Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Trust Christ Alone
Trusting anyone or anything more than Christ is idolatry!
"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.…" John 16:13-14
How to Destroy a Relationship and How to Restore it Again
Feelings are automatic, they do not think they just happen. Yes they are irrelevant. We do not deny the feelings but we must analyze them in light of truth. We have feelings but we cannot live by them. Those who live by feelings often act badly because their feelings are inaccurate.
A jealous person will act as thought you are a bad person if you make more money than they do. They interpret us as being bad for having something more than they do.
Have you ever felt (feelings) bad because someone accused you of something you didn't do? All of us have had this happen. But the bad feelings didn't mean we did anything wrong, they only arise because we have been accused.
How about when we did something good for someone and they were jealous and act mean toward us. Our feelings are telling us we have a reason to feel bad. But we do not, we are sorry someone was ungrateful and did not receive our gift, but the feelings tell us things are bad when we did a good thing.
We must ignore the feelings and go with truth.
There have been many times in my life when I made a good choice, even to honor God but those around me acted as though I did something stupid, foolish or mean. The feelings come with a sense of shame for doing what was good. But the shame is not accurate, there should never be shame for doing what is our personal convictions. The shame is inaccurate and should be ignored.
Over time as we grow stronger the feelings are more accurate because we ignore those who attempt to place shame on us for doing what we believe in.
I was once told by someone that they didn't respect me. The reason this person didn't respect me was because I took a strong stand against divorce and remarriage. The accusation that I was not worthy of respect was not because I did something wrong, but because I did something that was pleasing to God.
Those who are rebellious often attempt to intimidate us into feeling shame for standing for truth. There are those "disapproving grunts" I call them. When a person does not want to come right out and say you are wrong but does want you to feel bad about your assertions. A sort of grunting sound as though you said something terrible when all you did was tell the truth.
The disapproving grunt has also been used when there is jealousy. Perhaps you expressed excitement about a good thing that is happening to you and the jealous one expresses their "grunt" to make you feel as though what is happening to you is foolish when in actuality the thing was a blessing.
One of the signs of a good friendship is when our friend is joyful for the good things that happen to us.
As a child growing up I could do nothing right in the eyes of my family members. When I had an idea that was not sinful or wrong, just different from how they think, I was mocked as though the idea was horrid or wicked. One of those times was when I told my mother that I wanted to be a homemaker. She mocked it, attempted to discourage me since my father became injured and couldn't work, she believed all women should get a job in case their husband couldn't work anymore.
I have been married 48 years now next month. My husband was able to hold down a job until he retired and even continues in a new business of his own to this day. I did what I believed in, after I became born again I pursued it even more vigorously because I loved it.
When we see someone demeaning our choices that are not sinful, just different from theirs, then we know this is not good friend material. Often those of our families of origin are not friend material. In my case I was mocked and demeaned continually for the choices I made that I knew was direction from God.
Galatians 6:2 "2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the Law of Christ. 3 Galatians 5:22 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Philippians 2:3-4 "3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
Of course I had sin in my life especially before I was born again. But I have no doubt that Christ put in my heart even before I became born again, the desire to be a homemaker. I have lived in that role all my life, enjoying the tasks before me as well as the blessings that came from obeying Him.
For many years I have had "Christians" who would devalue me and what I did simply because it wasn't what they would have done. Some of them even were jealous of my happiness in my choice and worked to destroy that joy. Their tactics never worked but one thing that did happen was a destruction of what could have been great relationships.
Jealousy is senseless, it destroys relationships, often irreparably damaging any chance of reconciliation. Since the only way there can be a relationship repair is to confess that jealousy and go on to be different. The narcissist sees their jealousy as power against their target, the more important matter to them than a clean and joyful melding of two souls in friendship.
James 3:16
"For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice."
The feeling of jealousy is never accurate. It demonstrates a heart that is ungrateful for their own blessings while desiring the blessings of others. Often this feeling of jealousy lies and says that the person they are jealous of does not deserve what has been given to them. There is an entire lie that the person who is the target of jealousy is a person unworthy of love and affirmation.
Exodus 20:17
“You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.”
The truth is that all of us have had sin in our lives. None of us deserve anything. Our blessings are gifts from God because He loves us. What right has anyone else to judge a person as too imperfect for a blessing from God.
Jealousy is a relationship destroyer, if there is any hint of jealousy in our feelings we need to confess that jealousy. Kill it by ignoring it while analyzing our own hearts to see why there is a continual emerging of it, to seek out and destroy what is in the heart that enjoys the feeling of jealousy.
What a wonderful blessing it is when we are free from jealousy, lies and deceit. Christ can do this within us. We will not have to battle it every day if we are seeking Christ and praying for deliverance. God will deliver anyone who wants to be delivered. As long as someone refuses to admit their sin they will not be delivered.
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."
When our focus is Christ we will have no need to feel superior to anyone, in fact we will bow low to be a servant to others, that we may be free from jealousy or anger over silly things. Nor will anyone who loves us desire to keep fresh in our minds the sins of our past. Those who love Christ and love us know they have their own sins of the past and that Christ took them all away. There is no need to punish someone over past forgiven sins, except and unless there is passionate jealousy dwelling in that heart of destruction.
Psalm 25:5-7
"5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
For You I wait all the day.
6 Remember, O Lord, Your compassion and Your lovingkindnesses,
For they have been from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
According to Your lovingkindness remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord."
Hallelujah we are forgiven, we are blessed, each a little differently but gloriously.
A jealous person will act as thought you are a bad person if you make more money than they do. They interpret us as being bad for having something more than they do.
Have you ever felt (feelings) bad because someone accused you of something you didn't do? All of us have had this happen. But the bad feelings didn't mean we did anything wrong, they only arise because we have been accused.
How about when we did something good for someone and they were jealous and act mean toward us. Our feelings are telling us we have a reason to feel bad. But we do not, we are sorry someone was ungrateful and did not receive our gift, but the feelings tell us things are bad when we did a good thing.
We must ignore the feelings and go with truth.
There have been many times in my life when I made a good choice, even to honor God but those around me acted as though I did something stupid, foolish or mean. The feelings come with a sense of shame for doing what was good. But the shame is not accurate, there should never be shame for doing what is our personal convictions. The shame is inaccurate and should be ignored.
Over time as we grow stronger the feelings are more accurate because we ignore those who attempt to place shame on us for doing what we believe in.
I was once told by someone that they didn't respect me. The reason this person didn't respect me was because I took a strong stand against divorce and remarriage. The accusation that I was not worthy of respect was not because I did something wrong, but because I did something that was pleasing to God.
Those who are rebellious often attempt to intimidate us into feeling shame for standing for truth. There are those "disapproving grunts" I call them. When a person does not want to come right out and say you are wrong but does want you to feel bad about your assertions. A sort of grunting sound as though you said something terrible when all you did was tell the truth.
The disapproving grunt has also been used when there is jealousy. Perhaps you expressed excitement about a good thing that is happening to you and the jealous one expresses their "grunt" to make you feel as though what is happening to you is foolish when in actuality the thing was a blessing.
One of the signs of a good friendship is when our friend is joyful for the good things that happen to us.
As a child growing up I could do nothing right in the eyes of my family members. When I had an idea that was not sinful or wrong, just different from how they think, I was mocked as though the idea was horrid or wicked. One of those times was when I told my mother that I wanted to be a homemaker. She mocked it, attempted to discourage me since my father became injured and couldn't work, she believed all women should get a job in case their husband couldn't work anymore.
I have been married 48 years now next month. My husband was able to hold down a job until he retired and even continues in a new business of his own to this day. I did what I believed in, after I became born again I pursued it even more vigorously because I loved it.
When we see someone demeaning our choices that are not sinful, just different from theirs, then we know this is not good friend material. Often those of our families of origin are not friend material. In my case I was mocked and demeaned continually for the choices I made that I knew was direction from God.
Galatians 6:2 "2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the Law of Christ. 3 Galatians 5:22 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Philippians 2:3-4 "3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
Of course I had sin in my life especially before I was born again. But I have no doubt that Christ put in my heart even before I became born again, the desire to be a homemaker. I have lived in that role all my life, enjoying the tasks before me as well as the blessings that came from obeying Him.
For many years I have had "Christians" who would devalue me and what I did simply because it wasn't what they would have done. Some of them even were jealous of my happiness in my choice and worked to destroy that joy. Their tactics never worked but one thing that did happen was a destruction of what could have been great relationships.
Jealousy is senseless, it destroys relationships, often irreparably damaging any chance of reconciliation. Since the only way there can be a relationship repair is to confess that jealousy and go on to be different. The narcissist sees their jealousy as power against their target, the more important matter to them than a clean and joyful melding of two souls in friendship.
James 3:16
"For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice."
The feeling of jealousy is never accurate. It demonstrates a heart that is ungrateful for their own blessings while desiring the blessings of others. Often this feeling of jealousy lies and says that the person they are jealous of does not deserve what has been given to them. There is an entire lie that the person who is the target of jealousy is a person unworthy of love and affirmation.
Exodus 20:17
“You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.”
The truth is that all of us have had sin in our lives. None of us deserve anything. Our blessings are gifts from God because He loves us. What right has anyone else to judge a person as too imperfect for a blessing from God.
Jealousy is a relationship destroyer, if there is any hint of jealousy in our feelings we need to confess that jealousy. Kill it by ignoring it while analyzing our own hearts to see why there is a continual emerging of it, to seek out and destroy what is in the heart that enjoys the feeling of jealousy.
What a wonderful blessing it is when we are free from jealousy, lies and deceit. Christ can do this within us. We will not have to battle it every day if we are seeking Christ and praying for deliverance. God will deliver anyone who wants to be delivered. As long as someone refuses to admit their sin they will not be delivered.
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."
When our focus is Christ we will have no need to feel superior to anyone, in fact we will bow low to be a servant to others, that we may be free from jealousy or anger over silly things. Nor will anyone who loves us desire to keep fresh in our minds the sins of our past. Those who love Christ and love us know they have their own sins of the past and that Christ took them all away. There is no need to punish someone over past forgiven sins, except and unless there is passionate jealousy dwelling in that heart of destruction.
Psalm 25:5-7
"5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
For You I wait all the day.
6 Remember, O Lord, Your compassion and Your lovingkindnesses,
For they have been from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
According to Your lovingkindness remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord."
Hallelujah we are forgiven, we are blessed, each a little differently but gloriously.
Monday, April 29, 2019
Feelings Cannot Be Trusted
If we can just get past our feelings to rational thought we can make it out the other side stronger. Its one of the challenges of this life. Something I like to tell myself and others when we face very difficult trials. It seems to help to know this.
Some of our difficulties are relationships with people.
James 1:5-7 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."
Those who become angry in a disagreement are most often those who are not sure of their own beliefs. When we have merely taken on the beliefs of others, not based on the Bible, then there is agitation when they are questioned or challenged in even the mildest terms.
The strongest place to be in our walk is where feelings are irrelevant, and rational thinking takes over. We never need to go with our feelings, we can ignore them and focus on the rational truth that we know.
Feelings will trip us up every time. They will tell us things are wrong when they are right and they will tell us things are good when they are bad. They are by their very nature based on stimuli rather than thinking and they can often be automatic without any stimuli, even hormonal. I am convinced that devils foster feelings in people to cause trouble in relationships.
Feelings are fleshly and unreliable. Rational thinking is better when we are focused on Christ, we think with His mind instead of our own.
1 Corinthians 2:15-16 "…15 The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment. 16“ For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ."
Some of our difficulties are relationships with people.
James 1:5-7 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."
Those who become angry in a disagreement are most often those who are not sure of their own beliefs. When we have merely taken on the beliefs of others, not based on the Bible, then there is agitation when they are questioned or challenged in even the mildest terms.
The strongest place to be in our walk is where feelings are irrelevant, and rational thinking takes over. We never need to go with our feelings, we can ignore them and focus on the rational truth that we know.
Feelings will trip us up every time. They will tell us things are wrong when they are right and they will tell us things are good when they are bad. They are by their very nature based on stimuli rather than thinking and they can often be automatic without any stimuli, even hormonal. I am convinced that devils foster feelings in people to cause trouble in relationships.
Feelings are fleshly and unreliable. Rational thinking is better when we are focused on Christ, we think with His mind instead of our own.
1 Corinthians 2:15-16 "…15 The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment. 16“ For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ."
Hallelujah I am Free
Hallelujah I am free from the bondage and pressures of human beings and controlled by the Holy Spirit. The more I trust the Holy Spirit the more I know God's will in everything.
I no longer have a desire to make sure people like me by following their worldly idea of Christianity. When the Holy Spirit is the guide, most things people suggest do not match up with God's Word.
Want to be free in Christ, seek Him and not the favor of human beings.
Proverbs 29:24-26 "…24 A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath, but will not testify. 25 The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD will be set securely on high. 26 Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD."
Free....free.....I'm free because of Jesus!!!! My pardon has been sealed.....my debt paid by His blood.
Ephesians 2:8-9
Free....free.....I'm free because of Jesus!!!! My pardon has been sealed.....my debt paid by His blood.
Ephesians 2:8-9
Truth Telling Reveals Real Friends
Telling the truth, revealing your heart will be the test that will expose your real friends. Even if you disagree with an authentic friend, they will still value you, allow you to be who you are, while treating you with the deepest respect.
Those who do not love you will not treat you with respect. They are likely to covertly poke away at you whenever they can get away with it without being seen by others.
Most of us have experienced this at least once in our life. Some of us have lived a life continually fraught with this sort of nonsense.
Those who have encountered it will know exactly what it looks like. Christ and all the apostles encountered it and so will anyone who speaks boldly about the things of God.
Matthew 10:21-22 "…21 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone on account of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next."
God does not require that we remain in the lives of those who are hostile toward you and toward your God. We can pray for these people, God knows how much they need to repent, however we are not told to remain with them.
The most wonderful truth I have learned recently has been that we can move on and trust that God will work in the lives of those we love, and better than we think we can. When someone is not listening it is pointless to keep talking.
There is a measure of arrogance involved in thinking that we must remain in someone's life in case one day they might listen. When someone demonstrates hostility toward the principles of God and our speaking of them, it is time to remove ourselves and leave it to God.
I suppose this is one of the reasons I have no interest in ancestry or DNA for determining who we are related to, those ancestors are dead, they have no impact in our lives for Christ. God made it clear that when we become born again we are completely changed, our new family are those who are born again and share our same hope and desire and that is to live for Christ.
Folks.....it really is that simple.
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."
Galatians 1:10
"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."
James 1:2-4
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
1 Corinthians 10:13
"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
Romans 8:28
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
Romans 14:8
"For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's."
We either live for Christ or we live for family, we cannot do both. When family takes priority over Christ and family does not support our walk with Christ, then it is family who must be set aside not Christ.
Those who do not love you will not treat you with respect. They are likely to covertly poke away at you whenever they can get away with it without being seen by others.
Most of us have experienced this at least once in our life. Some of us have lived a life continually fraught with this sort of nonsense.
Those who have encountered it will know exactly what it looks like. Christ and all the apostles encountered it and so will anyone who speaks boldly about the things of God.
Matthew 10:21-22 "…21 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone on account of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next."
God does not require that we remain in the lives of those who are hostile toward you and toward your God. We can pray for these people, God knows how much they need to repent, however we are not told to remain with them.
The most wonderful truth I have learned recently has been that we can move on and trust that God will work in the lives of those we love, and better than we think we can. When someone is not listening it is pointless to keep talking.
There is a measure of arrogance involved in thinking that we must remain in someone's life in case one day they might listen. When someone demonstrates hostility toward the principles of God and our speaking of them, it is time to remove ourselves and leave it to God.
I suppose this is one of the reasons I have no interest in ancestry or DNA for determining who we are related to, those ancestors are dead, they have no impact in our lives for Christ. God made it clear that when we become born again we are completely changed, our new family are those who are born again and share our same hope and desire and that is to live for Christ.
Folks.....it really is that simple.
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."
Galatians 1:10
"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."
James 1:2-4
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
1 Corinthians 10:13
"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
Romans 8:28
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
Romans 14:8
"For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's."
We either live for Christ or we live for family, we cannot do both. When family takes priority over Christ and family does not support our walk with Christ, then it is family who must be set aside not Christ.
Why the DNA Tests May not be Accurate for Believers
Colossians 1:27
"27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
2 Pet 1:4
"4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust."
1 Corinthians 6:17
"17 But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him."
I wonder if our DNA changes when we become born again. Perhaps this is the reason I am so uncomfortable with the modern DNA tests that are so popular. Is it possible that our DNA matches that of our Savior Jesus Christ rather than an earthly father?
I am quite sure these are questions we cannot answer unless DNA tests are done on someone before and after the salvation experience. Even then it is not conclusive.
I would appreciate any scripture that would shed some light on this if there is any.
But one thing is for sure, we are no longer the same person after salvation that we were before salvation. Our desires have completely changed as well as our character. Once we loved sin after salvation we hate it.
2 Corinthians 5:17
"17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."
"27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
2 Pet 1:4
"4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust."
1 Corinthians 6:17
"17 But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him."
I wonder if our DNA changes when we become born again. Perhaps this is the reason I am so uncomfortable with the modern DNA tests that are so popular. Is it possible that our DNA matches that of our Savior Jesus Christ rather than an earthly father?
I am quite sure these are questions we cannot answer unless DNA tests are done on someone before and after the salvation experience. Even then it is not conclusive.
I would appreciate any scripture that would shed some light on this if there is any.
But one thing is for sure, we are no longer the same person after salvation that we were before salvation. Our desires have completely changed as well as our character. Once we loved sin after salvation we hate it.
2 Corinthians 5:17
"17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."
Sunday, April 28, 2019
Saturday, April 27, 2019
The Neglected Church Discipline
The more we ignore the sins in our friends the more relaxed they are in doing them. This is how sin has grown in the church today. Far too many churches have neglected church discipline out of fear that some will leave.
I am convinced it is better to administer church discipline to those who are sinning, allowing those who are angry over it to leave. Those who remain because they love Christ more than people, will foster greater holiness in that body. Often these days "fewer" is better.
Matt. 18:15–17 ""If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that “every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. "
According to the Word of God we should be practicing church discipline not only for the good of the one sinning but for the rest of the body of Christ too.
Galatians 5:9 " 9 A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough. 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is troubling you will bear the judgment, whoever he may be."
1 Corinthians 5:6
"Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough?"
There are those who think they have so much love that they will not make someone "feel bad", this is not love. It is the feeling bad about sin that restores those who are destroying their lives with sin.
2 Corinthians 7:8-9 "8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Although I did regret it, I now see that my letter caused you sorrow, but only for a short time. 9 And now I rejoice, not because you were made sorrowful, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you felt the sorrow that God had intended, and so were not harmed in any way by us.…"
It is not love to watch a child run into the street and say and do nothing to stop him. It is not love to ignore that the child ran in the street and was almost hit by a car, and never discipline him to show him the severity of what he has done. The people that do not train their children properly according to the Bible or those that do not bring to light the sin of those in the body, are helping the sinner or the child walk to their doom.
The problem is that most "Christians" today do not take sin as seriously as it is. They think its nothing more than a bad choice. While it is a bad choice, its consequences are devastating for the soul that does not confess to be cleansed. God will bring His own consequences for a stubborn believer, even life long trials that will never be removed.
If we love our brethren we speak of the sin we see so that they will learn to confess to turn. In this process it also influences others in the body not to do the same thing. We only avoid things when we know they have consequences.
Today in the churches we have many people who are shacking up as though its as normal as marriage. Where did they ever get the idea that this was alright with God. I'll tell you, they got the idea that God doesn't care about sin because others in the body of Christ are ignoring it, even celebrating it as though it is as normal and natural as eating or sleeping. The silent, apathetic and prideful church is complicit in this lax and abominable neglect of God's truth and standards.
The churches of our day are prideful that they have fostered a lazy attitude toward sin, they call this love. It is not love, it is only love of self but hatred toward those they claim to love. When we have no regard for the eternal condition of our brothers and sisters in Christ, then we are hating not loving.
Proverbs 10:17 "17 Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray."
Proverbs 12:1 "1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid."
Proverbs 13:1 "1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes."
Proverbs 22:15 "15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away."
This last verse describes a child, however this applies to adults in the church too, we do not use a rod to discipline adults, we use the sword, the Sword of the Spirit, that is the Word of God. If they refuse to listen then we remove ourselves, turning them over to Satan to be buffeted.
Revelation 3:19 "19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent."
It has been my observation that the adults who hate church discipline the most tend to be "flying monkeys", they do the bidding of those who are sinning, right there to be available to support the sinner in their wrecklessness.
Romans 1:31-32 "…31 They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them."
If you love your brothers and sisters in Christ you will speak truth and administer discipline when they will not listen. When they return confessing to be cleansed and desire to be restored, then you take them back with big hugs and encouragement. The goal of the discipline is not to beat up on someone to think like you do. The goal is to help them return to obedience to Christ. Then full fellowship will be restored and both can go on together stronger than before.
Church discipline is never based on gossip or guesses. Its based on witnesses and facts. This is important, there are those now who will falsely accuse others of wrong doing when they didn't see anything significant but "presume" something based on little to no evidence. These people are gossips and are sinning in their contrived assumptions.
Proverbs 18:2
"A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion."
Proverbs 25:8
"Do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?"
2 Peter 3:16-17
"16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,"
There are those that would judge others based on their own desired interpretation of the Scriptures and not on truth. They may bring accusations of wrong doing when there is no wrong doing. Everything must be done with facts in hand, witnesses, the word of God and prayer.
When someone punishes a believer based on guesses and their desired belief about someone, then we are to ignore this person and remain faithful to truth. There are trouble makers in the church who are jealous and petty, who are happy to bring gossip to ruin others. I have also seen this happen.
2 Corinthians 12:20 "20 For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder."
May the Lord guide in all things as we seek Him.
I am convinced it is better to administer church discipline to those who are sinning, allowing those who are angry over it to leave. Those who remain because they love Christ more than people, will foster greater holiness in that body. Often these days "fewer" is better.
Matt. 18:15–17 ""If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that “every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. "
According to the Word of God we should be practicing church discipline not only for the good of the one sinning but for the rest of the body of Christ too.
Galatians 5:9 " 9 A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough. 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is troubling you will bear the judgment, whoever he may be."
1 Corinthians 5:6
"Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough?"
There are those who think they have so much love that they will not make someone "feel bad", this is not love. It is the feeling bad about sin that restores those who are destroying their lives with sin.
2 Corinthians 7:8-9 "8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Although I did regret it, I now see that my letter caused you sorrow, but only for a short time. 9 And now I rejoice, not because you were made sorrowful, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you felt the sorrow that God had intended, and so were not harmed in any way by us.…"
It is not love to watch a child run into the street and say and do nothing to stop him. It is not love to ignore that the child ran in the street and was almost hit by a car, and never discipline him to show him the severity of what he has done. The people that do not train their children properly according to the Bible or those that do not bring to light the sin of those in the body, are helping the sinner or the child walk to their doom.
The problem is that most "Christians" today do not take sin as seriously as it is. They think its nothing more than a bad choice. While it is a bad choice, its consequences are devastating for the soul that does not confess to be cleansed. God will bring His own consequences for a stubborn believer, even life long trials that will never be removed.
If we love our brethren we speak of the sin we see so that they will learn to confess to turn. In this process it also influences others in the body not to do the same thing. We only avoid things when we know they have consequences.
Today in the churches we have many people who are shacking up as though its as normal as marriage. Where did they ever get the idea that this was alright with God. I'll tell you, they got the idea that God doesn't care about sin because others in the body of Christ are ignoring it, even celebrating it as though it is as normal and natural as eating or sleeping. The silent, apathetic and prideful church is complicit in this lax and abominable neglect of God's truth and standards.
The churches of our day are prideful that they have fostered a lazy attitude toward sin, they call this love. It is not love, it is only love of self but hatred toward those they claim to love. When we have no regard for the eternal condition of our brothers and sisters in Christ, then we are hating not loving.
Proverbs 10:17 "17 Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray."
Proverbs 12:1 "1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid."
Proverbs 13:1 "1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes."
Proverbs 22:15 "15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away."
This last verse describes a child, however this applies to adults in the church too, we do not use a rod to discipline adults, we use the sword, the Sword of the Spirit, that is the Word of God. If they refuse to listen then we remove ourselves, turning them over to Satan to be buffeted.
Revelation 3:19 "19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent."
It has been my observation that the adults who hate church discipline the most tend to be "flying monkeys", they do the bidding of those who are sinning, right there to be available to support the sinner in their wrecklessness.
Romans 1:31-32 "…31 They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them."
If you love your brothers and sisters in Christ you will speak truth and administer discipline when they will not listen. When they return confessing to be cleansed and desire to be restored, then you take them back with big hugs and encouragement. The goal of the discipline is not to beat up on someone to think like you do. The goal is to help them return to obedience to Christ. Then full fellowship will be restored and both can go on together stronger than before.
Church discipline is never based on gossip or guesses. Its based on witnesses and facts. This is important, there are those now who will falsely accuse others of wrong doing when they didn't see anything significant but "presume" something based on little to no evidence. These people are gossips and are sinning in their contrived assumptions.
Proverbs 18:2
"A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion."
Proverbs 25:8
"Do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?"
2 Peter 3:16-17
"16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,"
There are those that would judge others based on their own desired interpretation of the Scriptures and not on truth. They may bring accusations of wrong doing when there is no wrong doing. Everything must be done with facts in hand, witnesses, the word of God and prayer.
When someone punishes a believer based on guesses and their desired belief about someone, then we are to ignore this person and remain faithful to truth. There are trouble makers in the church who are jealous and petty, who are happy to bring gossip to ruin others. I have also seen this happen.
2 Corinthians 12:20 "20 For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder."
May the Lord guide in all things as we seek Him.
How to Handle the Bully in Your Life
We are living in a world that feels more sorry for the bully than they do for the victim. Perhaps because so many people have bully tendencies now, they worry that one day they will be called to account for their less than godly responses to life.
1 John 2:9 "9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness."
Those who bully others are sinning and have only their own ego in mind. A kind and loving person never bullies. Any believer who becomes weak and finds that they have bullied is deeply sorry, confesses and does not repeat it.
2 Timothy 1:7 "7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."
Deuteronomy 31:6 "6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Ephesians 6:12 "12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
When we know the bully is being controlled by the devil, through his thought life, then we can be less likely to take it personally. When we take things personally we are more likely to react in ungodly ways in response to the harassment.
The Holy Spirit can give us complete calmness and peace in the middle of bullying. He can make an escape from it, but if not, then we remain clean in our responses.
Our conscience if far more important than fighting to get a bully to understand, they will not ever understand. It is the Holy Spirit that must speak to the bully and He can do that better than we can. Our silence and removal of our presence can allow the bully to hear from the Holy Spirit.
Never give food to the bully! The bully loves any response at all, even a positive one. No response at all leave the bully with only themselves to look at, they alone bear the brunt of their own foolishness.
The Holy Spirit may even lead us to "bless those who curse us." In the case of extreme narcissists this does not work, but with the garden variety bully who still may have a conscience can be reached by our blessing!
The key always is to hear from the Holy Spirit in whatever we do or not do when with a bully. I am so thankful that God knows what everyone needs all the time. And, the greatest blessing of all is that He can tell us.
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.…'"
The ultimate goal of all responses is to glorify God. This will mean we have to be thinking with His mind instead of our own. We must ignore all "feelings" to follow truth.
1 John 2:9 "9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness."
Those who bully others are sinning and have only their own ego in mind. A kind and loving person never bullies. Any believer who becomes weak and finds that they have bullied is deeply sorry, confesses and does not repeat it.
2 Timothy 1:7 "7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."
Deuteronomy 31:6 "6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Ephesians 6:12 "12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
When we know the bully is being controlled by the devil, through his thought life, then we can be less likely to take it personally. When we take things personally we are more likely to react in ungodly ways in response to the harassment.
The Holy Spirit can give us complete calmness and peace in the middle of bullying. He can make an escape from it, but if not, then we remain clean in our responses.
Our conscience if far more important than fighting to get a bully to understand, they will not ever understand. It is the Holy Spirit that must speak to the bully and He can do that better than we can. Our silence and removal of our presence can allow the bully to hear from the Holy Spirit.
Never give food to the bully! The bully loves any response at all, even a positive one. No response at all leave the bully with only themselves to look at, they alone bear the brunt of their own foolishness.
The Holy Spirit may even lead us to "bless those who curse us." In the case of extreme narcissists this does not work, but with the garden variety bully who still may have a conscience can be reached by our blessing!
The key always is to hear from the Holy Spirit in whatever we do or not do when with a bully. I am so thankful that God knows what everyone needs all the time. And, the greatest blessing of all is that He can tell us.
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.…'"
The ultimate goal of all responses is to glorify God. This will mean we have to be thinking with His mind instead of our own. We must ignore all "feelings" to follow truth.
Friday, April 26, 2019
Bring Back the Zeal!
Having come out of that RCC system myself I see more clearly the similarities to the "Protestant churches" than someone who has never been there.
The first century church gathered all day, they had their meals together as well as prayer and preaching. We are so far from the first century church model our gatherings do not resemble what the first believers did.
They were so on fire and without modern distractions that gathering together all day was a joy and met with anticipation each week.
We are so seriously distracted by worldly pursuits that our culture is anxious to get out of the building as soon as the clock strikes noon. As though something terrible would happen if we went one minute over the designated time. A sort of "obligation" mentality that we remembered from our Catholic days.
The Sunday mass was called "an holy day of obligation." Think about that, who wants a friend who visits out of obligation waiting impatiently for the time to come when they can leave. If I were God I would hate obligatory visits, and He does.
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.’”…"
OBLIGATION really!!!!! If we are only worshiping to get it over with so God will not be mad at us, then I am here to tell you God is mad about that, He hates it. Just as we are hurt by a visist from someone who has no real interest in us. Those doing it need to repent and ask Christ in them to bring back the love for God they had when they were first born again.
Ignore your feelings of getting out of the building to do other things and pray for fervor once again.
"Fervor" = zeal and passion! For the Lord!!!!
The first century church gathered all day, they had their meals together as well as prayer and preaching. We are so far from the first century church model our gatherings do not resemble what the first believers did.
They were so on fire and without modern distractions that gathering together all day was a joy and met with anticipation each week.
We are so seriously distracted by worldly pursuits that our culture is anxious to get out of the building as soon as the clock strikes noon. As though something terrible would happen if we went one minute over the designated time. A sort of "obligation" mentality that we remembered from our Catholic days.
The Sunday mass was called "an holy day of obligation." Think about that, who wants a friend who visits out of obligation waiting impatiently for the time to come when they can leave. If I were God I would hate obligatory visits, and He does.
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.’”…"
OBLIGATION really!!!!! If we are only worshiping to get it over with so God will not be mad at us, then I am here to tell you God is mad about that, He hates it. Just as we are hurt by a visist from someone who has no real interest in us. Those doing it need to repent and ask Christ in them to bring back the love for God they had when they were first born again.
Ignore your feelings of getting out of the building to do other things and pray for fervor once again.
"Fervor" = zeal and passion! For the Lord!!!!
Trials Bring Growth and Understanding
Every Believer is Led by the Holy Spirit
All the believers in a gathering participate in the worship. The only leader is the Holy Spirit. When we place one man as the leader, then the others do not participate, they become spiritually lazy for lack of moving of the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 14:26
"What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation Let all things be done for edification."
The body of Christ is not a gathering of silent pew dwellers while one man speaks his own mind. The body of Christ is a gathering of people who are ALL led by the Holy Spirit to participate.
Our modern idea of one man preaching and everyone else sitting in the pew looking like lumps without substance is disobedience against the Word of God.
It is easier to follow a man who tells everyone else how to think than it is to trust the Holy Spirit to speak to each one in the gathering. Laziness, is what I call it, as well as fear of the false authority that stands in the pulpit.
An authentic man of God does not desire to control anyone, he knows he is merely the messenger who brings truth, lives by example and leaves all the rest to the Holy Spirit.
1 Peter 5
"5 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."
The elders are to feed the flock and live by example. No where are they instructed to force or intimidate others into submitting to them.
Those who are led by the Holy Spirit will heed the words of the teacher, as well as evaluate them according to God's word on their own to be sure the teachers is speaking truth.
Anyone who believes everything the speaker says without evaluating it according to God's Word is a foolish hearer and will probably believe everything they like while ignoring whatever they don't like. These people are lazy and self absorbed, they need to repent and begin again to seek the Holy Spirit.
Stop following man!!!! Begin again to follow Christ. We are only led astray when we want to be led astray.
John 16:13-14 "3 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.…"
This instruction in John 16 is for EVERY believer in Christ, EVERY!!!!
1 Corinthians 14:26
"What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation Let all things be done for edification."
The body of Christ is not a gathering of silent pew dwellers while one man speaks his own mind. The body of Christ is a gathering of people who are ALL led by the Holy Spirit to participate.
Our modern idea of one man preaching and everyone else sitting in the pew looking like lumps without substance is disobedience against the Word of God.
It is easier to follow a man who tells everyone else how to think than it is to trust the Holy Spirit to speak to each one in the gathering. Laziness, is what I call it, as well as fear of the false authority that stands in the pulpit.
An authentic man of God does not desire to control anyone, he knows he is merely the messenger who brings truth, lives by example and leaves all the rest to the Holy Spirit.
1 Peter 5
"5 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."
The elders are to feed the flock and live by example. No where are they instructed to force or intimidate others into submitting to them.
Those who are led by the Holy Spirit will heed the words of the teacher, as well as evaluate them according to God's word on their own to be sure the teachers is speaking truth.
Anyone who believes everything the speaker says without evaluating it according to God's Word is a foolish hearer and will probably believe everything they like while ignoring whatever they don't like. These people are lazy and self absorbed, they need to repent and begin again to seek the Holy Spirit.
Stop following man!!!! Begin again to follow Christ. We are only led astray when we want to be led astray.
John 16:13-14 "3 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.…"
This instruction in John 16 is for EVERY believer in Christ, EVERY!!!!
We are all in Boot Camp
Often God does not rid us of difficulties because they teach and train us for when we will rule in the millennium. We are in boot camp on this earth, to learn God's ways and see how that fleshes out in real life with real people. Rulish people, that is those who depend more on ideas and rules than they do on Christ, will often get it wrong. They depend on their idea of the rules rather than thinking with the mind of Christ.
Just "knowing" something in our head does not teach us much. We must experience what we know in life to have full understanding. Its sort of like the intern fresh out of college who thinks now that they have learned from books they know more than those who have not had the books but much more life experience. Many unlearned godly people know far more than those books have within their pages. After all, men wrote the books, but God authored the Bible.
If someone has never burned themselves on a hot iron or stove, they might know that high heat is dangerous because others have said so, but they will not understand the full impact of the knowledge until we have actually been burned.
We do not like hardships, personally I wish we could learn good lessons without hardship or trials, but the reality is we cannot really learn something unless we have experienced it.
There are those who like to judge others as weak because they express that they are having pain. I have met several people like this in my life, they have little to no empathy for what others are going through. Mainly they do not believe those who have pains, therefore they are the ones who cannot hear the hard things.
This is one of the reasons I am so disgusted with "prosperity preachers", they accuse people going through trials as lacking faith. The truth of the matter is that those who go through trials are more than likely the strong ones because they can face trials and call them what they are. Their faith is immense because it has been tried, tested and come out greater than when they first began. The weak person cannot face trials or truth, it is too much for them to have to admit reality.
Nehemiah 8:10 "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Exodus 15:2 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.
God instructed us to focus our gaze on Him, because He knows our human emotions will cause us to falter, we must ignore our emotions to believe God.
When we face trials, call them what they are by name and trust the Lord, He becomes our strength, ultimately He is glorified.
God is not glorified in the lives of those who depend on their own strength to be their god. These people diminish the trials of others to elevate themselves. These are the weaker ones, who think they are stronger. They are not stronger they are just in denial about truth. Fearing they will appear weak to others they indulge their "appearances" while remaining weak in their spirit.
We have all heard it said that the wiser stronger man is the one who can face things and call them by name, this is true.
Pretenders are completely dependent on their own false view of themselves rather than on Christ. They can be recognized by their lack of empathy toward others who are hurting as well as their reluctance to show any weakness within themselves. Its not that they are strong because we do not see weakness, its that they are only hiding their weakness. Those who can say "I am weak but He is strong" are the ones who grow in the strength of Christ.
Isaiah 41:13
"13 “For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand,
Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’"
The prideful narcissist cannot depend on anyone else not even God. They must "appear strong" outwardly but inwardly they are cowards.
James 1:19-21
"19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;
20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.
21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls."
Next time you are tempted to evaluate someone else's pain or trials, keep in mind that we cannot know the depth of pain anyone else is going through. We only have our own limited experience. Hopefully we have had enough experience in our lives that we can draw from that to understand others in their trials.
Praise the Lord, He, through the Holy Spirit can give us empathy when we have a lack of it. He can give us understanding when there isn't any within ourselves.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
"4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,"
Christ can help us to interpret events and people when we are too weak to see truth.
John 8:44
"You people are from your father the devil, and you want to do what your father desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies."
Isa 41:10
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
God upholds the righteous just as we build up the brethren in faith.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
"Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing."
Jude 1:20
"But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,"
Hebrews 10:24
"and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,"
Ephesians 4:15
"but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,"
Just "knowing" something in our head does not teach us much. We must experience what we know in life to have full understanding. Its sort of like the intern fresh out of college who thinks now that they have learned from books they know more than those who have not had the books but much more life experience. Many unlearned godly people know far more than those books have within their pages. After all, men wrote the books, but God authored the Bible.
If someone has never burned themselves on a hot iron or stove, they might know that high heat is dangerous because others have said so, but they will not understand the full impact of the knowledge until we have actually been burned.
We do not like hardships, personally I wish we could learn good lessons without hardship or trials, but the reality is we cannot really learn something unless we have experienced it.
There are those who like to judge others as weak because they express that they are having pain. I have met several people like this in my life, they have little to no empathy for what others are going through. Mainly they do not believe those who have pains, therefore they are the ones who cannot hear the hard things.
This is one of the reasons I am so disgusted with "prosperity preachers", they accuse people going through trials as lacking faith. The truth of the matter is that those who go through trials are more than likely the strong ones because they can face trials and call them what they are. Their faith is immense because it has been tried, tested and come out greater than when they first began. The weak person cannot face trials or truth, it is too much for them to have to admit reality.
Nehemiah 8:10 "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Exodus 15:2 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.
God instructed us to focus our gaze on Him, because He knows our human emotions will cause us to falter, we must ignore our emotions to believe God.
When we face trials, call them what they are by name and trust the Lord, He becomes our strength, ultimately He is glorified.
God is not glorified in the lives of those who depend on their own strength to be their god. These people diminish the trials of others to elevate themselves. These are the weaker ones, who think they are stronger. They are not stronger they are just in denial about truth. Fearing they will appear weak to others they indulge their "appearances" while remaining weak in their spirit.
We have all heard it said that the wiser stronger man is the one who can face things and call them by name, this is true.
Pretenders are completely dependent on their own false view of themselves rather than on Christ. They can be recognized by their lack of empathy toward others who are hurting as well as their reluctance to show any weakness within themselves. Its not that they are strong because we do not see weakness, its that they are only hiding their weakness. Those who can say "I am weak but He is strong" are the ones who grow in the strength of Christ.
Isaiah 41:13
"13 “For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand,
Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’"
The prideful narcissist cannot depend on anyone else not even God. They must "appear strong" outwardly but inwardly they are cowards.
James 1:19-21
"19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;
20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.
21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls."
Next time you are tempted to evaluate someone else's pain or trials, keep in mind that we cannot know the depth of pain anyone else is going through. We only have our own limited experience. Hopefully we have had enough experience in our lives that we can draw from that to understand others in their trials.
Praise the Lord, He, through the Holy Spirit can give us empathy when we have a lack of it. He can give us understanding when there isn't any within ourselves.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
"4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,"
Christ can help us to interpret events and people when we are too weak to see truth.
John 8:44
"You people are from your father the devil, and you want to do what your father desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies."
Isa 41:10
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
God upholds the righteous just as we build up the brethren in faith.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
"Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing."
Jude 1:20
"But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,"
Hebrews 10:24
"and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,"
Ephesians 4:15
"but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,"
Their Own Advice is all they Need
Self centered narcissists only need one person's advice, their own.
When we ask advice from a narcissist they see us as weak and foolish. They may even withhold helpful advice to watch us fail.
Here's the truth: everyone needs advice from time to time from others. The wise person finds the person who was successful at what they have done and ask that person how they managed.
Proverbs 12:15 "15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel."
Since a narcissist needs to be special they have a low tolerance for instruction or correction. They never ask for advice and if it is unsolicited they become angry.
As a child I noticed that people were always offering unsolicited advice, but in our culture now, unsolicited advice is seen as an affront and will not be tolerated.
Proverbs 11:14
"Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory."
Proverbs 13:10
"Through insolence comes nothing but strife, But wisdom is with those who receive counsel."
Proverbs 19:20
"Listen to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your days."
When we ask advice from a narcissist they see us as weak and foolish. They may even withhold helpful advice to watch us fail.
Here's the truth: everyone needs advice from time to time from others. The wise person finds the person who was successful at what they have done and ask that person how they managed.
Proverbs 12:15 "15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel."
Since a narcissist needs to be special they have a low tolerance for instruction or correction. They never ask for advice and if it is unsolicited they become angry.
As a child I noticed that people were always offering unsolicited advice, but in our culture now, unsolicited advice is seen as an affront and will not be tolerated.
Proverbs 11:14
"Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory."
Proverbs 13:10
"Through insolence comes nothing but strife, But wisdom is with those who receive counsel."
Proverbs 19:20
"Listen to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your days."
Thursday, April 25, 2019
The Origins of Yoga!
Did you know that the origination of Yoga was not for better health, but rather for old people who are getting ready to die to deal with their death experience?
We live in a deceptive world full of lies, actually causing people to practice something religious that was meant for dying people.
Yoga in the beginning had nothing to do with fostering health, that's the lie so many people have told so long that the origins have been almost completely forgotten.
Why anyone would think that sitting in lotus position while emptying the mind would do anything except make someone stupid is beyond me.
God never tells us to empty our mind, just the opposite. God teaches us to think with the mind of Christ. The devil always promotes the opposite of what God has commanded.
Think about it!!!
We live in a deceptive world full of lies, actually causing people to practice something religious that was meant for dying people.
Yoga in the beginning had nothing to do with fostering health, that's the lie so many people have told so long that the origins have been almost completely forgotten.
Why anyone would think that sitting in lotus position while emptying the mind would do anything except make someone stupid is beyond me.
God never tells us to empty our mind, just the opposite. God teaches us to think with the mind of Christ. The devil always promotes the opposite of what God has commanded.
Think about it!!!
We Might Have to be a Doormat at Times
Psychology has taught us that we should never allow anyone to abuse us. This is coming from a stance of arrogance.
Can the Jews in Nazi Germany say, "God wouldn't want me to be abused?" God allowed the Jews and many other people in the world to be abused for His purposes. The nation of Israel was re-established because of the holocaust. The world felt sorry for the Jews and because of this empathy, they were given their own nation.
God allowed it and then punished the evil people and nations that did the abusing. We don't always understand God's purposes but if we trust Him, then we know they are the best.
I was angry at the Germans when I was a child. My family were partly of the Germanic race. I was angry because of the documentaries I saw that showed the atrocities the Germans and others perpetrated on the Jewish people. I hated the abuse then and still do. However I see the big picture, some of the born again believers escaped, others went home to the Lord and still others died in their unbelief without the protection of God. The tribulation will be this way too for the nation of Israel.
After all the abuse of the world and the anit-christ the Jews will once again be persecuted. Those Jews who will not trust Christ will meet their maker without Christ. Two thirds of the nation will be destroyed with only one third remaining. Because of the miracles of God to protect the nation itself, these one third will become born again, they are the ones who will be protected.
As believers we are not always protected. Sometimes we have to endure terrible things because we love Christ. When I speak of getting away from abuse it is always in the context of "if it is God's will." If God gives us an escape from abuse then we are free to take it.
2 Timothy 3:12
"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,"
When a person is married to an emotionally abusive spouse there is no out for that person. One must learn the ways to live out their Christianity in spite of the verbal abuse. However, in physical abuse, real abuse, not just a slap of the face or a pull of the arm, then one must call the authorities, it is against the law. So much of mean spirited behavior today is wrong but I would not call it abuse.
When someone lives every day with a non-believer the highest goal is to live out their Christianity in the power of the Holy Spirit. Believe me when I say it takes a whole lot more faith to live out our faith with a non-believer. The "feelings" of wanting to return evil for evil or to exact revenge in some way is a constant battle of the mind while resisting the whispers and temptations of the devil to become like the abuser.
God has called us to be strong, walk faithfully with Him even in frustrating situations. The abuse that includes beatings and other forms that are life threatening are against the law, the woman experiencing this must take it to the authorities.
However, too many women are claiming abuse when there is uncomfortableness or control over them when there shouldn't be. Yes, this is wrong, but divorcing and calling authorities is revenge in these cases.
God may want us to be a doormat for a time to learn humility and to show the love of Christ. No where in the word does God say "you should not be a doormat. Even Christ was the ultimate door mat in dying for the sins of others when he never sinned himself.
We remove ourselves from those who abuse when God tells us to remove ourselves. He also gives us options and permission at times, but other times we are called to "suck it up", because the greater good is more important. Often we do not know what that greater good is until the end of our life.
I am more likely to avoid people who claim to be Christians when they are verbally or emotionally abusive. They are violating God's principles with the mentality of superiority and demeaning traits and actions. I will avoid those who claim to be of God but have no remorse over their disrespectful ways.
And, I am more likely to put up with abuse from non-believers who don't know any better. They are ruled by the devil, they are putty in his hands without defense against the emotions and lies he places in them every day.
Ephesians 6:12
"12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."
“Even as the angry vengeful thoughts boiled through me, I saw the sin of them. Jesus Christ had died for this man; was I going to ask for more? Lord Jesus, I prayed, forgive me and help me to forgive him....Jesus, I cannot forgive him. Give me your forgiveness....And so I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that the world's healing hinges, but on his. When he tells us to love our enemies, he gives along with the command, the love itself.”
Corrie Ten Boom
Corrie could not remove herself it was not an option given to her. She began an angry person only to become stronger in her faith, cleansed of self will replaced by trusting Christ more.
As for our pride, sometimes our frustration comes out of pride more than justice. Here is another quote from Corrie that hits home. Often our anger at abusive behavior has more to do with our own pride of wanting to be loved than it does out of God's purposes.
"“Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open.” Corrie Ten Boom
More quotes from Corrie:
“What wings are to a bird and sails to a ship, so is prayer to the soul.”
“With Jesus, even in our darkest moments the best remains and the very best is yet to be…”
Our highest goal is to live for Christ no matter in which prison cell the devil places us. The devil cannot do anything without God's permission, His purposes take priority over our "feelings" and "desires."
Corrie Ten Boom experienced more abuse than any of us can imaging. She never said things like; "God wouldn't want us to be a door mat. " Because her focus was Christ, at least eventually, she was able to get past the thoughts of the abuse to the purposes in it, for her growth and the growth of others who will know her story.
Now that we have established that abuse is wrong and in some cases we must remove ourselves, we must remember that others times we remain in order to learn humility, steadiness in trials and graciousness through any circumstance.
When we bail out every time, we may be missing important lessons. If you are removing yourself be sure it is God's plan and not just your desire to be comfortable.
Romans 5:3-5 "…3 Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us."
Remember if you cannot leave an emotionally and spiritually abusive situation, you can pray and fast your way through. I promise if you do this you will come out the other side stronger than before and more Christlike.
Hallelujah!!!!!
Can the Jews in Nazi Germany say, "God wouldn't want me to be abused?" God allowed the Jews and many other people in the world to be abused for His purposes. The nation of Israel was re-established because of the holocaust. The world felt sorry for the Jews and because of this empathy, they were given their own nation.
God allowed it and then punished the evil people and nations that did the abusing. We don't always understand God's purposes but if we trust Him, then we know they are the best.
I was angry at the Germans when I was a child. My family were partly of the Germanic race. I was angry because of the documentaries I saw that showed the atrocities the Germans and others perpetrated on the Jewish people. I hated the abuse then and still do. However I see the big picture, some of the born again believers escaped, others went home to the Lord and still others died in their unbelief without the protection of God. The tribulation will be this way too for the nation of Israel.
After all the abuse of the world and the anit-christ the Jews will once again be persecuted. Those Jews who will not trust Christ will meet their maker without Christ. Two thirds of the nation will be destroyed with only one third remaining. Because of the miracles of God to protect the nation itself, these one third will become born again, they are the ones who will be protected.
As believers we are not always protected. Sometimes we have to endure terrible things because we love Christ. When I speak of getting away from abuse it is always in the context of "if it is God's will." If God gives us an escape from abuse then we are free to take it.
2 Timothy 3:12
"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,"
When a person is married to an emotionally abusive spouse there is no out for that person. One must learn the ways to live out their Christianity in spite of the verbal abuse. However, in physical abuse, real abuse, not just a slap of the face or a pull of the arm, then one must call the authorities, it is against the law. So much of mean spirited behavior today is wrong but I would not call it abuse.
When someone lives every day with a non-believer the highest goal is to live out their Christianity in the power of the Holy Spirit. Believe me when I say it takes a whole lot more faith to live out our faith with a non-believer. The "feelings" of wanting to return evil for evil or to exact revenge in some way is a constant battle of the mind while resisting the whispers and temptations of the devil to become like the abuser.
God has called us to be strong, walk faithfully with Him even in frustrating situations. The abuse that includes beatings and other forms that are life threatening are against the law, the woman experiencing this must take it to the authorities.
However, too many women are claiming abuse when there is uncomfortableness or control over them when there shouldn't be. Yes, this is wrong, but divorcing and calling authorities is revenge in these cases.
God may want us to be a doormat for a time to learn humility and to show the love of Christ. No where in the word does God say "you should not be a doormat. Even Christ was the ultimate door mat in dying for the sins of others when he never sinned himself.
We remove ourselves from those who abuse when God tells us to remove ourselves. He also gives us options and permission at times, but other times we are called to "suck it up", because the greater good is more important. Often we do not know what that greater good is until the end of our life.
I am more likely to avoid people who claim to be Christians when they are verbally or emotionally abusive. They are violating God's principles with the mentality of superiority and demeaning traits and actions. I will avoid those who claim to be of God but have no remorse over their disrespectful ways.
And, I am more likely to put up with abuse from non-believers who don't know any better. They are ruled by the devil, they are putty in his hands without defense against the emotions and lies he places in them every day.
Ephesians 6:12
"12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."
“Even as the angry vengeful thoughts boiled through me, I saw the sin of them. Jesus Christ had died for this man; was I going to ask for more? Lord Jesus, I prayed, forgive me and help me to forgive him....Jesus, I cannot forgive him. Give me your forgiveness....And so I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that the world's healing hinges, but on his. When he tells us to love our enemies, he gives along with the command, the love itself.”
Corrie Ten Boom
Corrie could not remove herself it was not an option given to her. She began an angry person only to become stronger in her faith, cleansed of self will replaced by trusting Christ more.
As for our pride, sometimes our frustration comes out of pride more than justice. Here is another quote from Corrie that hits home. Often our anger at abusive behavior has more to do with our own pride of wanting to be loved than it does out of God's purposes.
"“Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open.” Corrie Ten Boom
More quotes from Corrie:
“What wings are to a bird and sails to a ship, so is prayer to the soul.”
“With Jesus, even in our darkest moments the best remains and the very best is yet to be…”
Our highest goal is to live for Christ no matter in which prison cell the devil places us. The devil cannot do anything without God's permission, His purposes take priority over our "feelings" and "desires."
Corrie Ten Boom experienced more abuse than any of us can imaging. She never said things like; "God wouldn't want us to be a door mat. " Because her focus was Christ, at least eventually, she was able to get past the thoughts of the abuse to the purposes in it, for her growth and the growth of others who will know her story.
Now that we have established that abuse is wrong and in some cases we must remove ourselves, we must remember that others times we remain in order to learn humility, steadiness in trials and graciousness through any circumstance.
When we bail out every time, we may be missing important lessons. If you are removing yourself be sure it is God's plan and not just your desire to be comfortable.
Romans 5:3-5 "…3 Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us."
Remember if you cannot leave an emotionally and spiritually abusive situation, you can pray and fast your way through. I promise if you do this you will come out the other side stronger than before and more Christlike.
Hallelujah!!!!!
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Trust the Holy Spirit Alone
I rarely use the KJV of the Bible. It is poetic but not inspired as the Original language. I never meet anyone who knows what "concupiscence" means. It means "sexual desire", so why use that word that no one else knows when we can say "sexual desire" that everyone knows.
Then there is "lascivious" which means driven by sexual desire. Why not just say "driven by sexual desire.
Then there is "aforehand" when we could say "beforehand."
"anon" tell me what it means without looking it up please.
"assayed" What does it mean without looking it up.
"broided" what does it mean without looking it up.
"carriages," No it doesn't mean something you ride in, it means "luggage", a very different meaning from what we understand today.
"in a charger.” in the old English does not mean a warming plate we put under another plate and it doesn't mean a device for charging our phones. Look it up and you will have to if you want to understand the KJV of the Bible.
"Conversation" in the KJV of the bible does not mean to speak words, it means how we live our lives. If we misunderstand this one will be telling people they should be careful how they speak. But God never said that, He said to be sure we are living right.
"Execute" in the KJV does not mean to put to death as we use it today, it means to "carry out."
You see our culture does not understand the Old English as much as those who spoke old English two centuries ago would not be able to understand our meanings today.
God sent Godly men to translate the Bible into other languages so that the whole world would have it it their own language. The problem is always that no translation, including the KJV is inspired by God, they are only translations of the original inspired works.
Even the KJV has been updated more than 18 times to keep up with language changes. These are no cultural changes, but language changes. If we do not know a word from two hundred years ago properly we very likely would end up believing the opposite of what God actually said or in serious error in other ways.
There are godly people today just like in KJ time, who are able to interpret, perhaps even better because we have now the original language actually spoken in Israel today.
Someone might say that we can get meanings from the context. This is not necessarily true. Here is an example:
1 Peter 3:1 "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;"
I have had people tell me that God is very concerned with the "conversation" meaning speech, because of this verse. But that's not what the verse is conveying at all. God said, "without a word" she may win her husband. that means she is not speaking. The word conversation here means her lifestyle. A woman is able to influence her husband by the way she lives and operates, even if she never speaks words. This meaning also does not mean that she may not talk at all to him about God, it just means that her life will match up with whatever she says which is borne out in the rest of the Bible.
Another misunderstanding we see commonly is in the matter of divorce and remarriage.
"Let no one put assunder", is not an instruction for people not to put something assunder, its a statement that "no one can" put assunder. The word "let" means that it is not possible for someone. That one should not try, "let" no one try to put assunder.
One cannot separate one in marriage no matter what they do. God made them one, only He can separate them but He will not, they remain one until one of them dies. This is why Christ said that remarriage is an ongoing state of adultery.
Because of the misuse and misunderstandings of the translations, man has come up with many erroneous concoctions of meanings more based on their desired belief rather than on what God actually said.
In our language when we say someone is "peculiar" we mean they are odd or strange. But the in the old English "peculiar" means "Owned, one’s very own, special, treasure; different from all of the rest."
1 Corinthians 6:19–20
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s."
In these days when Christians are fighting one another about translations, many will place their trust in the works of men in the translation while ignoring the work of the Holy Spirit in them to guide their thinking. I believe lack of faith drives people to place their trust in a translation rather than in the Holy Spirit Who lives in them.
We use many idioms today that never existed two hundred years ago and there will be many more to come as language changes about 2% a year. Did you know that in old English a winged creature was called a "brid." NO its not spelled wrong, that's the way they spelled and said the word that describes a winged creature that flies.
The spelling not only changed in the many words so have meanings. It is vitally important that we are able to convey to the culture the truth. If they cannot understand what we are saying then they will not listen.
I am not suggesting that we dumb down truth, only that we speak in the language of the culture we live in. I would never give a KJV of the Bible to a new believer or someone who is unsaved. I would hand them one written in their language. I would not hand a KJV of the bible to a Chinese person, they wouldn't be able to read it .
I understand the KJV, or most of it, because I have trained myself to do it. But many people are not going to train themselves in it, they must be able to sit down and read it without looking up words all the time.
We want to reach people with truth. God's truth is in Greek and Hebrew, since we cannot read that He has provided translations. Why is a provision of translations from Greek and Hebrew any different from updated English verbiage? Its not!
Of course the Holy Spirit must be constantly helping us to understand because the prejudices of translators get in the way. But we don't have to worry about that, we can trust the Holy Spirit to teach us when translators don't get it perfectly. And, the translators of the KJV did not get it more perfectly than some newer translations. It may be better than some and not as good as others.
Here's the kicker.......its the Holy Spirit that imparts wisdom, its the Holy Spirit Who enlightens us. Placing our trust in any translation will lead us into error.
I see no verse in the any translation that says "trust only the KJV of the Bible." NOT ONE!
I do see lost of scripture encouraging us to trust the Holy Spirit and Him alone.
Acts 1:8
"8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Luke 24:45-49
45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
46 and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day,
47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
48 You are witnesses of these things.
49 And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
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.…"
There are translations that are not good and there are others that are, God can show you which ones. And, if none of them are perfect and they are not, then He can give you the understanding even if the words are not perfectly translated.
Bottom line!!!! Place your trust in Christ alone and not in any particular translation. Do not.....PLEASE do not argue with someone who will distract with a mindset of trusting a translation. Those who trust a translation are not trusting in the Holy Spirit.
Read which ever version you prefer, if its one that is not so good, the Holy Spirit will redirect you.
Then there is "lascivious" which means driven by sexual desire. Why not just say "driven by sexual desire.
Then there is "aforehand" when we could say "beforehand."
"anon" tell me what it means without looking it up please.
"assayed" What does it mean without looking it up.
"broided" what does it mean without looking it up.
"carriages," No it doesn't mean something you ride in, it means "luggage", a very different meaning from what we understand today.
"in a charger.” in the old English does not mean a warming plate we put under another plate and it doesn't mean a device for charging our phones. Look it up and you will have to if you want to understand the KJV of the Bible.
"Conversation" in the KJV of the bible does not mean to speak words, it means how we live our lives. If we misunderstand this one will be telling people they should be careful how they speak. But God never said that, He said to be sure we are living right.
"Execute" in the KJV does not mean to put to death as we use it today, it means to "carry out."
You see our culture does not understand the Old English as much as those who spoke old English two centuries ago would not be able to understand our meanings today.
God sent Godly men to translate the Bible into other languages so that the whole world would have it it their own language. The problem is always that no translation, including the KJV is inspired by God, they are only translations of the original inspired works.
Even the KJV has been updated more than 18 times to keep up with language changes. These are no cultural changes, but language changes. If we do not know a word from two hundred years ago properly we very likely would end up believing the opposite of what God actually said or in serious error in other ways.
There are godly people today just like in KJ time, who are able to interpret, perhaps even better because we have now the original language actually spoken in Israel today.
Someone might say that we can get meanings from the context. This is not necessarily true. Here is an example:
1 Peter 3:1 "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;"
I have had people tell me that God is very concerned with the "conversation" meaning speech, because of this verse. But that's not what the verse is conveying at all. God said, "without a word" she may win her husband. that means she is not speaking. The word conversation here means her lifestyle. A woman is able to influence her husband by the way she lives and operates, even if she never speaks words. This meaning also does not mean that she may not talk at all to him about God, it just means that her life will match up with whatever she says which is borne out in the rest of the Bible.
Another misunderstanding we see commonly is in the matter of divorce and remarriage.
"Let no one put assunder", is not an instruction for people not to put something assunder, its a statement that "no one can" put assunder. The word "let" means that it is not possible for someone. That one should not try, "let" no one try to put assunder.
One cannot separate one in marriage no matter what they do. God made them one, only He can separate them but He will not, they remain one until one of them dies. This is why Christ said that remarriage is an ongoing state of adultery.
Because of the misuse and misunderstandings of the translations, man has come up with many erroneous concoctions of meanings more based on their desired belief rather than on what God actually said.
In our language when we say someone is "peculiar" we mean they are odd or strange. But the in the old English "peculiar" means "Owned, one’s very own, special, treasure; different from all of the rest."
1 Corinthians 6:19–20
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s."
In these days when Christians are fighting one another about translations, many will place their trust in the works of men in the translation while ignoring the work of the Holy Spirit in them to guide their thinking. I believe lack of faith drives people to place their trust in a translation rather than in the Holy Spirit Who lives in them.
We use many idioms today that never existed two hundred years ago and there will be many more to come as language changes about 2% a year. Did you know that in old English a winged creature was called a "brid." NO its not spelled wrong, that's the way they spelled and said the word that describes a winged creature that flies.
The spelling not only changed in the many words so have meanings. It is vitally important that we are able to convey to the culture the truth. If they cannot understand what we are saying then they will not listen.
I am not suggesting that we dumb down truth, only that we speak in the language of the culture we live in. I would never give a KJV of the Bible to a new believer or someone who is unsaved. I would hand them one written in their language. I would not hand a KJV of the bible to a Chinese person, they wouldn't be able to read it .
I understand the KJV, or most of it, because I have trained myself to do it. But many people are not going to train themselves in it, they must be able to sit down and read it without looking up words all the time.
We want to reach people with truth. God's truth is in Greek and Hebrew, since we cannot read that He has provided translations. Why is a provision of translations from Greek and Hebrew any different from updated English verbiage? Its not!
Of course the Holy Spirit must be constantly helping us to understand because the prejudices of translators get in the way. But we don't have to worry about that, we can trust the Holy Spirit to teach us when translators don't get it perfectly. And, the translators of the KJV did not get it more perfectly than some newer translations. It may be better than some and not as good as others.
Here's the kicker.......its the Holy Spirit that imparts wisdom, its the Holy Spirit Who enlightens us. Placing our trust in any translation will lead us into error.
I see no verse in the any translation that says "trust only the KJV of the Bible." NOT ONE!
I do see lost of scripture encouraging us to trust the Holy Spirit and Him alone.
Acts 1:8
"8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Luke 24:45-49
45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
46 and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day,
47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
48 You are witnesses of these things.
49 And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
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.…"
There are translations that are not good and there are others that are, God can show you which ones. And, if none of them are perfect and they are not, then He can give you the understanding even if the words are not perfectly translated.
Bottom line!!!! Place your trust in Christ alone and not in any particular translation. Do not.....PLEASE do not argue with someone who will distract with a mindset of trusting a translation. Those who trust a translation are not trusting in the Holy Spirit.
Read which ever version you prefer, if its one that is not so good, the Holy Spirit will redirect you.
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Monday, April 22, 2019
When the Victim is not a Victim at all!
One of the tactics of a narcissist is their ability to play the victim when we have decided not to engage in argument with them. They hate it beyond measure that they were not able to dominate a conversation or communication.
When we have boundaries and standards we have a responsibility to maintain those things for personal integrity.
When a narcissist comes along expecting to overturn standards and cross our boundaries, then is the time to walk away. There are those who feel victimized when they cannot control you. They blame you for the relationship break up because you would not allow them to hammer you with their version of events or doctrine.
When we do not allow others to have their say and believe their chosen doctrine then we have crossed the line. It is one thing to discuss a matter with a fellow believer in a calm and respectful manner and quite another to hammer someone who will not be convinced by our assertions.
We all have disagreements at times, but those who cannot stand to allow us to have our beliefs without battering and punishing us, are not respectful and are not friends we want to retain.
Thankfully we are not responsible to keep everyone as a friend. We are to evaluate the value of a friendship to see if it leads us closer to God or further away from His principles.
When we see someone playing manipulative games, using intimidation, blaming and mocking then is when it is time to exit the relationship.
We always hate it when we have to assert ourselves in relationships like this, we prefer that we did not have to do it. However reason and truth dictates that we walk on down the road when we encounter those who have nothing in mind except winning. When truth is not very important, when we are not important enough to show respect to us, then too is the time to walk down the road.
The Holy Spirit can show us who and when. We have no need to analyze anything, when the Spirit speaks then we obey. No one else can assess our relationship with others, they can only give their input based on limited understanding, ultimately it is the Holy Spirit Who must give us the answer.
Hallelujah, when we trust Christ, He does really have all the answers to everything.
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.…"
When we have boundaries and standards we have a responsibility to maintain those things for personal integrity.
When a narcissist comes along expecting to overturn standards and cross our boundaries, then is the time to walk away. There are those who feel victimized when they cannot control you. They blame you for the relationship break up because you would not allow them to hammer you with their version of events or doctrine.
When we do not allow others to have their say and believe their chosen doctrine then we have crossed the line. It is one thing to discuss a matter with a fellow believer in a calm and respectful manner and quite another to hammer someone who will not be convinced by our assertions.
We all have disagreements at times, but those who cannot stand to allow us to have our beliefs without battering and punishing us, are not respectful and are not friends we want to retain.
Thankfully we are not responsible to keep everyone as a friend. We are to evaluate the value of a friendship to see if it leads us closer to God or further away from His principles.
When we see someone playing manipulative games, using intimidation, blaming and mocking then is when it is time to exit the relationship.
We always hate it when we have to assert ourselves in relationships like this, we prefer that we did not have to do it. However reason and truth dictates that we walk on down the road when we encounter those who have nothing in mind except winning. When truth is not very important, when we are not important enough to show respect to us, then too is the time to walk down the road.
The Holy Spirit can show us who and when. We have no need to analyze anything, when the Spirit speaks then we obey. No one else can assess our relationship with others, they can only give their input based on limited understanding, ultimately it is the Holy Spirit Who must give us the answer.
Hallelujah, when we trust Christ, He does really have all the answers to everything.
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.…"
Soylant Green is Nearly Here!
My husband and I were just listening to a news cast coming out of the state of Washington. The news was that there is a study now looking into the benefits of composting human bodies, an alternative to burial.
This is very evil, I wonder how many people will be using this compost made from human bodies to grow the vegetables they will eat.
If the governor signs the bill to allow this it will go into effect May 1st.
Things just keep getting worse all the time. I cannot think of anything more disrespectful than to use human bodies as fertilizer for plants.
Does anyone wonder anymore why I have the perspective about our region that I have?
The 10,000 person naked bike ride just 40 miles down the highway from us in Portland Oregon and now this monstrous bill to compost the bodies of human beings in our state of Washington. One has to wonder what the next abomination will be upheld as good.
Does anyone remember the movie with Charlton Heston called "Soylant Green." We are almost there folks, a time when human bodies will be used for food, cannibalism.
This is very evil, I wonder how many people will be using this compost made from human bodies to grow the vegetables they will eat.
If the governor signs the bill to allow this it will go into effect May 1st.
Things just keep getting worse all the time. I cannot think of anything more disrespectful than to use human bodies as fertilizer for plants.
Does anyone wonder anymore why I have the perspective about our region that I have?
The 10,000 person naked bike ride just 40 miles down the highway from us in Portland Oregon and now this monstrous bill to compost the bodies of human beings in our state of Washington. One has to wonder what the next abomination will be upheld as good.
Does anyone remember the movie with Charlton Heston called "Soylant Green." We are almost there folks, a time when human bodies will be used for food, cannibalism.
Avoid Nasty People Because God Said to Do it!
It is not our goal as believer to avoid nasty people to spare our own feelings. We avoid them because God told us to do so.
One cannot influence those who are contemptuous toward us and toward God. Even those who say they love God but treat others badly, are not to be our constant companions.
1 Corinthians 15: 33 "Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
When we keep company on a regular basis with those who are rude eventually we take up their ways without even realizing it.
I remember a case in which someone I knew was companions with a crude person. The person who claimed to be a Christian began talking in crude ways because they were so used to their companion's way of expressing themselves. This also happens when people watch many things on TV or movies. They are unaware that they have taken on the personality of those they spend a lot of time with.
We cannot change the heart of a sinful person by acting as though we don't notice their mean actions or verbiage. God makes it clear in His word that we validate the wicked person by refusing to withdraw from them.
Isiah 26:10 "10 Though grace is shown to the wicked man, he does not learn righteousness. In the land of righteousness he acts unjustly and fails to see the majesty of the LORD. "
When we have made it clear that we follow Christ and they have rejected our choice, then it is time to move on and allow God to use someone else to influence them.
When the wicked person feels free to abuse us regularly without apology, then we know we have no influence with them anyway. Christ never remained friends with those who mocked and abused Him. He moved on to those who would listen and appreciate.
When we cannot let go of a the companionship of a wicked person we have elevated them above God. Our dependence on their companionship leaves us weak and vulnerable to their manipulations and intimidation. Even causing us to dishonor God by remaining silent to keep from starting fights. There is no value in a relationship in which someone must remain silent to appease those who love to fight.
"Two cannot walk together who are not agreed." God said this! Amos.
Ecclesiastes 4:11-12 "…11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
When we make our primary and constant companions those who love Christ we will grow stronger. God meant for us to have fellowship and agreement with those who are our constant companions. We think we are strong until we have been challenged by a wicked person, then is when we find out they are the ones controlling our conversation and perhaps even our life choices.
We, our companions and God should be our strong three strand cord. God is at the center of all goings on in these kind of relationships. However, when God is not at the center and someone is attempting to divert us from Christ then Satan is at the center of that relationship.
1 Peter 5:8
"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."
John 10:10
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
James 4:7
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
When we become bold in our living out of the life with Christ, it will chase off those who want to deter us from our walk. When they have been chased away by our "fervor" for Christ, then they will begin the smear tactics, the same ones that were used on Christ. Lies against us as well as attempts to sabotage whatever Christ is doing in us.
One of the ways they will sabotage is to make up lies about our life to make it appear as though we have not changed. They will gossip to cause others to see us the way they want them to see us. All of this does not have to cause any frustration in us. We can move on, steadily growing as God works in spite of them. God really does have our good in mind, even through these attacks. The calmer we are, the more trusting of God's purpose and protection, the more they will come against us.
They did all this to Christ and the apostles, it did not change the mission, nor did it destroy it. God is still in control all the time. His purposes in our encounters are to educate us while making us stronger.
Proverbs 29:25-26 "25 The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD will be set securely on high. 26 Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD."
Last and very important thought: Never fear man, obey God and there will be great blessing, even if only to know that we honored and pleased God, our conscience before God is clear and powerful.
1 Peter 3:16-22
"16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.
17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.
18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; "
Hallelujah!!!!
One cannot influence those who are contemptuous toward us and toward God. Even those who say they love God but treat others badly, are not to be our constant companions.
1 Corinthians 15: 33 "Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
When we keep company on a regular basis with those who are rude eventually we take up their ways without even realizing it.
I remember a case in which someone I knew was companions with a crude person. The person who claimed to be a Christian began talking in crude ways because they were so used to their companion's way of expressing themselves. This also happens when people watch many things on TV or movies. They are unaware that they have taken on the personality of those they spend a lot of time with.
We cannot change the heart of a sinful person by acting as though we don't notice their mean actions or verbiage. God makes it clear in His word that we validate the wicked person by refusing to withdraw from them.
Isiah 26:10 "10 Though grace is shown to the wicked man, he does not learn righteousness. In the land of righteousness he acts unjustly and fails to see the majesty of the LORD. "
When we have made it clear that we follow Christ and they have rejected our choice, then it is time to move on and allow God to use someone else to influence them.
When the wicked person feels free to abuse us regularly without apology, then we know we have no influence with them anyway. Christ never remained friends with those who mocked and abused Him. He moved on to those who would listen and appreciate.
When we cannot let go of a the companionship of a wicked person we have elevated them above God. Our dependence on their companionship leaves us weak and vulnerable to their manipulations and intimidation. Even causing us to dishonor God by remaining silent to keep from starting fights. There is no value in a relationship in which someone must remain silent to appease those who love to fight.
"Two cannot walk together who are not agreed." God said this! Amos.
Ecclesiastes 4:11-12 "…11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
When we make our primary and constant companions those who love Christ we will grow stronger. God meant for us to have fellowship and agreement with those who are our constant companions. We think we are strong until we have been challenged by a wicked person, then is when we find out they are the ones controlling our conversation and perhaps even our life choices.
We, our companions and God should be our strong three strand cord. God is at the center of all goings on in these kind of relationships. However, when God is not at the center and someone is attempting to divert us from Christ then Satan is at the center of that relationship.
1 Peter 5:8
"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."
John 10:10
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
James 4:7
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
When we become bold in our living out of the life with Christ, it will chase off those who want to deter us from our walk. When they have been chased away by our "fervor" for Christ, then they will begin the smear tactics, the same ones that were used on Christ. Lies against us as well as attempts to sabotage whatever Christ is doing in us.
One of the ways they will sabotage is to make up lies about our life to make it appear as though we have not changed. They will gossip to cause others to see us the way they want them to see us. All of this does not have to cause any frustration in us. We can move on, steadily growing as God works in spite of them. God really does have our good in mind, even through these attacks. The calmer we are, the more trusting of God's purpose and protection, the more they will come against us.
They did all this to Christ and the apostles, it did not change the mission, nor did it destroy it. God is still in control all the time. His purposes in our encounters are to educate us while making us stronger.
Proverbs 29:25-26 "25 The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD will be set securely on high. 26 Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD."
Last and very important thought: Never fear man, obey God and there will be great blessing, even if only to know that we honored and pleased God, our conscience before God is clear and powerful.
1 Peter 3:16-22
"16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.
17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.
18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; "
Hallelujah!!!!
Sunday, April 21, 2019
Christ Arose and Lives Today
". And when the sabbath was passed, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Salome brought sweet spices that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulcre at the rising of the sun and said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were af frighted; and he saith unto them, be not affronted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here; behold the place where they laid him. " Mark 16:1-6
Death and the grave couldn't hold him! " I am alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord which is, and which was , and which is to come, the Almighty."
Revelation 1:8
" I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold I am alive for evermore; Amen: and have the keys of hell and of death. "
Revelation 1:18
Death and the grave couldn't hold him! " I am alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord which is, and which was , and which is to come, the Almighty."
Revelation 1:8
" I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold I am alive for evermore; Amen: and have the keys of hell and of death. "
Revelation 1:18
Saturday, April 20, 2019
Only Brokenness Will Save a Man From Hell
There are those who would call me bitter for writing the truth about pretenders in the church. I know the pretenders very well and can recognize some of their tactics, often in the first meeting.
I grew up in a family who attended church all their lives. My mother and father were revered in the community, but home life was very mean and ugly.
I was punished once for revealing something that happened in our home to a neighbor. My brother over heard me mentioning it, tattled on me and my father beat me for speaking about it.
My brother was very religious and mean. He picked on those he thought were weaker than he, claiming it was a joke. My parents never disciplined him for it, even empowering him at times by snickering when I would complain about it.
To this day he is the same. He raged at me over the phone for exposing the things he had done. And, this man has been in church all his life, now in his seventies, still refusing to apologize for all his anger,hate and jealousy.
Jealousy was at the core of everything, also having married a very jealous person, they lied against me to others, made false judgments and continue to do so.
Thank the Lord that they were not the only Christians I knew. If they had been the only Christians I ever knew I might not have wanted anything to do with Christianity.
Sadly, these people have not grown one wit since we were young. They continue their meanness to this very day, justifying it as though they had a good reason. I tell you this because I have become somewhat of an expert on what "fake Christianity" looks like and how the family can hide it from everyone but the scapegoat of the family. The one who tells the truth about their duplicity.
It is very heart wrenching to hear others praise the very people you knew were mean and full of rage, who never repented. If you were to tell those who praise them of their real persona, you would be seen as a bitter person telling lies. I know of others who have been through this very thing throughout their lives, finally becoming tired of the false persona's of their family members, only to be rejected by those who elevate them as special.
Even those who have been sexually abused by a family member have been rejected by the rest of the family for exposing the evil. There may be some false accusations of abuse but I am convinced based on what I have seen, that many who have been rejected by family for telling, have been abused. There are certain things they say and ways they express themselves that is strong evidence that they really were abused.
I write this to those who have experienced this very thing. These pretenders do not represent Christ, they are not what an authentic believer looks like.
Authentic believers are kind and loving all the time to everyone. They do not ignore people to elevate self. They do not interpret things badly about someone just to be superior to them.
Authentic believers do not gossip with guesses about what they wish to believe about someone. They do not praise evil, they do not accept a false witness just to be elevated in the group.
Authentic believers love hearing about the things of God. They refrain from making judgments based on scanty and even no information about what they thought they saw.
Authentic believers act in love toward everyone, even when others are not watching.
Even the pretenders can stop pretending and become born again. When that happens they are no longer pretenders, all pride is removed and replaced with shame and humility. They are not just "saying something" to be seen as good, they are really changed into the opposite of what they were before. They become completely new, all the old goes away and the new dominates their being.
John 3:1-21
The New Birth
3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;
2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
4 Nicodemus *said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?”
5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
9 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can these things be?”
10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?
11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony.
12 If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
13 No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man.
14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up;
15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.
20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
21 But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
Just "saying" "I am a Christian" does not bring someone into the family of God. Going to church every week, even being at the church building every time it opens does not make someone born again. Knowing the Bible and all the right things to say does not make someone born again.
We are born again by desiring to be changed into a new creation by Christ. Because of the realization that we are sinful to the very core we are ashamed of our sin. When we know Christ paid for that sin, it humbles us. When we have confessed that sinfulness to Christ then He changes us. We do not just claim we are Christian, do a few things we think are good while ignoring all the rest of scripture, and expect to be born again.
If someone thinks they are Christian because of how good they think they have been, then they are not born again.
One cannot become born again by saying they are, they must be broken over their sinfulness. No brokenness, no salvation. One cannot remain proud knowing just how sinful their own black hearts are in comparison to a holy God.
When a pretender finally does confess their sinfulness all their tactics, all their lies are confessed so that they can be cleansed.
There is no cleansing without confession of the sinfulness.
1 John 1:9 "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."
One cannot be reconciled to God or another person unless this brokenness has occurred and confession follows.
When someone become born again God begins to reveal the past sins that they might be realized. We do not make changes in our behavior unless and until we know clearly what we have done with our lives.
Born again believers tend to leave the past in the past, even if someone offended us 40 years ago we do not hang onto the offense unless those same offenses keep happening over and over again. When there is a pattern of continual abuse we can assume there has been no contrition.
Psalm 51:17 "…16 For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise."
I grew up in a family who attended church all their lives. My mother and father were revered in the community, but home life was very mean and ugly.
I was punished once for revealing something that happened in our home to a neighbor. My brother over heard me mentioning it, tattled on me and my father beat me for speaking about it.
My brother was very religious and mean. He picked on those he thought were weaker than he, claiming it was a joke. My parents never disciplined him for it, even empowering him at times by snickering when I would complain about it.
To this day he is the same. He raged at me over the phone for exposing the things he had done. And, this man has been in church all his life, now in his seventies, still refusing to apologize for all his anger,hate and jealousy.
Jealousy was at the core of everything, also having married a very jealous person, they lied against me to others, made false judgments and continue to do so.
Thank the Lord that they were not the only Christians I knew. If they had been the only Christians I ever knew I might not have wanted anything to do with Christianity.
Sadly, these people have not grown one wit since we were young. They continue their meanness to this very day, justifying it as though they had a good reason. I tell you this because I have become somewhat of an expert on what "fake Christianity" looks like and how the family can hide it from everyone but the scapegoat of the family. The one who tells the truth about their duplicity.
It is very heart wrenching to hear others praise the very people you knew were mean and full of rage, who never repented. If you were to tell those who praise them of their real persona, you would be seen as a bitter person telling lies. I know of others who have been through this very thing throughout their lives, finally becoming tired of the false persona's of their family members, only to be rejected by those who elevate them as special.
Even those who have been sexually abused by a family member have been rejected by the rest of the family for exposing the evil. There may be some false accusations of abuse but I am convinced based on what I have seen, that many who have been rejected by family for telling, have been abused. There are certain things they say and ways they express themselves that is strong evidence that they really were abused.
I write this to those who have experienced this very thing. These pretenders do not represent Christ, they are not what an authentic believer looks like.
Authentic believers are kind and loving all the time to everyone. They do not ignore people to elevate self. They do not interpret things badly about someone just to be superior to them.
Authentic believers do not gossip with guesses about what they wish to believe about someone. They do not praise evil, they do not accept a false witness just to be elevated in the group.
Authentic believers love hearing about the things of God. They refrain from making judgments based on scanty and even no information about what they thought they saw.
Authentic believers act in love toward everyone, even when others are not watching.
Even the pretenders can stop pretending and become born again. When that happens they are no longer pretenders, all pride is removed and replaced with shame and humility. They are not just "saying something" to be seen as good, they are really changed into the opposite of what they were before. They become completely new, all the old goes away and the new dominates their being.
John 3:1-21
The New Birth
3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;
2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
4 Nicodemus *said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?”
5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
9 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can these things be?”
10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?
11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony.
12 If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
13 No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man.
14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up;
15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.
20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
21 But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
Just "saying" "I am a Christian" does not bring someone into the family of God. Going to church every week, even being at the church building every time it opens does not make someone born again. Knowing the Bible and all the right things to say does not make someone born again.
We are born again by desiring to be changed into a new creation by Christ. Because of the realization that we are sinful to the very core we are ashamed of our sin. When we know Christ paid for that sin, it humbles us. When we have confessed that sinfulness to Christ then He changes us. We do not just claim we are Christian, do a few things we think are good while ignoring all the rest of scripture, and expect to be born again.
If someone thinks they are Christian because of how good they think they have been, then they are not born again.
One cannot become born again by saying they are, they must be broken over their sinfulness. No brokenness, no salvation. One cannot remain proud knowing just how sinful their own black hearts are in comparison to a holy God.
When a pretender finally does confess their sinfulness all their tactics, all their lies are confessed so that they can be cleansed.
There is no cleansing without confession of the sinfulness.
1 John 1:9 "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."
One cannot be reconciled to God or another person unless this brokenness has occurred and confession follows.
When someone become born again God begins to reveal the past sins that they might be realized. We do not make changes in our behavior unless and until we know clearly what we have done with our lives.
Born again believers tend to leave the past in the past, even if someone offended us 40 years ago we do not hang onto the offense unless those same offenses keep happening over and over again. When there is a pattern of continual abuse we can assume there has been no contrition.
Psalm 51:17 "…16 For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise."
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