exact revenge when there is a disagreement.
Disagreements can be times of learning and even endearing ourselves to others, they need never be a vicious battle with the intent on winning or hurting someone to maintain superiority.
There is only a win when both parties in a disagreement have spoken long enough, each having their say, while coming to a consensus. When two cannot come to a consensus, then the loving challenge is expressed to go to prayer and Bible search to discover which one might be right.
Yep, this happens all the time doesn't it? LOL, LOL Most of the time these days no one leaves a conversation to revisit the Word and to pray for understanding.
We are never to compromise when we know truth, but we can always gather our evidence, comparing it with the evidence of the other person. But this does not happen either! Nope, mostly, few study, few pray and there is almost never a seeking after truth.....mostly!
Dishonoring Comes in Many Forms
There is a dishonoring of parents that is not merely meanness done against them, but rather living our lives in such a ways as to bring dishonor upon our families is dishonoring our parents.
We are to honor our parents by living our lives in ways that bring honor to our parents.
Those who rob, steal, lie and cheat are dishonoring their parents because of their lifestyle. Even if we never do evil to our parents, if we live disorderly and rebellious personal lives, we have disobeyed the Word of God that says to "Honor Your Parents."
Ephesians 6:2 "1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2“Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3“that it may go well with you and that you may be long-lived on the earth.”…"
In this passage about children honoring parents, it is not just when they are being raised by their parents, it is in the children's adult years too. It remains a command all through the adult children's life. It does not mean doing everything the parents would like them to do, but it is respectfully treating them with kindness and honor no matter what the differences in opinions.
Both parent and adult children ought to be able to express their opinions in love with respect for one another's right to an opinion. When there is wrangling, arrogance and harsh words and reactions, there is disrespect.
Bullies love to control others through grunts of disapproval, raised voice and mocking language. When we see adult children speaking to their parents and even grandparents in this manner, we are looking at a dishonor and arrogance, serving only to destroy relationships.
Proverbs 16:30-32 "…30 He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things; He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass. 31 A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness. 32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.…"
We are to honor our parents by living our lives in ways that bring honor to our parents.
Those who rob, steal, lie and cheat are dishonoring their parents because of their lifestyle. Even if we never do evil to our parents, if we live disorderly and rebellious personal lives, we have disobeyed the Word of God that says to "Honor Your Parents."
Ephesians 6:2 "1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2“Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3“that it may go well with you and that you may be long-lived on the earth.”…"
In this passage about children honoring parents, it is not just when they are being raised by their parents, it is in the children's adult years too. It remains a command all through the adult children's life. It does not mean doing everything the parents would like them to do, but it is respectfully treating them with kindness and honor no matter what the differences in opinions.
Both parent and adult children ought to be able to express their opinions in love with respect for one another's right to an opinion. When there is wrangling, arrogance and harsh words and reactions, there is disrespect.
Bullies love to control others through grunts of disapproval, raised voice and mocking language. When we see adult children speaking to their parents and even grandparents in this manner, we are looking at a dishonor and arrogance, serving only to destroy relationships.
Proverbs 16:30-32 "…30 He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things; He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass. 31 A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness. 32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.…"
Bullies Need to Repent
The only hope for mean spirited bullies is to turn to Christ, confess their sinful nature and ask the Lord to change them into a new creation.
The Error in the Church is Growing
There is so much devastating error in the Christian church today, that people are being driven away from God rather than toward Him.
Why would non-believers choose God, when in their mind He is no different from their unsaved family and friends.
"The message that Moses allowed for the divorce and it is an abomination to return to the first spouse", is the twisting of Scripture we see all the time. I heard this from my brother the other day. I quickly corrected him, continued talking until he got tired of listening, then he found an excuse to go to lunch to avoid any more discussion.
I am no longer allowing these people to dominate the conversation while I listen to their drivel. I now begin talking and don't let up, so they do not have a chance to spout their lies about this matter. They either listen or they go away, either way is fine with me.
One becomes weary of saying the same things over and over again to the same people, while they act as though they never heard it at all.
This same brother told a new believing woman that she needed to look at pornographic movies with her husband because the Bible says to obey her husband. More drivel that destroys souls.
When we know the Bible well, we won't buy into these lies that have been propagated by the devil to ruin lives and disgrace God.
Christ made it clear that if we divorce we are to remain single or be reconciled to our husband. He also made it clear that we are not to obey our husband's when they want us to dishonor God and destroy our Christian witness.
Psychology has managed to cause people to believe that rebellion in children before a certain age is normal and expected, affording the parents an excuse for not bothering to train or discipline their children to be better people.
Not only do children NOT naturally grow out of a rebellious spirit, they become much worse over time when there are no consequences. It is true that often people rise to the level of need when faced with consequences, but when there are no consequences, the the people will lower themselves to the baser level.
We saw this when marijuana was legalized in our region. People who never would have smoked it before are walking into those dispensaries to get their weed, people with "hoary" heads, (gray hair). Does this not suggest that these people never leaned anything in their life and were more concerned about a jail record than they were about acting maturely.
When wrong behavior is not disciplined while instruction is absent, then evil grows, actions become more intense and evil attitudes blossom openly.
Those who have wickedness in their heart that is not restrained by laws and the culture will harden their hearts.
In the account of Pharaoh when he was told by Moses to let his people go, the Pharaoh saw the plagues of Egypt because of his stubbornness, but he remained stubborn. When Pharaoh chose to harden his heart the Lord then turned him over to that hardness and further hardened him.
Both Pharaoh hardened his heart and then God further hardened it, knowing that it was what Pharaoh wanted. When we choose to resist God in our attitudes and actions, we never know how far we will go with it before God hardens us to the place of no return.
God often gives us what we want, but it is not always going to benefit us unless we are in His will.
Exodus 8:32 "32 But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he did not let the people go."
Exodus 9:12 " 12 And the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not listen to them, just as the LORD had spoken to Moses."
Why would non-believers choose God, when in their mind He is no different from their unsaved family and friends.
"The message that Moses allowed for the divorce and it is an abomination to return to the first spouse", is the twisting of Scripture we see all the time. I heard this from my brother the other day. I quickly corrected him, continued talking until he got tired of listening, then he found an excuse to go to lunch to avoid any more discussion.
I am no longer allowing these people to dominate the conversation while I listen to their drivel. I now begin talking and don't let up, so they do not have a chance to spout their lies about this matter. They either listen or they go away, either way is fine with me.
One becomes weary of saying the same things over and over again to the same people, while they act as though they never heard it at all.
This same brother told a new believing woman that she needed to look at pornographic movies with her husband because the Bible says to obey her husband. More drivel that destroys souls.
When we know the Bible well, we won't buy into these lies that have been propagated by the devil to ruin lives and disgrace God.
Christ made it clear that if we divorce we are to remain single or be reconciled to our husband. He also made it clear that we are not to obey our husband's when they want us to dishonor God and destroy our Christian witness.
Psychology has managed to cause people to believe that rebellion in children before a certain age is normal and expected, affording the parents an excuse for not bothering to train or discipline their children to be better people.
Not only do children NOT naturally grow out of a rebellious spirit, they become much worse over time when there are no consequences. It is true that often people rise to the level of need when faced with consequences, but when there are no consequences, the the people will lower themselves to the baser level.
We saw this when marijuana was legalized in our region. People who never would have smoked it before are walking into those dispensaries to get their weed, people with "hoary" heads, (gray hair). Does this not suggest that these people never leaned anything in their life and were more concerned about a jail record than they were about acting maturely.
When wrong behavior is not disciplined while instruction is absent, then evil grows, actions become more intense and evil attitudes blossom openly.
Those who have wickedness in their heart that is not restrained by laws and the culture will harden their hearts.
In the account of Pharaoh when he was told by Moses to let his people go, the Pharaoh saw the plagues of Egypt because of his stubbornness, but he remained stubborn. When Pharaoh chose to harden his heart the Lord then turned him over to that hardness and further hardened him.
Both Pharaoh hardened his heart and then God further hardened it, knowing that it was what Pharaoh wanted. When we choose to resist God in our attitudes and actions, we never know how far we will go with it before God hardens us to the place of no return.
God often gives us what we want, but it is not always going to benefit us unless we are in His will.
Exodus 8:32 "32 But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he did not let the people go."
Exodus 9:12 " 12 And the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not listen to them, just as the LORD had spoken to Moses."
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Please God by Honoring Parents
The old fashioned mentality is for children to seek to please their parents.
We are living in a time when there is no respect for parents, the young people are angry when we do not seek to please them.
Leviticus 20:9
"For anyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death; he has cursed his father or his mother; his blood is upon him."
Notice how serious disrespect for parents is?
We are living in a time when there is no respect for parents, the young people are angry when we do not seek to please them.
Leviticus 20:9
"For anyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death; he has cursed his father or his mother; his blood is upon him."
Notice how serious disrespect for parents is?
Monday, October 23, 2017
The Devils are Busy
I believe the devils are working overtime in family relationships.
So many arguments and fights are completely irrational, as though insanity has set in.
Tantrums on the part of adults is common these days. When they do not get exactly what they want, they fly into a rage, especially if they are wrong. The rage is an attempt to hide their own guilt.
The rage is a tactic to control the emotions of others, causing others to back down, while causing them to think they have done something wrong, but they cannot figure out what it is because their offenders won't say what bothers them, and we can't guess.
As long as we know what we are dealing with, we do not have to engage with these monstrous angry adults. We can walk away without guilt, knowing that there was an attempt to manipulate and control us through these mean spirited tactics.
I no longer feel guilty when I see this happening, I feel sad for the person who cannot control their tantrums or desires. We know that these people are lost and on their way to hell. They need salvation, but they will not see victory until they trust Christ, then He can clean them up.
These manipulators are idols unto themselves. They worship themselves, the reason they cannot tolerate any suggestion that they need a heart change.
These people need to pray these kind of prayers:
Psalm 51:10
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me."
Ezekiel 36:25
"Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.
So many arguments and fights are completely irrational, as though insanity has set in.
Tantrums on the part of adults is common these days. When they do not get exactly what they want, they fly into a rage, especially if they are wrong. The rage is an attempt to hide their own guilt.
The rage is a tactic to control the emotions of others, causing others to back down, while causing them to think they have done something wrong, but they cannot figure out what it is because their offenders won't say what bothers them, and we can't guess.
As long as we know what we are dealing with, we do not have to engage with these monstrous angry adults. We can walk away without guilt, knowing that there was an attempt to manipulate and control us through these mean spirited tactics.
I no longer feel guilty when I see this happening, I feel sad for the person who cannot control their tantrums or desires. We know that these people are lost and on their way to hell. They need salvation, but they will not see victory until they trust Christ, then He can clean them up.
These manipulators are idols unto themselves. They worship themselves, the reason they cannot tolerate any suggestion that they need a heart change.
These people need to pray these kind of prayers:
Psalm 51:10
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me."
Ezekiel 36:25
"Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.
Romans 10:9
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
Lost in the Goo
Love must be behind our desire to witness Christ to others. However, we cannot make rules for those who witness, formulas that everyone must follow.
Christ was gentle most of the time, but His love did include harsh rebukes at times. The harshest rebukes were to the "religious leaders", who should have known better.
There were times when Christ called people names, dogs, white washed tombs and snakes and vipers.
Our love ought to motivate us to do as Christ wants us to do, no matter which delivery that will be.
Trusting the Holy Spirit for every encounter is the assurance that we will be used of Him, rather than implementing the formulas of men who use techniques instead of Holy Spirit unction.
Our American culture has a perverted idea of love that is far too squishy and even meaningless, the importance of a matter gets lost in all the goo!!!!
Don't let anyone tell you "how it must be done", seek the Holy Spirit and do whatever He leads you to do. Just be sure it's Him and not your flesh.
Romans 8:13-15 "…13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”…"
Christ was gentle most of the time, but His love did include harsh rebukes at times. The harshest rebukes were to the "religious leaders", who should have known better.
There were times when Christ called people names, dogs, white washed tombs and snakes and vipers.
Our love ought to motivate us to do as Christ wants us to do, no matter which delivery that will be.
Trusting the Holy Spirit for every encounter is the assurance that we will be used of Him, rather than implementing the formulas of men who use techniques instead of Holy Spirit unction.
Our American culture has a perverted idea of love that is far too squishy and even meaningless, the importance of a matter gets lost in all the goo!!!!
Don't let anyone tell you "how it must be done", seek the Holy Spirit and do whatever He leads you to do. Just be sure it's Him and not your flesh.
Romans 8:13-15 "…13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”…"
We Cannot Save Ourselves
God never died on the cross to cover our sins because we couldn't save ourselves, and then tell us we had to keep saving ourselves every day by being good.
Ephesians 1:13-14
"13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory."
Ephesians 1:13-14
"13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory."
Fear Man or God, Choose
Exodus 4:11 "11 The LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?…"
Are you afraid to speak the truth, fearful that you won't do it the right way?
It is the Holy Spirit that speaks through us, stop all the worry and just do as you are led by God.
Matthew 10:19 "19 But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say."
So many lovely believers refrain from speaking or writing because they fear the rejection of man.
To fear men is to place people above God. If someone mocks you because you didn't do it just right, then that's on them, not you. Mockers will always attempt to make us look silly, they did it to Christ and the apostles too.
God has our back, yes we have no reason to fear man!
Are you afraid to speak the truth, fearful that you won't do it the right way?
It is the Holy Spirit that speaks through us, stop all the worry and just do as you are led by God.
Matthew 10:19 "19 But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say."
So many lovely believers refrain from speaking or writing because they fear the rejection of man.
To fear men is to place people above God. If someone mocks you because you didn't do it just right, then that's on them, not you. Mockers will always attempt to make us look silly, they did it to Christ and the apostles too.
God has our back, yes we have no reason to fear man!
Better Than Moses?
A brother today brought the challenge to forget about your insecurities in sharing the truth of Christ, he was so right.
Exodus 4:10-11 "10 Then Moses said to the LORD, "Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." 11 The LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?…"
Bahahaha!!!! Do we have to be better than Moses to speak the truth?
Exodus 4:10-11 "10 Then Moses said to the LORD, "Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." 11 The LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?…"
Bahahaha!!!! Do we have to be better than Moses to speak the truth?
Foolishness of Date Setting
Those of you who keep setting dates for the rapture or the tribulation better cut it out, God is going to deal with you and it won't be pretty.
They Just Keep Coming
A sister in Christ shared today that the new date for the tribulation has been changed to October 31st.
LOL, LOL!!!! What next, I am so confused! They keep changing the dates, so much so that I guess I must just trust Christ instead!!!! (tongue firmly planted in cheek)
These people don't ever seem to learn. I guess they count on people forgetting the last time they had egg all over their faces.
Those who are not content to walk by faith in the Word of God and Christ Himself, just have to have "special revelation" and "miracles" they can brag about. Shame on these who defy the Word of God in their date setting.
The last few times they set dates, they didn't come true, so I have to assume they are false prophets who haven't heard from God or perhaps God changed His mind?
The truth is, God has a date that He didn't tell us and these false prophets never heard from Him, they are making up their lies to gain attention and even perhaps support from those they want to worship them.
Ezekiel 13:9 "9 My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will not belong to the council of my people or be listed in the records of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD."
Hmm!!! Seems like a pretty clear warning from God doesn't it!!!
LOL, LOL!!!! What next, I am so confused! They keep changing the dates, so much so that I guess I must just trust Christ instead!!!! (tongue firmly planted in cheek)
These people don't ever seem to learn. I guess they count on people forgetting the last time they had egg all over their faces.
Those who are not content to walk by faith in the Word of God and Christ Himself, just have to have "special revelation" and "miracles" they can brag about. Shame on these who defy the Word of God in their date setting.
The last few times they set dates, they didn't come true, so I have to assume they are false prophets who haven't heard from God or perhaps God changed His mind?
The truth is, God has a date that He didn't tell us and these false prophets never heard from Him, they are making up their lies to gain attention and even perhaps support from those they want to worship them.
Ezekiel 13:9 "9 My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will not belong to the council of my people or be listed in the records of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD."
Hmm!!! Seems like a pretty clear warning from God doesn't it!!!
It's About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the power behind His Word.
One can know the Word, but without the Holy Spirit we cannot understand the truth.
One can know the Word, but without the Holy Spirit we cannot understand the truth.
Caring About Another's Walk
YES!!!! It is right and good to warn women to dress modestly to prevent being seen as a target for immorality.
When a woman dresses provocatively she is basically "selling herself." We expose those wares that we want to sell. Whether we expect to be watched for our physical beauty, then the clothing will express that. If a woman wants to be admired for feminine physical attributes, then she will declare it with her clothing.
Women who are connected to a husband will want to save her most intimate beauty for him alone. She honors him by withholding from other men what only belongs to her husband.
Our culture is hell bent on exposing the beauty of a woman to every Tom, Dick and Harry that wanders by. The immorality is so deeply defended in our culture that there may even be those who come to fight for the right for a woman to dress as she pleases and if a man looks then it's his fault for not controlling himself, I say to this mentality "hogwash."
We teach people not to offer alcohol to an alcoholic, why? Because we don't want to do anything to cause the alcoholic to fall off the wagon. In other words we are taught it is wrong to cause another person to fall. And, so it is with the clothing women wear. When we wear what will cause a man to have to work hard to avoid looking, then we are partly to blame for his condition.
We don't offer alcohol to an alcoholic, we don't serve sugary treats to a diabetic, or give drugs to a recovering druggie, so what makes clothing any different.
1 Peter 3:2-4 "…2 when they see your pure and reverent demeanor. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, 4 but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.…"
It is not pursuing peace to flaunt in front of someone that which might make them fall from their resolve to obey Christ. The following passage is referring to food, but can easily be applied to other actions that may diminish another believers walk.
Romans 14:13-19 "13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding."
There is a difference between "blaming the victim" and trying to offer guidance that might help to prevent victimization. Fran Dunham
When a woman dresses provocatively she is basically "selling herself." We expose those wares that we want to sell. Whether we expect to be watched for our physical beauty, then the clothing will express that. If a woman wants to be admired for feminine physical attributes, then she will declare it with her clothing.
Women who are connected to a husband will want to save her most intimate beauty for him alone. She honors him by withholding from other men what only belongs to her husband.
Our culture is hell bent on exposing the beauty of a woman to every Tom, Dick and Harry that wanders by. The immorality is so deeply defended in our culture that there may even be those who come to fight for the right for a woman to dress as she pleases and if a man looks then it's his fault for not controlling himself, I say to this mentality "hogwash."
We teach people not to offer alcohol to an alcoholic, why? Because we don't want to do anything to cause the alcoholic to fall off the wagon. In other words we are taught it is wrong to cause another person to fall. And, so it is with the clothing women wear. When we wear what will cause a man to have to work hard to avoid looking, then we are partly to blame for his condition.
We don't offer alcohol to an alcoholic, we don't serve sugary treats to a diabetic, or give drugs to a recovering druggie, so what makes clothing any different.
1 Peter 3:2-4 "…2 when they see your pure and reverent demeanor. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, 4 but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.…"
It is not pursuing peace to flaunt in front of someone that which might make them fall from their resolve to obey Christ. The following passage is referring to food, but can easily be applied to other actions that may diminish another believers walk.
Romans 14:13-19 "13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding."
There is a difference between "blaming the victim" and trying to offer guidance that might help to prevent victimization. Fran Dunham
How Did America Get This Way?
Sent to me from Isabel Higham; thank you Isabel!
"Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this happen?" (regarding the attacks on Sept, 11, hurricanes and earth quakes.
Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out.
How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?" In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school .... the Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK. Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.
Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.
Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace. Are you laughing?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they WILL think, of you for sending it.
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.
God bless you as you share it with friends. No Nation or people can ever survive or succeed without Jesus Christ."
Seen by Isabel Higham at 9:11am
"Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this happen?" (regarding the attacks on Sept, 11, hurricanes and earth quakes.
Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out.
How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?" In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school .... the Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK. Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.
Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.
Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace. Are you laughing?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they WILL think, of you for sending it.
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.
God bless you as you share it with friends. No Nation or people can ever survive or succeed without Jesus Christ."
Seen by Isabel Higham at 9:11am
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Must be Led by the Spirit
Leon Nel said this:
"If not 'led by the Spirit', and you are not 'walking in the Spirit', all attempts at Discernment will be Legalism...using the law to judge between right and wrong, as apposed to assess from the heart (Spirit in you, you in Christ)."
"If not 'led by the Spirit', and you are not 'walking in the Spirit', all attempts at Discernment will be Legalism...using the law to judge between right and wrong, as apposed to assess from the heart (Spirit in you, you in Christ)."
Asking a Question to Start Trouble
One of the tactics of the narcissist and very prideful ones, is that they ask a question they don't believe you can answer, then when you do answer it, they come back and claim you didn't answer it.
I cannot count the number of times I have given a clear answer to a question, but because those reading don't like the answer or don't believe the answer, they will accuse you of not answering it.
I have also encountered those who would accuse us of not doing something we clearly know we did, but because we didn't do it their way in their timing, they will claim we never did it.
The devil has many tactics to discredit those he hates, often they serve to justify sin while demeaning and mocking obedience.
This is the reason I never pay much attention to the testimonies of prideful people, often they have skewed the situation in the direction that makes their target look evil and them innocent.
There is a growing nastiness here on facebook, reflective of a culture of pride. Fighting to win at all costs seems to be the mentality of the day.
Truth is not very important to many people, their aim is to desperately hold onto the traditions of men that have been passed down to them by apostate preachers.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.…"
Mark 7:13 " 13 Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so” in many such matters."
We have been encountering the itching ears and the traditions of men for over a hundred years now in this country. Those who dared to bring truth solely based on the Word of God have been avoided, maligned and mocked for their devotion to the Bible.
The very ones who refuse to accept truth are the ones to shout "your arrogant" the loudest. Whether or not one is arrogant has nothing to do with the truth they proclaim. Often the accusation of pride is leveled against those who are telling truth, to diminish what they have said.
I do not allow apposing teaching to overwhelm my facebook page. If someone disagrees, then they can give one or two scriptures to support their assertion, but they are not allowed to comment long discussion to refute what I am teaching.
If someone disagrees so adamantly that they are angry and frustrated, then it is best to delete me as a friend, we obviously don't walk the same path and must part company.
Amos 3:3 "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"
The answer is no, we cannot walk together if we are not agreed, that's why so many start fights. A disagreement is far different from fighting to win while demonstrating lack of self control in name calling and meaningless accusations.
There are many others who love to write and speak about the Lord, they are continually attacked because they address things that fly in the face of modern thinking, their Biblical perspective is foreign to those who are not walking with the Holy Spirit.
1 Timothy 4:1
"Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,"
We must understand that most people who say they are Christians have never been born again by the Holy Spirit, their minds have been darkened by demonic influence and their own fleshly desire to be superior to God and to others.
Ephesians 4:17-19 "17 So I tell you this, and testify to it in the Lord: You must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more.…"
Hence, the reason we see so much arguing and fighting on facebook, many who claim to know truth, actually fight against it.
I cannot count the number of times I have given a clear answer to a question, but because those reading don't like the answer or don't believe the answer, they will accuse you of not answering it.
I have also encountered those who would accuse us of not doing something we clearly know we did, but because we didn't do it their way in their timing, they will claim we never did it.
The devil has many tactics to discredit those he hates, often they serve to justify sin while demeaning and mocking obedience.
This is the reason I never pay much attention to the testimonies of prideful people, often they have skewed the situation in the direction that makes their target look evil and them innocent.
There is a growing nastiness here on facebook, reflective of a culture of pride. Fighting to win at all costs seems to be the mentality of the day.
Truth is not very important to many people, their aim is to desperately hold onto the traditions of men that have been passed down to them by apostate preachers.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.…"
Mark 7:13 " 13 Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so” in many such matters."
We have been encountering the itching ears and the traditions of men for over a hundred years now in this country. Those who dared to bring truth solely based on the Word of God have been avoided, maligned and mocked for their devotion to the Bible.
The very ones who refuse to accept truth are the ones to shout "your arrogant" the loudest. Whether or not one is arrogant has nothing to do with the truth they proclaim. Often the accusation of pride is leveled against those who are telling truth, to diminish what they have said.
I do not allow apposing teaching to overwhelm my facebook page. If someone disagrees, then they can give one or two scriptures to support their assertion, but they are not allowed to comment long discussion to refute what I am teaching.
If someone disagrees so adamantly that they are angry and frustrated, then it is best to delete me as a friend, we obviously don't walk the same path and must part company.
Amos 3:3 "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"
The answer is no, we cannot walk together if we are not agreed, that's why so many start fights. A disagreement is far different from fighting to win while demonstrating lack of self control in name calling and meaningless accusations.
There are many others who love to write and speak about the Lord, they are continually attacked because they address things that fly in the face of modern thinking, their Biblical perspective is foreign to those who are not walking with the Holy Spirit.
1 Timothy 4:1
"Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,"
We must understand that most people who say they are Christians have never been born again by the Holy Spirit, their minds have been darkened by demonic influence and their own fleshly desire to be superior to God and to others.
Ephesians 4:17-19 "17 So I tell you this, and testify to it in the Lord: You must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more.…"
Hence, the reason we see so much arguing and fighting on facebook, many who claim to know truth, actually fight against it.
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