“Preach the Word”
"1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,"
Sunday, September 17, 2017
Praying Again for Rodger
I am once again asking the prayer warriors to engage!
Rodger has only one symptom left but it is a concerning one, that is a continual low grade temperature, about 99 when he is not taking aspirin. He feels crumby all the time, lacking energy as well as the temp.
He cannot get an appointment with his doctor sooner than three weeks, so we are left waiting. My prayer is that he is able to get in sooner than that if someone cancels.
Thank you again for your kind attention to prayer.
Love you all, Gwen
Rodger has only one symptom left but it is a concerning one, that is a continual low grade temperature, about 99 when he is not taking aspirin. He feels crumby all the time, lacking energy as well as the temp.
He cannot get an appointment with his doctor sooner than three weeks, so we are left waiting. My prayer is that he is able to get in sooner than that if someone cancels.
Thank you again for your kind attention to prayer.
Love you all, Gwen
The Pastor that Lied
I once heard of a pastor who held the Bible above his head and proclaimed that the answers to all of life's problems are not in this book and the answers to all of life's problems are not Jesus Christ.
I concluded from that encounter that the pastor was not born again, that he saw his position as a job rather than a calling from God.
This is the kind of foolishness we hear about all the time now in the apostate gatherings. There is no hope in them except faulty human wisdom that destroys, it is a concoction of the devil designed to remove any trust in Jesus Christ.
Galatians 3:6-9 "6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith."
We either believe all of the Bible as the Words of Christ, or we don't. If we do we are blessed living in great hope, if we do not believe the Bible then we live in despair without hope, continually seeking something to believe in, but nothing satisfies.
Only Christ can satisfy that longing and need within us that knows we need a Savior. Only the wicked reject this notion that God placed in us.
2 Timothy 2:25
"He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth."
I concluded from that encounter that the pastor was not born again, that he saw his position as a job rather than a calling from God.
This is the kind of foolishness we hear about all the time now in the apostate gatherings. There is no hope in them except faulty human wisdom that destroys, it is a concoction of the devil designed to remove any trust in Jesus Christ.
Galatians 3:6-9 "6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith."
We either believe all of the Bible as the Words of Christ, or we don't. If we do we are blessed living in great hope, if we do not believe the Bible then we live in despair without hope, continually seeking something to believe in, but nothing satisfies.
Only Christ can satisfy that longing and need within us that knows we need a Savior. Only the wicked reject this notion that God placed in us.
2 Timothy 2:25
"He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth."
Isaiah 11:3
"And He will delight in the fear of the LORD, And He will not judge by what His eyes see, Nor make a decision by what His ears hear;"
The World Will Hate You
Our friendships often, if not always, shows our spiritual condition. When we can enjoy the company of worldly people, something is amiss in our walk with Christ.
Worldly people should not enjoy us, no matter how pleasant we are, those who hate God will be uncomfortable around the Holy Spirit that dwells in us.
Matthew 15:17-19 "17 This is My command to you: Love one another. 18 If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. 19 If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.…"
Worldly people should not enjoy us, no matter how pleasant we are, those who hate God will be uncomfortable around the Holy Spirit that dwells in us.
Matthew 15:17-19 "17 This is My command to you: Love one another. 18 If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. 19 If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.…"
They Want His Protection But Hate His Principles
People in our day are the narcissists as described in 2 Timothy 3, they want everything but have nothing to give anyone else, they treat God the same way.
They are Johnny-on-the spot when they are in trouble, crying out to God to help them, but hate His principles.
Sadly, we live in a culture that wants God to act like a puppet, they pull the string when they need Him, but become enraged when His messengers bring them truth and correction.
Amos 5:10 "10 They hate him who reproves in the gate, And they abhor him who speaks with integrity. "
John 15:18-27
"18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you."
Non-believers hate believers, but they will be the ones the non-believer come to when they are in trouble. They know that believers have a special "IN" with God, and think we are obligated to help them out of their trouble.
Often the best help we have to offer the non-believer is to point them to Christ. Their troubles are small compared to the wrath of God at the end of their lives or during the tribulation, which by the way, is fast approaching.
There comes a point at which God is so angry at the rebellious heart, that He turns them over to their own devices and refuses to help them.
Proverbs 1:26-33
26 I will also laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when your dread comes,
27 When your dread comes like a storm
And your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
When distress and anguish come upon you.
28 “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently but they will not find me,
29 Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the Lord.
30 “They would not accept my counsel,
They spurned all my reproof.
31 “So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way
And be satiated with their own devices.
32 “For the waywardness of the naive will kill them,
And the complacency of fools will destroy them.
33 “But he who listens to me shall live securely
And will be at ease from the dread of evil.”
They are Johnny-on-the spot when they are in trouble, crying out to God to help them, but hate His principles.
Sadly, we live in a culture that wants God to act like a puppet, they pull the string when they need Him, but become enraged when His messengers bring them truth and correction.
Amos 5:10 "10 They hate him who reproves in the gate, And they abhor him who speaks with integrity. "
John 15:18-27
"18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you."
Non-believers hate believers, but they will be the ones the non-believer come to when they are in trouble. They know that believers have a special "IN" with God, and think we are obligated to help them out of their trouble.
Often the best help we have to offer the non-believer is to point them to Christ. Their troubles are small compared to the wrath of God at the end of their lives or during the tribulation, which by the way, is fast approaching.
There comes a point at which God is so angry at the rebellious heart, that He turns them over to their own devices and refuses to help them.
Proverbs 1:26-33
26 I will also laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when your dread comes,
27 When your dread comes like a storm
And your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
When distress and anguish come upon you.
28 “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently but they will not find me,
29 Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the Lord.
30 “They would not accept my counsel,
They spurned all my reproof.
31 “So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way
And be satiated with their own devices.
32 “For the waywardness of the naive will kill them,
And the complacency of fools will destroy them.
33 “But he who listens to me shall live securely
And will be at ease from the dread of evil.”
Never After a Man
Why does the "Mennonite" church name themselves after a man, it is unbiblical to follow a man. As believers in Christ we follow Him, therefore our name should reflect Him not a man. It is better to say, "we are the church at, (whatever area we live in)," than to take on the name of a favorite man.
"Menno Simons was a former Catholic priest from the Friesland region of the Low Countries who became an influential Anabaptist religious leader."
1 Corinthians 1:11-13 "…11 My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: Individuals among you are saying, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?…"
To call oneself a "Mennonite" is to say you are of Paul or Apollos, it is disobedience against the Word.
"Menno Simons was a former Catholic priest from the Friesland region of the Low Countries who became an influential Anabaptist religious leader."
1 Corinthians 1:11-13 "…11 My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: Individuals among you are saying, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?…"
To call oneself a "Mennonite" is to say you are of Paul or Apollos, it is disobedience against the Word.
Choose Your Friends Wisely
It is important to distance ourselves from those who would work to diminish our walk with Christ, whether these people are family, friends or even church members.
1 Corinthians 15:33
"33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
When we hangout with those who don't love Christ, over time they will subtly influence us to withhold truth, remain silent to stay friends, as well as at times even begin to deny truth to stay connected to them.
Those who have ungodly friends who enjoy them, are probably compromising their walk, using the excuse of witnessing, but interestingly they almost never do. We know this because unbelievers hate God's truth and will soon removed themselves from us when we are bold.
1 Timothy 1:14
"And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus."
Titus 2:15
"Speak these things as you encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one have a reason to despise you."
1 Corinthians 15:33
"33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
When we hangout with those who don't love Christ, over time they will subtly influence us to withhold truth, remain silent to stay friends, as well as at times even begin to deny truth to stay connected to them.
Those who have ungodly friends who enjoy them, are probably compromising their walk, using the excuse of witnessing, but interestingly they almost never do. We know this because unbelievers hate God's truth and will soon removed themselves from us when we are bold.
1 Timothy 1:14
"And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus."
Titus 2:15
"Speak these things as you encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one have a reason to despise you."
Stubbornness Asserts Sinlessness
No believer obeys perfectly, that's why God said this to believers:
1 John 1:9 "9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Also, God said that believers have an advocate with the Father, there would be no need for an advocate if we never sinned as believers. Christ would not have to "cover our sin."
Our flesh is sinful, we must battle it every day. Sometimes believers get lazy and follow their flesh, God warns believers in His word about disobedience because He may take them home early and they may miss rewards in heaven for their lack of obedience.
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?…"
Believers do sin and sometimes badly, there are always consequences in this life and the next for that disobedience.
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?…"
It is false doctrine to say that born again believers never sin, the scripture is clear about it. Ananias and Saphira were believers who lied to the Holy Spirit, they were saved but God killed them for lying, they remained saved.
Anyone who believes born again's never sin after salvation are prideful, never able to admit their own sin for cleansing. These people rarely restore broken relationships because of their resistance to admitting their own sinfulness.
Our life in Christ is a life of continual cleansing, the more we grow, the more we see the need for confession to be cleansed. If someone thinks they never need to confess their sin, because their sin is not so bad or they deny that it is sin because they think they are sinless, are walking in pride and arrogance. These people will never grow spiritually, remaining spiritual babies until they can admit they sin and begin growing in holiness.
1 Peter 1:13-16 "13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action,2 and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
If believers were sinless after salvation, they would not need the exhortation of the Lord in the 1 Peter 1 passage.
1 John 1:9 "9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Also, God said that believers have an advocate with the Father, there would be no need for an advocate if we never sinned as believers. Christ would not have to "cover our sin."
Our flesh is sinful, we must battle it every day. Sometimes believers get lazy and follow their flesh, God warns believers in His word about disobedience because He may take them home early and they may miss rewards in heaven for their lack of obedience.
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?…"
Believers do sin and sometimes badly, there are always consequences in this life and the next for that disobedience.
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?…"
It is false doctrine to say that born again believers never sin, the scripture is clear about it. Ananias and Saphira were believers who lied to the Holy Spirit, they were saved but God killed them for lying, they remained saved.
Anyone who believes born again's never sin after salvation are prideful, never able to admit their own sin for cleansing. These people rarely restore broken relationships because of their resistance to admitting their own sinfulness.
Our life in Christ is a life of continual cleansing, the more we grow, the more we see the need for confession to be cleansed. If someone thinks they never need to confess their sin, because their sin is not so bad or they deny that it is sin because they think they are sinless, are walking in pride and arrogance. These people will never grow spiritually, remaining spiritual babies until they can admit they sin and begin growing in holiness.
1 Peter 1:13-16 "13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action,2 and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
If believers were sinless after salvation, they would not need the exhortation of the Lord in the 1 Peter 1 passage.
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