Feeding the Beast

Never "react" to a narcissist, always "respond" calmly, if at all.

The purpose of the attacks of the narcissist is to goad us into reacting in irrational ways to fend them off. They love to see us upset and out of control, it makes them feel superior.

They have no power over us if we choose not to react to their antics. Any reaction will feed the beast.

Respond in short answers and without personal details.

When we discover someone is constantly like this, it is wise to stay away from them. There is no benefit for you to continue to be a target and they cannot be helped by anything we say or do.

We cannot reason with a narcissist, the more we try the worse they become. Reason also feeds the beast, they love to fight and argue about nothing.

Narcissists will exaggerate and fabricate to cause frustration, ignore them, don't respond and be sure to exit their presence as soon as possible. Fighting with a narcissist is the same as arguing with the devil. The more we try to explain or reason with them, the more they like it.

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

The narcissist feels justified in their rudeness when they can get us to act the way they have, only they will accuse us while justifying themselves. Without a response the narcissist has only themselves to see.

Mark Twain said something wise: "“Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.”

Narcissists also love to make us look bad in the eyes of others, they can manipulate other's opinions of us through our own manipulations.

Working Hard For Salvation?

Those that are working hard to keep their salvation lack faith. They must feel they have to do something, enough good to keep a salvation, but they never know just how much good they should do or how much sin will avoid loss of salvation.

Pride dominates the one who thinks they are doing anything to keep the salvation they didn't earn in the first place.

By Faith the Patriarchs were Saved

The Old Testament saints were saved the same way we are saved today.

Hebrews 11
The Triumphs of Faith

11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
2 For by it the men of old gained approval.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.
9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;
10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
11 By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.
13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.
15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.
16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son;
18 it was he to whom it was said, “In Isaac your descendants shall be called.”
19 He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,
26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.
27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.
28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.
31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.
32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,
34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection;
36 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated
38 (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.
39 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised,
40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect."

The Apple of God's Eye

David was called by God the "Apple of God's Eye", and yet he sinned in a big way. God loved David because of his heart, his sinful actions were disciplined, he was restored to fellowship with God after he confessed his sin.

Sin did not remove David's salvation, it did affect his fellowship with God until he confessed his sin to God.

God loved his son David, he cared so deeply about him that he gave him consequences so he would see the magnitude of his sin.

David lost the baby from his union with Bathsheba while they were in adultery. The consequences for David were life long and severe but he remained a man after God's own heart and the "apple of God's eyes."

God never allowed David to build the temple because there was blood on his hands from the murder of Uriah, Bathsheba's husband.

David had consequences, punishment and lost rewards for his sin, but he remained a child of God.

This is a picture of the relationship between Christ and the church. When God promises to keep us safe, He means it, even when we stray, He works with us to bring us back to righteous actions.

Two False Doctrines

The Calvinists are back in force today spreading their lies that no one has a choice in their salvation,

AND

The Armenians are out there too claiming that we must work to keep our salvation.

Hebrews 9:22 says, "Without shedding of blood there is no remission."

If the shedding of blood of the sinless Christ was necessary to save a man, it is ridiculous to believe that mere obedience of a man could keep him saved. Even the blood of the man could not save him because he is sinful to the core, therefore obedience cannot keep a sinful man, only the blood of Christ can do that.

It is just too bad that by the end of the day, those of us who understand that we choose to trust Christ and after that He does all the work in us, are just left with few friends who understand the true gospel.

The Calvinists are proud of being the "elect" (chosen), while the Armenians are proud of themselves for keeping their salvation, neither of which is true.

1 Timothy 2:3-5 "…3 This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,…"

That mediator is not a man, we cannot mediate between ourselves and the Father, we need Christ to do that.

The devil is working very hard to deceive in ways that sound so very good, but are deeply wrong.

We trust Christ through faith in His finished work on the cross.

John 19:30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished.” And bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit. "

He then comes to dwell in us to begin the lifelong work of cleansing.

1 Corinthians 15:45
"So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being;" the last Adam a life-giving spirit."

Hebrews 9:22 says, "Without shedding of blood there is no remission."

As we are cleansed sin begins to drop off, while growing in holiness we continue to seek Him gaining wisdom along the way.

2 Peter 3;17-18 "…17 Therefore, beloved, since you already know these things, be on your guard not to be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure standing. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."

"NOW AND TO THE DAY OF ETERNITY"

Christ disciplines His children to bring them to obedience when their flesh strays from Him.

Hebrews 12:5-7 "…5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, or lose heart when He rebukes you. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.” 7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"

Hebrews 12:8-9 "8 If you do not experience discipline like everyone else, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9 Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live?…"

Believers confess their sin, they do not keep on sinning, but hate the sin they do, growing a little more with each step of confession.

1 John 3:9 " 9 Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. "

Romans 7:14-16 "…14 We know that the Law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do. But what I hate, I do. 16 And if I do what I do not desire, I admit that the Law is good.…"

Christ keeps our spirit safe from the evil one, even though the evil one may persecute our bodies, he cannot take away our salvation.

2 Thessalonians 3:3-4 "…2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men; for not everyone holds to the faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do what we command.…"

No sin we do loses us our salvation, but it can remove rewards in heaven if we do not confess it.

1 Corinthians 3:14-16 "…14 If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as one being snatched from the fire. 16 Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?…"

Christ never leaves us nor forsakes us.

Hebrews 13:5 "Let your manner of living be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have. For He hath said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”

There are no scriptures that say "God doesn't leave us but we can leave him", as so many losers (losers: meaning those who believe one can lose their salvation) say can happen.

God never violates His own promises:

2 Timothy 2:13 "13 if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.:"

So the gist of this article is to warn that there are two false doctrines going around in mass these days, one says one can lose the salvation they did not earn and the others says that no one has a choice in their salvation. Avoid these doctrines, seek the Lord for truth and refuse to be intimidated by the false teachings that bombard us every day.

Here is the Evidence

1 John 3:13-15 "…13 So do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death. 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer.…"

The Deception of the Anti-christ

I am hearing people defend our president as though he is sent from God for the Christians. He was sent by God in these end times events, but not what we might think.

Trump is getting things done that have nothing to do with righteousness and holiness. He is going for the "comfortable world" that most people want.

His deception is far greater than we can know about. No man becomes as wealthy as he is by just being in the right place at the right time. He is a wheeler dealer, who knows just how to work the people while making them think it was their idea.

I have seen this mentality up close and personal for years. There is no integrity of substance, only appearance. It's just that simple, what we are seeing now is just how clever and deceptive the anti-christ will be. He will have most people eating out of his hand while promising everything the people think they want.

We are a culture that lives on fantasy, words and promises without substance or reality. The world is ready for the anti-christ who will bring big promises while having no intention of delivering.

While this culture is indulging their fantasy about peace and prosperity, more concerned about their rights, freedom and safety, they are denying the gospel on nearly every level, even in the churches. All one has to do to deny the gospel is negate the principles and Words of Christ within His Word.

1 Thessalonians 5:3
"While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape."

Diablo means Devil

When I say something is diabolical, "diablo" means devil, I am saying it comes from the mouth of the devil.

There are many things that are coming from the mouth of the devil these days, so many it isn't possible to count them all.

On every level of politics, in the schools, in the churches, in the communities and in the minds of most people, we are experiencing the thoughts and intents of the devil.

All one has to do to see this, is to read their Bible, pray for wisdom and watch God open their eyes. Once He opens our eyes we will see so clearly it will frustrate and vex us daily as it did Lot while he was in Sodom.

2 Peter 2:6-8 "6 if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction, reducing them to ashes as an example of what is coming on the ungodly; 7 and if He rescued Lot, a righteous man distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless 8 (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—…"

If you find yourself in this condition, do not condemn yourself and do not let anyone else make you feel "negative." Anyone who is not vexed by what is going on may very well be a part of the mess of this world. Shrug off the accusation of negativity and chuckle under your breath at it's silliness.

Psalm 37:12-24 "…12 The wicked plots against the righteous And gnashes at him with his teeth. 13 The Lord laughs at him, For He sees his day is coming. 14 The wicked have drawn the sword and bent their bow To cast down the afflicted and the needy, To slay those who are upright in conduct."

Here is that word "gnashes" again, once here and again in the description of hell. The gnashing of teeth does not have to do with pain but rather anger. Even while these rebellious people are being thrown into hell they are angry instead of ashamed.

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

Let it be clear that when we tell the truth about an act or a person, unless it is flattery, they will hate us for it, show deep anger and reject us.

God's promises to us are greater than any mocking or demeaning we may endure in this life and they last for eternity. Those who choose God's path have a promise of rest for our souls, but the people as a whole in the world will refuse this path. Sadly they would rather have their own head that brings them nothing but heartache than to follow Christ and see His enormous blessing!

Jeremiah 6:16 "16 Thus says the LORD, "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'…"

The Respect is Gone

Amen, Amen!!!! Because accountability and discipline has been spurned, things are getting worse, respect is nearly gone among the masses.

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No One Can Earn It!

There are many these days who are preaching that one must be good to keep the salvation they did not earn. They claim that eternal security in Christ is a heresy, these preachers are heretics, bringing false doctrine, while promoting pride in those who think they are "good enough" to stay saved by their own efforts.

NO, loss of salvation is a damnable heresy, it denies the sufficiency of Christ's death on the cross, as though His sacrifice was not enough we must add our silly little nothing works to it to make is better. That is down right silly.

We could not save ourselves through our own works, nor can we keep ourselves by our works.

Either God did it all on the cross or He did none of it.

Ephesians 2:8-9 " 8For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not by works, so that no one can boast.…"

Isaiah 64:6 " 6 For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. "

Ephesians 2:9-10 "…9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life."

Anyone who thinks they are keeping their salvation by being good, has not trusted Christ but remains trusting in themselves.