"…17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who watches his way preserves his life. 18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. 19 It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly Than to divide the spoil with the proud.…
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Go Into the World
God told us to go into the world to preach the gospel, not bring the world into the church.
Mark:16:15
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
Our worship is for God and believers alone, not for the unsaved who will not worship Him.
Mark:16:15
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
Our worship is for God and believers alone, not for the unsaved who will not worship Him.
The Influence Comes from Satan
THE DEVIL INFLUENCED EVE TO SIN:
Genesis 3:3-5 "…3 but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.'" 4 The serpent said to the woman, "You surely will not die! 5 "For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."…
THE DEVIL INFLUENCED PETER TO SIN : Notice Christ addressed the devil while talking to Peter!
Matthew 5:22-23 "…22 Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. “Far be it from You, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to You!” 23 But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
THE DEVIL INFLUENCED ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA TO SIN.
Acts 5:3 "3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land?"
The devil spends more time influencing people to rage and rail at believers in an attempt to get them to sin than any other way. He tried to get Eve to believe God lied to her, he influenced Peter to question God's purpose and he influenced Ananias and Sapphira to feel the need to impress others, pretending they gave all their earnings when they held back a portion. It was interesting that this couple was not required to give all but they wanted to be seen by men as doing a good thing, so they lied. It was the lying to the Holy Spirit that did them in, literally.
Satan places unclean thoughts in the heads of people to cause them to believe things that are not true. If he can get us to think certain things he can break up relationships, remove support systems and cause rebellion in children.
When he knows he cannot get them to sin through mere temptation, he can cause them to sin by using the mouths of others to falsely accuse or frustrate with mocking and demeaning, then watch their reaction to defend themselves in anger.
Do not fall for the tricks of the devil. His favorite tactic is to arouse frustration in believers so they will become angry, then he can point his bony finger of accusation that we are the evil ones.
Revelation 12:10 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, he who accuses them day and night before our God."
It is interesting how the accuser feels justified in their hateful tactics when we respond to them. When we do not respond they exit quickly because they only have themselves to see. Their goal was thwarted so they remove themselves.
The attacks on believers are increasing, if we know the tactics of the evil one we can be prepared to allow the Holy Spirit to control us so that we are not controlled by the devil.
God warned us many times in the Word about the tactics of the devil, in every case He tells us to remove ourselves or we speak the words of God and the devil will flee.
James 4:7-8 "7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.…"
Revelation 12:11 "11 They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; and they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death.…"
There it is, the answer to the attacks, the devil has been conquered by the blood of Christ, he has no power unless we give it to him.
Ephesians 4:27 "…26“Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. "
Because Christ is in us we can exercise self control when we are under attack. No need to explain ourselves or attempt to reason with the devil. Simply state truth as needed or refuse to answer at all.
Proverbs 26:3-5 "…3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools. 4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be like him. 5 Answer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in his own eyes.…"
Remember the attacks do not reveal anything about us, but they do reveal much about the attacker. However if we become angry and exact revenge, then our response does reveal that our heart needs more work.
Genesis 3:3-5 "…3 but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.'" 4 The serpent said to the woman, "You surely will not die! 5 "For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."…
THE DEVIL INFLUENCED PETER TO SIN : Notice Christ addressed the devil while talking to Peter!
Matthew 5:22-23 "…22 Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. “Far be it from You, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to You!” 23 But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
THE DEVIL INFLUENCED ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA TO SIN.
Acts 5:3 "3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land?"
The devil spends more time influencing people to rage and rail at believers in an attempt to get them to sin than any other way. He tried to get Eve to believe God lied to her, he influenced Peter to question God's purpose and he influenced Ananias and Sapphira to feel the need to impress others, pretending they gave all their earnings when they held back a portion. It was interesting that this couple was not required to give all but they wanted to be seen by men as doing a good thing, so they lied. It was the lying to the Holy Spirit that did them in, literally.
Satan places unclean thoughts in the heads of people to cause them to believe things that are not true. If he can get us to think certain things he can break up relationships, remove support systems and cause rebellion in children.
When he knows he cannot get them to sin through mere temptation, he can cause them to sin by using the mouths of others to falsely accuse or frustrate with mocking and demeaning, then watch their reaction to defend themselves in anger.
Do not fall for the tricks of the devil. His favorite tactic is to arouse frustration in believers so they will become angry, then he can point his bony finger of accusation that we are the evil ones.
Revelation 12:10 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, he who accuses them day and night before our God."
It is interesting how the accuser feels justified in their hateful tactics when we respond to them. When we do not respond they exit quickly because they only have themselves to see. Their goal was thwarted so they remove themselves.
The attacks on believers are increasing, if we know the tactics of the evil one we can be prepared to allow the Holy Spirit to control us so that we are not controlled by the devil.
God warned us many times in the Word about the tactics of the devil, in every case He tells us to remove ourselves or we speak the words of God and the devil will flee.
James 4:7-8 "7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.…"
Revelation 12:11 "11 They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; and they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death.…"
There it is, the answer to the attacks, the devil has been conquered by the blood of Christ, he has no power unless we give it to him.
Ephesians 4:27 "…26“Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. "
Because Christ is in us we can exercise self control when we are under attack. No need to explain ourselves or attempt to reason with the devil. Simply state truth as needed or refuse to answer at all.
Proverbs 26:3-5 "…3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools. 4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be like him. 5 Answer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in his own eyes.…"
Remember the attacks do not reveal anything about us, but they do reveal much about the attacker. However if we become angry and exact revenge, then our response does reveal that our heart needs more work.
Don't Lie and Say It's About Christ
No one does Christmas to the glory of God or they would dispense with the bobbles, the trees, the gifts to one another and all the entertainment at that time of year. Then they would speak of the Lord throughout the whole day. But no, I have been in many "Christian" households over the years at the holidays and Christ is never mentioned except in a prayer over the food. In fact when I would bring up the name of Christ there would be embarrassment as though I was rude and then treated with dissmissiveness the entire rest of the day. NO, Christmas is pagan through and through. Tacking on the name of Christ at the meal does not make it about Christ. It began from pagan roots and remains there.
Serial Adultery Caused Shacking Up
Christ said that if one remarries they commit adultery, the reason it is adultery is because the first spouse remains living.
It is clear to those who want truth, that remarriage is forbidden by God.
We can also see the devastation in our country that all these broken families have caused. There are more babies born out of wedlock than in marriage now.
Those who devalued God and marriage have produced children who have no respect for righteousness and have taken the next step, that is shacking up.
Why not? Their parents were living in serial adultery, many more than once, what difference is there in just shacking up. And the parents cannot chastise their adult children for shacking up because they did the same thing openly but calling it by a different name, they called it remarriage after divorce, but it amounts to the same mentality, disobedience to Christ and rebellion against His principles.
It is clear to those who want truth, that remarriage is forbidden by God.
We can also see the devastation in our country that all these broken families have caused. There are more babies born out of wedlock than in marriage now.
Those who devalued God and marriage have produced children who have no respect for righteousness and have taken the next step, that is shacking up.
Why not? Their parents were living in serial adultery, many more than once, what difference is there in just shacking up. And the parents cannot chastise their adult children for shacking up because they did the same thing openly but calling it by a different name, they called it remarriage after divorce, but it amounts to the same mentality, disobedience to Christ and rebellion against His principles.
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Narcissists Love to Gossip
Narcissists love to get information to bend it to their way of thinking and pass it on as fact. They will ask questions to get you to say things they can use against you.
The most wicked form of gossip is when we tell information privately about the things we have encountered with others and the gossip goes to those people with that information.
Sadly the gossip never relays the information in the spirit it was given, they always make it mean and hateful so that the person they are talking to will hate you, even when you shared something innocently and without guile, they relay it as an attack against the hearers.
Anyone who tells you what others say about you is not your friend. You can count on the information being twisted in some way to make the shared information seem bad or evil.
Proverbs 16:27-29 "…27 A worthless man digs up evil, While his words are like scorching fire. 28 A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends. 29 A man of violence entices his neighbor And leads him in a way that is not good.…"
It is one thing to share what happened to you, it is quite another to share what others have said to you about others. That is moving into the realm of gossip.
If you do not like being gossiped about, then don't gossip yourself. Our personal encounters are one thing, but the encounters of others is their business.
There are far too many wrong judgments made by those who have heard things second hand, they almost never go to the person who made the statements they are angry about. In most cases they just believe the worst about the statements, as if the statements are accurate and treat their target with contempt because of the gossip they believed.
There is a gossip in our family who digs for information and then relays that information to those people they think will be angered by it to cause division. The gossip is a narcissist, he asks questions, skews the conversation when visiting with others and the others have elevated him to the position of "special", so they believe every thing they say.
Get away from the gossip, it is better for him to make up a lie than pass on a half truth.
The most wicked form of gossip is when we tell information privately about the things we have encountered with others and the gossip goes to those people with that information.
Sadly the gossip never relays the information in the spirit it was given, they always make it mean and hateful so that the person they are talking to will hate you, even when you shared something innocently and without guile, they relay it as an attack against the hearers.
Anyone who tells you what others say about you is not your friend. You can count on the information being twisted in some way to make the shared information seem bad or evil.
Proverbs 16:27-29 "…27 A worthless man digs up evil, While his words are like scorching fire. 28 A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends. 29 A man of violence entices his neighbor And leads him in a way that is not good.…"
It is one thing to share what happened to you, it is quite another to share what others have said to you about others. That is moving into the realm of gossip.
If you do not like being gossiped about, then don't gossip yourself. Our personal encounters are one thing, but the encounters of others is their business.
There are far too many wrong judgments made by those who have heard things second hand, they almost never go to the person who made the statements they are angry about. In most cases they just believe the worst about the statements, as if the statements are accurate and treat their target with contempt because of the gossip they believed.
There is a gossip in our family who digs for information and then relays that information to those people they think will be angered by it to cause division. The gossip is a narcissist, he asks questions, skews the conversation when visiting with others and the others have elevated him to the position of "special", so they believe every thing they say.
Get away from the gossip, it is better for him to make up a lie than pass on a half truth.
Contempt at the Mention of the Bible
Wow, that sure is true. They are so full of their own form of righteousness that they have nothing but contempt for those who love the Bible that they claim to believe but do not obey.
The Heretics Make Themselves Look Good
President Trump has declared on a couple of occasions that Norman Vincent Peale was his mentor.
Norman Vincent Peale believed that all ways lead to heaven, that faith in faith and faith in prayers were ways to make things happen.
God says: John 14:6
"6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Peale was deeply invested in the power of the mind to get what one wants from life. There was never any preaching to submit to Christ or become born again.
Peale said this: "change you thoughts and change your world."
God says: 1 Corinthians 2:16 "16“For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ."
God says: 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."
Peale said this: "Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy."
God says: Psalm 118:8-9 " 8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in princes.…"
God says: Proverbs 28:25-26 "…25 An arrogant man stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will prosper. 26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered."
Peale said this: "Watch your manner of speech if you wish to develop a peaceful state of mind. Start each day by affirming peaceful, contented and happy attitudes and your days will tend to be pleasant and successful."
God says this: Colossians 3:15 "15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."
God says: Galatians 5:22 "22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,"
God says: 1 Peter 5: 7 "7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
Peale says: "“People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success.”
God says: "Proverbs 3:5-6 "5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Recapping the point here: Peale teaches us to trust in ourselves, live for happiness and be positive all the time.
On the other hand Christ teaches that we should trust in Him, seeking Him to obey and glorify Him.
Peales way is opposite of God's, it is self glorification, self indulgence while rejecting God's Word as the source of all wisdom and power.
As believers we trust in Christ, those who love Peale's false wisdom believe only in themselves. Self is on the throne of their own heart instead of Christ.
It's simple, if we know the word of God and believe Him, we will see the foolishness of people like Norman Vincent Peale.
Norman Vincent Peale believed that all ways lead to heaven, that faith in faith and faith in prayers were ways to make things happen.
God says: John 14:6
"6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Peale was deeply invested in the power of the mind to get what one wants from life. There was never any preaching to submit to Christ or become born again.
Peale said this: "change you thoughts and change your world."
God says: 1 Corinthians 2:16 "16“For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ."
God says: 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."
Peale said this: "Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy."
God says: Psalm 118:8-9 " 8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in princes.…"
God says: Proverbs 28:25-26 "…25 An arrogant man stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will prosper. 26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered."
Peale said this: "Watch your manner of speech if you wish to develop a peaceful state of mind. Start each day by affirming peaceful, contented and happy attitudes and your days will tend to be pleasant and successful."
God says this: Colossians 3:15 "15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."
God says: Galatians 5:22 "22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,"
God says: 1 Peter 5: 7 "7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
Peale says: "“People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success.”
God says: "Proverbs 3:5-6 "5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Recapping the point here: Peale teaches us to trust in ourselves, live for happiness and be positive all the time.
On the other hand Christ teaches that we should trust in Him, seeking Him to obey and glorify Him.
Peales way is opposite of God's, it is self glorification, self indulgence while rejecting God's Word as the source of all wisdom and power.
As believers we trust in Christ, those who love Peale's false wisdom believe only in themselves. Self is on the throne of their own heart instead of Christ.
It's simple, if we know the word of God and believe Him, we will see the foolishness of people like Norman Vincent Peale.
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Even the Songs have Deteriorated
The modern Christian songs reflect the superficiality of our time.
The old time hymns had so much doctrine in them that one could become saved just from reading or singing the words.
The "hook" mantra style songs, only serve to put the hearer into an ungodly nonthinking trance.
Matthew 6:7 "7 And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. "
The old time hymns had so much doctrine in them that one could become saved just from reading or singing the words.
The "hook" mantra style songs, only serve to put the hearer into an ungodly nonthinking trance.
Matthew 6:7 "7 And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. "
Kick that Fool to the Curb
Any man who suggests living together outside marriage should be kicked to the curb. That kind of disrespect will follow you all through a marriage if he ever decided he wanted to keep you.
The Devils Are At Work
Demons are working hard on the minds of people to cause division and conflict everywhere. If we know this we can refuse to respond to their tactics.
If the devils can draw us into senseless arguments over unimportant matters, they can effectively negate our Christian walk and make us look discredited in the eyes of others.
1 Timothy 4:1 "4 Now the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, "
Acts 5:3 "3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? "
When we see people who are acting irrationally mad, even claiming you acted a certain way but you didn't, we know we are watching a narcissist, who is assigning their own bad behavior to us.
I notice in this part of the country there seems to be an increase in this irrational thinking. Many are treating reasonable and kind people with contempt when there is no good reason to do so.
The devil will fill a person's mind with trash to influence them against believers that they actually believe. Often the narcissist senses something about us that they don't like, that is the Holy Spirit and will react in anger toward Him, thinking it is us they rail against.
I was in conversation recently with someone who believed that just being friendly to people will make them come to Christ, "it's love that matters", was his argument. I asked him what his definition of love was, to clarify things and he became enraged, flailing his arms, throwing back his head and mocking me saying; "the Holy Spirit ya right", as though he thought the Holy Spirit was just an excuse to pretend we are doing the right thing. My point was going to be if I had been allowed to finish a sentence, that it is the Holy Spirit Who determines our delivery and there are many ways we have to deal with people, not just one way.
Having been trained in psychology this person was deeply invested in the humanistic forms of relating to people to gain their friendship. When we are more concerned about being friends with people than we are about the gospel, we will use a watered down gospel instead of the one that truly snatches people from the fires of hell.
It has been years since I encountered this sort of manipulative intimidation. I did not react to it and soon after excused myself because of the time. It was clear that I had been thrown back in time 50 years to my childhood, when no one was allowed to speak an opposing view without serious demeaning and mocking.
The point of this discussion is that the devils are causing irrational thinking in people who believe they are doing their own thinking. These people have no defenses against the wiles of the devil because, even though they read their Bibles, they do it with a twisted understanding based on psychology rather than being guided by the Holy Spirit.
The hostility to the mention of the Holy Spirit was a very big clue, it demonstrated a lack of belief in the workings of the Holy Spirit and lack of faith to believe the truth of the Bible while at the same time claiming they do. Our mindset, whether worldly or Spirit filled will determine our interpretation of the Word.
Romans 1:38 "28 Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what should not be done. "
One can justify every sin if the mindset is love man's way. The love that tolerates sin in order to be happy. God's love will anger people because it brings truth that convicts of sin.
Galatians 4:16-17 "16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 Those people are zealous for you, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you from us, so that you will be zealous for them.…"
The narcissist is zealous for our attention, but only to be able to control us as they are controlled by the devil in their thoughts and purposes.
When you say something good and right from the Word of God and there is rage as the response of the hearer, we know there has been conviction, we have no need to feel anything about that.
We are not responsible for the reactions of others over the truth. The narcissist will attempt to make you feel as though you did something evil by speaking the truth. If they cannot challenge the actual words you used, perhaps because they were scripture, they will attack your character or your delivery to divert the attention away from them.
The answer to this dilemma, is to completely ignore the character assassination, the lies about your delivery and repeat what you said or make the choice to exit the conversation gracefully. If we do not suck into our soul the foolishness imparted by the narcissist we will have control over our own responses and best of all, they will not have one thing to point to that we did. It is better to let them lie against you than to be able to tell a lie in the form of a half truth.
Proverbs 14:6-8 "…6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, But knowledge is easy to one who has understanding. 7 Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge. 8 The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of fools is deceit."
The key to all of this is that when we know we are dealing with devils, we can consider the source and respond in a godly manner.
Matthew 16:23 " 23 But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” "
It is interesting that Jesus Christ addressed the devil that was affecting the mind of Peter. This is the case of all of our encounters with irrationally charged rages from narcissists. We are encountering the effects of devils on the person, there is no need to take any of it personally.
Hallelujah, knowledge is power and power is Jesus Christ!
If the devils can draw us into senseless arguments over unimportant matters, they can effectively negate our Christian walk and make us look discredited in the eyes of others.
1 Timothy 4:1 "4 Now the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, "
Acts 5:3 "3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? "
When we see people who are acting irrationally mad, even claiming you acted a certain way but you didn't, we know we are watching a narcissist, who is assigning their own bad behavior to us.
I notice in this part of the country there seems to be an increase in this irrational thinking. Many are treating reasonable and kind people with contempt when there is no good reason to do so.
The devil will fill a person's mind with trash to influence them against believers that they actually believe. Often the narcissist senses something about us that they don't like, that is the Holy Spirit and will react in anger toward Him, thinking it is us they rail against.
I was in conversation recently with someone who believed that just being friendly to people will make them come to Christ, "it's love that matters", was his argument. I asked him what his definition of love was, to clarify things and he became enraged, flailing his arms, throwing back his head and mocking me saying; "the Holy Spirit ya right", as though he thought the Holy Spirit was just an excuse to pretend we are doing the right thing. My point was going to be if I had been allowed to finish a sentence, that it is the Holy Spirit Who determines our delivery and there are many ways we have to deal with people, not just one way.
Having been trained in psychology this person was deeply invested in the humanistic forms of relating to people to gain their friendship. When we are more concerned about being friends with people than we are about the gospel, we will use a watered down gospel instead of the one that truly snatches people from the fires of hell.
It has been years since I encountered this sort of manipulative intimidation. I did not react to it and soon after excused myself because of the time. It was clear that I had been thrown back in time 50 years to my childhood, when no one was allowed to speak an opposing view without serious demeaning and mocking.
The point of this discussion is that the devils are causing irrational thinking in people who believe they are doing their own thinking. These people have no defenses against the wiles of the devil because, even though they read their Bibles, they do it with a twisted understanding based on psychology rather than being guided by the Holy Spirit.
The hostility to the mention of the Holy Spirit was a very big clue, it demonstrated a lack of belief in the workings of the Holy Spirit and lack of faith to believe the truth of the Bible while at the same time claiming they do. Our mindset, whether worldly or Spirit filled will determine our interpretation of the Word.
Romans 1:38 "28 Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what should not be done. "
One can justify every sin if the mindset is love man's way. The love that tolerates sin in order to be happy. God's love will anger people because it brings truth that convicts of sin.
Galatians 4:16-17 "16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 Those people are zealous for you, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you from us, so that you will be zealous for them.…"
The narcissist is zealous for our attention, but only to be able to control us as they are controlled by the devil in their thoughts and purposes.
When you say something good and right from the Word of God and there is rage as the response of the hearer, we know there has been conviction, we have no need to feel anything about that.
We are not responsible for the reactions of others over the truth. The narcissist will attempt to make you feel as though you did something evil by speaking the truth. If they cannot challenge the actual words you used, perhaps because they were scripture, they will attack your character or your delivery to divert the attention away from them.
The answer to this dilemma, is to completely ignore the character assassination, the lies about your delivery and repeat what you said or make the choice to exit the conversation gracefully. If we do not suck into our soul the foolishness imparted by the narcissist we will have control over our own responses and best of all, they will not have one thing to point to that we did. It is better to let them lie against you than to be able to tell a lie in the form of a half truth.
Proverbs 14:6-8 "…6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, But knowledge is easy to one who has understanding. 7 Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge. 8 The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of fools is deceit."
The key to all of this is that when we know we are dealing with devils, we can consider the source and respond in a godly manner.
Matthew 16:23 " 23 But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” "
It is interesting that Jesus Christ addressed the devil that was affecting the mind of Peter. This is the case of all of our encounters with irrationally charged rages from narcissists. We are encountering the effects of devils on the person, there is no need to take any of it personally.
Hallelujah, knowledge is power and power is Jesus Christ!
Proverbs 12:14-16
"…14 A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words, And the deeds of a man's hands will return to him. 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel. 16 A fool's anger is known at once, But a prudent man conceals dishonor.…"
The Just Love Them Mantra
The "Just love them" mantra is used far too often to ignore sin, avoid speaking about repentance and become friends with those who hate God. It is not love, it is based on personal feelings of happiness to elevate self. Those who use this mantra are more concerned about people liking "them" than they are about helping someone grow in holiness.
Perhaps we ought to do a study on God's kind of love, which includes all these things;
1 Corinthians 13:4-5: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."
Luke 6:35 "35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked."
Romans 12:9 "9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good."
If we hate evil we will be warning people all the time to seek Christ and turn from their sin. Love for God is first and then love for our fellow man. The love of God must include correction, rebuke, admonishment, encouragement to obey God.
Praise is not love, acceptance of sin is not love.
Praising people will only serve to make them love themselves, the only places in the Bible I see about "praise" are about praising God, not man.
Encouragement does not include flattery or praise, it is the ability to spur someone on to greater holiness through the washing of the Word.
1 John 4:8
"Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."
John 14:15
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments."
Proverbs 10:12
"Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses."
Romans 12:9
"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good."
If we love God's way, we will warn people, correct and encourage in righteousness. Making people feel good is not the objective, helping them see their need for Christ is the only thing that is helpful.
Perhaps we ought to do a study on God's kind of love, which includes all these things;
1 Corinthians 13:4-5: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."
Luke 6:35 "35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked."
Romans 12:9 "9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good."
If we hate evil we will be warning people all the time to seek Christ and turn from their sin. Love for God is first and then love for our fellow man. The love of God must include correction, rebuke, admonishment, encouragement to obey God.
Praise is not love, acceptance of sin is not love.
Praising people will only serve to make them love themselves, the only places in the Bible I see about "praise" are about praising God, not man.
Encouragement does not include flattery or praise, it is the ability to spur someone on to greater holiness through the washing of the Word.
1 John 4:8
"Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."
John 14:15
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments."
Proverbs 10:12
"Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses."
Romans 12:9
"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good."
If we love God's way, we will warn people, correct and encourage in righteousness. Making people feel good is not the objective, helping them see their need for Christ is the only thing that is helpful.
Monday, November 27, 2017
Jeremiah 3:31-32
"For the Lord will not reject forever, For if He causes grief, then He will have compassion according to His abundant lovingkindness."
America's Demise
A description of America! This was written about Israel but has practical application for our country.
Jeremiah 2:19 "19"Your own wickedness will correct you, And your apostasies will reprove you; Know therefore and see that it is evil and bitter For you to forsake the LORD your God, And the dread of Me is not in you," declares the Lord GOD of hosts."
Jeremiah 2:30 "In vain I have struck your sons; They accepted no chastening. Your sword has devoured your prophets Like a destroying lion."
Jeremiah 2:19 "19"Your own wickedness will correct you, And your apostasies will reprove you; Know therefore and see that it is evil and bitter For you to forsake the LORD your God, And the dread of Me is not in you," declares the Lord GOD of hosts."
Jeremiah 2:30 "In vain I have struck your sons; They accepted no chastening. Your sword has devoured your prophets Like a destroying lion."
Anger at God is Dangerous
For those foolish people who say it is alright to be angry with God, as though He has flaws.
Isaiah 45:9
"9"Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker-- An earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, 'What are you doing?' Or the thing you are making say, 'He has no hands'?"
Isaiah 45:9
"9"Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker-- An earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, 'What are you doing?' Or the thing you are making say, 'He has no hands'?"
Proverbs 29:15-16
" 15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother. 16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases; But the righteous will see their fall.…"
The Ruthless and Their End
Isaiah 29:20-21
"20 For the ruthless will come to an end and the scorner will be finished,
Indeed all who are intent on doing evil will be cut off;
21 Who cause a person to be indicted by a word,
And ensnare him who adjudicates at the gate,
And defraud the one in the right with meaningless arguments."
"20 For the ruthless will come to an end and the scorner will be finished,
Indeed all who are intent on doing evil will be cut off;
21 Who cause a person to be indicted by a word,
And ensnare him who adjudicates at the gate,
And defraud the one in the right with meaningless arguments."
His Righteousness
"Christ did not merely give us a push,a 'head start', and leave us to work at establishing our own righteousness, on the rest of our way to heaven. Christ picked us up and into His arms, to carry us all the way to heaven by the virtue of His most precious blood, shed on the cross for our sins. (Romans 3: 22 & 25).That is the meaning of the word, GRACE. (Romans 11: 6). (Romans 4: 4 - 6). (Ephesians 2: 8 & 9).(Galatians 2: 21). (Jude 24)."
Nick Bevilacqua
Amen, Amen!!!!! I think this is a very misunderstood doctrine. Even those who say they are saved by grace seem to be proud about how good they are doing. The longer I live the less proud I feel about myself and the more excited about Christ I become. The burden of "measuring up" is gone and the joy of being held up by Christ remains.
Nick Bevilacqua
Amen, Amen!!!!! I think this is a very misunderstood doctrine. Even those who say they are saved by grace seem to be proud about how good they are doing. The longer I live the less proud I feel about myself and the more excited about Christ I become. The burden of "measuring up" is gone and the joy of being held up by Christ remains.
Authentic Love vs Superficial Love
Those who are more concerned about "love", superficial happiness that they believe is love, are more concerned about being loved by man than they are about imparting wisdom to the believers and salvation to the non-believers.
John 14:15
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments."
Exodus 23:22
“But if you carefully obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries."
1 John 5:3
"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome."
John 14:31
"But I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here."
God never said to us that the world will love us because we do what they like. He said that the world will love Him because they see our love for the Father and our obedience to Him.
Think about it!
John 14:15
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments."
Exodus 23:22
“But if you carefully obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries."
1 John 5:3
"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome."
John 14:31
"But I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here."
God never said to us that the world will love us because we do what they like. He said that the world will love Him because they see our love for the Father and our obedience to Him.
Think about it!
The Scoffers Will Do This
2 Peter 3:3-4
"3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation."
"3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation."
Feeling Over Substance
When superficial feelings take priority over God's truth, then we know that self is on the throne and not God.
Ananias and Sapphira Lied
Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit as the Bible says and died because of it.
Acts 5:1-11
Fate of Ananias and Sapphira
5 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,
2 and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land?
4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
5 And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it.
6 The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.
7 Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
8 And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.”
9 Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.”
10 And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things."
Notice that the Holy Spirit in Peter revealed to him that this couple was lying. They were not even required to give all that came from the sale of the land. They lied to make themselves look good to others. They were pretenders, grievous to God. They were saved but they were taken out early so that their prideful heart would not influence others in the beginnings of the church. Notice too that their death for their sin was so dramatic that many came to the Lord because His power was revealed in His discipline.
When we are with Christians in a "fun" gathering and any attempt to bring the conversation to Christ or His principles is mocked and ignored, we very likely are dealing with pretenders or prideful believers.
I have experienced this a lot in my life, thinking that because we are with Christians the gathering ought to be exuding the joy of the Lord and discussions about Him and His principles, but instead we are met with contempt and anger for the attempt.
Those who would keep God in a box in church, will never authentically live their lives for Him. When we are excited about the Word and about Christ, we cannot stop talking about Him. It doesn't matter where we are, who we're with or what we are doing everything we think is filtered through the Word of God.
Rebellious Christians do not want their fun disrupted by discussions about Christ or answers that come from His Word. They will talk about the ball games, their latest trips, their newest material possession, but become embarrassed and even angry when things of the Lord are mentioned.
This is the state of the apostate church, there are monstrous lying judgments made against anyone who loves the Lord. The more we live for Christ the greater the gossip will proliferate. The pretender must discredit the believer by mocking, accusing us of things we never did or said or attitudes we never had, the very things the narcissist is doing but the authentic believer is not doing.
They will say we are unloving and mean spirited to intimidate us into silence or regretting that we spoke of the Lord.
Pretenders are "religious", but they are not born again. They love themselves for the things they do. Demonstrating contempt for anyone who will want to discuss matters to come to a solution. They use the mantra often, "just love them", but do not know or understand the love of Christ. Their form of love is acceptance of everything no matter how disobedient to Christ and a jovial happy smile all the time so that people will like THEM.
It is interesting to me that God said of the account of Ananias and Sapphira, they were being influenced by the devil. The very same influence that is twisting the minds of people today to reject God's principles, His answers and holiness while they attend church every week.
"But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit."
When you become confused that so many people, seem to be surrounded by friends and family who have flattering and glowing words for them, but when you speak of the Lord, you are counted as an enemy.
Galatians 4:16-17 "16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 Those people are zealous for you, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you from us, so that you will be zealous for them.…"
Pray for strength that the Holy Spirit respond in you on your behalf as you deal with the increased hostility even in the church gathering.
Acts 5:1-11
Fate of Ananias and Sapphira
5 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,
2 and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land?
4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
5 And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it.
6 The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.
7 Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
8 And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.”
9 Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.”
10 And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things."
Notice that the Holy Spirit in Peter revealed to him that this couple was lying. They were not even required to give all that came from the sale of the land. They lied to make themselves look good to others. They were pretenders, grievous to God. They were saved but they were taken out early so that their prideful heart would not influence others in the beginnings of the church. Notice too that their death for their sin was so dramatic that many came to the Lord because His power was revealed in His discipline.
When we are with Christians in a "fun" gathering and any attempt to bring the conversation to Christ or His principles is mocked and ignored, we very likely are dealing with pretenders or prideful believers.
I have experienced this a lot in my life, thinking that because we are with Christians the gathering ought to be exuding the joy of the Lord and discussions about Him and His principles, but instead we are met with contempt and anger for the attempt.
Those who would keep God in a box in church, will never authentically live their lives for Him. When we are excited about the Word and about Christ, we cannot stop talking about Him. It doesn't matter where we are, who we're with or what we are doing everything we think is filtered through the Word of God.
Rebellious Christians do not want their fun disrupted by discussions about Christ or answers that come from His Word. They will talk about the ball games, their latest trips, their newest material possession, but become embarrassed and even angry when things of the Lord are mentioned.
This is the state of the apostate church, there are monstrous lying judgments made against anyone who loves the Lord. The more we live for Christ the greater the gossip will proliferate. The pretender must discredit the believer by mocking, accusing us of things we never did or said or attitudes we never had, the very things the narcissist is doing but the authentic believer is not doing.
They will say we are unloving and mean spirited to intimidate us into silence or regretting that we spoke of the Lord.
Pretenders are "religious", but they are not born again. They love themselves for the things they do. Demonstrating contempt for anyone who will want to discuss matters to come to a solution. They use the mantra often, "just love them", but do not know or understand the love of Christ. Their form of love is acceptance of everything no matter how disobedient to Christ and a jovial happy smile all the time so that people will like THEM.
It is interesting to me that God said of the account of Ananias and Sapphira, they were being influenced by the devil. The very same influence that is twisting the minds of people today to reject God's principles, His answers and holiness while they attend church every week.
"But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit."
When you become confused that so many people, seem to be surrounded by friends and family who have flattering and glowing words for them, but when you speak of the Lord, you are counted as an enemy.
Galatians 4:16-17 "16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 Those people are zealous for you, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you from us, so that you will be zealous for them.…"
Pray for strength that the Holy Spirit respond in you on your behalf as you deal with the increased hostility even in the church gathering.
Sunday, November 26, 2017
Why Do You Read the Bible
There are three reasons people read the Bible! 1. there is an addiction to knowledge, 2 to impress others and 3 to learn the heart of God to do and be what pleases Him, to become like Him.
Let the Lord guide you as you ask this question of God for you. Which one are you?
Let the Lord guide you as you ask this question of God for you. Which one are you?
Turning At God's Reproof
Proverbs 1:23
"If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you."
There is no greater love than turning someone from their sin toward God.
"If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you."
There is no greater love than turning someone from their sin toward God.
Feeling Oriented Decisions
Has anyone noticed that when someone is drunk they will do things they would not have done if they were sober? Notice too that those who indulge in obedience to feelings also do things that normal reason and logic would have prevented them from doing otherwise.
Following feelings as a way of dealing with life will only bring devastation. We must think with the mind of Christ, know His Word and obey what we hear to avoid the pitfalls of feeling oriented decisions.
Following feelings as a way of dealing with life will only bring devastation. We must think with the mind of Christ, know His Word and obey what we hear to avoid the pitfalls of feeling oriented decisions.
Avoid Becoming Drunk
God says for the believer to avoid becoming drunk with wine! There is for the believer an even greater tragedy within the church, that is to be drunk on self.
This drunkenness causes a stupor of tolerance toward sin, causing it to grow in the body of Christ.
Apostasy and apathy go hand in hand. The lack of concern about loving God more than man, brings disobedience and arrogance to the body. Scriptures are twisted, maligned, ignored and even mocked by those who hate to obey anyone.
The Holy Spirit is mocked while God's principles are ignored.
Attacks against the believer who loves to use the Word of God as the standard for discussion is railed against. Then the personal attacks to our character begin.
When the narcissist does not have an answer for our questions about the principles of God, they begin attacking us, even accusing us of aggressiveness as they mock and demean us, claiming things about us that are not true, even laughing at us to intimidate us into silence.
Do not be unnerved by these tactics, they are nothing more than a smoke screen for a tortured and rebellious soul. God is clear that we will be seeing this barrage of persecution against us in these last days.
The love is gone, at least God's Love His Way, is a thing of the past for most people who say they are Christians. The only concern these people have is that they be elevated, praised and appreciated by others, they have little concern about obedience to God's Word. These people claim it is legalism to seek the Word to know the mind of Christ for obedience. This is their excuse for their rebellion.
The love of the world has replace any resemblance to God's love. Those who have been addicted to the world cannot wrap their mind around God's Love God's Way.
Romans 1:18 "18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth."
The world's love does not bring peace, it brings more unnecessary trials because of the consequences that come with rebellion against God.
When temporary feelings take center stage in one's life there are difficulties far greater than what we can see momentarily. Feelings are like the man whose inhibitions have been removed because of drunkenness.
Has anyone noticed that when someone is drunk they will do things they would not have done if they were sober? Notice too that those who indulge in obedience to feelings also do things that normal reason and logic would have prevented them from doing otherwise.
Following feelings as a way of dealing with life will only bring devastation. We must think with the mind of Christ, know His Word and obey what we hear to avoid the pitfalls of feeling oriented decisions.
This drunkenness causes a stupor of tolerance toward sin, causing it to grow in the body of Christ.
Apostasy and apathy go hand in hand. The lack of concern about loving God more than man, brings disobedience and arrogance to the body. Scriptures are twisted, maligned, ignored and even mocked by those who hate to obey anyone.
The Holy Spirit is mocked while God's principles are ignored.
Attacks against the believer who loves to use the Word of God as the standard for discussion is railed against. Then the personal attacks to our character begin.
When the narcissist does not have an answer for our questions about the principles of God, they begin attacking us, even accusing us of aggressiveness as they mock and demean us, claiming things about us that are not true, even laughing at us to intimidate us into silence.
Do not be unnerved by these tactics, they are nothing more than a smoke screen for a tortured and rebellious soul. God is clear that we will be seeing this barrage of persecution against us in these last days.
The love is gone, at least God's Love His Way, is a thing of the past for most people who say they are Christians. The only concern these people have is that they be elevated, praised and appreciated by others, they have little concern about obedience to God's Word. These people claim it is legalism to seek the Word to know the mind of Christ for obedience. This is their excuse for their rebellion.
The love of the world has replace any resemblance to God's love. Those who have been addicted to the world cannot wrap their mind around God's Love God's Way.
Romans 1:18 "18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth."
The world's love does not bring peace, it brings more unnecessary trials because of the consequences that come with rebellion against God.
When temporary feelings take center stage in one's life there are difficulties far greater than what we can see momentarily. Feelings are like the man whose inhibitions have been removed because of drunkenness.
Has anyone noticed that when someone is drunk they will do things they would not have done if they were sober? Notice too that those who indulge in obedience to feelings also do things that normal reason and logic would have prevented them from doing otherwise.
Following feelings as a way of dealing with life will only bring devastation. We must think with the mind of Christ, know His Word and obey what we hear to avoid the pitfalls of feeling oriented decisions.
What is Love According to God
The church is not only accepting sin within it's ranks but is in many cases embracing it to demonstrate "tolerance", the tolerance for sin that negates and nullifies God.
Those who call it love to remain silent while people are going to hell or while those in the body of Christ are sinning against God, do not understand God's love.
God's love is first toward God and then toward man. When we love God first then we will love man God's way.
Proverbs 27:5
"Better is open rebuke than hidden love."
1 Timothy 5:20
"As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear."
Titus 2:15
"Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you."
2 Timothy 4:2
"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."
James 5:20
"Let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."
Proverbs 27:6
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy."
Proverbs 1:23
"If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you."
There is no greater love than turning someone from their sin toward God.
Those who call it love to remain silent while people are going to hell or while those in the body of Christ are sinning against God, do not understand God's love.
God's love is first toward God and then toward man. When we love God first then we will love man God's way.
Proverbs 27:5
"Better is open rebuke than hidden love."
1 Timothy 5:20
"As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear."
Titus 2:15
"Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you."
2 Timothy 4:2
"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."
James 5:20
"Let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."
Proverbs 27:6
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy."
Proverbs 1:23
"If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you."
There is no greater love than turning someone from their sin toward God.
Pretenders Claims
In the matter of the acceptance of transgender. Interesting, I see this mentality present in the church today, the acceptance of words and desires, above evidence, which would never hold up in a court of law.
Not that the church has accepted transgender.....yet..... but the mentality claiming to be something they are not has been embraced regularly. Many people like to "identify" as Christians but they have never been changed by the Holy Spirit, into a new creation, they remain as rebellious after conversion as they were before conversion, only with a little clean up to make themselves acceptable. These are the ones who minimize the reality and truth of the Bible, acting hostile when an authentic believer wants to use the Scriptures to settle a debate or address a problem of disobedience.
Trans gender thinking is nothing more than one deciding to declare themselves to be something they are not. Is this not true for the pretender who wants to identify as a Christian but has no desire to be authentically changed by Christ, according to the Scriptures?
A trans gender person is not the person they say they are, they are the person God made them, but they lie and say they are something they are not.
Is this not also true of the Christian who wants to be seen as a believer but has no identifying spiritual fruit that demonstrates their assertions! We learn who these people are soon after a challenge to think about their actions and attitudes as well as an admonition to go to prayer to ask God. I have yet to witness a pretender who will go to prayer to ask God, their initial response is to attack our character after which they gossip to bring people to their side.
Galatians 5:22-23
"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
The fruit of the Spirit that God speaks of in Gatatians is absent in most people who would identify as "Christian."
Words and claims do not make someone a believer or follower of Christ. When we have become born again it was because we believed Christ and want to be changed into a new creation by Him. Our mind is changed, our behavior is changed, but we are not doing it ourselves, we are submitting to Christ, He becomes the One who works miracles in us for cleansing.
We never fear telling the truth of God's principles because we do not fear the rejection of man.
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."
Merely making the claim that we "identify" as something does not make that assertion true.
Our culture loves to pretend, appearances have become more important than substance. Joining the "group think" has become a measure of acceptance, but it is not authentic, it is pretense and rejected by Christ.
Proverbs 16:28
"A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends."
Pretenders are always causing strife within the body. They whine and complain as though accountability is mean when it is a command of Christ that we be closely tied to others, intimately entwined as brothers and sister should be in a family. Most gatherings do not allow this, it is discouraged out of fear that someone might get mad and leave.
If someone will not want to be accountable then it is wise to let them go, they will only cause trouble, infecting others as they defy God. If someone rejects the words of God because of their rebellious heart, then they are walking in pride and will resist, their attitude will cause division, they must leave to spare the rest of the flock.
1 Corinthians 5:5-7 "…5 hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord. 6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? 7 Get rid of the old yeast, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.…"
2 Timothy 4:1-3 "1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom: 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.…"
We are to speak truth to everyone all the time. Do not worry about "how" it is done, do it because of your love for Christ and concern for the siblings. Let the Holy Spirit be the One to speak through you and stop listening to those who would continually intimidate you into "doing it the worlds way", that is to soften the message so much that when they walk away they thought you were congratulating them on their sinful behavior.
It is interesting to me that these pretenders, those who say they are Christians but hate it when we bring in the Word of God to explain our actions, are never bothered by sin, but are enraged by correction, rebuke and admonishment. Seems like a clue doesn't it?
Not that the church has accepted transgender.....yet..... but the mentality claiming to be something they are not has been embraced regularly. Many people like to "identify" as Christians but they have never been changed by the Holy Spirit, into a new creation, they remain as rebellious after conversion as they were before conversion, only with a little clean up to make themselves acceptable. These are the ones who minimize the reality and truth of the Bible, acting hostile when an authentic believer wants to use the Scriptures to settle a debate or address a problem of disobedience.
Trans gender thinking is nothing more than one deciding to declare themselves to be something they are not. Is this not true for the pretender who wants to identify as a Christian but has no desire to be authentically changed by Christ, according to the Scriptures?
A trans gender person is not the person they say they are, they are the person God made them, but they lie and say they are something they are not.
Is this not also true of the Christian who wants to be seen as a believer but has no identifying spiritual fruit that demonstrates their assertions! We learn who these people are soon after a challenge to think about their actions and attitudes as well as an admonition to go to prayer to ask God. I have yet to witness a pretender who will go to prayer to ask God, their initial response is to attack our character after which they gossip to bring people to their side.
Galatians 5:22-23
"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
The fruit of the Spirit that God speaks of in Gatatians is absent in most people who would identify as "Christian."
Words and claims do not make someone a believer or follower of Christ. When we have become born again it was because we believed Christ and want to be changed into a new creation by Him. Our mind is changed, our behavior is changed, but we are not doing it ourselves, we are submitting to Christ, He becomes the One who works miracles in us for cleansing.
We never fear telling the truth of God's principles because we do not fear the rejection of man.
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."
Merely making the claim that we "identify" as something does not make that assertion true.
Our culture loves to pretend, appearances have become more important than substance. Joining the "group think" has become a measure of acceptance, but it is not authentic, it is pretense and rejected by Christ.
Proverbs 16:28
"A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends."
Pretenders are always causing strife within the body. They whine and complain as though accountability is mean when it is a command of Christ that we be closely tied to others, intimately entwined as brothers and sister should be in a family. Most gatherings do not allow this, it is discouraged out of fear that someone might get mad and leave.
If someone will not want to be accountable then it is wise to let them go, they will only cause trouble, infecting others as they defy God. If someone rejects the words of God because of their rebellious heart, then they are walking in pride and will resist, their attitude will cause division, they must leave to spare the rest of the flock.
1 Corinthians 5:5-7 "…5 hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord. 6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? 7 Get rid of the old yeast, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.…"
2 Timothy 4:1-3 "1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom: 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.…"
We are to speak truth to everyone all the time. Do not worry about "how" it is done, do it because of your love for Christ and concern for the siblings. Let the Holy Spirit be the One to speak through you and stop listening to those who would continually intimidate you into "doing it the worlds way", that is to soften the message so much that when they walk away they thought you were congratulating them on their sinful behavior.
It is interesting to me that these pretenders, those who say they are Christians but hate it when we bring in the Word of God to explain our actions, are never bothered by sin, but are enraged by correction, rebuke and admonishment. Seems like a clue doesn't it?
Saturday, November 25, 2017
The Book of Truth
The Bible is not a book of suggestions! It's God's Word to us, do we love Him or not?
Blaspheming the Holy Spirit
Why do so many people who say they believe in Christ think it is perfectly alright to ignore His principles, the ones He gave us in the Bible.
They act as though as long as we have "love", and they have no definition for that except emotional feelings, we become the bad guy when we ask them to define love from the perspective of Christ.
John 14:15-16 "15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—…"
We cannot claim to love Christ if we think His commandments and principles are optional. When we love someone we seek to please them. When there is no desire to obey the commands and principles of Christ, there is no love for Him.
When there is no desire to help other believers to obey the commands of Christ, then there is no love for those people.
Love these days is defined as "emotional happiness." Thus we have the man-made rule of "lifestyle evangelism", a concept not written in the Word of God. We are to hear the promptings of the Holy Spirit and do as He directs.
Rom 8:13 KJV - "13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."
Rom 8:14
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."
We are not to adhere to the tactics and training of man in our evangelism, but only through the Holy Spirit do we obey God. Those who mock the Holy Spirit, treating Him as though He does not speak to us, placing man's teachings above the rule and power of the Holy Spirit, are in serious danger of blasphemy.
Luke 12:10
"10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven."
They act as though as long as we have "love", and they have no definition for that except emotional feelings, we become the bad guy when we ask them to define love from the perspective of Christ.
John 14:15-16 "15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—…"
We cannot claim to love Christ if we think His commandments and principles are optional. When we love someone we seek to please them. When there is no desire to obey the commands and principles of Christ, there is no love for Him.
When there is no desire to help other believers to obey the commands of Christ, then there is no love for those people.
Love these days is defined as "emotional happiness." Thus we have the man-made rule of "lifestyle evangelism", a concept not written in the Word of God. We are to hear the promptings of the Holy Spirit and do as He directs.
Rom 8:13 KJV - "13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."
Rom 8:14
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."
We are not to adhere to the tactics and training of man in our evangelism, but only through the Holy Spirit do we obey God. Those who mock the Holy Spirit, treating Him as though He does not speak to us, placing man's teachings above the rule and power of the Holy Spirit, are in serious danger of blasphemy.
Luke 12:10
"10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven."
Friday, November 24, 2017
The Addictions of Divorce and Remarriage
Sometimes I think that divorce and remarriage has become an addiction in our culture, it's the first "go to " solution for many.
Endorsing Divorce and Remarriage
Why do so many endorse and defend divorce and remarriage? The answer is simple, they love their sin.
Pray for the Pretenders
Bitterness of Heart:
"A bitter person might spew their inner hurt and anger by saying and doing things that hurt the feelings of others, exhibiting ruthless verbal and emotional cruelty. Somehow, it makes the bitter individual feel better for a minute to see someone else suffer as they perceive themselves to be unfairly suffering. May 19, 2015" (from people also ask)
It is not bitterness to watch the world around us and sense a spirit of evil surrounding us, hating it and speaking against it. Sometimes people will say we are bitter because we choose our companions carefully and desire to have love, joy and kindness as our companions. This is not bitterness but Scriptural:
Proverbs 13:20-21 "20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm. 21 Adversity pursues sinners, But the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity.…"
1 Corinthians 15:33 "33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
A righteous person prays for those who have harmed and are unrepentant, but they do not have a relationship with them.
Those who say they are angry at God, are demonstrating bitterness, they wanted their own way, refuse to consult or worship Him and even blame Him for not having what they want from life.
Proverbs 16:28
"A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends."
Those who do not love God as we love Him, will cause division and contention continually. Nothing we say or do that honors God will be acceptable to them.
Amos 3:3 "Two cannot walk together if they are not in agreement."
Yes, we pray for those who do not love God, that they will one day become born again. However, constant companionship with them will not cause them to want God, only God can bring to them circumstances that make them see their need for Him.
Isaiah 26:10-11 " 10 Though the wicked is shown favor, He does not learn righteousness; He deals unjustly in the land of uprightness, And does not perceive the majesty of the LORD. 11 O LORD, Your hand is lifted up yet they do not see it. They see Your zeal for the people and are put to shame; Indeed, fire will devour Your enemies.…"
Proverbs 14:7
"Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge."
Psalm 26:4-5
"I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked."
Many Christians today remain spiritual babies because they do not read their Bibles, they do not obey it if they do and their constant companions are those who are in the world, even those who despise the ways of God.
It is interesting that it is human nature to lean into whomever or whatever is around us, out of fear of being alone.
2 Corinthians 6:14
"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?"
Those who love Christ prefer being alone with Christ to being surrounded by those who have no interest in Him. The truth of the matter is this; when we love Christ more than life itself we will be alone a lot. The peace of the Lord sustains us to a much greater measure than the companionship of those who are contemptuous toward us and toward God.
If we are in desperate need of human companionship, so much so that we would rather deny Christ, remain silent about His principles in order to have people around us, then we know that we worship and honor our own desires more than we do Christ. We lose our desire to be loved and adored by people when we have Christ living in us. We do desire the companionship of others who love Him, but if there are none in our community, then it is Christ we hang on to.
The more times we spend with Christ the less time we want to spend with the unsaved except to give them the gospel. It is not pleasurable to be with ungodly people, it is a mission to show them Christ.
Our pleasure as truly Bible believing Christians is to see someone come to Christ. Their accomplishments, their desires and their goals are nothing compared to their potential salvation. If losing everything brings them to the Lord, then that is the greater thing. The possessions and comfort is nothing in this life compared to the glory to come for those who have trusted Christ and walk with Him daily. Hallelujah!
Romans 8:17-18 "17 And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him. 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God.…"
Notice that this passage is quite clear about our walk with Christ! We will be persecuted, mocked, demeaned, even by those who claim to be Christians because of the proliferation of pretenders that fill our churches. Many unbelievers attend church, but they do not know the Lord, so they will work against the one who loves Christ.
Matthew 7:21-23
I Never Knew You
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
2 Corinthians 6:16-18 "…16 What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”
17 “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
18 And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”…"
Pray for those who are lost to become saved, even those who are pretenders.
"A bitter person might spew their inner hurt and anger by saying and doing things that hurt the feelings of others, exhibiting ruthless verbal and emotional cruelty. Somehow, it makes the bitter individual feel better for a minute to see someone else suffer as they perceive themselves to be unfairly suffering. May 19, 2015" (from people also ask)
It is not bitterness to watch the world around us and sense a spirit of evil surrounding us, hating it and speaking against it. Sometimes people will say we are bitter because we choose our companions carefully and desire to have love, joy and kindness as our companions. This is not bitterness but Scriptural:
Proverbs 13:20-21 "20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm. 21 Adversity pursues sinners, But the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity.…"
1 Corinthians 15:33 "33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
A righteous person prays for those who have harmed and are unrepentant, but they do not have a relationship with them.
Those who say they are angry at God, are demonstrating bitterness, they wanted their own way, refuse to consult or worship Him and even blame Him for not having what they want from life.
Proverbs 16:28
"A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends."
Those who do not love God as we love Him, will cause division and contention continually. Nothing we say or do that honors God will be acceptable to them.
Amos 3:3 "Two cannot walk together if they are not in agreement."
Yes, we pray for those who do not love God, that they will one day become born again. However, constant companionship with them will not cause them to want God, only God can bring to them circumstances that make them see their need for Him.
Isaiah 26:10-11 " 10 Though the wicked is shown favor, He does not learn righteousness; He deals unjustly in the land of uprightness, And does not perceive the majesty of the LORD. 11 O LORD, Your hand is lifted up yet they do not see it. They see Your zeal for the people and are put to shame; Indeed, fire will devour Your enemies.…"
Proverbs 14:7
"Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge."
Psalm 26:4-5
"I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked."
Many Christians today remain spiritual babies because they do not read their Bibles, they do not obey it if they do and their constant companions are those who are in the world, even those who despise the ways of God.
It is interesting that it is human nature to lean into whomever or whatever is around us, out of fear of being alone.
2 Corinthians 6:14
"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?"
Those who love Christ prefer being alone with Christ to being surrounded by those who have no interest in Him. The truth of the matter is this; when we love Christ more than life itself we will be alone a lot. The peace of the Lord sustains us to a much greater measure than the companionship of those who are contemptuous toward us and toward God.
If we are in desperate need of human companionship, so much so that we would rather deny Christ, remain silent about His principles in order to have people around us, then we know that we worship and honor our own desires more than we do Christ. We lose our desire to be loved and adored by people when we have Christ living in us. We do desire the companionship of others who love Him, but if there are none in our community, then it is Christ we hang on to.
The more times we spend with Christ the less time we want to spend with the unsaved except to give them the gospel. It is not pleasurable to be with ungodly people, it is a mission to show them Christ.
Our pleasure as truly Bible believing Christians is to see someone come to Christ. Their accomplishments, their desires and their goals are nothing compared to their potential salvation. If losing everything brings them to the Lord, then that is the greater thing. The possessions and comfort is nothing in this life compared to the glory to come for those who have trusted Christ and walk with Him daily. Hallelujah!
Romans 8:17-18 "17 And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him. 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God.…"
Notice that this passage is quite clear about our walk with Christ! We will be persecuted, mocked, demeaned, even by those who claim to be Christians because of the proliferation of pretenders that fill our churches. Many unbelievers attend church, but they do not know the Lord, so they will work against the one who loves Christ.
Matthew 7:21-23
I Never Knew You
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
2 Corinthians 6:16-18 "…16 What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”
17 “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
18 And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”…"
Pray for those who are lost to become saved, even those who are pretenders.
Thursday, November 23, 2017
The Most Celebrated False God in America
Yes, all those who celebrate Christmas and include Santa in that celebration have a false Jesus. Christ would never endorse a false god.
Exodus 34:14 "14 for you shall not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God--"
When someone yearns for there to be a Santa, so much so that they look into the skies to pretend he is coming, teaching it to their children and even signing the gifts in Santa's name, leaving out treats for him, have made him a god in their hearts.
Most Christians in our country will not spend as much time talking about Christ as they do about Santa, in fact they almost never teach about Christ but will spend hours talking about Santa and his miracles that never really happen, but everyone wishes would happen.
Matthew 5:28 "28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
If God will call it the sin of adultery to so much as wish to be with another woman, how much more He is angered when someone yearns after Santa as their hope and their joy.
Exodus 34:14 "14 for you shall not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God--"
When someone yearns for there to be a Santa, so much so that they look into the skies to pretend he is coming, teaching it to their children and even signing the gifts in Santa's name, leaving out treats for him, have made him a god in their hearts.
Most Christians in our country will not spend as much time talking about Christ as they do about Santa, in fact they almost never teach about Christ but will spend hours talking about Santa and his miracles that never really happen, but everyone wishes would happen.
Matthew 5:28 "28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
If God will call it the sin of adultery to so much as wish to be with another woman, how much more He is angered when someone yearns after Santa as their hope and their joy.
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
A Spiritual Rebellion
There is a spirit of rebellion that inhabits our culture. This spirit is a spirit of independence, not just from God but from everyone else too, except of course those who validate everything about them.
Luke 18:9-14 "18:9 Jesus also told this parable to some who were confident that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else.
10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: extortionists, unrighteous people, adulterers – or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’
13 The tax collector, however, stood far off and would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, be merciful to me, sinner that I am!’
14 I tell you that this man went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
There are Bibles in nearly every home in this country, sometimes more than one, but there remains a famine in the land, of the word of God.
Isaiah 30:1-2 "1"Woe to the rebellious children," declares the LORD, "Who execute a plan, but not Mine, And make an alliance, but not of My Spirit, In order to add sin to sin; 2 Who proceed down to Egypt Without consulting Me, To take refuge in the safety of Pharaoh And to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt! "
Egypt is a picture of the world with all it's sin, when we turn to the world for our counsel or to our own fallen minds, we end up with garbage and most often the opposite of God's meaning for us.
Most of the people who have Bibles in their homes tend to let them collect dust, never opening them, let alone actually reading to find answers.
Devils have bewitched people to think they can read the Bible using their own interpretations rather than asking the Holy Spirit for guidance.
2 Peter 1:20-21 "20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from the prophet’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever brought about through human initiative, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.…"
The root of this rebellion of independence is false religion orchestrated by the devil to cause people to believe they are very wise by being able to come up with their own answers that contradict God's Words.
Emotionalism is a part of all this rebellion. The need for people to "feel" good about themselves overrides truth. So many people walk in pride about how good they think they are. They will even say "I'm a good person", something a humble and contrite heart would never dare to say.
Those who walk in this pride can never admit any failings, even becoming enraged when someone else points one out.
2 Timothy 2:21 "21 So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work. "
The all important key to all of this is to seek God through the Holy Spirit and to read the Bible for God's truth not our own understanding.
Proverbs 3:6-8 "…6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.…"
Luke 18:9-14 "18:9 Jesus also told this parable to some who were confident that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else.
10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: extortionists, unrighteous people, adulterers – or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’
13 The tax collector, however, stood far off and would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, be merciful to me, sinner that I am!’
14 I tell you that this man went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
There are Bibles in nearly every home in this country, sometimes more than one, but there remains a famine in the land, of the word of God.
Isaiah 30:1-2 "1"Woe to the rebellious children," declares the LORD, "Who execute a plan, but not Mine, And make an alliance, but not of My Spirit, In order to add sin to sin; 2 Who proceed down to Egypt Without consulting Me, To take refuge in the safety of Pharaoh And to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt! "
Egypt is a picture of the world with all it's sin, when we turn to the world for our counsel or to our own fallen minds, we end up with garbage and most often the opposite of God's meaning for us.
Most of the people who have Bibles in their homes tend to let them collect dust, never opening them, let alone actually reading to find answers.
Devils have bewitched people to think they can read the Bible using their own interpretations rather than asking the Holy Spirit for guidance.
2 Peter 1:20-21 "20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from the prophet’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever brought about through human initiative, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.…"
The root of this rebellion of independence is false religion orchestrated by the devil to cause people to believe they are very wise by being able to come up with their own answers that contradict God's Words.
Emotionalism is a part of all this rebellion. The need for people to "feel" good about themselves overrides truth. So many people walk in pride about how good they think they are. They will even say "I'm a good person", something a humble and contrite heart would never dare to say.
Those who walk in this pride can never admit any failings, even becoming enraged when someone else points one out.
2 Timothy 2:21 "21 So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work. "
The all important key to all of this is to seek God through the Holy Spirit and to read the Bible for God's truth not our own understanding.
Proverbs 3:6-8 "…6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.…"
No Empathy No Love
With love comes humility and with humility empathy. If there is no empathy then there is no love.
Who is Perfect? Only Christ
Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. Who is perfect? Only Christ!
Who are we to elevate ourselves above others as though we deserved the grace of Christ.
Those who expect perfection from others, rarely see or admit their own imperfection.
Who are we to elevate ourselves above others as though we deserved the grace of Christ.
Those who expect perfection from others, rarely see or admit their own imperfection.
Both Were Guilty
Both husband and wife in this story demonstrated the pride that causes arguments and fights.
James 4:1-2 "1 What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? 2 You crave what you do not have. You kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask.…"
Del Whaley
iately his wife interrupted, “Tell the boy the truth. It began because somebody was murdered.” The husband drew himself up with an air of superiority and snapped back, “”Are you answering the question, or am I?”
Turning her back on him in a huff, the wife walked out of the room and slammed the door as hard as she could. When the dishes stopped rattling in the cupboard, an uneasy silence followed, broken at length by the son. “Dad, you don’t have to tell me any more. I know now!”
James 4:1-2 "1 What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? 2 You crave what you do not have. You kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask.…"
Del Whaley
iately his wife interrupted, “Tell the boy the truth. It began because somebody was murdered.” The husband drew himself up with an air of superiority and snapped back, “”Are you answering the question, or am I?”
Turning her back on him in a huff, the wife walked out of the room and slammed the door as hard as she could. When the dishes stopped rattling in the cupboard, an uneasy silence followed, broken at length by the son. “Dad, you don’t have to tell me any more. I know now!”
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