1 Corinthians 11 commands a woman to be covered when she prays and prophesies in the gathering, that is expounding on the word of God, within the gathering. She is not a leader but she is allowed by God to speak as she is led by the Holy Spirit.
The men I have met who claim a woman should never speak of God have been intensely arrogant and unkind. They violate much of the word and hate to be corrected. This is becoming more common as the men in the churches are becoming more ungodly and self absorbed.
Everyone who shares from the Word should be led by the Holy Spirit when she does it.
Debbie Gurley said the following:
I’ve noticed many times when a sister in Christ is seeking to share biblical truth in sincerity and with meekness if it opposes the views of certain “men of God” these men are quick to put her down by using her gender against her and seeking to discredit her because she is a woman.
It’s as if she is incapable of reading scripture and receiving revelation & understanding from God’s Holy Spirit like He promised them.
John 16:13.
A woman is commanded to know her place in the Body of Christ and not to teach nor seek to usurp the authority of men... (she should not be rebellious) true, but it doesn’t say a woman is to be mute at all times. God even speaks thru women hence the command to cover when praying or prophesying for example. 1 Corinthians 11:5.
The bible calls all believers men and women alike to love. Love is none of these things:
1 Corinthians 13:4-5(KJV)
4 charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
But instead:
1 Corinthians 13:4,6-8 (KJV)
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; (...)
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
It says that a person correcting should do it meekly especially if that person is seeking to correct a “weaker vessel” /woman .
2 Timothy 2:25
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
Ephesians 4:1-3 (KJV)
4 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Women should speak to their brothers in Christ with respect and vice versa. Jesus spoke with gentleness and kindness yet He was honest and firm. We should be led of the Holy Spirit in our speech and our actions. Just some thoughts based on experiences.
Philippians 2:3 KJV
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Hardship Does Not Shape Our Character
Hardship does not shape our character, it reveals it. If we find ourselves becoming angry at difficulty in our lives then perhaps God has more work to do in us.
Crankiness is not justified merely because we are going through trials. For the born again believer a trial can be the greatest witness to the unsaved than anything else. If they see us going through with joy, enduring and loving Christ in spite of the misery, they will wonder what we have that makes us so kind and loving even through bad things.
Those who are cranky because they have been challenged are revealing something about their heart. That anger does not come up when there is no anger in the heart. If anger is coming out then it is leaking out of a heart full of it.
Matthew 12:34
"34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."
Luke 6:45
"The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."
Crankiness is not justified merely because we are going through trials. For the born again believer a trial can be the greatest witness to the unsaved than anything else. If they see us going through with joy, enduring and loving Christ in spite of the misery, they will wonder what we have that makes us so kind and loving even through bad things.
Those who are cranky because they have been challenged are revealing something about their heart. That anger does not come up when there is no anger in the heart. If anger is coming out then it is leaking out of a heart full of it.
Matthew 12:34
"34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."
Luke 6:45
"The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."
Pride that Grows Out of Worldly Thinking
Just because someone will not repent when they have offended us and we cannot forgive them does not mean we are bitter. We would love to forgive those who have offended us, but the offender prevents that. The lack of repentance is on the offender not on us.
Just as those who will not repent of the sin and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ will not be forgiven or saved from hell.
Does Christ love all those people who are choosing hell over Him? Yes, He loved them so much that He died for them. However He will not have a relationship with them on this earth and they will go to hell as long as they will not repent to be cleansed by Christ before they die.
Christ and mankind is the model of our human relationships too. We gain nothing and the offender gains nothing by premature forgiveness.
In a relationship where one party confesses and the other forgives then the relationship is restored, fixed, not just glossed over and abandoned for the sake of feeling better about ourselves. This model of worldly forgiveness is self oriented.
Notice that the worldy way of forgiveness is superficial and feelings oriented, but God's way is a permanent and rewarding fix that brings two people back together.
When we love someone who is sinning and will not repent we pray for them, no bitterness here, grief because they will not obey God, but not bitterness toward them.
When the ways of God are followed there is greater chance that someone will see their need for repentance toward Him and others. Mans' way negates God's' way leaving people comfortable in their sin, even causing an entitlement to forgiveness without repentance. And, perhaps pride in the one who pats themselves on the back, even bragging about how they forgave someone who was not repentant.
Superficial actions based on feelings always bring pride.
Just as those who will not repent of the sin and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ will not be forgiven or saved from hell.
Does Christ love all those people who are choosing hell over Him? Yes, He loved them so much that He died for them. However He will not have a relationship with them on this earth and they will go to hell as long as they will not repent to be cleansed by Christ before they die.
Christ and mankind is the model of our human relationships too. We gain nothing and the offender gains nothing by premature forgiveness.
In a relationship where one party confesses and the other forgives then the relationship is restored, fixed, not just glossed over and abandoned for the sake of feeling better about ourselves. This model of worldly forgiveness is self oriented.
Notice that the worldy way of forgiveness is superficial and feelings oriented, but God's way is a permanent and rewarding fix that brings two people back together.
When we love someone who is sinning and will not repent we pray for them, no bitterness here, grief because they will not obey God, but not bitterness toward them.
When the ways of God are followed there is greater chance that someone will see their need for repentance toward Him and others. Mans' way negates God's' way leaving people comfortable in their sin, even causing an entitlement to forgiveness without repentance. And, perhaps pride in the one who pats themselves on the back, even bragging about how they forgave someone who was not repentant.
Superficial actions based on feelings always bring pride.
The Purpose of Forgiveness
The purpose of forgiveness is to re-establish a broken relationship. To forgive prematurely, without the offender confessing to be reconciled, you have not forgiven, its just words people say that mean nothing.
I know this because many will say "I have forgiven but we can still cannot have a relationship." If you cannot have a relationship then there is no forgiveness.
Forgiveness cancels the debt and resumes the relationship.
Why do so many people not understand this? Its because most people are walking around basing everything on their "feelings" which are less than nothing, instead of reality.
Our culture lives on the edge of insanity placing "feelings" above truth and rational thinking.
Paying more attention to feelings than truth leads the culture into insanity. Our feelings are often irrational and overblown. We must think with the mind of Christ to know truth from error.
We must research things we were taught in school to see where their origins lie. So much the church has bought into comes from psychology and ungodly sources.
When we pray, ask God and focus on the Holy Spirit He will open our eyes to truth, suddenly we will see what is wrong with so much we have been taught. But in order to do this we must be willing to leave behind everything we were taught to follow Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:18-20 "18 Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” 20 And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”…"
I know this because many will say "I have forgiven but we can still cannot have a relationship." If you cannot have a relationship then there is no forgiveness.
Forgiveness cancels the debt and resumes the relationship.
Why do so many people not understand this? Its because most people are walking around basing everything on their "feelings" which are less than nothing, instead of reality.
Our culture lives on the edge of insanity placing "feelings" above truth and rational thinking.
Paying more attention to feelings than truth leads the culture into insanity. Our feelings are often irrational and overblown. We must think with the mind of Christ to know truth from error.
We must research things we were taught in school to see where their origins lie. So much the church has bought into comes from psychology and ungodly sources.
When we pray, ask God and focus on the Holy Spirit He will open our eyes to truth, suddenly we will see what is wrong with so much we have been taught. But in order to do this we must be willing to leave behind everything we were taught to follow Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:18-20 "18 Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” 20 And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”…"
Bitterness Grows When there is Premature Forgiveness
Bitterness is when someone refuses to forgive an offender when the offender confesses to be forgiven. There is no bitterness involved when the offended does not prematurely forgive because the offender is not sorry, even continuing in their offenses over and over again.
There are those who will say you should forgive these people but do not have contact with them. This is nothing more than words and feelings, it is not forgiveness.
Forgiveness is extended when someone confesses their offense, forgiveness is extended for the purpose of reconciling the relationship.
Forgiveness is not a feeling or words, it is an act of releasing the debt of the offense because the offender is sorry for what they have done and wishes to do differently.
We are to forgive the WAY God forgives, that is when there has been confession.
Those who forgive the offender before the offender is sorry are merely enabling and encouraging wicked behavior. God never at any time tells us to forgive so we will feel better or to stave off bitterness when the offender is not sorry.
1 John 1:9
9 IF WE CONFESS our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Bitterness comes when someone asks us to forgive them and we will not do it. There is no bitterness if the offender is not sorry, there is however a hope that one day through prayer the offender will repent and confess.
If we "forgive" even though someone is not sorry but choose to have no more contact with them that is not the forgiveness of the Bible, it doesn't change anything about the relationship.
The purpose of confession and forgiveness, two sides of the same coin, is to reconcile a relationship. Nothing at all happens when we forgive before there is confession except "feelings" which are basically useless.
Matthew 6:14-15 "14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
We will not be forgiven if we do not forgive those how have confessed. However we are not required to forgive those who are not repentant. God does not and neither should we, it short cuts the process of a sinful person to learn the consequences of their sin and the brokenness required to be forgiven.
Luke 17:2-4 "…3 Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”"
It is clear in the Luke passage that we are to rebuke a sinning brother, and IF he repents forgive him. If he keeps on sinning and comes back each time saying "I REPENT", then we are to forgive him.
We must not short cut God's criteria for forgiveness by the psychological "unconditional forgiveness", we do not see this anywhere in the Word of God.
All those who do not trust in Christ before they die will go to hell because they would not repent and trust Christ. There is no forgiveness for these people. Is God bitter because some unrepentant people will not trust in Him? NO, however God is just!!!!
We are unjust when we forgive someone who is not sorry. We are saying to that unrepentant person that it is alright to treat people disrespectfully and with disregard and they will be forgiven even if they keep doing it over and over again. AND, those who do not confess will continue in their sin over and over because they see that it works for them.
This is the reason the world is growing more evil, even flaunting their sin, because they have been encouraged to believe all is forgiven and nothing has to change in relationships for them to remain.
The culture has been teaching the opposite of God's principles for 60 years now along with the "self esteem" doctrine that encourages people to love themselves above everyone else, which follows that they will love themselves above God.
When people are encouraged to love themselves when they are already born loving themselves too much they will translate the self love into self worship. This is where our culture is today! Few people anymore love others better than themselves, they feel entitled to forgiveness and coddling no matter how wickedly they act.
Philippians 2:2-4 "…2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.…"
We live in a world now that believes they are entitled to forgiveness merely for existing even when they have no desire to be sorry or stop their sin. This is what the self esteem doctrine has fostered as well as the "just forgive them" mantra.
Psychology has done more to ruin this world than any other philosophy, its roots come out of Darwinism and Evolution. We must reject this if we are to walk in truth according to God's principles. His ways are healing but satans ways keep people sick in their sin.
1 Corinthians 3:18–19
"18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”
James 4:4
"4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
1 Corinthians 3:3 "3 for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man?"
Psychology is the way of the world not the way of God.
There are those who will say you should forgive these people but do not have contact with them. This is nothing more than words and feelings, it is not forgiveness.
Forgiveness is extended when someone confesses their offense, forgiveness is extended for the purpose of reconciling the relationship.
Forgiveness is not a feeling or words, it is an act of releasing the debt of the offense because the offender is sorry for what they have done and wishes to do differently.
We are to forgive the WAY God forgives, that is when there has been confession.
Those who forgive the offender before the offender is sorry are merely enabling and encouraging wicked behavior. God never at any time tells us to forgive so we will feel better or to stave off bitterness when the offender is not sorry.
1 John 1:9
9 IF WE CONFESS our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Bitterness comes when someone asks us to forgive them and we will not do it. There is no bitterness if the offender is not sorry, there is however a hope that one day through prayer the offender will repent and confess.
If we "forgive" even though someone is not sorry but choose to have no more contact with them that is not the forgiveness of the Bible, it doesn't change anything about the relationship.
The purpose of confession and forgiveness, two sides of the same coin, is to reconcile a relationship. Nothing at all happens when we forgive before there is confession except "feelings" which are basically useless.
Matthew 6:14-15 "14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
We will not be forgiven if we do not forgive those how have confessed. However we are not required to forgive those who are not repentant. God does not and neither should we, it short cuts the process of a sinful person to learn the consequences of their sin and the brokenness required to be forgiven.
Luke 17:2-4 "…3 Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”"
It is clear in the Luke passage that we are to rebuke a sinning brother, and IF he repents forgive him. If he keeps on sinning and comes back each time saying "I REPENT", then we are to forgive him.
We must not short cut God's criteria for forgiveness by the psychological "unconditional forgiveness", we do not see this anywhere in the Word of God.
All those who do not trust in Christ before they die will go to hell because they would not repent and trust Christ. There is no forgiveness for these people. Is God bitter because some unrepentant people will not trust in Him? NO, however God is just!!!!
We are unjust when we forgive someone who is not sorry. We are saying to that unrepentant person that it is alright to treat people disrespectfully and with disregard and they will be forgiven even if they keep doing it over and over again. AND, those who do not confess will continue in their sin over and over because they see that it works for them.
This is the reason the world is growing more evil, even flaunting their sin, because they have been encouraged to believe all is forgiven and nothing has to change in relationships for them to remain.
The culture has been teaching the opposite of God's principles for 60 years now along with the "self esteem" doctrine that encourages people to love themselves above everyone else, which follows that they will love themselves above God.
When people are encouraged to love themselves when they are already born loving themselves too much they will translate the self love into self worship. This is where our culture is today! Few people anymore love others better than themselves, they feel entitled to forgiveness and coddling no matter how wickedly they act.
Philippians 2:2-4 "…2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.…"
We live in a world now that believes they are entitled to forgiveness merely for existing even when they have no desire to be sorry or stop their sin. This is what the self esteem doctrine has fostered as well as the "just forgive them" mantra.
Psychology has done more to ruin this world than any other philosophy, its roots come out of Darwinism and Evolution. We must reject this if we are to walk in truth according to God's principles. His ways are healing but satans ways keep people sick in their sin.
1 Corinthians 3:18–19
"18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”
James 4:4
"4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
1 Corinthians 3:3 "3 for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man?"
Psychology is the way of the world not the way of God.
Monday, December 30, 2019
How to Discern the Born Again from the Pretender
The Lord showed me a principle that really answered this matter of who is born again and who is not. Of course we cannot perfectly discern this because everyone is at a different stage in their growth but we can tell much of the time, here it is;
A born again believer does not love their sin. They hate sin, if they fall into it out of weakness they are miserable the entire time because the Holy Spirit convicts them of their sin. And eventually they confess to be cleansed and stop that sin.
1 John 1:9 "9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
The pretenders when confronted with their sin will fight, argue and rage for any attempt at correction from the believer. They refuse to evaluate themselves and will exact revenge on the truth teller for daring to rebuke them.
John 14:15-16 "15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—…"
1 John 3:8-10 "…8 The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil. 9 Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother."
Proverbs 29:9 "When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest."
Proverbs 18:2-3
"2 A fool does not delight in understanding,
But only in revealing his own mind.
3 When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes,
And with dishonor comes scorn."
A born again believer does not love their sin. They hate sin, if they fall into it out of weakness they are miserable the entire time because the Holy Spirit convicts them of their sin. And eventually they confess to be cleansed and stop that sin.
1 John 1:9 "9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
The pretenders when confronted with their sin will fight, argue and rage for any attempt at correction from the believer. They refuse to evaluate themselves and will exact revenge on the truth teller for daring to rebuke them.
John 14:15-16 "15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—…"
1 John 3:8-10 "…8 The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil. 9 Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother."
Proverbs 29:9 "When a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, The foolish man either rages or laughs, and there is no rest."
Proverbs 18:2-3
"2 A fool does not delight in understanding,
But only in revealing his own mind.
3 When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes,
And with dishonor comes scorn."
Our Home Going Soon!
How often do you hear this from your friends?
"I just can't wait for Christ's return."
I hear it all the time because those who are my brothers and sisters in Christ hate this wicked world full of contempt and lacking in God's kind of love.
We love Christ so much that the world holds no sway over us at all. We are waiting rather impatiently for our home going as we remain steadfast in telling the truth of God.
We are battered by superficial Christians and unsaved family who love their "religion" and "pleasure" but have no interest in obeying the Word of God.
The born again believer yearns for our home going when Christ calls us up to meet Him in the air.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 "…16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. 17 After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.…"
These words from God are the greatest comfort any born again believer can ponder.
"I just can't wait for Christ's return."
I hear it all the time because those who are my brothers and sisters in Christ hate this wicked world full of contempt and lacking in God's kind of love.
We love Christ so much that the world holds no sway over us at all. We are waiting rather impatiently for our home going as we remain steadfast in telling the truth of God.
We are battered by superficial Christians and unsaved family who love their "religion" and "pleasure" but have no interest in obeying the Word of God.
The born again believer yearns for our home going when Christ calls us up to meet Him in the air.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 "…16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. 17 After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.…"
These words from God are the greatest comfort any born again believer can ponder.
Talk is Cheap, the Walk is the Evidence
Most "Christians" in our culture only talk the talk they don't actually walk the walk.
We are a culture that believes "feelings are facts." If I feel sorry for others and feel like saying something to them, I don't actually have to do anything.
The feeling and desire is good enough all by themselves in the minds of so many people.
How do I know this? Its simple children today are being told all the time "you can do anything you want to do", this is false. I could never be an engineer, its not in my DNA. Many people believe they can do things that are not a part of their structure, they were meant to do other things but want to believe they can do anything.
I have quoted this many times to people; "your actions speak so loud I can't hear a word you are saying."
Just because someone says something is not the evidence or proof that what they say is true.
Matthew 15:7-9 "…7 You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: 8 ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. 9 They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”…"
Many people say they are "Christians" but have none of the fruit of the Spirit even though they would say they do. They base their assertions on their idea of "love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness and self control", but their idea is deeply flawed.
Those character qualities mentioned come from the Holy Spirit and appear nothing like what the humanistic version of them do in fleshly terms.
So many people say: "I am this" and "I am that" but on close inspection they are deeply worldly lacking the very fruit they claim to possess.
Words are nothing unless accompanied by character fruit and actions.
I have met many people who say they are Christian but treat those they believe are beneath them with contempt. They will even refuse to engage in conversation about their own flaws because the pride within them cannot admit warts and blemishes of the soul that need God's healing touch.
Proverbs 15:31-33 "…31 He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. 32 He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. 33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.…"
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."
Do not be dismayed when you see all this happening, it is all a part of the end times prophesy. Remove from your life those who will not repent, those who will not listen but rage and those who have clearly demonstrated a hatred of God's principles, using the false doctrine of the world to claim they are from God.
We are a culture that believes "feelings are facts." If I feel sorry for others and feel like saying something to them, I don't actually have to do anything.
The feeling and desire is good enough all by themselves in the minds of so many people.
How do I know this? Its simple children today are being told all the time "you can do anything you want to do", this is false. I could never be an engineer, its not in my DNA. Many people believe they can do things that are not a part of their structure, they were meant to do other things but want to believe they can do anything.
I have quoted this many times to people; "your actions speak so loud I can't hear a word you are saying."
Just because someone says something is not the evidence or proof that what they say is true.
Matthew 15:7-9 "…7 You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: 8 ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. 9 They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”…"
Many people say they are "Christians" but have none of the fruit of the Spirit even though they would say they do. They base their assertions on their idea of "love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness and self control", but their idea is deeply flawed.
Those character qualities mentioned come from the Holy Spirit and appear nothing like what the humanistic version of them do in fleshly terms.
So many people say: "I am this" and "I am that" but on close inspection they are deeply worldly lacking the very fruit they claim to possess.
Words are nothing unless accompanied by character fruit and actions.
I have met many people who say they are Christian but treat those they believe are beneath them with contempt. They will even refuse to engage in conversation about their own flaws because the pride within them cannot admit warts and blemishes of the soul that need God's healing touch.
Proverbs 15:31-33 "…31 He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. 32 He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. 33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor.…"
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."
Do not be dismayed when you see all this happening, it is all a part of the end times prophesy. Remove from your life those who will not repent, those who will not listen but rage and those who have clearly demonstrated a hatred of God's principles, using the false doctrine of the world to claim they are from God.
2 Timothy 2:21-26
21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.
24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,
25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,
26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.
24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,
25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,
26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
2 Corinthians 2:14-17
"14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.
15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;
16 to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?
17 For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God."
15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;
16 to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?
17 For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God."
The False Christians and the Authentic Christians
If anyone comes to you and says; "I have a word from the Lord for you", they are not understanding the principles of the Bible and often are showing off that God spoke to them and not you.
Here is an answer the Lord gave me many years ago to answer these sort of people:
Simply tell someone like this that there is only one Mediator between God and man and that is Christ Jesus and He lives in me. If God wants me to know something He will tell it to me.
Sadly the person who did this to me many years ago approached me to tell me that "God told me to tell you that He loved you." I thought this was silly because I was holding my own Bible in my hand, the Bible that already told me that!
These sort of demonstrations of false messages from God to others does nothing except elevate the person who claims to have the message.
Many years ago when I had much contact with miracle seekers I ran into this prideful display of self exaltation often. When I did there was a sense that these kind of people loved their displays of superiority.
I love to hear the way God is working in the lives of people and can rejoice with them over answered prayer, but thankfully the Lord has shown me the difference between authentic displays of God's power and work and those who are fakers looking to have special status.
One sign you will see that someone is authentic is that they give the glory to God. They do not attempt to be seen as having special powers others do not have.
One of the signs of an authentic believer is that they never seek to be special, better or more spiritual, they just are excited and grateful about Christ.
Here is an answer the Lord gave me many years ago to answer these sort of people:
Simply tell someone like this that there is only one Mediator between God and man and that is Christ Jesus and He lives in me. If God wants me to know something He will tell it to me.
Sadly the person who did this to me many years ago approached me to tell me that "God told me to tell you that He loved you." I thought this was silly because I was holding my own Bible in my hand, the Bible that already told me that!
These sort of demonstrations of false messages from God to others does nothing except elevate the person who claims to have the message.
Many years ago when I had much contact with miracle seekers I ran into this prideful display of self exaltation often. When I did there was a sense that these kind of people loved their displays of superiority.
I love to hear the way God is working in the lives of people and can rejoice with them over answered prayer, but thankfully the Lord has shown me the difference between authentic displays of God's power and work and those who are fakers looking to have special status.
One sign you will see that someone is authentic is that they give the glory to God. They do not attempt to be seen as having special powers others do not have.
One of the signs of an authentic believer is that they never seek to be special, better or more spiritual, they just are excited and grateful about Christ.
Seeking Experiences Demonstrates a Weak Faith
We should not be seeking "experiences", we should be seeking Christ and the experiences do come at times. But since we walk by faith our faith is in Christ not in any event or experience.
The devil can fabricate experiences that leave those seeking the experiences as euphoric and joyful, but these experiences are not evidence that God is working. In these last days we will see lots of false miracles.
If our spirituality and faith is based on what we can see and experience we have a weak faith.
Our faith is in Christ during the most horrific times in life. We endure remaining faithful because our faith is in Christ. He goes through the difficulties with us. Our faith is strong because it is based in Him.
In these last days of apostasy most people will want to see rather than having faith to believer when they do not see.
Matthew 16:4 "4 A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Then He left them and went away. "
Those who believe Christ and His wisdom as given to us in His Word walk faithfully every day when things are difficult. They have no need of a grandiose miracle to build their faith.
Romans 10:17
"17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word [a]of Christ."
I see miracles all the time in my life, they do not take grandiose forms as so many are looking for, they are a steady walk with Christ as He answers prayers in ways that others might deny because they are looking for things to boast about.
It is a miracle that we get through tough times without becoming insane. We do it because Christ goes through with us, we remain faithful to Him no matter what is happening to us.
Remember Job, He never denied God through all His misery. This was a bigger miracle than if he had been healed instantly.
Those who are constantly seeking after grandiose signs and wonders will be those fooled by the anti-christ. He will do such false miracles and lying wonders and those who love these things more than they love God will follow Him.
2 Thessalonians 2:8-10 "…8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and annihilate by the majesty of His arrival. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and FALSE wonder, 10 and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.…"
The devil can fabricate experiences that leave those seeking the experiences as euphoric and joyful, but these experiences are not evidence that God is working. In these last days we will see lots of false miracles.
If our spirituality and faith is based on what we can see and experience we have a weak faith.
Our faith is in Christ during the most horrific times in life. We endure remaining faithful because our faith is in Christ. He goes through the difficulties with us. Our faith is strong because it is based in Him.
In these last days of apostasy most people will want to see rather than having faith to believer when they do not see.
Matthew 16:4 "4 A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Then He left them and went away. "
Those who believe Christ and His wisdom as given to us in His Word walk faithfully every day when things are difficult. They have no need of a grandiose miracle to build their faith.
Romans 10:17
"17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word [a]of Christ."
I see miracles all the time in my life, they do not take grandiose forms as so many are looking for, they are a steady walk with Christ as He answers prayers in ways that others might deny because they are looking for things to boast about.
It is a miracle that we get through tough times without becoming insane. We do it because Christ goes through with us, we remain faithful to Him no matter what is happening to us.
Remember Job, He never denied God through all His misery. This was a bigger miracle than if he had been healed instantly.
Those who are constantly seeking after grandiose signs and wonders will be those fooled by the anti-christ. He will do such false miracles and lying wonders and those who love these things more than they love God will follow Him.
2 Thessalonians 2:8-10 "…8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and annihilate by the majesty of His arrival. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and FALSE wonder, 10 and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.…"
Living in an Apostate Age, How to Endure
We are living in an apostate world now in which everything is based on psychology, traditions of men and personal pleasure. We see this in church gatherings and family relationships. Those who are rejected and lied against are the ones who filter everything through the Word of God.
Most "Christians" today want only to be entertained and to "feel" good. They are not very concerned about what God said in His Word.
The sad thing is that CHRIST IS the Word! He is the One Who gave us the Bible of His Words and Thoughts. To negate it as secondary to a life system is to negate Him.
Most people who say they are Christians today are not concerned about obeying something they see as secondary to their own desires and cultural acceptance.
The more we speak of the Bible principles, Christ's commands and obedience the more we are rejected as Christ and the apostles were rejected.
Until I saw the evil of the "cultural Christianity" I was raised with I was confused about truth. When God opened my eyes through the study of His Word and seeking His face in prayer, my eyes were opened, the floodgates of His wisdom flooded in and there is no returning from that no matter what anyone else says or does to me.
When we have encountered Christ all our traditions and relationships are based on our love for Him.
We have a heart for the lost but our brethren come first. They are our family, as Christ is our husband.
Our life is all about seeking Christ in all things and hearing from the Holy Spirit. If you have lived as a believer very long you will understand this; Those who seek Christ in all things will hear regularly from the Holy Spirit but most "Christians" will not understand what this is like because they do not seek Christ or the leading of the Holy Spirit.
When someone is following the culture they cannot hear from God. The noise of apostasy drowns out anything the Holy Spirit might be saying.
John 16:13-14 "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.…"
God said this and I believe Him. He will lead into truth and speak often to those who are seeking Him. Those who do not hear from the Holy Spirit look at us sideways as though we said something strange, they do not understand and they do not believe God speaks personally to them. Anyone who wants to know truth can know it if they will seek God.
Luke 24:45-49 "45 Then He (Holy Spirit) opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Keep speaking truth to others, their reaction to it will tell you volumes about them. Anyone who wants to know truth will ask to be told more. They will go to their Bibles at home and search out what you have said. They will ask the Holy Spirit to show them truth.
Proverbs 18:24
"24 A man of too many friends comes to ruin,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
Ephesians 1:17
"17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him."
Most "Christians" today want only to be entertained and to "feel" good. They are not very concerned about what God said in His Word.
The sad thing is that CHRIST IS the Word! He is the One Who gave us the Bible of His Words and Thoughts. To negate it as secondary to a life system is to negate Him.
Most people who say they are Christians today are not concerned about obeying something they see as secondary to their own desires and cultural acceptance.
The more we speak of the Bible principles, Christ's commands and obedience the more we are rejected as Christ and the apostles were rejected.
Until I saw the evil of the "cultural Christianity" I was raised with I was confused about truth. When God opened my eyes through the study of His Word and seeking His face in prayer, my eyes were opened, the floodgates of His wisdom flooded in and there is no returning from that no matter what anyone else says or does to me.
When we have encountered Christ all our traditions and relationships are based on our love for Him.
We have a heart for the lost but our brethren come first. They are our family, as Christ is our husband.
Our life is all about seeking Christ in all things and hearing from the Holy Spirit. If you have lived as a believer very long you will understand this; Those who seek Christ in all things will hear regularly from the Holy Spirit but most "Christians" will not understand what this is like because they do not seek Christ or the leading of the Holy Spirit.
When someone is following the culture they cannot hear from God. The noise of apostasy drowns out anything the Holy Spirit might be saying.
John 16:13-14 "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.…"
God said this and I believe Him. He will lead into truth and speak often to those who are seeking Him. Those who do not hear from the Holy Spirit look at us sideways as though we said something strange, they do not understand and they do not believe God speaks personally to them. Anyone who wants to know truth can know it if they will seek God.
Luke 24:45-49 "45 Then He (Holy Spirit) opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Keep speaking truth to others, their reaction to it will tell you volumes about them. Anyone who wants to know truth will ask to be told more. They will go to their Bibles at home and search out what you have said. They will ask the Holy Spirit to show them truth.
Proverbs 18:24
"24 A man of too many friends comes to ruin,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
Ephesians 1:17
"17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him."
Sunday, December 29, 2019
It Is Not About You
Alan Brayshaw
" IT IS NOT ABOUT YOU,." Consumer false Christianity wants a Show. " Many Have departed from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;." They want to be entertained. They rate the Sermon and the Worship as if it was all about them. They Say " Ow That Preacher was Funny,." or " That Worship Music was OK ,." as if they are there to be Worshiped themselves. They want Church to Serve them. They want to Hear what they want to Hear. They do not want to Hear About Dying to Self and Following JESUS. They do not want to hear about Hell or Judgment. They want a JESUS that wants to Bless Their Socks off $$$. The Great Falling away is a Carnal Self Worshiping Gospel that tries to elevate Men,. " The real Gospel Is All About JESUS,."
" Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;." 1 Timothy 4:1
" Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of [a]sin is revealed, the son of perdition,." 2 Thessalonians 2:3
" IT IS NOT ABOUT YOU,." Consumer false Christianity wants a Show. " Many Have departed from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;." They want to be entertained. They rate the Sermon and the Worship as if it was all about them. They Say " Ow That Preacher was Funny,." or " That Worship Music was OK ,." as if they are there to be Worshiped themselves. They want Church to Serve them. They want to Hear what they want to Hear. They do not want to Hear About Dying to Self and Following JESUS. They do not want to hear about Hell or Judgment. They want a JESUS that wants to Bless Their Socks off $$$. The Great Falling away is a Carnal Self Worshiping Gospel that tries to elevate Men,. " The real Gospel Is All About JESUS,."
" Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;." 1 Timothy 4:1
" Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of [a]sin is revealed, the son of perdition,." 2 Thessalonians 2:3
The Rapture of the Church and then the Rapture
The rapture of snatching followed by the rapture of great joy and peace is soon to be coming for born again believers.
Have you ever been in a dangerous situation where you felt on edge and nervous until help came to show you the way out? What a relief it was when we got out of that situation, what peace and what joy that it was over and we could relax at peace.
That's how it will be when Christ takes us out of this world in the rapture. Have you ever heard the phrase "there was such rapture"?
Rapture: "a feeling of intense pleasure and joy." There joy and peace will be so great that we have escaped we will not be able to do anything except worship Jesus on our faces.
Revelation 1:17 " 17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last, "
At the time of the rapture of the church we will not only be snatched away we will feel the rapture in our souls.
The Apostasy of the Bible Colleges
The modern Christian believes that one cannot know the truth of God's word without an education by men and a diploma to hang on the wall. This is not Biblical and has led to much wrong doctrine and apostasy.
Avoid the seminaries and Bible schools altogether! Get alone with the Holy Spirit and you will protect yourself from apostasy!
The establishment of Seminaries and Bible Colleges was the human response to educating men for the ministry but in their own wisdom. No where in the Scriptures do we see any command from God to establish these institutions to educate people.
No man can teach us better than the Holy Spirit. Sadly many people who say they are Christian do not recognize the Holy Spirit because they have never heard from Him.
These people do not trust in Christ, they trust in their own ability to figure out things with their fallen mind, thinking that if a thought comes into their head it must be God. The truth is that most of the "Christians" today learn Bible scriptures not to discern truth but to use it out of context and without discernment to justify their own sinful hearts.
Those that lack faith in the Holy Spirit Who dwells in them or pretenders who claim to be Christian but do not have the Holy Spirit will trust in man to teach them, negating the purpose and work of the Holy Spirit.
John 16:13-14 " 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.…"
It has been my experience that most Christians look at me as though I am insane when I mention that I hear from the Holy Spirit and that they should consult Him for wisdom. I'm pretty sure they don't want to consult Him because if they do they would have to change what they believe and how they act.
Isaiah 11:2
"The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him--the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD."
John 14:17
the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you.
Avoid the seminaries and Bible schools altogether! Get alone with the Holy Spirit and you will protect yourself from apostasy!
The establishment of Seminaries and Bible Colleges was the human response to educating men for the ministry but in their own wisdom. No where in the Scriptures do we see any command from God to establish these institutions to educate people.
No man can teach us better than the Holy Spirit. Sadly many people who say they are Christian do not recognize the Holy Spirit because they have never heard from Him.
These people do not trust in Christ, they trust in their own ability to figure out things with their fallen mind, thinking that if a thought comes into their head it must be God. The truth is that most of the "Christians" today learn Bible scriptures not to discern truth but to use it out of context and without discernment to justify their own sinful hearts.
Those that lack faith in the Holy Spirit Who dwells in them or pretenders who claim to be Christian but do not have the Holy Spirit will trust in man to teach them, negating the purpose and work of the Holy Spirit.
John 16:13-14 " 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.…"
It has been my experience that most Christians look at me as though I am insane when I mention that I hear from the Holy Spirit and that they should consult Him for wisdom. I'm pretty sure they don't want to consult Him because if they do they would have to change what they believe and how they act.
Isaiah 11:2
"The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him--the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD."
John 14:17
the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you.
Committed to the Word of God
Those who adhere to the Bible are the most mistreated group of people in the world today. Sadly nowadays they are mistreated by members of their own families and by those who claim to be Christian. The more you quote scripture and the more you live according to the Bible the more they will hate you.
Matthew 10:35-37 "…35 For I have come to turn ‘A man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ 37 Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;…"
If we place the love of family above God we will be rejecting the principles and commands of God to please family. However if we live for Christ in all our ways we can expect family to reject us. Even lying against us to pretend we don't love God when it is they who do not.
Matthew 10:35-37 "…35 For I have come to turn ‘A man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ 37 Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;…"
If we place the love of family above God we will be rejecting the principles and commands of God to please family. However if we live for Christ in all our ways we can expect family to reject us. Even lying against us to pretend we don't love God when it is they who do not.
Keep Speaking Truth Anyway, Even if They Will not Listen
If we want to be forgiven we must confess and ask. If we want wisdom we must admit we don't have it to ask in humility for God to impart it to us.
1 John 1:9
"IF WE CONFESS our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
If we want wisdom we must ask for it.
James 1:4-6 "…4 Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.…"
God will not give these things to those who do not want them enough to ask.
If pride prevents anyone from asking for these things, then those who will not ask will remain unforgiven and unwise.
If you refuse to ask God, then you will not be forgiven and you will not gain wisdom. Very simple, but rejected by most.
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.…"
Most people who claim to be Christian in our day are falling into apostasy because preachers who do not belong in the pulpit to begin with will tickle the ears of the people saying things they love to hear that are leading them straight to hell.
1 John 1:9
"IF WE CONFESS our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
If we want wisdom we must ask for it.
James 1:4-6 "…4 Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.…"
God will not give these things to those who do not want them enough to ask.
If pride prevents anyone from asking for these things, then those who will not ask will remain unforgiven and unwise.
If you refuse to ask God, then you will not be forgiven and you will not gain wisdom. Very simple, but rejected by most.
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.…"
Most people who claim to be Christian in our day are falling into apostasy because preachers who do not belong in the pulpit to begin with will tickle the ears of the people saying things they love to hear that are leading them straight to hell.
No Confession no Forgiveness or Wisdom
Many things the cultural Christianity say that are based on psychology and not on the word of God have permeated our culture in every venue.
"We must forgive even if the offender is not sorry so we will not become bitter."
"We can divorce and remarry for adultery."
"No one can know the heart of another person."
"We must love ourselves before we can love others."
"No one can know absolute truth"
"Don't judge"
There are so many more mantras that modern Christianity uses that are born out of psychology and have no truth to them. These things often repeat things that are opposing the Word of God, they work against the human spirit to foster a rebellion against God's ways.
If the devil can get people to believe they are being kind by doing the opposite of God's truth, he can causes them to help in the destruction of live even making the helpers feel proud of themselves for it.
Mostly in our day we have more humanistic psychology driving everyone's motives and desires than we have godly ways being spoken. In fact those who evaluate everything according to the Bible are mocked, demeaned and dismissed as unworthy of respect for their devotion entirely to the Word of God.
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.…"
God says this will be the case in the last days, however, notice what else He says, keep preaching, be prepared, rebuke when there is error and encourage when believers are going the right way, in short keep going anyway even when people will not listen. We know what they are going to do but we are responsible to obey God and they will be held responsible for what they heard.
We are not responsible for their reaction to us, they remain accountable for their own reactions. No guilt is on us all wrong responses are on them.
Ezekiel 33:8-9 "…8 If I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ but you do not speak out to dissuade him from his way, then that wicked man will die in his iniquity, yet I will hold you accountable for his blood. 9 But if you warn the wicked man to turn from his way, and he does not turn from it, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved your life."
God is pretty clear in His word about everything but He will not impart His truth to anyone who does not want it. He will impart His wisdom to anyone who wants it.
James 1:4-6 "…4 Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.…"
"We must forgive even if the offender is not sorry so we will not become bitter."
"We can divorce and remarry for adultery."
"No one can know the heart of another person."
"We must love ourselves before we can love others."
"No one can know absolute truth"
"Don't judge"
There are so many more mantras that modern Christianity uses that are born out of psychology and have no truth to them. These things often repeat things that are opposing the Word of God, they work against the human spirit to foster a rebellion against God's ways.
If the devil can get people to believe they are being kind by doing the opposite of God's truth, he can causes them to help in the destruction of live even making the helpers feel proud of themselves for it.
Mostly in our day we have more humanistic psychology driving everyone's motives and desires than we have godly ways being spoken. In fact those who evaluate everything according to the Bible are mocked, demeaned and dismissed as unworthy of respect for their devotion entirely to the Word of God.
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.…"
God says this will be the case in the last days, however, notice what else He says, keep preaching, be prepared, rebuke when there is error and encourage when believers are going the right way, in short keep going anyway even when people will not listen. We know what they are going to do but we are responsible to obey God and they will be held responsible for what they heard.
We are not responsible for their reaction to us, they remain accountable for their own reactions. No guilt is on us all wrong responses are on them.
Ezekiel 33:8-9 "…8 If I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ but you do not speak out to dissuade him from his way, then that wicked man will die in his iniquity, yet I will hold you accountable for his blood. 9 But if you warn the wicked man to turn from his way, and he does not turn from it, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved your life."
God is pretty clear in His word about everything but He will not impart His truth to anyone who does not want it. He will impart His wisdom to anyone who wants it.
James 1:4-6 "…4 Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.…"
Only a Born Again Believer can Understand the things of God
When we walk in the Spirit and in Truth we have discernment that is beyond human observation.
We can see the looks on faces and even their walk.
I know someone who goes into the prison in South Carolina, after being there week after week, year after year, he has learned their ways and their stances.
He told me he can tell the attitude of a man by the way he walks down the street. I told him I believe him because I can see on their faces and in the way they sit and walk the rebellion or lack of rebellion in someone.
God said we shall know them by their fruit. That fruit is "love, joy, peace, gentleness and self control." These are not actions, they are character qualities that can be discerned through the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
The Fruit of the Spirit is not actions but rather character qualities. These qualities permeate out from a person to the Spirit filled discerning believer.
Galatians 5:22-23
"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Jeremiah 17:9-10
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”
The heart of a man is discerned only by God, God lives in us and grants to us that necessary discernment. We do not have a perfect window into the heart of a man as God does, however the Holly Spirit can warn us about someone or He can bless us with connection to another believer who is also filled with the Holy Spirit.
The evidence is there, the clues are there, all we have to do is ask God what we are seeing.
Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
We are to worship in "Spirit and in Truth", just as we discern through thee Spirit of God and His Truth.
1 Samuel 16:7 "7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.” "
God told His servant Samuel not to be fooled by appearances, but that God would show him the heart of the man he was to choose to be King. Samuel was not depending on his own observations or guesses based on what the person says. He based his choice on what God was telling him.
God speaks this way to born again believers today too. Sadly not many who say they are Christians are seeking the Lord for wisdom and discernment. Discernment is a gift from God in which we are able to know something that can not be seen or heard with the human senses.
Discernment meaning: The ability to judge well because the Holy Spirit in us is imparting His wisdom to us.
1 John 4:1
"1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you will know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses (lives with their life) that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,…"
Confession is not just words spoken, it is a lifestyle we live that others can witness. Yes we will have words too, but the words must match the lifestyle to be evidence of a godly life.
Romans 12:2
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
We can discern people and events as being right or wrong by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Those who say, "no one can know the heart of man, that only God does", are speaking the truth, however, they are describing the unsaved man who does not have the Holy Spirit. God speaks truth and wisdom to those who belong to Him, we can know the heart of God, we can discern a bad spirit from a good spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:14-15 "…13 And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 14 The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment.…"
John 16:13-14 "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.…"
We can see the looks on faces and even their walk.
I know someone who goes into the prison in South Carolina, after being there week after week, year after year, he has learned their ways and their stances.
He told me he can tell the attitude of a man by the way he walks down the street. I told him I believe him because I can see on their faces and in the way they sit and walk the rebellion or lack of rebellion in someone.
God said we shall know them by their fruit. That fruit is "love, joy, peace, gentleness and self control." These are not actions, they are character qualities that can be discerned through the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
The Fruit of the Spirit is not actions but rather character qualities. These qualities permeate out from a person to the Spirit filled discerning believer.
Galatians 5:22-23
"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Jeremiah 17:9-10
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”
The heart of a man is discerned only by God, God lives in us and grants to us that necessary discernment. We do not have a perfect window into the heart of a man as God does, however the Holly Spirit can warn us about someone or He can bless us with connection to another believer who is also filled with the Holy Spirit.
The evidence is there, the clues are there, all we have to do is ask God what we are seeing.
Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
We are to worship in "Spirit and in Truth", just as we discern through thee Spirit of God and His Truth.
1 Samuel 16:7 "7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.” "
God told His servant Samuel not to be fooled by appearances, but that God would show him the heart of the man he was to choose to be King. Samuel was not depending on his own observations or guesses based on what the person says. He based his choice on what God was telling him.
God speaks this way to born again believers today too. Sadly not many who say they are Christians are seeking the Lord for wisdom and discernment. Discernment is a gift from God in which we are able to know something that can not be seen or heard with the human senses.
Discernment meaning: The ability to judge well because the Holy Spirit in us is imparting His wisdom to us.
1 John 4:1
"1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you will know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses (lives with their life) that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,…"
Confession is not just words spoken, it is a lifestyle we live that others can witness. Yes we will have words too, but the words must match the lifestyle to be evidence of a godly life.
Romans 12:2
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
We can discern people and events as being right or wrong by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Those who say, "no one can know the heart of man, that only God does", are speaking the truth, however, they are describing the unsaved man who does not have the Holy Spirit. God speaks truth and wisdom to those who belong to Him, we can know the heart of God, we can discern a bad spirit from a good spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:14-15 "…13 And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 14 The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment.…"
John 16:13-14 "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.…"
Trials Reveal and Refine
God allows difficulty in our lives to bring out of us what is really inside already. Those difficulties shape us only in that they reveal what needs fixing within us. When we seek the face of God in the middle of our trials, God will give us wisdom through it. If we do not seek Christ in our trials we become spiritually and emotionally weak.
James 1:12
"12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."
Romans 12:12
"12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,"
James 1:2-8
"2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,
8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."
James 1:12
"12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."
Romans 12:12
"12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,"
James 1:2-8
"2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,
8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."
Friday, December 27, 2019
Be prepared to be betrayed by your family and friends in the last days!
Sharing to watch later! If you are deeply committed to the Word of God, searching it to answer everything you will despised by those who call themselves Christian.
The Nature of an Authentic Believer
Some will say only God knows the heart, this is true, but He imparts to us His wisdom to know who are our real brothers and sisters.
Matthew 7:15-20
A Tree and Its Fruit
15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits.
John 13:35 " 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” "
Galatians 5:22-23 "22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Someone who has contempt for another believer cannot be born again.
How to tell if someone became born again authentically!
The most important sign that someone has been born again is the complete change of thinking. They no longer desire the sin they used to love. They do not have to try to resist it, there is no draw to it, they are repulsed by that same sin that they used to love.
There are many people who claim to have become a Christian who do not seem to have changed at all. They still like the same things, they still believe the same rubbish, they refuse correction, they love their error and they have no love of Christ in them.
We see the staunchness in their stiff neck as they resist correction or counsel.
Someone who is born again becomes humble and interested in learning what is right and knowing what is wrong to change.
Think about it!
A Tree and Its Fruit
15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits.
John 13:35 " 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” "
Galatians 5:22-23 "22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Someone who has contempt for another believer cannot be born again.
How to tell if someone became born again authentically!
The most important sign that someone has been born again is the complete change of thinking. They no longer desire the sin they used to love. They do not have to try to resist it, there is no draw to it, they are repulsed by that same sin that they used to love.
There are many people who claim to have become a Christian who do not seem to have changed at all. They still like the same things, they still believe the same rubbish, they refuse correction, they love their error and they have no love of Christ in them.
We see the staunchness in their stiff neck as they resist correction or counsel.
Someone who is born again becomes humble and interested in learning what is right and knowing what is wrong to change.
Think about it!
Thursday, December 26, 2019
The Holy Spirit Changes the Shriveled Mess
Don't be a pitiful shriveled mess of anger, hate and jealousy, confess your sinfulness before God and allow Him to change you into a new creation full of hope and joy.
2 Corinthians 5:16-18 "…16 So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:…"
Only those who place their trust in Christ will be changed into a new creation. Only those who confess their sinfulness and ask to be changed will be by Christ.
Revelation 3:20
"20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me."
The Holy Spirit comes to live in those who trust in Christ. He is the One Who changes us, He is the One who guides and trains us. He never does anything against our will but will give us all we need when we ask for it.
James 4:2-4 "…2 You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures. 4 You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.…"
To be born again we must want to be cleansed by Christ through the Holy Spirit through our faith in Him.
Hebrews 11:6-7 " 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. 7
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."
It was the faith that caused men of God to trust Him in obedience. Without the step to obey there is no faith. Someone who claims to have faith in Christ but disobeys His Word constantly is lying, they only say or think they have faith but they do not because they do not obey Him.
James 2:4-26 "14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?
17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;
23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God.
24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead."
The obedience and works are evidence of the faith, they do not save anyone but they are the proof that there is faith in Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:16-18 "…16 So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:…"
Only those who place their trust in Christ will be changed into a new creation. Only those who confess their sinfulness and ask to be changed will be by Christ.
Revelation 3:20
"20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me."
The Holy Spirit comes to live in those who trust in Christ. He is the One Who changes us, He is the One who guides and trains us. He never does anything against our will but will give us all we need when we ask for it.
James 4:2-4 "…2 You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures. 4 You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.…"
To be born again we must want to be cleansed by Christ through the Holy Spirit through our faith in Him.
Hebrews 11:6-7 " 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. 7
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."
It was the faith that caused men of God to trust Him in obedience. Without the step to obey there is no faith. Someone who claims to have faith in Christ but disobeys His Word constantly is lying, they only say or think they have faith but they do not because they do not obey Him.
James 2:4-26 "14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?
17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;
23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God.
24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead."
The obedience and works are evidence of the faith, they do not save anyone but they are the proof that there is faith in Christ.
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