Saturday, February 3, 2018
Luke 10:27
"And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
The End Times are Upon Us!
The end times are upon us, we will be tested more severely than ever before. Our faith must be strong to prevent us from becoming like those who have no faith.
1 Thessalonians 4:12 "12 Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone. "
If we are dependent on any person for our spirituality, then we have an idol in that person. We must depend entirely on the Holy Spirit in these times of leanness of fellowship.
1 Thessalonians 4:12 "12 Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone. "
If we are dependent on any person for our spirituality, then we have an idol in that person. We must depend entirely on the Holy Spirit in these times of leanness of fellowship.
Believing Leads to Obeying
When we believe the Bible we obey it. There is no sense in knowing what is in the Bible if we do not take it seriously in obedience. If we know and do not obey, then we do not believe it.
John 14:15
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments."
John 14:15
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments."
Trusting the Holy Spirit Not Objects
I used to be the "nay sayer" during the time in the 90's when the WWJD bracelets came into popularity. I would ask those who used it why they do. They said things like it helps me witness, I would then say ask the question, "isn't that the job of the Holy Spirit. Every thing they attributed to that bracelet was something we should be trusting the Holy Spirit for, not a piece of jewelry.
They said "it helps me witness", they said "it reminds me of what Jesus would have done", they said "it makes me feel safe" and other things, all of which we should depend on the Holy Spirit to accomplish in us.
Sometimes popular things are thought up be superficial and unthinking people, they sound good until you analyze them according to the Bible.
We should never need any article except the Bible to teach us, to remind us or for boldness. The Holy Spirit is our guide in all things, He is our mouth piece, we need to hear from Him and obey His orders.
When we depend on a bracelet we are using an idol, it negates the work of the Holy Spirit, and yet it sounds so spiritual to the simple.
Acts 4:31 "Acts 4:31
"31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness."
Jude 1:19-21 "…19 These are the ones who cause divisions, who are worldly and devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life.…"
Matthew 28:18-20
"18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
It takes faith to trust the Holy Spirit that we cannot see.
They said "it helps me witness", they said "it reminds me of what Jesus would have done", they said "it makes me feel safe" and other things, all of which we should depend on the Holy Spirit to accomplish in us.
Sometimes popular things are thought up be superficial and unthinking people, they sound good until you analyze them according to the Bible.
We should never need any article except the Bible to teach us, to remind us or for boldness. The Holy Spirit is our guide in all things, He is our mouth piece, we need to hear from Him and obey His orders.
When we depend on a bracelet we are using an idol, it negates the work of the Holy Spirit, and yet it sounds so spiritual to the simple.
Acts 4:31 "Acts 4:31
"31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness."
Jude 1:19-21 "…19 These are the ones who cause divisions, who are worldly and devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life.…"
Matthew 28:18-20
"18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
It takes faith to trust the Holy Spirit that we cannot see.
Narcissists and Liberals Sides of the Same Coin
Liberals and narcissists are one and the same, they cannot be consistent, they base what they want on their own emotions and desires, not on logic and facts.
And, they are seriously lacking in empathy, therefore they don't care about anyone else but themselves.
Proverbs 6:12-16
"A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech, winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, points with his finger, with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord; therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in a moment he will be broken beyond healing. There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him:"
And, they are seriously lacking in empathy, therefore they don't care about anyone else but themselves.
Proverbs 6:12-16
"A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech, winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, points with his finger, with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord; therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in a moment he will be broken beyond healing. There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him:"
Hitler's Great Deception
In Germany before world war I, the people were devastated, hungry and ready for a leader they thought could bring them out of their problems. They were blinded by the promises of prosperity and national security, the one whom they thought would be the perfect leader was none other than Hitler himself.
Hitler gave no indication of his hidden character of narcissism and god like superiority, even thinking he should have the right of life or death over groups of people. The clues were there but the people didn't notice because they were lacking discernment, blinded by their own desires and needs. Instead of turning to God for guidance they were looking for a human leader.
When a nation is focused on safety, prosperity and freedom, they are blinded to the lack of moral character that someone like Hitler displays. He hid it so well, had all the right words, was charismatic and well spoken with boldness. Hitler's hidden self was the monster that he became, it did not evolve because he came to power, it was there all along waiting for the opportunity to become strong enough to assert itself.
He had a philosophy, if one tells a big enough lie, enough times, the people will believe it no matter how absurd it may sound. And you think we could not have a Hitler among us or that if we did we would not believe him?
When he began to do his dastardly deeds most of the German people turned a blind eye to it, while some claimed they did not know what was going on.
Do you really think they did not know something was amiss when their Jewish friends and neighbors began to disappear? News in our town travels faster than lightening speed, and yet in these towns in Germany no one seemed to notice something strange going on, without inquiring of anyone!? They didn't notice the strange smells of burning flesh from the ovens and no one said anything if they did?
There were those who knew, we know this because some of the people hid the Jews to protect them. If some knew, then many others if not most knew.
Unfortunately there may be many people in this country who will turn a blind eyes when the Christians begin to disappear. They will explain the disappearance away without inquiry, even listen to lies and rumors as to why they no longer live next door.
If you think this country would not believe a monstrous lie, remember abortion, half of the country if not more than half believe that the unborn should not have rights to life. Just one generation ago nearly everyone had the desire to protect babies.
More than half of the country has bought into the lie that we should not judge anyone, these same people love their sin, refuse to repent and are so self absorbed they are ready for any good sounding lie that will waltz through their lives promising them the moon.
Evil in our country is not even hidden or covert, it is right out there in the streets for all to see and yet it is still defended for the cause of love, the false love that is not love at all but an excuse to ignore sin to be accepted by the culture.
And someone might think they would not believe deception or lies? Think again. This country has believed so many lies it is impossible to count them all. And yet they believe they could not be deceived by another Hitler type?
Think about it!
Hitler gave no indication of his hidden character of narcissism and god like superiority, even thinking he should have the right of life or death over groups of people. The clues were there but the people didn't notice because they were lacking discernment, blinded by their own desires and needs. Instead of turning to God for guidance they were looking for a human leader.
When a nation is focused on safety, prosperity and freedom, they are blinded to the lack of moral character that someone like Hitler displays. He hid it so well, had all the right words, was charismatic and well spoken with boldness. Hitler's hidden self was the monster that he became, it did not evolve because he came to power, it was there all along waiting for the opportunity to become strong enough to assert itself.
He had a philosophy, if one tells a big enough lie, enough times, the people will believe it no matter how absurd it may sound. And you think we could not have a Hitler among us or that if we did we would not believe him?
When he began to do his dastardly deeds most of the German people turned a blind eye to it, while some claimed they did not know what was going on.
Do you really think they did not know something was amiss when their Jewish friends and neighbors began to disappear? News in our town travels faster than lightening speed, and yet in these towns in Germany no one seemed to notice something strange going on, without inquiring of anyone!? They didn't notice the strange smells of burning flesh from the ovens and no one said anything if they did?
There were those who knew, we know this because some of the people hid the Jews to protect them. If some knew, then many others if not most knew.
Unfortunately there may be many people in this country who will turn a blind eyes when the Christians begin to disappear. They will explain the disappearance away without inquiry, even listen to lies and rumors as to why they no longer live next door.
If you think this country would not believe a monstrous lie, remember abortion, half of the country if not more than half believe that the unborn should not have rights to life. Just one generation ago nearly everyone had the desire to protect babies.
More than half of the country has bought into the lie that we should not judge anyone, these same people love their sin, refuse to repent and are so self absorbed they are ready for any good sounding lie that will waltz through their lives promising them the moon.
Evil in our country is not even hidden or covert, it is right out there in the streets for all to see and yet it is still defended for the cause of love, the false love that is not love at all but an excuse to ignore sin to be accepted by the culture.
And someone might think they would not believe deception or lies? Think again. This country has believed so many lies it is impossible to count them all. And yet they believe they could not be deceived by another Hitler type?
Think about it!
Saul Vs David, Think About It
Saul, when confronted with his sin said; "they were the ones who did it."
David when confronted with his sin said; "I have sinned against God, I alone."
Think about it!
David when confronted with his sin said; "I have sinned against God, I alone."
Think about it!
Threaten Systems
"Threatened Systems often kill their prophets", Diane Langberg
Have you ever exposed the sin that is going on in a group of people or a church gathering, only to be diminished because the group loves their system more than they love God?
Thank about it!
Have you ever exposed the sin that is going on in a group of people or a church gathering, only to be diminished because the group loves their system more than they love God?
Thank about it!
The Feelings and Opinions of the Narcissist
A narcissist bases their actions toward their target on their feelings and opinions. Their opinions are almost never proven by evidence, but largely gossip, that which the narcissist chooses to believe because of their jealousy. Notice the narcissist never comes to verify what they have heard, they simply make the choice to believe it and treat their target accordingly.
When a target is confused because of the irrational reactions of the narcissist it's because the narcissist never uses specifics to explain themselves, in fact they do not explain themselves at all.
When asked to explain themselves the narcissist spews forth insults and name calling without details of specific actions.
They cannot say, "you did this" or "you said that", they have no evidence of wrong doing, so they use generalities or they contrive something that is not true according to their own idea of our character.
Jealousy is a huge motivator for these baseless tirades. The more jealous of us they are, the worse the tirade. Some actions against us are so covert, that if we were to tell anyone our testimony would sound petty and silly. When this petty and silly behavior becomes continual, every time we see them, we can be sure there is more to the situation than someone having a bad hair day.
Everyone has bad hair days, they feel in a slump, are a little testy because things are not going well for them, this happens to everyone. However when this is a constant habit coming from someone at each encounter, then we will see the pattern of abuse as regular and real, it is time to take notice and stop making excuses for them.
The narcissist is not content to believe something bad and act on it, they must turn others against us too. They are never more delighted than when they have managed to get others to abuse us too.
Luke 6:28 "28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."
When we have to be in the presence of mean spirited people we will be exercising grace in our interactions, but that does not mean that we seek them out as friends.
Proverbs 29:10-12 "10 Men of bloodshed hate the blameless, But the upright are concerned for his life. 11 A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back. 12 If a ruler pays attention to falsehood, All his ministers become wicked.…"
Our culture has been teaching in the public school system for decades now that people are basically good and that we should stay with friends and relatives no matter how they act. This is unbiblical and ruinous to the person seeking to follow Christ.
2 Timothy 3:5 tells us to remove ourselves from them and 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 which tells us not to keep company with those who are evil because we will become like them.
When we spend a lot of time with someone, even without thinking we begin to pick up their ways, it's just a fact. In order to remain connected to the ways of God, we read His Word, listen to the Holy Spirit and make sure our close friends are those who love Him the same way we do.
So many believers are using language that is crude and fleshly, the very language for which our mothers would have washed out our mouths with soap, in my generation. And, these believers think nothing of it because their constant companion is the movies and television. They are using the language they hear every day.
Most people do not have the strength to resist the pull to fit into the crowd. Not fitting in, not using fowl language, or not watching the same shows, will leave us on the outside of many gatherings, even at work, sometimes at church. Fitting in becomes the goal of many believers, the thought of being alone is too frightening for weak minded people.
Those who are strong in the Lord, whose trust is in Him everyday, have no need to fit into the groups or clans of the world, we are content to be alone with Christ if that is our lot.
Praise the Lord for those times we get to spend with authentic born again believers, they bless us.
When a target is confused because of the irrational reactions of the narcissist it's because the narcissist never uses specifics to explain themselves, in fact they do not explain themselves at all.
When asked to explain themselves the narcissist spews forth insults and name calling without details of specific actions.
They cannot say, "you did this" or "you said that", they have no evidence of wrong doing, so they use generalities or they contrive something that is not true according to their own idea of our character.
Jealousy is a huge motivator for these baseless tirades. The more jealous of us they are, the worse the tirade. Some actions against us are so covert, that if we were to tell anyone our testimony would sound petty and silly. When this petty and silly behavior becomes continual, every time we see them, we can be sure there is more to the situation than someone having a bad hair day.
Everyone has bad hair days, they feel in a slump, are a little testy because things are not going well for them, this happens to everyone. However when this is a constant habit coming from someone at each encounter, then we will see the pattern of abuse as regular and real, it is time to take notice and stop making excuses for them.
The narcissist is not content to believe something bad and act on it, they must turn others against us too. They are never more delighted than when they have managed to get others to abuse us too.
Luke 6:28 "28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."
When we have to be in the presence of mean spirited people we will be exercising grace in our interactions, but that does not mean that we seek them out as friends.
Proverbs 29:10-12 "10 Men of bloodshed hate the blameless, But the upright are concerned for his life. 11 A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back. 12 If a ruler pays attention to falsehood, All his ministers become wicked.…"
Our culture has been teaching in the public school system for decades now that people are basically good and that we should stay with friends and relatives no matter how they act. This is unbiblical and ruinous to the person seeking to follow Christ.
2 Timothy 3:5 tells us to remove ourselves from them and 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 which tells us not to keep company with those who are evil because we will become like them.
When we spend a lot of time with someone, even without thinking we begin to pick up their ways, it's just a fact. In order to remain connected to the ways of God, we read His Word, listen to the Holy Spirit and make sure our close friends are those who love Him the same way we do.
So many believers are using language that is crude and fleshly, the very language for which our mothers would have washed out our mouths with soap, in my generation. And, these believers think nothing of it because their constant companion is the movies and television. They are using the language they hear every day.
Most people do not have the strength to resist the pull to fit into the crowd. Not fitting in, not using fowl language, or not watching the same shows, will leave us on the outside of many gatherings, even at work, sometimes at church. Fitting in becomes the goal of many believers, the thought of being alone is too frightening for weak minded people.
Those who are strong in the Lord, whose trust is in Him everyday, have no need to fit into the groups or clans of the world, we are content to be alone with Christ if that is our lot.
Praise the Lord for those times we get to spend with authentic born again believers, they bless us.
Costing You Everything
Brenda Zaleski-Lopez
It Will Cost You EVERYTHING
You need to weigh in on the cost factor and count the cost of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. It will cost you popularity, it will cost you promotion perhaps at times. It will cost you an easy life, you will have to discipline yourself, you will have to buffet your body. You will have to say NO to temptation, you will have to say NO to this world.
You will have to break with the crowd, you will have to be willing to stand alone for Christ. You will have to be willing to walk to the beat of a different drummer and to step out of the crowd, even if no one follows after Jesus Christ. You would be wiling to stand, if you were the only person in the world for Jesus Christ. That’s the cost factor.
You will have to be willing to suffer persecution for Christ, and let me tell you, it will come. It might even cost you your life. He is not coming to play games. He is not coming to be docile, He is coming to dominate and He is coming to slaughter. He is the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords and at the end of this age, He will bolt out of Heaven on a white steed and His garments are dripped in blood, the blood of His own enemies and He is coming back to conquer and to damn.
You need to make terms of peace with this coming King or you will be subjected in damnation forever and Jesus Christ has made terms of peace. You need to settle out of court with Him, you do not want to go into that final day of conflict with Christ. For He will be ruthless in the execution of His justice. But He offers you mercy today. He will agree to terms of surrender, He will agree to terms of peace, but they are His terms of peace, not ours.
And His terms of peace are very simply this, you must hate your own father, mother, brother, sister, and even your own life more than Me or you cannot be my disciple and you must take up a cross and follow Me or you cannot be my disciple and if you do not, you will meet Me in the final judgment, and it will glorify God in your destruction.
He is pressing you for a decision. He will not be put off. You cannot hit the mute button any longer in your heart, you must answer to Him. Verse 33, “So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions” (Luke 14:33).
Conclusion, none of you can be my disciple, He is saying, none of you can be a true Christian, none of you can be in my Kingdom, none of you can be in right relationship with Me or the Father, none of you can be my disciple, who does not give up all his own possessions.
What is our Lord saying? He is not backing off, He is increasing the commitment that He is calling for with every line of this section. Well He is not saying that you have to buy your way into the Kingdom of Heaven, for none of us have enough gold, and none of us have enough silver, to ever remove the stain of sin that has defiled our inner soul.
What is He saying? Who does not give all of his own possessions. Well this must be taken in context with other texts of scripture. Let me just cut to the bottom line of the bottom line. You must transfer the ownership of all that you are and all that you have to all that He is. That is what He is saying.
Your life is no longer your life, it is now His life, your time is no longer your time, it is now His time, your possessions are no longer your possessions they are now His possessions. Your future is no longer your future it is now His future, your treasure is no longer your treasure it is now His treasure. And you have transferred all that you are and all that you have to all that He is. That‘s what it is to meet His terms of peace.
Yet the exchange is not bartered or bought with real money. But it is purchased with the total complete surrender of your life to Christ. That’s what saving faith is. It is coming to the end of yourself and completely and entirely and trusting all that you are and all that you have to all that He is.
This is your eternal soul. This is the only life you will ever live. This deals with the only eternity you will ever have and so He says, ‘salt is good but if even salt has become tasteless, meaning it gives evidence that it was never true salt to begin with. With what will it be seasoned? And the answer is Nothing! Verse 35, it is useless either for the soil or the manure pile.
It’s just no good to anyone. Not to God, not to Christ, not to the Kingdom, not to the movement. You’re just taking up a seat for someone else. There were other people who were trying to get into this. It is useless either for the soil, you’re not even worth the toilet, spiritually speaking.
Because you have not come to the place of total surrender of your life and supreme allegiance and supreme loyalty to Christ. You have not yet come to the Lordship of Christ and taken up a cross to follow after Him. And He says, ‘he who has ears to hear, let him hear.’
You need to give strictest attention to what God has said in His Son. For God has spoken in His Son to us in this conference. And God has brought everyone of us to this place. Not one of us is here by accident or by happenstance and it is the goodness of God and the mercy of God that has brought you to this place where you have heard Isaiah 53. You have heard of the suffering Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Who upon that cross became sin for us. Upon that cross He died to self that He might live for us and that He might bear our sins and iniquities upon that tree and purchase our salvation. And there is salvation in no other name. For there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Jesus said, ‘I am The Way and The Truth and The Life, NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER BUT THROUGH ME. And He is calling out to you today. COME UNTO ME, all ye who are weary and heavy laden and I will take you in and receive you unto myself, take my yoke upon you and learn of Me for I AM MEEK AND LOWLY in heart and you shall find rest for your souls. For my burden is easy and My yoke is light.’ It is! It is! You will have the weight of sin lifted off of you and you will have now the yoke of Christ upon you. And He gets into that yoke with you and He pulls with you.
But it will require the total commitment of your life to Him. Oh how we ought to search our heart here today. Have I come to this place of total commitment in my life? Have I yielded my life to the Sovereign Lordship of Him who died upon the cross for me? I want you to know that the gates of Paradise have been swung open to you.
The narrow gate is open and if you will take a step of faith and come through this narrow gate and commit your life to Him despite the strength of His words, its also says, ‘Him who comes unto me, I will in no wise cast out.’ He is calling you today to come. To come to Him. To take a step of faith and come to Him.
But if you come to Him, don’t play games, you must SURRENDER to Christ.
Steve Lawson
It Will Cost You EVERYTHING
You need to weigh in on the cost factor and count the cost of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. It will cost you popularity, it will cost you promotion perhaps at times. It will cost you an easy life, you will have to discipline yourself, you will have to buffet your body. You will have to say NO to temptation, you will have to say NO to this world.
You will have to break with the crowd, you will have to be willing to stand alone for Christ. You will have to be willing to walk to the beat of a different drummer and to step out of the crowd, even if no one follows after Jesus Christ. You would be wiling to stand, if you were the only person in the world for Jesus Christ. That’s the cost factor.
You will have to be willing to suffer persecution for Christ, and let me tell you, it will come. It might even cost you your life. He is not coming to play games. He is not coming to be docile, He is coming to dominate and He is coming to slaughter. He is the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords and at the end of this age, He will bolt out of Heaven on a white steed and His garments are dripped in blood, the blood of His own enemies and He is coming back to conquer and to damn.
You need to make terms of peace with this coming King or you will be subjected in damnation forever and Jesus Christ has made terms of peace. You need to settle out of court with Him, you do not want to go into that final day of conflict with Christ. For He will be ruthless in the execution of His justice. But He offers you mercy today. He will agree to terms of surrender, He will agree to terms of peace, but they are His terms of peace, not ours.
And His terms of peace are very simply this, you must hate your own father, mother, brother, sister, and even your own life more than Me or you cannot be my disciple and you must take up a cross and follow Me or you cannot be my disciple and if you do not, you will meet Me in the final judgment, and it will glorify God in your destruction.
He is pressing you for a decision. He will not be put off. You cannot hit the mute button any longer in your heart, you must answer to Him. Verse 33, “So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions” (Luke 14:33).
Conclusion, none of you can be my disciple, He is saying, none of you can be a true Christian, none of you can be in my Kingdom, none of you can be in right relationship with Me or the Father, none of you can be my disciple, who does not give up all his own possessions.
What is our Lord saying? He is not backing off, He is increasing the commitment that He is calling for with every line of this section. Well He is not saying that you have to buy your way into the Kingdom of Heaven, for none of us have enough gold, and none of us have enough silver, to ever remove the stain of sin that has defiled our inner soul.
What is He saying? Who does not give all of his own possessions. Well this must be taken in context with other texts of scripture. Let me just cut to the bottom line of the bottom line. You must transfer the ownership of all that you are and all that you have to all that He is. That is what He is saying.
Your life is no longer your life, it is now His life, your time is no longer your time, it is now His time, your possessions are no longer your possessions they are now His possessions. Your future is no longer your future it is now His future, your treasure is no longer your treasure it is now His treasure. And you have transferred all that you are and all that you have to all that He is. That‘s what it is to meet His terms of peace.
Yet the exchange is not bartered or bought with real money. But it is purchased with the total complete surrender of your life to Christ. That’s what saving faith is. It is coming to the end of yourself and completely and entirely and trusting all that you are and all that you have to all that He is.
This is your eternal soul. This is the only life you will ever live. This deals with the only eternity you will ever have and so He says, ‘salt is good but if even salt has become tasteless, meaning it gives evidence that it was never true salt to begin with. With what will it be seasoned? And the answer is Nothing! Verse 35, it is useless either for the soil or the manure pile.
It’s just no good to anyone. Not to God, not to Christ, not to the Kingdom, not to the movement. You’re just taking up a seat for someone else. There were other people who were trying to get into this. It is useless either for the soil, you’re not even worth the toilet, spiritually speaking.
Because you have not come to the place of total surrender of your life and supreme allegiance and supreme loyalty to Christ. You have not yet come to the Lordship of Christ and taken up a cross to follow after Him. And He says, ‘he who has ears to hear, let him hear.’
You need to give strictest attention to what God has said in His Son. For God has spoken in His Son to us in this conference. And God has brought everyone of us to this place. Not one of us is here by accident or by happenstance and it is the goodness of God and the mercy of God that has brought you to this place where you have heard Isaiah 53. You have heard of the suffering Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Who upon that cross became sin for us. Upon that cross He died to self that He might live for us and that He might bear our sins and iniquities upon that tree and purchase our salvation. And there is salvation in no other name. For there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Jesus said, ‘I am The Way and The Truth and The Life, NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER BUT THROUGH ME. And He is calling out to you today. COME UNTO ME, all ye who are weary and heavy laden and I will take you in and receive you unto myself, take my yoke upon you and learn of Me for I AM MEEK AND LOWLY in heart and you shall find rest for your souls. For my burden is easy and My yoke is light.’ It is! It is! You will have the weight of sin lifted off of you and you will have now the yoke of Christ upon you. And He gets into that yoke with you and He pulls with you.
But it will require the total commitment of your life to Him. Oh how we ought to search our heart here today. Have I come to this place of total commitment in my life? Have I yielded my life to the Sovereign Lordship of Him who died upon the cross for me? I want you to know that the gates of Paradise have been swung open to you.
The narrow gate is open and if you will take a step of faith and come through this narrow gate and commit your life to Him despite the strength of His words, its also says, ‘Him who comes unto me, I will in no wise cast out.’ He is calling you today to come. To come to Him. To take a step of faith and come to Him.
But if you come to Him, don’t play games, you must SURRENDER to Christ.
Steve Lawson
The Life of the Born Again Believer
Even though we have great joy in our walk with Christ and knowing what is coming soon, it still is a little icky living in the sewer, the world today!
America is not Repenting
Sadly, the people of America are not repenting, some are saying "repent" all over the place but few are doing it.
How do we expect God to bless or forgive America for the murder of more than 60 million babies, when the practice of abortion continues.
The second Timothy 3 description of the end times attitudes of individuals is increasing, not decreasing.
God will not send a good leader to save America when the country as a whole refuses to consider God. Getting a few Christian men in the government will not change the heart of the people.
If the people individually would repent, it wouldn't matter what the leaders were doing. There would be no abortions because the people wouldn't want to do it. The righteous have no need of laws and rules, their marching orders come from Christ and they love His Law.
If the people individually repented, there would be no theft, lying, rape, murder or any other sin, those who live in houses in the communities would not want to sin and would place pressure on others who might be tempted to sin. Even disciplining the sinner to protect the community.
The churches are full of people who love to sin as long as it is legal according to the government. In other words, the average church goer does not have within their own heart the resolve to love and obey Christ, they will do whatever is legal, or whatever is socially accepted, even if that freedom to sin flies in the face of Christ Himself.
Is God going to save America, NO, He is going to discipline this country for all it's sins, not only past sins but the sins that continue to this day.
Some of America's sins:
America provides the world in pornography, even child porn.
Babies continue to be murdered daily and it's legal.
Divorce and remarriage are more than half the marriages in this country while shacking up has been widely accepted as a normal course.
Narcissism is on the rise, the inability to admit sins is rampant, while those who chastise for sin are mocked, demeaned and persecuted.
Instruction and correction in righteousness is hated while foolishness is elevated.
The Entertainment industry keeps our youth controlled and indoctrinated in evil continually. Movies and television have corrupted our children, they use filthy language at six years old that we never did all our lives.
The public school system has managed to turn children against righteous parents while holding captive the minds of the children of unsaved people. The children go to school, bring home ungodly thinking and the parents follow their children, or the children reject their parents for not thinking the way their teachers does.
Children chastise their parents rather than the other way around, this is common. In many households the children control the parents and there is no peace.
There are far more spoiled brats in our culture today than ever before, they appear to have no conscience about their evil attitudes or actions, they just lean into them while the parents are intimidated into submission.
As the children grow up they have no respect for authority figures, nor do they have humility.
Each generation becomes worse than the last, dismissing as unimportant the principles of God even in the church gatherings. Mocking and intimidating the righteous while elevating to importance that which is evil.
We are blessed as believer to see the truth, we hate what we see but we know that these signs are prophesied and it means that we are going home soon. Our heart yearns for our heavenly home and our Groom, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Psalm 119:103
"How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"
Jeremiah 6:20
"For what purpose does frankincense come to Me from Sheba And the sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable And your sacrifices are not pleasing to Me."
Isaiah 43:24
"You have bought Me not sweet cane with money, Nor have you filled Me with the fat of your sacrifices; Rather you have burdened Me with your sins, You have wearied Me with your iniquities."
Going to church every week does not mean one is saved, nor does it mean we have pleased God. What pleases the Lord is our desire to follow Him and to know Him.
James 3:11
"Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?"
How do we expect God to bless or forgive America for the murder of more than 60 million babies, when the practice of abortion continues.
The second Timothy 3 description of the end times attitudes of individuals is increasing, not decreasing.
God will not send a good leader to save America when the country as a whole refuses to consider God. Getting a few Christian men in the government will not change the heart of the people.
If the people individually would repent, it wouldn't matter what the leaders were doing. There would be no abortions because the people wouldn't want to do it. The righteous have no need of laws and rules, their marching orders come from Christ and they love His Law.
If the people individually repented, there would be no theft, lying, rape, murder or any other sin, those who live in houses in the communities would not want to sin and would place pressure on others who might be tempted to sin. Even disciplining the sinner to protect the community.
The churches are full of people who love to sin as long as it is legal according to the government. In other words, the average church goer does not have within their own heart the resolve to love and obey Christ, they will do whatever is legal, or whatever is socially accepted, even if that freedom to sin flies in the face of Christ Himself.
Is God going to save America, NO, He is going to discipline this country for all it's sins, not only past sins but the sins that continue to this day.
Some of America's sins:
America provides the world in pornography, even child porn.
Babies continue to be murdered daily and it's legal.
Divorce and remarriage are more than half the marriages in this country while shacking up has been widely accepted as a normal course.
Narcissism is on the rise, the inability to admit sins is rampant, while those who chastise for sin are mocked, demeaned and persecuted.
Instruction and correction in righteousness is hated while foolishness is elevated.
The Entertainment industry keeps our youth controlled and indoctrinated in evil continually. Movies and television have corrupted our children, they use filthy language at six years old that we never did all our lives.
The public school system has managed to turn children against righteous parents while holding captive the minds of the children of unsaved people. The children go to school, bring home ungodly thinking and the parents follow their children, or the children reject their parents for not thinking the way their teachers does.
Children chastise their parents rather than the other way around, this is common. In many households the children control the parents and there is no peace.
There are far more spoiled brats in our culture today than ever before, they appear to have no conscience about their evil attitudes or actions, they just lean into them while the parents are intimidated into submission.
As the children grow up they have no respect for authority figures, nor do they have humility.
Each generation becomes worse than the last, dismissing as unimportant the principles of God even in the church gatherings. Mocking and intimidating the righteous while elevating to importance that which is evil.
We are blessed as believer to see the truth, we hate what we see but we know that these signs are prophesied and it means that we are going home soon. Our heart yearns for our heavenly home and our Groom, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Psalm 119:103
"How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"
Jeremiah 6:20
"For what purpose does frankincense come to Me from Sheba And the sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable And your sacrifices are not pleasing to Me."
Isaiah 43:24
"You have bought Me not sweet cane with money, Nor have you filled Me with the fat of your sacrifices; Rather you have burdened Me with your sins, You have wearied Me with your iniquities."
Going to church every week does not mean one is saved, nor does it mean we have pleased God. What pleases the Lord is our desire to follow Him and to know Him.
James 3:11
"Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?"
The Pharisees were Narcsisists
Narcissists see the needs of others as a threat to them.
The Pharisees were of this sort, that's why they made the rule that the donations should be to the temple first while the neglect of the parents was acceptable.
The Pharisees were diabolical enough to use the excuse that they need to give to the Lord, not being able to admit that giving to the Lord often takes the form of giving to the downtrodden believers who have been responsible but need our help. Caring for our own parents as they age is "giving to the Lord." Not everything we give needs to go in a collection plate.
Mark 7:13 "…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.'"
James 2:14-26
"14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!
20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?
22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.
24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
The Pharisees were of this sort, that's why they made the rule that the donations should be to the temple first while the neglect of the parents was acceptable.
The Pharisees were diabolical enough to use the excuse that they need to give to the Lord, not being able to admit that giving to the Lord often takes the form of giving to the downtrodden believers who have been responsible but need our help. Caring for our own parents as they age is "giving to the Lord." Not everything we give needs to go in a collection plate.
Mark 7:13 "…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.'"
James 2:14-26
"14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!
20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?
22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.
24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)