Yes, here again is another lie that modern Christandom has been telling. There are so many I think we need to write a book to expose it all.
Thursday, July 13, 2017
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.’"
When we have a question about what to do or be, ask God, pray and seek His face, then you will be able to see His principles.
“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.’"
When we have a question about what to do or be, ask God, pray and seek His face, then you will be able to see His principles.
Trials and Challenges are the Key
What do our responses to trials and challenges say about our character?
When we rage at a challenge from someone, it is possible that we lack spiritual maturity to be able to evaluate ourselves for greater spiritual growth.
Those who are elevated above others in their own mind, will never receive a correction or challenge to move toward greater holiness.
The more we fight against the challenges the harder our hearts become.
We must pray and read the word in all situations, then we will hear from the Holy Spirit.
James 1:2-8
2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,
8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."
When we rage at a challenge from someone, it is possible that we lack spiritual maturity to be able to evaluate ourselves for greater spiritual growth.
Those who are elevated above others in their own mind, will never receive a correction or challenge to move toward greater holiness.
The more we fight against the challenges the harder our hearts become.
We must pray and read the word in all situations, then we will hear from the Holy Spirit.
James 1:2-8
2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,
8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."
Biblical Care of Souls Talk by Bobgan
The video in the link discusses exactly what God has been saying to me over the past few years. 30 years ago I acquired some of Dr. Bobgan's books that helped me a lot in my walk.
Follow the Link!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azXw4jCXCv4&feature=youtu.be
Follow the Link!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azXw4jCXCv4&feature=youtu.be
When Christ Forgave
When Christ forgave people He said, "you are forgiven", but in the account of Christ asking the Father to forgive them, He was appealing to the Father to extend forgiveness to the world, not the individuals who crucified Him.
Those who did the actual deed of placing Christ on the cross were no different from those who were just sinners, we all put Him on that cross.
Asking the Father to extend forgiveness to the world, when they repent, was the situation.
Christ never forgave the rich man who rejected Him. He never forgave Judas who betrayed Him, He never forgave the other thief on the cross who mocked Him. However, He did forgive the thief next to Him who expressed and confessed his own sinfulness.
Christ said to the thief who confessed, "this day you will be in paradise with Me."
Luke 23:39-43 "39 One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!”
40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
41 And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!”
43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”"
Did we see that!!!! Christ never forgave the one thief who was not repentant, but He did forgive the one who confessed his sinfulness.
Those who did the actual deed of placing Christ on the cross were no different from those who were just sinners, we all put Him on that cross.
Asking the Father to extend forgiveness to the world, when they repent, was the situation.
Christ never forgave the rich man who rejected Him. He never forgave Judas who betrayed Him, He never forgave the other thief on the cross who mocked Him. However, He did forgive the thief next to Him who expressed and confessed his own sinfulness.
Christ said to the thief who confessed, "this day you will be in paradise with Me."
Luke 23:39-43 "39 One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!”
40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
41 And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!”
43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”"
Did we see that!!!! Christ never forgave the one thief who was not repentant, but He did forgive the one who confessed his sinfulness.
Psychology is the Culprit
Psychology has done more damage to the Christian culture than we can even imagine.
It has managed to make Christians impotent in their walk because of their fear of the rejection of man. Many believers walk in fear of telling the truth about someone to warn others and the offender.
Psychology has also managed to remove any desire for loyalty or sacrifice that will bring about righteousness, while facilitating self will and easy superficial Christianity. Doing things God's way hurts, it isolates us from others, it causes the world to hate us, but it is the way that brings the greatest rewards and blessings.
1 Timothy 5:20 " 20 But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin."
Proverbs 29:24-26 "…24 He who is a partner with a thief hates his own life; He hears the oath but tells nothing. 25 The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted. 26 Many seek the ruler's favor, But justice for man comes from the LORD.…"
Proverbs 29:25
"25 The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe."
The most prominent reason for Christians remaining silent is their fear of man's rejection.
Matthew 10:21-22 "…21 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone on account of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved."
Matthew 10:34-36 "34 Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn ‘A man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’…"
God never told us make sure we are appreciated and liked by anyone. He did say however that we should be depending on Him for everything. He said that when we do this we will be hated by everyone, they will want us to depend on and follow them.
Even in secular court, allocution (removes any doubt as to the exact nature of the defendant's guilt in the matter) is required for a criminal to get a shorter sentence or lesser punishment. Even the secular's understand in a court of law that no one should get a reduced sentence unless they tell the whole truth and are remorseful.
Telling the truth cleanses, if it is authentic repentance. There should be no rewards or reduction of sentence if there is total lack of remorse.
This principle, believe it or not comes from the Bible. Many of our court proceedings were based on the Bible in the beginning of this country.
There is also the principle that if we commit a crime against another person, that crime is not just against the person but also against the state and against God. No one has the right to diminish the punishment merely because there has been confession, when we are dealing with the court system.
If someone has committed a crime against another person, then the guilty party needs to serve their time, whether or not they are sorry. Punishment changes people, adequate punishment commensurate with the crime is Biblical and life changing.
If someone steals from me, convicted in the courts and taken to jail, there would be no reason to let this person off, even if they were sorry. Those who are truly sorry for their crimes want to do the time, it is cleansing to pay for our deeds against others.
When trust is broken, no amount of superficial forgiveness is going to restore that broken relationship. Only a confession and further demonstration over time, words being backed up by actions, will be the evidence that a relationship can be restored.
When we can see that someone has changed, it will be known through the Holy Spirit through discernment. No one else outside that relationship can tell someone else when to resume the relationship.
I depend on the Holy Spirit every day, when I fail, I see how God's way was better and triumphant. Man's way is a band aide over a gaping wound that only drastic surgery would have fixed. God's way fixes things for a lifetime and for eternity.
When a believer offends us God tells us to go to them to tell them, appeal to them to repent and if they will not, then we are to remove ourselves and avoid them until they see their sin.
Since this is no longer the practice in the church, sin is rampant, very few feel guilt about their sin and many rage against those who wish to fix the problem through confession and forgiveness. The one who will not confess is the one who remains in their sin as we move on to leave them to God.
It has managed to make Christians impotent in their walk because of their fear of the rejection of man. Many believers walk in fear of telling the truth about someone to warn others and the offender.
Psychology has also managed to remove any desire for loyalty or sacrifice that will bring about righteousness, while facilitating self will and easy superficial Christianity. Doing things God's way hurts, it isolates us from others, it causes the world to hate us, but it is the way that brings the greatest rewards and blessings.
1 Timothy 5:20 " 20 But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin."
Proverbs 29:24-26 "…24 He who is a partner with a thief hates his own life; He hears the oath but tells nothing. 25 The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted. 26 Many seek the ruler's favor, But justice for man comes from the LORD.…"
Proverbs 29:25
"25 The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe."
The most prominent reason for Christians remaining silent is their fear of man's rejection.
Matthew 10:21-22 "…21 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone on account of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved."
Matthew 10:34-36 "34 Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn ‘A man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’…"
God never told us make sure we are appreciated and liked by anyone. He did say however that we should be depending on Him for everything. He said that when we do this we will be hated by everyone, they will want us to depend on and follow them.
Even in secular court, allocution (removes any doubt as to the exact nature of the defendant's guilt in the matter) is required for a criminal to get a shorter sentence or lesser punishment. Even the secular's understand in a court of law that no one should get a reduced sentence unless they tell the whole truth and are remorseful.
Telling the truth cleanses, if it is authentic repentance. There should be no rewards or reduction of sentence if there is total lack of remorse.
This principle, believe it or not comes from the Bible. Many of our court proceedings were based on the Bible in the beginning of this country.
There is also the principle that if we commit a crime against another person, that crime is not just against the person but also against the state and against God. No one has the right to diminish the punishment merely because there has been confession, when we are dealing with the court system.
If someone has committed a crime against another person, then the guilty party needs to serve their time, whether or not they are sorry. Punishment changes people, adequate punishment commensurate with the crime is Biblical and life changing.
If someone steals from me, convicted in the courts and taken to jail, there would be no reason to let this person off, even if they were sorry. Those who are truly sorry for their crimes want to do the time, it is cleansing to pay for our deeds against others.
When trust is broken, no amount of superficial forgiveness is going to restore that broken relationship. Only a confession and further demonstration over time, words being backed up by actions, will be the evidence that a relationship can be restored.
When we can see that someone has changed, it will be known through the Holy Spirit through discernment. No one else outside that relationship can tell someone else when to resume the relationship.
I depend on the Holy Spirit every day, when I fail, I see how God's way was better and triumphant. Man's way is a band aide over a gaping wound that only drastic surgery would have fixed. God's way fixes things for a lifetime and for eternity.
When a believer offends us God tells us to go to them to tell them, appeal to them to repent and if they will not, then we are to remove ourselves and avoid them until they see their sin.
Since this is no longer the practice in the church, sin is rampant, very few feel guilt about their sin and many rage against those who wish to fix the problem through confession and forgiveness. The one who will not confess is the one who remains in their sin as we move on to leave them to God.
When the Shepherd Calls
We are not validated by the acceptance of other people. We are validated by our relationship with Christ. Stop attempting to win others by fitting into their ways.
When we love Christ we follow hard after Him. We must get humble and dependent on Christ or the world around us will swallow us up in it's ways, if long enough we will be unrecoverable.
The more people of the world we surround ourselves with, the less of our authentic self in Christ will be evident.
I am reminded of the picture of Christ's scripture that I encountered in real life when I visited Israel.
John 10:26-28 "…26 But because you are not My sheep, you refuse to believe. 27 My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.…"
I and some other ladies were standing near the pen of a herd of goats and sheep. The shepherd was standing near by with his staff watching.
I walked up to the pen to call the sheep to me in my own English language. The herd showed no interest in me or the other women there who were calling to them too. The sheep didn't lift their head to look or pay any attention at all to my voice or the voices of the other women.
As the shepherd, who spoke only Hebrew, saw that we were stretching out our arms to call the sheep to us, began to speak a couple of words in Hebrew and the sheep ran immediately to the fence where we were near the shepherd.
You see, the herd knew the voice of the Shepherd and his words, so they responded quickly and obediently.
When we know the voice of our Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ Who lives in us, we know exactly what to do and how to do it. Sadly there are far too many Christians who are not hearing His voice, because they are allowing the ways of the world and the voice of psychology to drown out the voice of their Shepherd.
When we love Christ we follow hard after Him. We must get humble and dependent on Christ or the world around us will swallow us up in it's ways, if long enough we will be unrecoverable.
The more people of the world we surround ourselves with, the less of our authentic self in Christ will be evident.
I am reminded of the picture of Christ's scripture that I encountered in real life when I visited Israel.
John 10:26-28 "…26 But because you are not My sheep, you refuse to believe. 27 My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.…"
I and some other ladies were standing near the pen of a herd of goats and sheep. The shepherd was standing near by with his staff watching.
I walked up to the pen to call the sheep to me in my own English language. The herd showed no interest in me or the other women there who were calling to them too. The sheep didn't lift their head to look or pay any attention at all to my voice or the voices of the other women.
As the shepherd, who spoke only Hebrew, saw that we were stretching out our arms to call the sheep to us, began to speak a couple of words in Hebrew and the sheep ran immediately to the fence where we were near the shepherd.
You see, the herd knew the voice of the Shepherd and his words, so they responded quickly and obediently.
When we know the voice of our Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ Who lives in us, we know exactly what to do and how to do it. Sadly there are far too many Christians who are not hearing His voice, because they are allowing the ways of the world and the voice of psychology to drown out the voice of their Shepherd.
Removing Responsibility Causes Sin to Grow
Forgiving someone who is not repentant is taking on their responsibility for them. We remove their need to confess and stop the abusive behavior whether verbal, emotional or physical, we absolve them of their responsibility, thereby creating a bigger monster that feels completely empowered to increase their abuse.
Our influence over people does not have to do with manipulative tactics of flattery, but rather with the example in our own lives that they will observe. They will think of God the way they think of us. When we act as though they have no responsibility in their actions, that all is forgiven no matter how terrible they were, then they will see God as One who is not angry with sin, doesn't care that they do it and is just fine with continued sin.
Satan loves this method of dealing with mean people, allowing them to grow unconstrained in their evil, brings on more abuse and greater harm to those who are targets and specifically believers.
We must stop thinking that we can "fix" others through merely being friendly to them.
Isaiah 26:10 " 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."
We may think we are being kind through forgiveness to the perp, but it actually ends up being mean to the victims and unhelpful to the perp.
Proverbs 26:5-7 "…5 Better is open rebuke Than love that is concealed. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy. 7 A sated man loathes honey, But to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet.…"
Understanding the victim allows us to carry one another's wounds. Also giving them the skill to either handle the perp or remove themselves.
Galatians 6:2-3 "2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the Law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.…"
We are not responsible for another person's emotional well being or their salvation. We are to act in ways that are in line with God's Word and His principles, beyond that, God is ultimately responsible for the reactions or actions of others.
Let me end by saying that the Psychological industry has done more harm in this country than anything else. It has managed to silence good people from telling the truth, in favor of allowing wicked people to speak and do all they choose without challenge.
This mentality of "just be friendly, will lead people to God", is not the gospel, lacks rebuke, warning and correction, always allowing evil to grow while quenching and silencing righteousness.
Our influence over people does not have to do with manipulative tactics of flattery, but rather with the example in our own lives that they will observe. They will think of God the way they think of us. When we act as though they have no responsibility in their actions, that all is forgiven no matter how terrible they were, then they will see God as One who is not angry with sin, doesn't care that they do it and is just fine with continued sin.
Satan loves this method of dealing with mean people, allowing them to grow unconstrained in their evil, brings on more abuse and greater harm to those who are targets and specifically believers.
We must stop thinking that we can "fix" others through merely being friendly to them.
Isaiah 26:10 " 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."
We may think we are being kind through forgiveness to the perp, but it actually ends up being mean to the victims and unhelpful to the perp.
Proverbs 26:5-7 "…5 Better is open rebuke Than love that is concealed. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy. 7 A sated man loathes honey, But to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet.…"
Understanding the victim allows us to carry one another's wounds. Also giving them the skill to either handle the perp or remove themselves.
Galatians 6:2-3 "2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the Law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.…"
We are not responsible for another person's emotional well being or their salvation. We are to act in ways that are in line with God's Word and His principles, beyond that, God is ultimately responsible for the reactions or actions of others.
Let me end by saying that the Psychological industry has done more harm in this country than anything else. It has managed to silence good people from telling the truth, in favor of allowing wicked people to speak and do all they choose without challenge.
This mentality of "just be friendly, will lead people to God", is not the gospel, lacks rebuke, warning and correction, always allowing evil to grow while quenching and silencing righteousness.
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