When someone is asking you to do something for them and they present only two options for you, watch out for a trick, choose the third option they didn't tell you about, that is "no, I will not do that."
Offer no explanations or apologies, simply say "no" and walk away.
We are not called to do what everyone else wants us to do. We can always pray and think things through to be sure about our choices.
I am astonished at how many people give into others simply because someone asked them even though they feel bad that they agreed.
When we agree to do something we are asked to do, it ought to be because God told us to, that will leave us at peace about the final answer to the request.
If someone rages because of our "no", they have given us a clue about their intent and need for control over us.
There will also be those who use our friendship as a way of pressuring us to do what they want. "If you are my friend you should....thus and such." This is not a friend we want to keep in our lives.
Friendships are based on mutual standards and ideals in life as well as give and take. Not because we are expected to repay. We give and take because we love one another. We never expect anything, however a real friendship will be reciprocal just because those who love each other love to be there for their friend.
Amos 3 "Can two walk together, except they are agreed?"
The answer according to God's Word is, no, two cannot be friends when they do not agree. Our basic response to life must be in agreement with those who are our friends. If you find yourself disagreeing often, even disputing over important matters too often, then it is time to exit the relationship.
This does not mean that friends never disagree. It just mean that we disagree respectfully without ill feelings, dismissiveness or angst.
Friends care deeply about one another, they have no desire to dominate or punish for disagreement.
Proverbs 18:24 "24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother."
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
The Ultimatum is Devious!
"An Ultimatum" definition: a demand to agree to do something with negative consequences if we do not agree!
When someone gives you an ultimatum, they are attempting to trap you into doing what they want before you have time to think about it. When someone does this it is wise to immediately decline their request.. There have only been a couple of times in my life that someone wanted an immediate answer to something, when this happens my automatic response is "no.'
Ultimatums are designed to catch you off guard, causing you to quickly do without thinking whatever they want. It is a favored tactic of those who wish to control you.
It is harder to get out of something we have agreed to do than it is to say no in the beginning.
No one should ever expect us to do things without thinking about what they want. When we act rashly because of an ultimatum, we are less likely to turn back and refuse to do it afterward. The pressure to keep our word is too strong to easily change our mind.
There is always the next tactic that is used when we agree to do something we were pressured to do, and that is to accuse us of reneging on our "promise" if we decide not to do that thing.
When we agree to something then change our mind after we realize we made a mistake, it is not received well. Agreeing to do something is seen by many people as a promise with no out.
When we agree to something after being pressured to make the commitment, we still have the option of changing our minds. If we took an oath or made a promise that is more binding.
Agreeing to do something is not a promise! Its always best not to make oaths or promises, but merely agreeing to do something is not a promise or an oath.
There have been a few times in my life when others would pressure me to do something for which I did not have all the information to make an informed decision. After thinking about what was asked of me, I had to go back and tell those who asked that I had time to think and pray about their request and did not have peace about agreeing.
It is always best to think and pray about a request for a time before answering to avoid the misunderstandings about promises and oaths. Any pressure to act immediately shows a lack of concern for us and perhaps a desire to exert control over us.
Relationships cannot be based on ultimatums!
James 5:12
"But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation."
When someone gives you an ultimatum, they are attempting to trap you into doing what they want before you have time to think about it. When someone does this it is wise to immediately decline their request.. There have only been a couple of times in my life that someone wanted an immediate answer to something, when this happens my automatic response is "no.'
Ultimatums are designed to catch you off guard, causing you to quickly do without thinking whatever they want. It is a favored tactic of those who wish to control you.
It is harder to get out of something we have agreed to do than it is to say no in the beginning.
No one should ever expect us to do things without thinking about what they want. When we act rashly because of an ultimatum, we are less likely to turn back and refuse to do it afterward. The pressure to keep our word is too strong to easily change our mind.
There is always the next tactic that is used when we agree to do something we were pressured to do, and that is to accuse us of reneging on our "promise" if we decide not to do that thing.
When we agree to something then change our mind after we realize we made a mistake, it is not received well. Agreeing to do something is seen by many people as a promise with no out.
When we agree to something after being pressured to make the commitment, we still have the option of changing our minds. If we took an oath or made a promise that is more binding.
Agreeing to do something is not a promise! Its always best not to make oaths or promises, but merely agreeing to do something is not a promise or an oath.
There have been a few times in my life when others would pressure me to do something for which I did not have all the information to make an informed decision. After thinking about what was asked of me, I had to go back and tell those who asked that I had time to think and pray about their request and did not have peace about agreeing.
It is always best to think and pray about a request for a time before answering to avoid the misunderstandings about promises and oaths. Any pressure to act immediately shows a lack of concern for us and perhaps a desire to exert control over us.
Relationships cannot be based on ultimatums!
James 5:12
"But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation."
Addicted to the Validation of Others
Most people are addicted to the validation of others. Fear of the loss of love and acceptance often causes those who know truth to become silent when they should speak.
There is constant intimidation by others to conform to their ways when those ways are not Biblical. Non-believes expect us to conform to society and believers expect us to conform to their version of Christianity that may not be Biblical.
When we are determined to be accepted by others we will lack the strength to think on our own, out side of the box that others have constructed for themselves based on cultural belief systems. Not only do the general populous stay in their box, they expect everyone else to stay in their box too.
When we say what everyone else is saying, do what everyone else is doing and change our views to fit with those who intimidate, we will lose ourselves and the principles of God.
Those who despise truth and love their traditions live in a world of bondage. Those who love Christ and can think outside the cultural box will be free, joyful and blessed by Christ.
Mark 7:12-13 "12 he is no longer permitted to do anything for his father or mother. 13 Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so” in many such matters."
John 8:36-37 "36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know you are Abraham’s descendants, but you are trying to kill Me because My word has no place within you."
Those who speak truth freely without reservation can expect many people to come against them, even attempting to shape how others see you by their gossip and lies.
When we see this happening do not fear them. The devil is using these people and he has no power over our soul or our Spirit.
Matthew 10:27-29 "…27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.…"
Christ is our advocate, our protector and our Truth! Let no cultural norms or pressure interfere with the path Christ has for you. He is the only One Who matters.
There is constant intimidation by others to conform to their ways when those ways are not Biblical. Non-believes expect us to conform to society and believers expect us to conform to their version of Christianity that may not be Biblical.
When we are determined to be accepted by others we will lack the strength to think on our own, out side of the box that others have constructed for themselves based on cultural belief systems. Not only do the general populous stay in their box, they expect everyone else to stay in their box too.
When we say what everyone else is saying, do what everyone else is doing and change our views to fit with those who intimidate, we will lose ourselves and the principles of God.
Those who despise truth and love their traditions live in a world of bondage. Those who love Christ and can think outside the cultural box will be free, joyful and blessed by Christ.
Mark 7:12-13 "12 he is no longer permitted to do anything for his father or mother. 13 Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so” in many such matters."
John 8:36-37 "36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know you are Abraham’s descendants, but you are trying to kill Me because My word has no place within you."
Those who speak truth freely without reservation can expect many people to come against them, even attempting to shape how others see you by their gossip and lies.
When we see this happening do not fear them. The devil is using these people and he has no power over our soul or our Spirit.
Matthew 10:27-29 "…27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.…"
Christ is our advocate, our protector and our Truth! Let no cultural norms or pressure interfere with the path Christ has for you. He is the only One Who matters.
Monday, July 30, 2018
The Changed Mind Results in Changed Behavior
When we hate our sin so much we can no longer stand to ever do that sin again, then we have repented. Our mind has been changed which resulted in a change of behavior.
Luke 15:10
"In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Luke 15:10
"In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
So Many People Cannot Wrap Their Mind Around the Truth
The system of "church attendance and governance" that we see today is not Biblical. There are no one man pastors described in the Bible. Also, The word "pastor" is not a title we call someone or a position, its a calling and several men in the gathering should have this calling. No one is over anyone else, they teach and lead by example, not by authority over others.
This is the hardest concept to get into the minds of others. Once the wrong teaching has been in the minds of people for many years, its impossible to get them to understand and accept the truth.
This is the hardest concept to get into the minds of others. Once the wrong teaching has been in the minds of people for many years, its impossible to get them to understand and accept the truth.
Sunday, July 29, 2018
Unstable Men Contradict Themselves Constantly
Yes and he often contradicts himself! They are called "double minded men", God says; "they are unstable in all their ways."
Each Generation Grows Worse
Since our children's generation is walking in superficial worldly Christianity there remains a great deal of rebellion in their hearts. Their religion is based on emotions far more than rational thinking.
Watching this generation indulge themselves in arrogance based on fantasy feelings has been agonizing. Their attempt at appearing superior has led them down a path of self righteousness.
The resistance to truth and teaching has left them spiritual infants. Those who are not born again we expect that from, but it is hard when those who claim to be Christians act more like the world than they do like authentic believers.
When the Bible is not very important to them, they claim it is, but follow little of it. They will even say they are "Bible believing", but their lives and actions are not evidence of what they say.
These self righteous ones make rash judgments about people, the reason being that they do not listen long enough or with enough interest to hear anyone. Their own thoughts and ideas are all that matter to them.
When self is the focus, personal superiority is the goal there is no learning possible.
Acts 7:51 "51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you."
Romans 2:5 "5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed."
Proverbs 29:1
"He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing."
Psalm 81:11-12
“But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels."
Those who continually rebel against sound teaching will eventually be turned over to their rebellion without a chance of ever changing.
Just remember the longer one resists God, the stronger the dilution and the less likely one will be able to think rationally with the mind of Christ.
Watching this generation indulge themselves in arrogance based on fantasy feelings has been agonizing. Their attempt at appearing superior has led them down a path of self righteousness.
The resistance to truth and teaching has left them spiritual infants. Those who are not born again we expect that from, but it is hard when those who claim to be Christians act more like the world than they do like authentic believers.
When the Bible is not very important to them, they claim it is, but follow little of it. They will even say they are "Bible believing", but their lives and actions are not evidence of what they say.
These self righteous ones make rash judgments about people, the reason being that they do not listen long enough or with enough interest to hear anyone. Their own thoughts and ideas are all that matter to them.
When self is the focus, personal superiority is the goal there is no learning possible.
Acts 7:51 "51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you."
Romans 2:5 "5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed."
Proverbs 29:1
"He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing."
Psalm 81:11-12
“But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels."
Those who continually rebel against sound teaching will eventually be turned over to their rebellion without a chance of ever changing.
Just remember the longer one resists God, the stronger the dilution and the less likely one will be able to think rationally with the mind of Christ.
Both Father and Mother Rule Over the Family Together
Quote from the Milk and Honey publication: by Stephen Hulshizer
"When God will return "with" His bride to establish His kingdom on the earth, and just as the first's man's wife was with him in his rule, so shall the Church rule and reign with the Second Man, Jesus Christ. (Rev. 5:9-10; Col. 3:4; Matthew 24:29-31")"
Proverbs 1:8-9 "8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother. 9 For they are a garland of grace on your head, and a pendant around your neck."
"When God will return "with" His bride to establish His kingdom on the earth, and just as the first's man's wife was with him in his rule, so shall the Church rule and reign with the Second Man, Jesus Christ. (Rev. 5:9-10; Col. 3:4; Matthew 24:29-31")"
Proverbs 1:8-9 "8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother. 9 For they are a garland of grace on your head, and a pendant around your neck."
What is the Meaning of "Church"
Quote from the Milk and Honey publication: by Stephen Hulshizer
"The English word "church" does not give us the real meaning of the Greek word used in writing the New Testament. Church would best be translated as "assembly." The Church, or Assembly, is an "assembly" or "gathering" who have been "called out" of this world. It is a gathering of "called-out-ones" who have been separated to God from the world by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (1 Thess. 1:5)
"The English word "church" does not give us the real meaning of the Greek word used in writing the New Testament. Church would best be translated as "assembly." The Church, or Assembly, is an "assembly" or "gathering" who have been "called out" of this world. It is a gathering of "called-out-ones" who have been separated to God from the world by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (1 Thess. 1:5)
Friday, July 27, 2018
Offense of the Truth
Not only will believer offend the non-believer they will also offend many pretenders in the church. The pew warmers who love their religion and self righteousness but have no interest in seeking or pleasing Christ.
Ron Smith said this:
The most GRIEVING thing I can think of is someone I KNOW...someone I CARE about...DYING in their SINS without ever having been CONFRONTED by ME with the TRUTH regarding ISSUES of SIN and SALVATION.
So...tell me Church:
If the CHURCH will not address these issues...then who WILL?
Satan will NOT evangelize the world FOR us!
Satan will NOT tell the lost they are SINNERS in need of SALVATION!
"Christian"...or those of you who CLAIM you are:
Listen up!
If you do not want to risk OFFENDING the lost...then you do not LOVE the lost.
As I wrote here long ago:
I would rather OFFEND the world with TRUTH than CONDEMN the world through SILENCE.
EZEKIEL'S calling is OUR calling:
Ezekiel 3:17-21 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.
Ron Smith said this:
The most GRIEVING thing I can think of is someone I KNOW...someone I CARE about...DYING in their SINS without ever having been CONFRONTED by ME with the TRUTH regarding ISSUES of SIN and SALVATION.
So...tell me Church:
If the CHURCH will not address these issues...then who WILL?
Satan will NOT evangelize the world FOR us!
Satan will NOT tell the lost they are SINNERS in need of SALVATION!
"Christian"...or those of you who CLAIM you are:
Listen up!
If you do not want to risk OFFENDING the lost...then you do not LOVE the lost.
As I wrote here long ago:
I would rather OFFEND the world with TRUTH than CONDEMN the world through SILENCE.
EZEKIEL'S calling is OUR calling:
Ezekiel 3:17-21 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Listen to the Holy Spirit
If anyone in your circle is in competition with the Holy Spirit, then they cannot be trusted. It is only friends who encourage us to seek the Holy Spirit for specifics in our life that enhance and encourage a closer walk with Christ. Hallelujah!
The Louder they Shout, the Worse they Are!
Those who shout tolerance the loudest are most often the least tolerant. They shout tolerance to intimidate others into feeling guilty about having their own standards. Silencing them from exercising their freedom to speak freely as the intolerant narcissist allows for himself, they mock, demean and even murder those who do not follow their dictates.
When we speak of injustice in our country, injustice in the murdering of the unborn, injustice in disallowing our right to train our own children according to our own belief system and even forcing us to comply with medical decisions against our Christian beliefs, we are living in a deeply socialistic culture.
When we are dictated to according to the political and legal system what we can say, post or wear on our clothing, then we are no longer a free society.
Even church gatherings do this sort of thing, dictating every detail about our lives as though we are under them instead of Christ.
No society is completely free, there must be rules to govern, however, when those rules reach into our private lives and our freedom to speak openly about our beliefs, then we are a country that will not and cannot return to sensible and rational thinking.
Once a culture becomes accustomed to intolerance for particular groups of people and not others, the only thing left is anarchy. Those who dictate through anarchy, that is the ignoring of existing laws to make their own rules, will be those who rule unjustly.
Christians for years "spoke" out against sin and rebellion, it was called "forcing". Merely speaking truth is force to the unbridled narcissist. Christians never forced anyone, they merely spoke. If the narcissist felt pressured by words it was not the words that pressured them but their own rebellious heart.
Now that the liberals are in control of our churches, our school systems and nearly everything else. They punish regularly those who only wish to speak truth.
The liberals claimed that speaking truth was pressure to comply, but they often are punitive in their reactions. Revenge is their favorite tactic when they cannot intimidate someone into saying what they say, they take them to court and take away their freedom to run their own business as they see fit.
This same mentality is present in narcissistic families. When they cannot control the thinking of the scapegoat they isolate them, mock them and even accuse them of things that are not true to manipulate and intimidate them into compliance with the family rules and demands.
When the narcissist cannot control those for which they have contempt, they work to turn others against their target. The pressure never stops with the narcissist. As we have learned along the way, the narcissist employs the very tactics on others that he accuses the scapegoat of.
Psalm 119:113
The double-minded I despise, but Your law I love.
James 4:8
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
1 Kings 18:20-22 "…20 So Ahab summoned all the Israelites and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word. 22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I am the only remaining prophet of the LORD, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.…"
The people of Elijah's day wanted to follow their own perverted hearts and the worship of false gods over the one true God. The same choice that the people made in Elijah's day is happening today. The devil has not changed his tactics in our day, he has increased them.
When you see the injustice and foolishness all around you, look up, the Savior will be coming soon. If our focus is Christ we will get through all this unscathed, even stronger than ever.
Praise God He is on our side always!!!!!
Romans 8:31-32 "31 What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things?…"
Hallelujah!!!!
When we speak of injustice in our country, injustice in the murdering of the unborn, injustice in disallowing our right to train our own children according to our own belief system and even forcing us to comply with medical decisions against our Christian beliefs, we are living in a deeply socialistic culture.
When we are dictated to according to the political and legal system what we can say, post or wear on our clothing, then we are no longer a free society.
Even church gatherings do this sort of thing, dictating every detail about our lives as though we are under them instead of Christ.
No society is completely free, there must be rules to govern, however, when those rules reach into our private lives and our freedom to speak openly about our beliefs, then we are a country that will not and cannot return to sensible and rational thinking.
Once a culture becomes accustomed to intolerance for particular groups of people and not others, the only thing left is anarchy. Those who dictate through anarchy, that is the ignoring of existing laws to make their own rules, will be those who rule unjustly.
Christians for years "spoke" out against sin and rebellion, it was called "forcing". Merely speaking truth is force to the unbridled narcissist. Christians never forced anyone, they merely spoke. If the narcissist felt pressured by words it was not the words that pressured them but their own rebellious heart.
Now that the liberals are in control of our churches, our school systems and nearly everything else. They punish regularly those who only wish to speak truth.
The liberals claimed that speaking truth was pressure to comply, but they often are punitive in their reactions. Revenge is their favorite tactic when they cannot intimidate someone into saying what they say, they take them to court and take away their freedom to run their own business as they see fit.
This same mentality is present in narcissistic families. When they cannot control the thinking of the scapegoat they isolate them, mock them and even accuse them of things that are not true to manipulate and intimidate them into compliance with the family rules and demands.
When the narcissist cannot control those for which they have contempt, they work to turn others against their target. The pressure never stops with the narcissist. As we have learned along the way, the narcissist employs the very tactics on others that he accuses the scapegoat of.
Psalm 119:113
The double-minded I despise, but Your law I love.
James 4:8
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
1 Kings 18:20-22 "…20 So Ahab summoned all the Israelites and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word. 22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I am the only remaining prophet of the LORD, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.…"
The people of Elijah's day wanted to follow their own perverted hearts and the worship of false gods over the one true God. The same choice that the people made in Elijah's day is happening today. The devil has not changed his tactics in our day, he has increased them.
When you see the injustice and foolishness all around you, look up, the Savior will be coming soon. If our focus is Christ we will get through all this unscathed, even stronger than ever.
Praise God He is on our side always!!!!!
Romans 8:31-32 "31 What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things?…"
Hallelujah!!!!
The True Nature of Friendship
God knows this principle well:
Even the kind acts of the narcissist feels like obligation.
I remember as a Catholic there were days that were mandated for all Catholics to go to church. Perhaps a special dead saints day or some other designated by the pope day, that was called "The holy day of obligation."
Many Catholics would attend a mass to fulfill their obligation without any sense of enthusiasm for God or the event itself. They often said things like; "we have an holy obligation tomorrow, I have to be there." Notice they never said things like; "I am so excited about worshiping God today."
Amos 5:21-23
21 “I hate, I reject your festivals,
Nor do I [a]delight in your solemn assemblies.
22 “Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings,
I will not accept them;
And I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings.
23 “Take away from Me the noise of your songs;
I will not even listen to the sound of your harps."
Those who observe the "holy day of obligation", never speak of Christ or His principles, they merely fulfill their obligation to be there as mandated by man.
Most who fulfill their holy day of obligation have no desire to learn about God, to sing His praises or to acknowledge all that He did for them. They recite empty words give to them by others without much thought as to what they are saying. I know this because when I was a Catholic I began to ask why we did things in the mass. The answer always came back, we should not ask we should just obey.
The desire to know God was absent in these masses. The desire to obey Christ or inquire about their daily lives was also absent. There was a sense of relief after each day of obligation was fulfilled, but never any real peace and never fellowship with Christ.
This mentality of "holy days of obligation", also play out in personal relationships. People will send their parents or their co-workers gifts on their birthday but show little interest in them the entire rest of the year. They have fulfilled their obligation to make themselves feel good about giving a gift, but have never grown to know the person that received their gift.
Anyone who has been the recipient of these obligatory gifts knows how it feels to receive a gift from someone who has shown no interest in them any other time of the year.
The gift may be a way to relieve any guilt from lack of attention to a friend, or it may be a way of making themselves feel good, reliving them of all responsibility to actually become a good friend.
My personal take on gift giving, is that it should never be done to make ourselves feel good or better about our own mistreatment of someone. Gift giving out to flow out of a sense of connection with the one we love.
There were gifts given in political situations to build alliances, but is that really what we want for our personal relationships, a gift given to get something out of us?
Isaiah 29:13
"And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,"
Very few people make an effort to get to know another person, how they think, what they think and what in life has affected them. Most people in our culture today seek to be friendly for their own need to have people in their lives.
Perhaps is it good for all of us to rethink our dedication to God and the love and kindness that draws two people to know one another.
Elisha refused to leave the side of Elijah when asked to stay behind. The protection and life of his friend was more important to him than his own comfort.
Job's three friends sat with him for a time silently to console him after which they began to lecture him about things they had no knowledge. They attempted to convince Job that he must have sinned for God to be so angry with him. Their judgement was harsh and untrue. Who needs friends like these. The best friends are those who believe you, console you and walk through with you.
Job's friends started out right, just sitting there with him while he suffered was good, however they messed up when they began to try to figure out what they didn't know about.
Job 42:7 "7 After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has."
God was angry with Job's friends for their false judgments about Job's suffering.
God has a lesson for Job and for all of us in his suffering, but it was not because he had sinned, but to show the loyalty a man or woman of God can have in the face of great suffering.
Judging the events of someone else's life without knowing the mind of God brings many friendships to an end and displeases God.
Sometimes we must choose to be satisfied not knowing why things are happening in order to act properly toward a friend.
Guessing what might be happening to a friend without a clear word of God never solves anything, it merely elevates those who do the guessing.
Even the kind acts of the narcissist feels like obligation.
I remember as a Catholic there were days that were mandated for all Catholics to go to church. Perhaps a special dead saints day or some other designated by the pope day, that was called "The holy day of obligation."
Many Catholics would attend a mass to fulfill their obligation without any sense of enthusiasm for God or the event itself. They often said things like; "we have an holy obligation tomorrow, I have to be there." Notice they never said things like; "I am so excited about worshiping God today."
Amos 5:21-23
21 “I hate, I reject your festivals,
Nor do I [a]delight in your solemn assemblies.
22 “Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings,
I will not accept them;
And I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings.
23 “Take away from Me the noise of your songs;
I will not even listen to the sound of your harps."
Those who observe the "holy day of obligation", never speak of Christ or His principles, they merely fulfill their obligation to be there as mandated by man.
Most who fulfill their holy day of obligation have no desire to learn about God, to sing His praises or to acknowledge all that He did for them. They recite empty words give to them by others without much thought as to what they are saying. I know this because when I was a Catholic I began to ask why we did things in the mass. The answer always came back, we should not ask we should just obey.
The desire to know God was absent in these masses. The desire to obey Christ or inquire about their daily lives was also absent. There was a sense of relief after each day of obligation was fulfilled, but never any real peace and never fellowship with Christ.
This mentality of "holy days of obligation", also play out in personal relationships. People will send their parents or their co-workers gifts on their birthday but show little interest in them the entire rest of the year. They have fulfilled their obligation to make themselves feel good about giving a gift, but have never grown to know the person that received their gift.
Anyone who has been the recipient of these obligatory gifts knows how it feels to receive a gift from someone who has shown no interest in them any other time of the year.
The gift may be a way to relieve any guilt from lack of attention to a friend, or it may be a way of making themselves feel good, reliving them of all responsibility to actually become a good friend.
My personal take on gift giving, is that it should never be done to make ourselves feel good or better about our own mistreatment of someone. Gift giving out to flow out of a sense of connection with the one we love.
There were gifts given in political situations to build alliances, but is that really what we want for our personal relationships, a gift given to get something out of us?
Isaiah 29:13
"And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,"
Very few people make an effort to get to know another person, how they think, what they think and what in life has affected them. Most people in our culture today seek to be friendly for their own need to have people in their lives.
Perhaps is it good for all of us to rethink our dedication to God and the love and kindness that draws two people to know one another.
Elisha refused to leave the side of Elijah when asked to stay behind. The protection and life of his friend was more important to him than his own comfort.
Job's three friends sat with him for a time silently to console him after which they began to lecture him about things they had no knowledge. They attempted to convince Job that he must have sinned for God to be so angry with him. Their judgement was harsh and untrue. Who needs friends like these. The best friends are those who believe you, console you and walk through with you.
Job's friends started out right, just sitting there with him while he suffered was good, however they messed up when they began to try to figure out what they didn't know about.
Job 42:7 "7 After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has."
God was angry with Job's friends for their false judgments about Job's suffering.
God has a lesson for Job and for all of us in his suffering, but it was not because he had sinned, but to show the loyalty a man or woman of God can have in the face of great suffering.
Judging the events of someone else's life without knowing the mind of God brings many friendships to an end and displeases God.
Sometimes we must choose to be satisfied not knowing why things are happening in order to act properly toward a friend.
Guessing what might be happening to a friend without a clear word of God never solves anything, it merely elevates those who do the guessing.
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
Assumptions are Relationship Killers
"Assumptions" are at the root of so many relationship problems. Those who are not wanting to take the time to visit with someone to discover truth, would rather assume things that fit their desired belief about you more than learning the facts.
We see more of this going on in our culture now, so much so that those who are just doing what they believe in and choose for their own life are judged as bad people on scanty to no information.
When we find that we cannot be open and honest with someone, that is when we realize there are going to be problems over petty and insignificant things. We need to withdraw from those who love their assumptions but will not inquire to discuss with you the truth.
Jealousy often drives those who want to believe things they know nothing about.
James 3:16
"For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice."
If you find jealousy driving you to treat someone disrespectfully, then it is time to confess that sin and choose not to engage in the mean treatment of others merely based on those feelings.
James 4:2-3
"You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions."
It was jealousy that drove the devil to come against God. It was jealousy that drove the devil to attempt to turn Eve against God. The devil used questions and lies to cause her to desire what should not have been hers, while making her doubt God.
Ultimately the devil's ploy is to place wicked questions in the minds of people to turn against one another.
So many people believe they know all there is to know about someone, when at close inspection they really know very little and even have disinformation.
If we have the love of Christ in us we will seek to find truth, truth sets us free from assumptions and guesses.
We see more of this going on in our culture now, so much so that those who are just doing what they believe in and choose for their own life are judged as bad people on scanty to no information.
When we find that we cannot be open and honest with someone, that is when we realize there are going to be problems over petty and insignificant things. We need to withdraw from those who love their assumptions but will not inquire to discuss with you the truth.
Jealousy often drives those who want to believe things they know nothing about.
James 3:16
"For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice."
If you find jealousy driving you to treat someone disrespectfully, then it is time to confess that sin and choose not to engage in the mean treatment of others merely based on those feelings.
James 4:2-3
"You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions."
It was jealousy that drove the devil to come against God. It was jealousy that drove the devil to attempt to turn Eve against God. The devil used questions and lies to cause her to desire what should not have been hers, while making her doubt God.
Ultimately the devil's ploy is to place wicked questions in the minds of people to turn against one another.
So many people believe they know all there is to know about someone, when at close inspection they really know very little and even have disinformation.
If we have the love of Christ in us we will seek to find truth, truth sets us free from assumptions and guesses.
A Perverse Man Sows Strife
Proverbs 16:28
"A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends."
Hal Lindsey once said: "telling a secret to congress is like calling a press conference."
I say, confiding in a family member, no matter how sincere or interested they may seem, is like calling a press conference. Often things that are repeated are embellished, hardly recognizable from the original story.
YES! There are entire families who gossip with one another against the scapegoat. We see examples of this in the life of Joseph, when his brothers hated him because he was chosen by God and wanted to get rid of him. Since the brothers of Joseph were not godly people they were jealous of the attention he was given by the father and were angry at his righteous life.
They put him into a well and then sold him into slavery. HOWEVER, God had a purpose and everything the brothers did to him ultimately fulfilled God's will for him to be used in a mighty way. When God separates us from family He has a purpose that we cannot see. Hallelujah!
Many of you have been figuratively place in a deep well by family members. Just know that Joseph went through the same thing only far worse.
Remember too that even in the lives of the brothers who persecuted Joseph, he was used of God. Not only did Joseph become prominent and over his brothers as his dream once showed him, he provided for their need after they were repentant.
Joseph didn't immediately let his brothers off the hook, he required a good faith expression of obedience to him as their leader, just as the dream he had revealed that one day they would bow to him. He let them squirm a little before believing them. When he saw that they were sincere and humbly repentant, then he embraced them.
When potentially empty words like "I'm sorry" are said, there must also be evidence that those words mean something real. One way to know this is if there is humility when we question them further. The insincere man will rage at being questioned, even right after an "I'm sorry" event. The humble man who is questioned will hang their head in shame and know they deserve the doubt. The insincere man will be vague in their apology, expecting that he not be required to give details of the offense or that there would be further discussion about it.
It is not wrong to discuss the expression of sorrow to discern its genuineness. If there is rage and accusation you can be sure the apology is insincere. If there is humility and an expression of deep sorrow over the challenge, then we know the offender has been humbled and ready to change their ways.
There have been times in my life when an offender raged at the mere suggestion that we discuss the offense. When there is a refusal to have a discussion that whatever caused the offense would be resolved so it does not happen again, we know the apology was not sincere.
"I'm sorry" verbiage is often nothing more than a desire to just placate the one they wish to draw back into their web. Many times in my life I have experienced those who just wanted the bad feelings to be over, only to return quickly to their old ways that caused the problem. Manipulation is a device the narcissist uses often to regain control over their targets.
Far too many people let offenders off the hook too soon. The offender returns to their sin and even accuses the one they offended of things to deflect the blame from themselves.
Yes we are to forgive, but not too quickly and not without an expression of sorrow over sin. Our entire culture has the bad habit of forgiving just because words are said without any evidence that the offender hates their sin and will turn from it.
Proverbs 29:8-10 "…8 Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger. 9 If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution. 10 Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life.…"
There are many people who will use words we like to hear as a form of manipulation but they are only words, the actions of change never come.
There will be hordes of people who have claimed to be "Christian" who will be rejected by Christ because their expression of Christianity was merely words and actions to elevate self, they had no sorrow over offending a Holy God. Nor did they want to know God's will.
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.’"
"A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends."
Hal Lindsey once said: "telling a secret to congress is like calling a press conference."
I say, confiding in a family member, no matter how sincere or interested they may seem, is like calling a press conference. Often things that are repeated are embellished, hardly recognizable from the original story.
YES! There are entire families who gossip with one another against the scapegoat. We see examples of this in the life of Joseph, when his brothers hated him because he was chosen by God and wanted to get rid of him. Since the brothers of Joseph were not godly people they were jealous of the attention he was given by the father and were angry at his righteous life.
They put him into a well and then sold him into slavery. HOWEVER, God had a purpose and everything the brothers did to him ultimately fulfilled God's will for him to be used in a mighty way. When God separates us from family He has a purpose that we cannot see. Hallelujah!
Many of you have been figuratively place in a deep well by family members. Just know that Joseph went through the same thing only far worse.
Remember too that even in the lives of the brothers who persecuted Joseph, he was used of God. Not only did Joseph become prominent and over his brothers as his dream once showed him, he provided for their need after they were repentant.
Joseph didn't immediately let his brothers off the hook, he required a good faith expression of obedience to him as their leader, just as the dream he had revealed that one day they would bow to him. He let them squirm a little before believing them. When he saw that they were sincere and humbly repentant, then he embraced them.
When potentially empty words like "I'm sorry" are said, there must also be evidence that those words mean something real. One way to know this is if there is humility when we question them further. The insincere man will rage at being questioned, even right after an "I'm sorry" event. The humble man who is questioned will hang their head in shame and know they deserve the doubt. The insincere man will be vague in their apology, expecting that he not be required to give details of the offense or that there would be further discussion about it.
It is not wrong to discuss the expression of sorrow to discern its genuineness. If there is rage and accusation you can be sure the apology is insincere. If there is humility and an expression of deep sorrow over the challenge, then we know the offender has been humbled and ready to change their ways.
There have been times in my life when an offender raged at the mere suggestion that we discuss the offense. When there is a refusal to have a discussion that whatever caused the offense would be resolved so it does not happen again, we know the apology was not sincere.
"I'm sorry" verbiage is often nothing more than a desire to just placate the one they wish to draw back into their web. Many times in my life I have experienced those who just wanted the bad feelings to be over, only to return quickly to their old ways that caused the problem. Manipulation is a device the narcissist uses often to regain control over their targets.
Far too many people let offenders off the hook too soon. The offender returns to their sin and even accuses the one they offended of things to deflect the blame from themselves.
Yes we are to forgive, but not too quickly and not without an expression of sorrow over sin. Our entire culture has the bad habit of forgiving just because words are said without any evidence that the offender hates their sin and will turn from it.
Proverbs 29:8-10 "…8 Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger. 9 If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution. 10 Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life.…"
There are many people who will use words we like to hear as a form of manipulation but they are only words, the actions of change never come.
There will be hordes of people who have claimed to be "Christian" who will be rejected by Christ because their expression of Christianity was merely words and actions to elevate self, they had no sorrow over offending a Holy God. Nor did they want to know God's will.
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.’"
Proverbs 24:17-20
“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked; For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.”
Galatians 3 ..
1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. ♡~
Monday, July 23, 2018
The Stories I Hear
You know there has been gossip when a family member takes pictures of you and your spouse separately and only post your spouse's pictures and not yours. LOL
I hear these kind of stories all the time from those who have been rejected by family members. Sadly the one rejected doesn't know why they have been rejected or ignored, but they do know how much it hurts.
When I question those who have experienced this I always have to ask, "is this person who rejected you considered a part of the "in crowd"? Do they dress like the world, play a lot, hangout in all the right venues and have friends who also are involved in all the acceptable events and activities?
Almost all of the time the answer comes back, yes, those who reject them are what I might call "the clique." These are the same kind of people who were the popular ones in high school.
Since many of us never fit into the clique we will not be considered valuable enough to be included. In fact, we are down right embarrassing to the clique, since we don't fall into all the latest fads, we don't dress like the world and we don't even think the same way.
As a believer in Christ do you find yourself disagreeing with much of what others are saying and doing? This is an indicator that you think on your own, outside of the box. When others are cooing over the need for self esteem and self exaltation, you are speaking Bibleeze. You are speaking things from the word while those who reject us are holding fast to the worldly ideas and unbiblical concepts.
I am here to encourage you!! When we are rejected by family members, treated as insignificant or strange, remember that Christ was too and all of his followers. One day we will see the love we missed on this earth turned into an eternity of nothing but love and kindness never ending.
We can be grateful that the Lord has given us social media where we can meet one another, sharing our life experiences and God's answers to them.
If you find yourself being treated with contempt and left out often, remember that the reason is not that there is something wrong with us, but that something is terribly wrong with the world. The world will love its own, they do not love those who love Christ.
John 15:18-20 "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. 20 Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well.…"
Be encouraged rejected brothers and sisters God is on our side and will never leave us.
I hear these kind of stories all the time from those who have been rejected by family members. Sadly the one rejected doesn't know why they have been rejected or ignored, but they do know how much it hurts.
When I question those who have experienced this I always have to ask, "is this person who rejected you considered a part of the "in crowd"? Do they dress like the world, play a lot, hangout in all the right venues and have friends who also are involved in all the acceptable events and activities?
Almost all of the time the answer comes back, yes, those who reject them are what I might call "the clique." These are the same kind of people who were the popular ones in high school.
Since many of us never fit into the clique we will not be considered valuable enough to be included. In fact, we are down right embarrassing to the clique, since we don't fall into all the latest fads, we don't dress like the world and we don't even think the same way.
As a believer in Christ do you find yourself disagreeing with much of what others are saying and doing? This is an indicator that you think on your own, outside of the box. When others are cooing over the need for self esteem and self exaltation, you are speaking Bibleeze. You are speaking things from the word while those who reject us are holding fast to the worldly ideas and unbiblical concepts.
I am here to encourage you!! When we are rejected by family members, treated as insignificant or strange, remember that Christ was too and all of his followers. One day we will see the love we missed on this earth turned into an eternity of nothing but love and kindness never ending.
We can be grateful that the Lord has given us social media where we can meet one another, sharing our life experiences and God's answers to them.
If you find yourself being treated with contempt and left out often, remember that the reason is not that there is something wrong with us, but that something is terribly wrong with the world. The world will love its own, they do not love those who love Christ.
John 15:18-20 "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. 20 Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well.…"
Be encouraged rejected brothers and sisters God is on our side and will never leave us.
Another Characteristic of a Narcissist
Taken from an article by Preston Ni M.S.B.A.
5. Emotional Invalidation and Coercion
Although narcissists and gaslighters can be (but are not always) physically abusive, for the majority of their victims, emotional suffering is where the damage is most painfully felt. Both narcissists and gaslighters enjoy spreading and arousing negative emotions in order to feel powerful, and keep you insecure and off-balance. They habitually invalidate others’ thoughts, feelings, and priorities, showing little remorse for causing people in their lives pain. They often blame their victims for having caused their own victimization (“You wouldn’t get yelled at if you weren’t so stupid!”).
In addition, many narcissists and gaslighters have unpredictable mood swings and are prone to emotional drama — you never know what might displease them and set them off. They become upset at any signs of independence and self-affirmation (“Who do you think you are!?”). They turn agitated if you disagree with their views or fail to meet their expectations. As mentioned earlier, they are sensitive to criticism, but quick to judge others. By keeping you down and making you feel inferior, they boost their fragile ego, and feel more reassured about themselves.
5. Emotional Invalidation and Coercion
Although narcissists and gaslighters can be (but are not always) physically abusive, for the majority of their victims, emotional suffering is where the damage is most painfully felt. Both narcissists and gaslighters enjoy spreading and arousing negative emotions in order to feel powerful, and keep you insecure and off-balance. They habitually invalidate others’ thoughts, feelings, and priorities, showing little remorse for causing people in their lives pain. They often blame their victims for having caused their own victimization (“You wouldn’t get yelled at if you weren’t so stupid!”).
In addition, many narcissists and gaslighters have unpredictable mood swings and are prone to emotional drama — you never know what might displease them and set them off. They become upset at any signs of independence and self-affirmation (“Who do you think you are!?”). They turn agitated if you disagree with their views or fail to meet their expectations. As mentioned earlier, they are sensitive to criticism, but quick to judge others. By keeping you down and making you feel inferior, they boost their fragile ego, and feel more reassured about themselves.
A Characteristic of the Narcissist
Taken from an article written by Preston Ni M.S.B.A.
2. Rarely Admit Flaws and Are Highly Aggressive When Criticized
Many narcissists and gaslighters have thin skin and can react poorly when called to account for their negative behavior. When challenged, the narcissist is likely to either fight (e.g., temper tantrum, excuse-making, denial, blame, hypersensitivity, etc.) or take flight (bolt out the door, avoidance, silent treatment, sulking resentment, or other forms of passive-aggression). The gaslighter nearly always resorts to escalation by doubling or tripling down on their false accusations or coercions, to intimidate or oppress their opponent. Many gaslighters view relationships as inherently competitive rather than collaborative; a zero-sum game where one is either a winner or a loser, on top or at the bottom. “Offense is the best defense” is a mantra for many gaslighters, which also represents their aggressive method of relating to people.
2. Rarely Admit Flaws and Are Highly Aggressive When Criticized
Many narcissists and gaslighters have thin skin and can react poorly when called to account for their negative behavior. When challenged, the narcissist is likely to either fight (e.g., temper tantrum, excuse-making, denial, blame, hypersensitivity, etc.) or take flight (bolt out the door, avoidance, silent treatment, sulking resentment, or other forms of passive-aggression). The gaslighter nearly always resorts to escalation by doubling or tripling down on their false accusations or coercions, to intimidate or oppress their opponent. Many gaslighters view relationships as inherently competitive rather than collaborative; a zero-sum game where one is either a winner or a loser, on top or at the bottom. “Offense is the best defense” is a mantra for many gaslighters, which also represents their aggressive method of relating to people.
Hang On to Truth
So many people say they are Bible believing but violate more of God's word than they obey, even fighting to defend their false doctrine.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.…"
Some of those myths are the acceptance of divorce and remarriage, interpreting scripture in terms of the culture instead of what God meant, self esteem, Christian yoga, the incorporation of pagan practices into the gatherings, Christians dating non-believers, one man pastorship and much more.
There is very little that goes on in the church today that resembles the first century gatherings of born again believes.
The only remedy for this is for each person to ask God for truth even if it means leaving behind things you have believed all your lives. Even if the famous educated preachers are teaching something, if the Holy Spirit is telling you something different, then you must ignore those preachers and go with the Holy Spirit.
John 16:12-14 "…12 I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it. 13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you.…"
Jeremiah 23:16 "16 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD."
Preachers today are often speaking what the hearers want to hear not what God says.
Seek God not man!!!!! Hang onto what God tells you even if everyone else around you is mocking and demeaning you.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.…"
Some of those myths are the acceptance of divorce and remarriage, interpreting scripture in terms of the culture instead of what God meant, self esteem, Christian yoga, the incorporation of pagan practices into the gatherings, Christians dating non-believers, one man pastorship and much more.
There is very little that goes on in the church today that resembles the first century gatherings of born again believes.
The only remedy for this is for each person to ask God for truth even if it means leaving behind things you have believed all your lives. Even if the famous educated preachers are teaching something, if the Holy Spirit is telling you something different, then you must ignore those preachers and go with the Holy Spirit.
John 16:12-14 "…12 I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it. 13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you.…"
Jeremiah 23:16 "16 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD."
Preachers today are often speaking what the hearers want to hear not what God says.
Seek God not man!!!!! Hang onto what God tells you even if everyone else around you is mocking and demeaning you.
Their Flaws are their Demons
Narcissists are not just human personalities with flaws, they are demonically influenced and often controlled by demons.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 explains the traits of the end times people. They will be so vicious that they will and are now elevating self love and arrogance as a positive trait rather than something to repent over.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."
Many families are being influenced by the demons in their minds. This is the way the devil operated in the garden of Eden when he deceived Eve into partaking of the fruit that would be her downfall. The fruit that would cause her to lose everything. By everything I mean not only a beautiful and comfortable place to live but also her relationship with God and with her husband.
When the culture begins to defend homosexuality, trans-gender and other deviant behaviors, we know that this is the work of devils who are influencing unregenerate minds.
The people who promote and indulge in these deviant behaviors think they are having their own thoughts, but they are not! The devils are convincing people of things that are not only irrational but very destructive toward those who obey them and those in their own families.
The devil was able to destroy families through the acceptance of divorce and remarriage, through abortion, through the legalization of drugs that were once considered very dangerous are now being legalized. The devil has destroyed families and the entire culture through the teaching of self esteem.
If the devil can get people to believe good about bad things, then he has managed to turn many against God and against God's people. The most diabolical about the devil's tactics are to cause everyone to fight with one another over silly and petty, even irrational things.
One of the tactics of the devil is to divert attention away from truth in the church through the extraction of scripture from its context. Many people in the church will fight to defend that which is not truth because it justifies their desires of life.
The desire to fit into popular opinions of famous people, the desire to be accepted and elevated in the eyes of family members often motivates superficial believers to endorse sin and acts of rebellion. The thought of being rejected by family drives the superficial Christian to adopt the ways of ungodly pretenders within the church.
1 John 2:15-17
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
When we love God above everything and everyone else we will be rejected by those who love the world, even those in the church.
Ephesians 5:11
"Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them."
Titus 2:11-12
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,"
2 Timothy 3:1-5 explains the traits of the end times people. They will be so vicious that they will and are now elevating self love and arrogance as a positive trait rather than something to repent over.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."
Many families are being influenced by the demons in their minds. This is the way the devil operated in the garden of Eden when he deceived Eve into partaking of the fruit that would be her downfall. The fruit that would cause her to lose everything. By everything I mean not only a beautiful and comfortable place to live but also her relationship with God and with her husband.
When the culture begins to defend homosexuality, trans-gender and other deviant behaviors, we know that this is the work of devils who are influencing unregenerate minds.
The people who promote and indulge in these deviant behaviors think they are having their own thoughts, but they are not! The devils are convincing people of things that are not only irrational but very destructive toward those who obey them and those in their own families.
The devil was able to destroy families through the acceptance of divorce and remarriage, through abortion, through the legalization of drugs that were once considered very dangerous are now being legalized. The devil has destroyed families and the entire culture through the teaching of self esteem.
If the devil can get people to believe good about bad things, then he has managed to turn many against God and against God's people. The most diabolical about the devil's tactics are to cause everyone to fight with one another over silly and petty, even irrational things.
One of the tactics of the devil is to divert attention away from truth in the church through the extraction of scripture from its context. Many people in the church will fight to defend that which is not truth because it justifies their desires of life.
The desire to fit into popular opinions of famous people, the desire to be accepted and elevated in the eyes of family members often motivates superficial believers to endorse sin and acts of rebellion. The thought of being rejected by family drives the superficial Christian to adopt the ways of ungodly pretenders within the church.
1 John 2:15-17
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
When we love God above everything and everyone else we will be rejected by those who love the world, even those in the church.
Ephesians 5:11
"Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them."
Titus 2:11-12
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,"
Sunday, July 22, 2018
God's Judgment
When we repeat God's judgment its not our judgment, its His and anyone hearing is responsible not to us but to Him.
We are not responsible for the reactions of others toward the warnings we speak from God. Their reactions show us whats in their heart.
There are those who say that we should say things in a way that people will receive it. Balderdash!!!! We need to be speaking from the Holy Spirit. Techniques are not of God, they are man's way of helping God.
Often when we speak truth, men will be angry at us, they hate the truth, they hate that they must evaluate themselves and they hate God. Their anger toward truth or toward discussion to resolve something shows the anger that resides in their heart all the time.
A calm and rational person never explodes on people, they calmly express themselves and drop a subject when the other party refuses to hear it.
Explosions and rage is nothing more than an attempt to control the emotions of others, intimidating them into silence and making them feel ridiculous and irrelevant.
When we encounter this person we need to walk away and ignore them from that point on. They will try to draw us back for more fighting, but the Holy Spirit can help us to avoid them.
We are not responsible for the reactions of others toward the warnings we speak from God. Their reactions show us whats in their heart.
There are those who say that we should say things in a way that people will receive it. Balderdash!!!! We need to be speaking from the Holy Spirit. Techniques are not of God, they are man's way of helping God.
Often when we speak truth, men will be angry at us, they hate the truth, they hate that they must evaluate themselves and they hate God. Their anger toward truth or toward discussion to resolve something shows the anger that resides in their heart all the time.
A calm and rational person never explodes on people, they calmly express themselves and drop a subject when the other party refuses to hear it.
Explosions and rage is nothing more than an attempt to control the emotions of others, intimidating them into silence and making them feel ridiculous and irrelevant.
When we encounter this person we need to walk away and ignore them from that point on. They will try to draw us back for more fighting, but the Holy Spirit can help us to avoid them.
Proverbs 22:10 KJB
“Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.”
Friday, July 20, 2018
A Very Good Description of God's Kind of Forgiveness!
A Sister in the Lord has done a good job of showing the nature of forgiveness from the Word!
Karen Long said: Jesus himself gave us a three-step model of forgiveness among believers in the Gospel of Luke. He said: "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him" (Lk. 17:3-4) (emphasis added).
Step One: Rebuke -- Jesus clearly tells us that if a "brother," meaning a believer, sins against us, we are first to rebuke him. What does this mean? To rebuke is to criticize sharply, to reprimand. This plays nicely into the Christian principle of speaking the truth in love. To rebuke a brother is not an act done with a hateful or prideful heart. No. In fact, it could easily be compared to the behavior of a loving mother correcting her child for a behavior that will bring harm to her child and/or others. She may raise her voice and speak sternly, but she does so with a loving heart and tongue. We are to rebuke our brothers privately, and with humble hearts.
Step Two: Repentance -- Jesus tells us that our forgiveness is conditional upon the brother's repentance after the rebuke. To repent in the broad biblical sense is to turn away from sin. Repentance is not simply a reform of one's behavior, although genuine repentance ultimately results in reformed behavior. Instead, repentance is the sincere feeling of remorse, and a heartfelt search for forgiveness. A believer does not get to that place without first feeling the burden of Holy Spirit conviction. The natural response of a believer to Holy Spirit conviction is acknowledgement that one has sinned, followed by true remorse and repentance. The kind of repentance God demands, knowing the interaction of the indwelling Holy Spirit with His children, is one that has visible results to others: fruits. The great Apostle Paul discussed his gospel with King Agrippa, saying "that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance" (Acts 26:20). Also, John the Baptist said, "Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance" (Lk. 3:8). True repentance is always evident and visible through the changed hearts and fruit bearing works of the repentant. That kind of transformation is evident to believers and unbelievers alike. It's obvious to all who interact with the person and witness his or her daily conduct. Jesus gives us more insight into this dilemma when he spoke these words:
"Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Mat. 18:15-20).
In the practical and relational sense, repentance begins with the offender recognizing his or her wrongdoing. This recognition always includes an admission of guilt to the offended party. The person who has committed the offense is required to confess the wrongdoing and express remorse to the offended person for the sinful acts. Afterwards, the offender is to make a commitment not to repeat the offense. Ultimately, the purpose of this process is to express guilt and remorse to the offended person in an attempt to gain forgiveness so that the two people can repair the relationship. Without this process being fulfilled in its entirety, forgiveness is impossible.
Step Three: Forgiveness -- If the first two steps have been completed, and the fruits of sincere repentance have been observed, Jesus commands the offended party to forgive his brother, as He has forgiven us. When someone has wronged us, there needs to be an accounting for this wrong. The offender needs to acknowledge the offense so that there can be reconciliation. Ignoring or rationalizing or minimizing sin is yet another form of sin, and must be avoided.
Karen Long said: Jesus himself gave us a three-step model of forgiveness among believers in the Gospel of Luke. He said: "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him" (Lk. 17:3-4) (emphasis added).
Step One: Rebuke -- Jesus clearly tells us that if a "brother," meaning a believer, sins against us, we are first to rebuke him. What does this mean? To rebuke is to criticize sharply, to reprimand. This plays nicely into the Christian principle of speaking the truth in love. To rebuke a brother is not an act done with a hateful or prideful heart. No. In fact, it could easily be compared to the behavior of a loving mother correcting her child for a behavior that will bring harm to her child and/or others. She may raise her voice and speak sternly, but she does so with a loving heart and tongue. We are to rebuke our brothers privately, and with humble hearts.
Step Two: Repentance -- Jesus tells us that our forgiveness is conditional upon the brother's repentance after the rebuke. To repent in the broad biblical sense is to turn away from sin. Repentance is not simply a reform of one's behavior, although genuine repentance ultimately results in reformed behavior. Instead, repentance is the sincere feeling of remorse, and a heartfelt search for forgiveness. A believer does not get to that place without first feeling the burden of Holy Spirit conviction. The natural response of a believer to Holy Spirit conviction is acknowledgement that one has sinned, followed by true remorse and repentance. The kind of repentance God demands, knowing the interaction of the indwelling Holy Spirit with His children, is one that has visible results to others: fruits. The great Apostle Paul discussed his gospel with King Agrippa, saying "that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance" (Acts 26:20). Also, John the Baptist said, "Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance" (Lk. 3:8). True repentance is always evident and visible through the changed hearts and fruit bearing works of the repentant. That kind of transformation is evident to believers and unbelievers alike. It's obvious to all who interact with the person and witness his or her daily conduct. Jesus gives us more insight into this dilemma when he spoke these words:
"Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Mat. 18:15-20).
In the practical and relational sense, repentance begins with the offender recognizing his or her wrongdoing. This recognition always includes an admission of guilt to the offended party. The person who has committed the offense is required to confess the wrongdoing and express remorse to the offended person for the sinful acts. Afterwards, the offender is to make a commitment not to repeat the offense. Ultimately, the purpose of this process is to express guilt and remorse to the offended person in an attempt to gain forgiveness so that the two people can repair the relationship. Without this process being fulfilled in its entirety, forgiveness is impossible.
Step Three: Forgiveness -- If the first two steps have been completed, and the fruits of sincere repentance have been observed, Jesus commands the offended party to forgive his brother, as He has forgiven us. When someone has wronged us, there needs to be an accounting for this wrong. The offender needs to acknowledge the offense so that there can be reconciliation. Ignoring or rationalizing or minimizing sin is yet another form of sin, and must be avoided.
Forgiveness Before Confession is Unbiblical
On another thread there was a discussion on the matter of forgiveness, I thought I should share it here. This matter of forgiveness is the most misunderstood principle in our modern day, it bears revisiting it over and over again.
Karen Long said: Luke 17:3 is the scripture often misquoted when someone tells you that the
Bible says 'Forgive and Forget', or that you must forgive him because you are a Christian. However, Jesus is very specific when He tells us to rebuke the sinner, and if he repents, to forgive him. Have you rebuked your abuser, and has he or she repented? The
Bible tells us to forgive as God forgave us (Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13).God forgives us when we come to him, confess our sin, ask for forgiveness (apologize) and repent (turn from our sinful ways).( Ezekiel 33:10-19, Isaiah 55:6, Jeremiah 6:16 & 26:3,
Luke 13:3 & 5, Acts 3:19). He does not forgive those who are 'stiff-necked', continue doing evil, or refuse to repent. The Lord does not expect more of us than he himself is willing to do! Do we imagine ourselves to be holier than God? God requires repentance,
and so must we.
Gwendolyn Wehage replied: Karen Long Amen, Amen!!!! It is more loving to point out a fault so that someone can be cleansed by God than it is to ignore it so the one who sins feels enable to continue.
Karen Long said: Luke 17:3 is the scripture often misquoted when someone tells you that the
Bible says 'Forgive and Forget', or that you must forgive him because you are a Christian. However, Jesus is very specific when He tells us to rebuke the sinner, and if he repents, to forgive him. Have you rebuked your abuser, and has he or she repented? The
Bible tells us to forgive as God forgave us (Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13).God forgives us when we come to him, confess our sin, ask for forgiveness (apologize) and repent (turn from our sinful ways).( Ezekiel 33:10-19, Isaiah 55:6, Jeremiah 6:16 & 26:3,
Luke 13:3 & 5, Acts 3:19). He does not forgive those who are 'stiff-necked', continue doing evil, or refuse to repent. The Lord does not expect more of us than he himself is willing to do! Do we imagine ourselves to be holier than God? God requires repentance,
and so must we.
Gwendolyn Wehage replied: Karen Long Amen, Amen!!!! It is more loving to point out a fault so that someone can be cleansed by God than it is to ignore it so the one who sins feels enable to continue.
Break the Will to Strengthen the Spiritual Muscles
Yep, I have had trials through out my life, they made me stronger when I came out the other side of them. In weight lifting the muscle must be broken down in order for it to mend and become stronger. I believe this is true of spiritual muscles too. Those who do not have trials are the ones who are not born again.
Hebrews 12:7-9 "…7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If 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?…"
Trudi Gretsinger said:
I have personal friends whose life is just great......
They are either non-Christians or luke-warm Christians....
They do not seem to have much in the way of suffering.....That is not to say they will not at some point....
But, I just see my friends in Christ have an abundance of suffering here in this world....
I know we have Jesus in us and when our hearts hurt, so does Jesus.....
In Romans 8: 17.......Now if we are children, then we are heirs.....heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.
18.....I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.......
So, we should be thankful for the sufferings we have here in this world....Even though it hurts us to the core!
Hebrews 12:7-9 "…7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If 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?…"
Trudi Gretsinger said:
I have personal friends whose life is just great......
They are either non-Christians or luke-warm Christians....
They do not seem to have much in the way of suffering.....That is not to say they will not at some point....
But, I just see my friends in Christ have an abundance of suffering here in this world....
I know we have Jesus in us and when our hearts hurt, so does Jesus.....
In Romans 8: 17.......Now if we are children, then we are heirs.....heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.
18.....I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.......
So, we should be thankful for the sufferings we have here in this world....Even though it hurts us to the core!
Thursday, July 19, 2018
They Lied to Us!
So many things that we were taught were good or bad for us have been based on prejudices of the researchers. Here are a few examples.
Love Includes Resolution!
We discover the mindset of our friends when we speak of the Lord openly. They will either enjoy it or become embarrassed. There is a language that transcends words, body language that reveals much! Covert narcissists know this very well.
When someone who is a covert narcissist they often display elements of disapproval without speaking a word, it allows them to deny many things.
Covert narcissists hate straight talk, they prefer their surreptitious responses to be able to deny truth. When asked why they acted a particular way they will feign irritation as though we did something wrong in asking.
A reasonable and rational person when asked about their non-verbal expressions will calmly reply with an answer. When kind people are asked why they had that look or made that sound, will explain what they were thinking. Narcissists want us to be confused and unsettled.
1 Corinthians 14:33
"For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,"
Those who love God want those they love to resolve things with them, they hate unresolved misunderstandings while the narcissist loves to mock through confusion.
Confusion causes problems, but clarity and honesty clears them up.
John 16:13
"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."
God loves truth and honesty, which requires openness and discussion.
When someone who is a covert narcissist they often display elements of disapproval without speaking a word, it allows them to deny many things.
Covert narcissists hate straight talk, they prefer their surreptitious responses to be able to deny truth. When asked why they acted a particular way they will feign irritation as though we did something wrong in asking.
A reasonable and rational person when asked about their non-verbal expressions will calmly reply with an answer. When kind people are asked why they had that look or made that sound, will explain what they were thinking. Narcissists want us to be confused and unsettled.
1 Corinthians 14:33
"For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,"
Those who love God want those they love to resolve things with them, they hate unresolved misunderstandings while the narcissist loves to mock through confusion.
Confusion causes problems, but clarity and honesty clears them up.
John 16:13
"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."
God loves truth and honesty, which requires openness and discussion.
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Not a Book of Suggestions, Its a Book of Commands
The first question the devil asked Eve in the garden made her doubt that God was telling her the truth. People do that to me today when I bring up Scripture to answer a matter in a discussion. They actually say things like, "that was for back then." As though the entire Bible is nothing more than a book of suggestions.
Its not a Decision, Its a Confession
No man just decides they want to be Christian for the sake of friends or perks. When someone is born again they become that way by grieving over their sinfulness and wanting to be cleansed by God. No man cleans themselves up, it is Christ Who does that as He sees a heart that wants Him.
Sunday, July 15, 2018
Rudeness begets Rudeness and Kindness begets Kindness
Why do we seem to be seeing so many entire families who are narcissistic in nature, you might ask?
Because people in general do what others do to be accepted. We often meet people who have no manners at all, when we meet their families we can see why.
Then there are other families who are gracious and kind, nearly everyone in them act diplomatically and friendly. This is because the gracious families taught more by example as well as their words. They instructed the children to be kind while demonstrating kindness themselves.
Rude families pass their attitudes on to other family members. Kind families do the same.
Want to have a kind and loving family structure, then read the Bible, pray for wisdom and act as though you care about others.
Because people in general do what others do to be accepted. We often meet people who have no manners at all, when we meet their families we can see why.
Then there are other families who are gracious and kind, nearly everyone in them act diplomatically and friendly. This is because the gracious families taught more by example as well as their words. They instructed the children to be kind while demonstrating kindness themselves.
Rude families pass their attitudes on to other family members. Kind families do the same.
Want to have a kind and loving family structure, then read the Bible, pray for wisdom and act as though you care about others.
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