Sunday, June 30, 2019
Bullies and Injustice are Constant Companions
When a bully starts a fight and one defends themselves against a bully, then only the bully should be punished. Of course in order to discern who was the bully and who was the victim one must actually sit down and have a dialogue with the bully and the victim. We live in a culture that punishes for fighting without discovering who started the fight.
I saw a news report this morning of a peaceful conservative group demonstrating while minding their own business. The ANTIFA group came throwing bricks of concrete at them but the news media reports that the two groups had a clash. It wasn't a clash between two groups, it was one wicked group who are violent coming to attack another peaceful group who had the right of redress of grievances, the right to appeal to the government about a matter.
This is the news media in the Portland Oregon area. They deliberately make the event look like both parties were at fault when the peaceful ones were attacked without cause.
This same "no bully" mentality is in schools now as well as government. If two factions are fighting there is no attempt to discern who was the aggressor and who was the victim. One doesn't even have to have evidence anymore to win in a liberal court.
Leviticus 5:1
'Now if a person sins after he hears a public adjuration to testify when he is a witness, whether he has seen or otherwise known, if he does not tell it, then he will bear his guilt."
2 Corinthians 13:1
"This is the third time I am coming to you EVERY FACT IS TO BE CONFIRMED BY THE TESTIMONY OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES."
Sadly in our culture today the one who shouts the loudest is preferred in any situation. The bully wins more than there is justice in this culture.
If you do not believe me take a look at the more than 60 million innocent babies who have been condemned to death by their mothers with the permission of the government merely because they were "inconvenient."
Take a look at the criminals who are being released from jail because they are running out of room to house them on our dime. Many of those criminals should have been executed for their murders, but instead they have a sense of entitlement to live free off of the tax payers for their crime.
And we think this is justice? No, its anarchy and injustice.
I saw a news report this morning of a peaceful conservative group demonstrating while minding their own business. The ANTIFA group came throwing bricks of concrete at them but the news media reports that the two groups had a clash. It wasn't a clash between two groups, it was one wicked group who are violent coming to attack another peaceful group who had the right of redress of grievances, the right to appeal to the government about a matter.
This is the news media in the Portland Oregon area. They deliberately make the event look like both parties were at fault when the peaceful ones were attacked without cause.
This same "no bully" mentality is in schools now as well as government. If two factions are fighting there is no attempt to discern who was the aggressor and who was the victim. One doesn't even have to have evidence anymore to win in a liberal court.
Leviticus 5:1
'Now if a person sins after he hears a public adjuration to testify when he is a witness, whether he has seen or otherwise known, if he does not tell it, then he will bear his guilt."
2 Corinthians 13:1
"This is the third time I am coming to you EVERY FACT IS TO BE CONFIRMED BY THE TESTIMONY OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES."
Sadly in our culture today the one who shouts the loudest is preferred in any situation. The bully wins more than there is justice in this culture.
If you do not believe me take a look at the more than 60 million innocent babies who have been condemned to death by their mothers with the permission of the government merely because they were "inconvenient."
Take a look at the criminals who are being released from jail because they are running out of room to house them on our dime. Many of those criminals should have been executed for their murders, but instead they have a sense of entitlement to live free off of the tax payers for their crime.
And we think this is justice? No, its anarchy and injustice.
A friend wrote "if you are sinning in secret, God sees."
I would add to this, if you are a covert (secretive) narcissists using sneaky tactics to harm others while thinking you can just deny what you did, think again. God sees those sneak attacks to cause harm, you will not get away with it.
There is a solution to cleansing and that is 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Ecclesiastes 11:9
(9) Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things.
(9) Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things.
Psalms 19:12 "Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults."
Isaiah 28:16-17
(16) Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone {for} the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes {in it} will not be disturbed.
(17) "I will make justice the measuring line And righteousness the level; Then hail will sweep away the refuge of lies And the waters will overflow the secret place."
(16) Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone {for} the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes {in it} will not be disturbed.
(17) "I will make justice the measuring line And righteousness the level; Then hail will sweep away the refuge of lies And the waters will overflow the secret place."
Isaiah 1:2
Truth or Knowledge
Love of truth is far different from love of knowledge. Anyone can gather information to appear superior, but the love of truth will often make us look silly to the world.
1 Corinthians 8:1-2 "1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.…"
1 Corinthians 8:1-2 "1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.…"
Saturday, June 29, 2019
Cap and Trade, The Irrational Thinking of the Left
There is a bill going through the legislature in Oregon that would raise the cost of fuel putting some truckers out of business.
Cap and Trade is designed to limit the amount of emissions to reduce air pollution.
There would be expensive upgrades to trucks and machinery that would bankrupt many small companies if this legislation were allowed to pass.
The truckers would be hit the hardest because they would have to modify their trucks or buy new ones.
Those trucks cost between $80,000 to $180,000 to replace.
Filling up a big rig runs about $1450 for one fill up.
Most big rigs get between 4 and 7.5 miles per gallon.
The last thing we need to do is place more burdens on our truckers. They are the ones who haul all our goods to the stores where we shop. When their cost goes up they have to charge more and the stores have to pass it on to us.
If anyone thinks we are not affected by the cost of trucking, think again.
The liberals rarely think beyond the end of their noses. They think up all kinds of happy thoughts about restricting our use of the environment as though we are nothing more than renters of the earth and our land lord is the earth itself. They have designated themselves as the caretakers and rule makers for the earth.
Since the liberals are basing their thoughts on faulty science they often make irrational decisions that ruin rather than preserve.
The earth was made for man by God, we were not made for the earth to govern us. The environmental movement has done some good but often they go off the rails into irrational thinking because of their worship of the earth.
I am all for being good stewards of the resources of the earth, but there is a line we cannot cross that makes the earth more important than the people who live on it.
The Bible is clear the earth is wearing out and groaning but not because of the way man is dealing with the environment. The earth groans from the weight of sin upon it.
Isaiah 24:20
20 The earth reels to and fro like a drunkard
And it totters like a shack,
For its transgression is heavy upon it,
And it will fall, never to rise again.
Ezra 9:7
7 “Since the days of our fathers to this day we have been in great guilt, and on account of our iniquities we, our kings and our priests have been given into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity and to plunder and to open shame, as it is this day."
Romans 8:22-23 "22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. 23 Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.…"
Ungodly law makers will not understand that it is not the environment that is in danger, but those who perceive wrongly the problem. That problem being sin in the hearts of men who deny God while worshiping His creation instead of Him.
Romans 1:25 " 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen. "
Cap and Trade is designed to limit the amount of emissions to reduce air pollution.
There would be expensive upgrades to trucks and machinery that would bankrupt many small companies if this legislation were allowed to pass.
The truckers would be hit the hardest because they would have to modify their trucks or buy new ones.
Those trucks cost between $80,000 to $180,000 to replace.
Filling up a big rig runs about $1450 for one fill up.
Most big rigs get between 4 and 7.5 miles per gallon.
The last thing we need to do is place more burdens on our truckers. They are the ones who haul all our goods to the stores where we shop. When their cost goes up they have to charge more and the stores have to pass it on to us.
If anyone thinks we are not affected by the cost of trucking, think again.
The liberals rarely think beyond the end of their noses. They think up all kinds of happy thoughts about restricting our use of the environment as though we are nothing more than renters of the earth and our land lord is the earth itself. They have designated themselves as the caretakers and rule makers for the earth.
Since the liberals are basing their thoughts on faulty science they often make irrational decisions that ruin rather than preserve.
The earth was made for man by God, we were not made for the earth to govern us. The environmental movement has done some good but often they go off the rails into irrational thinking because of their worship of the earth.
I am all for being good stewards of the resources of the earth, but there is a line we cannot cross that makes the earth more important than the people who live on it.
The Bible is clear the earth is wearing out and groaning but not because of the way man is dealing with the environment. The earth groans from the weight of sin upon it.
Isaiah 24:20
20 The earth reels to and fro like a drunkard
And it totters like a shack,
For its transgression is heavy upon it,
And it will fall, never to rise again.
Ezra 9:7
7 “Since the days of our fathers to this day we have been in great guilt, and on account of our iniquities we, our kings and our priests have been given into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity and to plunder and to open shame, as it is this day."
Romans 8:22-23 "22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. 23 Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.…"
Ungodly law makers will not understand that it is not the environment that is in danger, but those who perceive wrongly the problem. That problem being sin in the hearts of men who deny God while worshiping His creation instead of Him.
Romans 1:25 " 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen. "
Friday, June 28, 2019
Famous Preachers Gone Apostate
I have decided not to quote any "famous" preachers anymore. Most preachers in our day who are popular are that way because they have compromised.
Its alright to listen to preachers as long as we evaluate what they say. Those who have "idols" in the form of popular preachers are not likely to appreciate criticism about those preachers.
In these last days of apostasy we need to be very careful to evaluate everything. Not only what the preacher says but who they have as their friends.
Our constant companions often say a lot about us. One cannot hang out with wolves continually and remain untainted by them.
331 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
Many years ago I used to listen to some of the preachers I see today have compromised. Their popularity caused them to begin making unholy alliances with those who are violating scripture to keep crowds.
One clue that someone has compromised is when they have aligned themselves with the pope and other ecumenical preachers at conferences and other church venues as speakers.
Just recently I heard that Ravi Zacharius spoke at a Mormon church. His flattering words about the mormons was that they were brothers in Christ. NO THEY ARE NOT, unless one has a false Jesus. Because you see..........The Jesus of Mormonism is the brother of Satan. To have said equate a Mormon as a brother is the worst form of apostasy.
One of the clues of a false preacher is their tendency to be so "esoteric" (that is wisdom understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest.), that the average person is unable to clearly repeat what they have said.
Those who are interested in appearing more knowledgeable than most others love their self exaltation. They are useless in bringing practical faith and wisdom to the average person. Intellectualism has been condemned by God because it brings pride making many false into apostasy.
1 Corinthians 8:1-2 "1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.…"
God's truths are very simple and understood easily by those who are filled with the Holy Spirit. Anyone who is born again will be able to understand the simple words of the Bible. There is no need for "special" education or high mindedness to be able to walk in the Spirit.
Those who seek knowledge to be superior are walking in pride. These are those who seek to become popular preachers who consistently deviate from God's word to fit into the world. Sometimes they start out well because the culture was still tolerating truth back in the day. However over time these same preachers begin to compromise to keep their popularity as the culture changed so did they.
Romans 12:2
"2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
I have had friends who "prided" themselves as intellectuals constantly following certain preachers as though they were gods. When anyone challenged the teaching or verbiage of their idol they became angry, so much so that they ended the friendship over it.
Let it be known that I have little tolerance for "intellectualism", seeing that it has little value in directing and influencing the Christian walk.
Philippians 2:3
"3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;"
Its alright to listen to preachers as long as we evaluate what they say. Those who have "idols" in the form of popular preachers are not likely to appreciate criticism about those preachers.
In these last days of apostasy we need to be very careful to evaluate everything. Not only what the preacher says but who they have as their friends.
Our constant companions often say a lot about us. One cannot hang out with wolves continually and remain untainted by them.
331 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
Many years ago I used to listen to some of the preachers I see today have compromised. Their popularity caused them to begin making unholy alliances with those who are violating scripture to keep crowds.
One clue that someone has compromised is when they have aligned themselves with the pope and other ecumenical preachers at conferences and other church venues as speakers.
Just recently I heard that Ravi Zacharius spoke at a Mormon church. His flattering words about the mormons was that they were brothers in Christ. NO THEY ARE NOT, unless one has a false Jesus. Because you see..........The Jesus of Mormonism is the brother of Satan. To have said equate a Mormon as a brother is the worst form of apostasy.
One of the clues of a false preacher is their tendency to be so "esoteric" (that is wisdom understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest.), that the average person is unable to clearly repeat what they have said.
Those who are interested in appearing more knowledgeable than most others love their self exaltation. They are useless in bringing practical faith and wisdom to the average person. Intellectualism has been condemned by God because it brings pride making many false into apostasy.
1 Corinthians 8:1-2 "1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.…"
God's truths are very simple and understood easily by those who are filled with the Holy Spirit. Anyone who is born again will be able to understand the simple words of the Bible. There is no need for "special" education or high mindedness to be able to walk in the Spirit.
Those who seek knowledge to be superior are walking in pride. These are those who seek to become popular preachers who consistently deviate from God's word to fit into the world. Sometimes they start out well because the culture was still tolerating truth back in the day. However over time these same preachers begin to compromise to keep their popularity as the culture changed so did they.
Romans 12:2
"2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
I have had friends who "prided" themselves as intellectuals constantly following certain preachers as though they were gods. When anyone challenged the teaching or verbiage of their idol they became angry, so much so that they ended the friendship over it.
Let it be known that I have little tolerance for "intellectualism", seeing that it has little value in directing and influencing the Christian walk.
Philippians 2:3
"3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;"
Thursday, June 27, 2019
Women in Warn Out Jeans and Warn Out Faith
Is anyone else tired of seeing women in warn out jeans?
It isn't bad enough that everyone is wearing worn out jeans but that they are wearing them in every venue!
It was bad enough when jeans were just "stone washed" looking a little like they had been washed too many times, but now they have holes in them, the sort of jeans we threw away after working all summer in the berry fields.
Is the world so rebellious that looking ugly is in fashion while dressing neatly is mocked?
There was a day when people wanted to leave their home dressed decently because they were going to be out among people. They respected others so they demonstrated that respect by wearing decent clothing in their presence.
I am convinced that all this laziness about appearance is one cog in the wheel of rebellion against God. In my teens I had a pair of paint jeans that I wore to help my Dad paint the house. I thought they were "cool" because there were color splotches all over them. I wore them to a family picnic one year and my father was aghast. Now we would see brand new jeans with frayed holes all over them, faded and worn out looking, someone paid $50 for these tattered and worn out garments.
Yep, I wore those jeans once to a family picnic but I was young and lacking fashion sense. I was also rebuked for it and embarrassed my parents.
Now we have all ages wearing these terrible torn up $50 jeans and thinking they are special for being in style.
Something is just not right!!! When we are young we do foolish things and then we grow up and do things differently. But now we have many defending everyone's right to be foolish causing most people to avoid growing up.
I do not condemn anyone who wears these jeans because in my opinion they are not necessarily rebelling, they are just caught up in the fashion of the day. What disturbs me is that these jeans that are in such bad taste are all the rage now and are a reflection of the rebellion against all of God's standards.
Those who follow the fashions will often have bad taste. The fashion industry has run wild with rebellion against good sense. It has always been that way to some degree but has escalated in the past 20 years.
The farther the culture gets from God the more extreme will be the fashions. I recall back in the 60's when the bikini bathing suite was first being marketed. The fashion industry had to hire prostitutes to model their bikini line because self respecting models would not do it.
Since the 60's the bathing suits have even gotten worse as well as other style that reveal too much to leave anything to imagination.
So many of the ways in these last days reflect the rebellion against God that would be called just style.
Isaiah 5:20
"20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness;
Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!"
I recall looking at a "Picasso" painting in a museum one time thinking that this man was demented. His paintings reflected someone who might be possessed by devils. It struck me that the creations were so ugly, frightening and vulgar that only a tormented soul would paint such course obscene picture.
Nothing is merely just style or personal taste, everything reflects the inner heart.
Mark 7:19-21 "…19 because it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated.” (Thus all foods are clean.) 20 He continued: “What comes out of a man, that is what defiles him. 21 For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,…"
When a culture no longer knows what "good taste" and beauty looks like we have lost our moral compass.
Not everyone has the same taste in clothing or painters but most people sure should be able to see beauty as apposed to ugliness. Just makes good horse sense to me.
Inner beauty is reflected in outer actions.
1 Peter 3:3-4
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.
I have noticed that the farther we get from godliness in our culture the worse the clothing styles become as well as other things such as art and architecture.
It isn't bad enough that everyone is wearing worn out jeans but that they are wearing them in every venue!
It was bad enough when jeans were just "stone washed" looking a little like they had been washed too many times, but now they have holes in them, the sort of jeans we threw away after working all summer in the berry fields.
Is the world so rebellious that looking ugly is in fashion while dressing neatly is mocked?
There was a day when people wanted to leave their home dressed decently because they were going to be out among people. They respected others so they demonstrated that respect by wearing decent clothing in their presence.
I am convinced that all this laziness about appearance is one cog in the wheel of rebellion against God. In my teens I had a pair of paint jeans that I wore to help my Dad paint the house. I thought they were "cool" because there were color splotches all over them. I wore them to a family picnic one year and my father was aghast. Now we would see brand new jeans with frayed holes all over them, faded and worn out looking, someone paid $50 for these tattered and worn out garments.
Yep, I wore those jeans once to a family picnic but I was young and lacking fashion sense. I was also rebuked for it and embarrassed my parents.
Now we have all ages wearing these terrible torn up $50 jeans and thinking they are special for being in style.
Something is just not right!!! When we are young we do foolish things and then we grow up and do things differently. But now we have many defending everyone's right to be foolish causing most people to avoid growing up.
I do not condemn anyone who wears these jeans because in my opinion they are not necessarily rebelling, they are just caught up in the fashion of the day. What disturbs me is that these jeans that are in such bad taste are all the rage now and are a reflection of the rebellion against all of God's standards.
Those who follow the fashions will often have bad taste. The fashion industry has run wild with rebellion against good sense. It has always been that way to some degree but has escalated in the past 20 years.
The farther the culture gets from God the more extreme will be the fashions. I recall back in the 60's when the bikini bathing suite was first being marketed. The fashion industry had to hire prostitutes to model their bikini line because self respecting models would not do it.
Since the 60's the bathing suits have even gotten worse as well as other style that reveal too much to leave anything to imagination.
So many of the ways in these last days reflect the rebellion against God that would be called just style.
Isaiah 5:20
"20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness;
Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!"
I recall looking at a "Picasso" painting in a museum one time thinking that this man was demented. His paintings reflected someone who might be possessed by devils. It struck me that the creations were so ugly, frightening and vulgar that only a tormented soul would paint such course obscene picture.
Nothing is merely just style or personal taste, everything reflects the inner heart.
Mark 7:19-21 "…19 because it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated.” (Thus all foods are clean.) 20 He continued: “What comes out of a man, that is what defiles him. 21 For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,…"
When a culture no longer knows what "good taste" and beauty looks like we have lost our moral compass.
Not everyone has the same taste in clothing or painters but most people sure should be able to see beauty as apposed to ugliness. Just makes good horse sense to me.
Inner beauty is reflected in outer actions.
1 Peter 3:3-4
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.
I have noticed that the farther we get from godliness in our culture the worse the clothing styles become as well as other things such as art and architecture.
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Born Again Believers Love His Law
Jesus Christ is the essence (being) of His Law. We no longer "follow" the Law when He lives inside of us. We become vessels of the Law.
The Law was given to show unbelievers their sinfulness. The Law was never meant to be "followed." It was given to convict the non-believer and the believer alike of sin. When it has done this it has done its job.
Jesus Christ is the very essence of His own Law, the embodiment of righteousness that produces obedience to His perfect Law.
Because we are trapped in this body of sin we do not do perfectly what we should but we are deeply convicted when we disobey. We hate disappointing the Holy Spirit Who lives in us.
The conviction of the Holy Spirit leads us to confession to be cleansed.
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 we resist the Holy Spirit we delay spiritual growth and even experience regression until we confess.
Ephesians 4:30-31 "30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice.…"
Born again believers are plagued with guilt and lack of peace when they are disobedient.
The non-believer is not bothered by their sin, even justifying it adamantly without remorse.
The Law was given to show unbelievers their sinfulness. The Law was never meant to be "followed." It was given to convict the non-believer and the believer alike of sin. When it has done this it has done its job.
Jesus Christ is the very essence of His own Law, the embodiment of righteousness that produces obedience to His perfect Law.
Because we are trapped in this body of sin we do not do perfectly what we should but we are deeply convicted when we disobey. We hate disappointing the Holy Spirit Who lives in us.
The conviction of the Holy Spirit leads us to confession to be cleansed.
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 we resist the Holy Spirit we delay spiritual growth and even experience regression until we confess.
Ephesians 4:30-31 "30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice.…"
Born again believers are plagued with guilt and lack of peace when they are disobedient.
The non-believer is not bothered by their sin, even justifying it adamantly without remorse.
The Hard Things Only Grow Us
We are living in difficult times but we do not have to become what the culture has become. We can live with joy and praise God every day for the wisdom He gives us.
James 1:4-6 "…4 Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.…"
We speak of the hard things but they only grow us they do not ruin us.
James 1:4-6 "…4 Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.…"
We speak of the hard things but they only grow us they do not ruin us.
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
Pray for the Brokenness
Praying for the blessing of conviction and sorrow over their sin, on those who are in rebellion against God is the kindest thing a born again believer can do for them.
Hebrews 12:11 "11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness."
Those who have been broken over their sin will see great blessing that comes from that experience. The blessing of forgiveness and the blessing of moving on without residue guilt that plagues those who will not confess to be cleansed.
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."
There can be no cleansing without confession nor can there be freedom from the bondage of sin.
Hebrews 12:11 "11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness."
Those who have been broken over their sin will see great blessing that comes from that experience. The blessing of forgiveness and the blessing of moving on without residue guilt that plagues those who will not confess to be cleansed.
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."
There can be no cleansing without confession nor can there be freedom from the bondage of sin.
Faith in Faith is not Faith in Christ
The word "faith" in our modern culture means to believe in things we want to believe in but do not actually have to be true.
Today's false apostate churches teach faith in self, faith in faith and faith in whatever you want to place your faith in, but it does not include faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in anything but Christ produces monstrous pride, self righteousness and false judgments of others.
Since our culture cares little about truth and more about feelings no matter their accuracy, we can expect many irrational actions and reactions to normal life.
Those who desire truth will be rejected since truth is an irritant to those who love their dilutions and fantasies.
1 Corinthians 3:18-20 "18 Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” 20 And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”…"
Those who desire to be "seen" as godly without any real evidence they are such, will become angry when someone points out a chink in their armor. We all have chinks, the blessing is to admit them and carry on to resolve them through seeking Christ. Those who cannot admit their chinks will never grow, they will never change.
The only defense the "feelings" oriented crowd has against truth is to rage, intimidate and mock what exposes their twisted scripture and false doctrine.
1 Peter 1:13-25
"13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,
15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;
16 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
17 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;
18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,
19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
20 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you
21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,
23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For,
"13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,
15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;
16 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
17 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;
18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,
19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
20 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you
21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,
23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For,
“All flesh is like grass,
And all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
And the flower falls off,
25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.”
And all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
And the flower falls off,
25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.”
And this is the word which was preached to you."
We want to be believers who seek Christ for everything. We want to be people who are moving forward. Remember, there is no such thing as stagnation, there is either forward or backward. If we are not growing and learning we are regressing.
Let's be people who admit our flaws and continue to grow. May old age not be a time when we stagnate and regress, let it me a time of continual growth in the wisdom of Christ.
Remember the Song?
For the born again believer who loves Jesus Christ we remember through songs what He did for us.
The Song "It is Well with My Soul"
"Tho Satan should buffet"
"and trials should come."
"There hast taught me to blest assurance control."
"That Christ has regarded my helpless estate"
"Is nailed to the cross."
We are helpless without Christ. We have no defenses against the evil one except Christ alone.
"Christ shed His own blood for my soul."
We no longer bear the penalty of our own sin when we have trusted Christ.
Because we have been covered in the blood and He paid the terrible price for us we hate sin, we love righteousness.
Galatians 3:13-15
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."
John 19:28-30
"28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, *said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth. 30 Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit."
When we see what Christ has done we can never take sin so lightly as to justify or excuse it.
When someone has saved our life, and in this case eternal life, we should be so loyal that we do not want to ever offend Him. Every small offense feels like a terrible burden to those who love Christ. They cannot defend or justify sin on any level knowing what He did for them.
I was helpless without Him but am no longer helpless because the Holy Spirit is my helper.
The Song "It is Well with My Soul"
"Tho Satan should buffet"
"and trials should come."
"There hast taught me to blest assurance control."
"That Christ has regarded my helpless estate"
"Is nailed to the cross."
We are helpless without Christ. We have no defenses against the evil one except Christ alone.
"Christ shed His own blood for my soul."
We no longer bear the penalty of our own sin when we have trusted Christ.
Because we have been covered in the blood and He paid the terrible price for us we hate sin, we love righteousness.
Galatians 3:13-15
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."
John 19:28-30
"28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, *said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth. 30 Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit."
When we see what Christ has done we can never take sin so lightly as to justify or excuse it.
When someone has saved our life, and in this case eternal life, we should be so loyal that we do not want to ever offend Him. Every small offense feels like a terrible burden to those who love Christ. They cannot defend or justify sin on any level knowing what He did for them.
I was helpless without Him but am no longer helpless because the Holy Spirit is my helper.
Monday, June 24, 2019
Jesus Christ the Great Healer
Jesus Christ does not heal ALL sickness. The greatest miracle of all with the greatest influence for non-believers is when a believer endures strongly while they go through difficulties.
Matthew 5:45 "that ye may be the children of your Father who is in Heaven. For He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."
James 1:2-8 "2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
It is easy to rejoice in the Lord when we are healed, the real test is rejoicing in Him when we are in the middle of a trial.
Jesus Christ is the healer, sometimes physically, but mostly spiritually. Physical healing is good but even greater than that is the spiritual healing and transformation Christ does in us when we become born again and throughout our lives.
Matthew 5:45 "that ye may be the children of your Father who is in Heaven. For He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."
James 1:2-8 "2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
It is easy to rejoice in the Lord when we are healed, the real test is rejoicing in Him when we are in the middle of a trial.
Jesus Christ is the healer, sometimes physically, but mostly spiritually. Physical healing is good but even greater than that is the spiritual healing and transformation Christ does in us when we become born again and throughout our lives.
Few Are There That Walk the Narrow Path
We, here in the United States, have been living in a "Christianized" environment so long we think this is normal. But in fact it has always been this bad over the world.
People have not changed, society has not changed, but what we have done is managed to learn how to hide sin until it became acceptable to sin or at least make sin not sin anymore.
The less our culture hides sin while making it acceptable the more people will allow their real inner self to emerge.
There has always been a remnant of authentic believers in this country, however we had a lot of influence, far more than we have now.
There are fewer authentic believers than before but there has always been only a remnant compared to pretenders and unbelievers.
Matthew 7:13-14 "13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it. "
We have lived under a cultural Christianity with its rules but few were actually born again.
People have not changed, society has not changed, but what we have done is managed to learn how to hide sin until it became acceptable to sin or at least make sin not sin anymore.
The less our culture hides sin while making it acceptable the more people will allow their real inner self to emerge.
There has always been a remnant of authentic believers in this country, however we had a lot of influence, far more than we have now.
There are fewer authentic believers than before but there has always been only a remnant compared to pretenders and unbelievers.
Matthew 7:13-14 "13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it. "
We have lived under a cultural Christianity with its rules but few were actually born again.
Pray for the Blessings of Difficulties for the Rebellious Heart
YES!!! I have prayed the blessing of conviction and misery on those who are in rebellion. After all there is no greater blessing than becoming broken over a sinful lifestyle and repenting to become born again. NO GREATER BLESSING!!!
I agree with what Karen said:
Karen Puff Rosenkrantz
I agree with what Karen said:
Karen Puff Rosenkrantz
Your Own Good Works Will Not Save You or Keep You
We cannot lose our salvation period. We will remain until the end if we are born again. No one can do enough good to get saved or to keep salvation. It is all a work of Christ from beginning to end, the only thing we do is trust Christ and He does all the work in us. If we are depending to any measure on ourselves we are not trusting Christ.
Those who walk away were never born again.
Matthew 7:21-23 "21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I NEVER KNEW you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
Notice the word "never" in verse 23. God says He never knew those who walk away, they were never born again.
Those who walk away were never born again.
Matthew 7:21-23 "21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I NEVER KNEW you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
Notice the word "never" in verse 23. God says He never knew those who walk away, they were never born again.
When Christ Saves it is Forever
No one who is born again turns back, the evidence that they were born again is the fruit of the Spirit, and that they do not turn back. God says, "those who endure to the end will be saved." Not that they must endure but that their endurance proves they were saved.
John 14:23
"Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."
There are no verses describing the Holy Spirit leaving a born again believer.
John 14:23
"Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."
There are no verses describing the Holy Spirit leaving a born again believer.
What it is to be Born Again
When Christ changes us into a new creation we can never go back to the old again. Since we are changed by Him we no longer desire the sinful life.
2 Corinthians 5:17
"17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, [a]he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."
Jude 1:24-25 " 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished in His glorious presence, with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all time, and now, and for all eternity. Amen.…"
1 Corinthians 6:10-11 "…10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you WERE. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. "
Ephesians 1:12-14 "…12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory. 13 And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth— the gospel of your salvation— you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.…"
When we confessed our sinfulness and want to be changed into a new creation by Christ, He does that and it is eternal from the moment of salvation.
Ephesians 4:30 "30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
Romans 8:38–39
"38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Those who turn back were never born again, they were pretenders.
Sadly many people are believing they are keeping themselves saved by their works. God said that no works can save anyone. God does all the work in us when we confess our sinfulness.
When Christ changes us into a new creation we can never go back to the old again. Since we are changed by Him we no longer desire the sinful life.
2 Corinthians 5:17
"17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, [a]he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."
Jude 1:24-25 " 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished in His glorious presence, with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all time, and now, and for all eternity. Amen.…"
1 Corinthians 6:10-11 "…10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you WERE. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. "
Ephesians 1:12-14 "…12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory. 13 And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth— the gospel of your salvation— you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.…"
When we confessed our sinfulness and want to be changed into a new creation by Christ, He does that and it is eternal from the moment of salvation.
Ephesians 4:30 "30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
Romans 8:38–39
"38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Those who turn back were never born again, they were pretenders.
Ephesians 2:10
"10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Ephesians 2:8-11 " 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, it is the gift of God; 9 NOT A RESULT OF WORKS, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are HIS WORKMANSHIP, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
2 Corinthians 5:17
"17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, [a]he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."
Jude 1:24-25 " 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished in His glorious presence, with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all time, and now, and for all eternity. Amen.…"
1 Corinthians 6:10-11 "…10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you WERE. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. "
Ephesians 1:12-14 "…12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory. 13 And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth— the gospel of your salvation— you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.…"
When we confessed our sinfulness and want to be changed into a new creation by Christ, He does that and it is eternal from the moment of salvation.
Ephesians 4:30 "30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
Romans 8:38–39
"38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Those who turn back were never born again, they were pretenders.
Sadly many people are believing they are keeping themselves saved by their works. God said that no works can save anyone. God does all the work in us when we confess our sinfulness.
When Christ changes us into a new creation we can never go back to the old again. Since we are changed by Him we no longer desire the sinful life.
2 Corinthians 5:17
"17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, [a]he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."
Jude 1:24-25 " 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished in His glorious presence, with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all time, and now, and for all eternity. Amen.…"
1 Corinthians 6:10-11 "…10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you WERE. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. "
Ephesians 1:12-14 "…12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory. 13 And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth— the gospel of your salvation— you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.…"
When we confessed our sinfulness and want to be changed into a new creation by Christ, He does that and it is eternal from the moment of salvation.
Ephesians 4:30 "30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
Romans 8:38–39
"38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Those who turn back were never born again, they were pretenders.
Ephesians 2:10
"10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Ephesians 2:8-11 " 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, it is the gift of God; 9 NOT A RESULT OF WORKS, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are HIS WORKMANSHIP, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Every Believer Has a Gift and Calling
I am convinced that the time is coming soon that facebook will not be an option for born again believers. When this happens we may be seeing the end of our witness and our home going.
The internet has been given to us in these last days as the very last witness to the world of the Lord Jesus Christ. Everyone is doing something in obedience to the Lord and whatever they are doing will end when the last believer trusts Christ.
God knows when this witnessing tool is taken from us, in the mean time I feel compelled to keep going until I no longer can. May the Lord bless you with resolve and encouragement until we go home.
Matthew 5:16
:In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Acts 1:8
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
1 Peter 3:15
"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,"
Acts 22:15
"For you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard."
Matthew 28:19
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,"
Isaiah 43:10
“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me."
Another wonderful thing about this medium for communication is that God has allowed it to be so not only for speaking truth to the unsaved, but also in these times of leanness of fellowship, for the believers to connect to encourage one another. What a blessing this is.
The internet has been given to us in these last days as the very last witness to the world of the Lord Jesus Christ. Everyone is doing something in obedience to the Lord and whatever they are doing will end when the last believer trusts Christ.
God knows when this witnessing tool is taken from us, in the mean time I feel compelled to keep going until I no longer can. May the Lord bless you with resolve and encouragement until we go home.
Matthew 5:16
:In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Acts 1:8
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
1 Peter 3:15
"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,"
Acts 22:15
"For you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard."
Matthew 28:19
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,"
Isaiah 43:10
“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me."
Another wonderful thing about this medium for communication is that God has allowed it to be so not only for speaking truth to the unsaved, but also in these times of leanness of fellowship, for the believers to connect to encourage one another. What a blessing this is.
Sunday, June 23, 2019
The World of Haters
Ruth Ranieri said : "I used to also, but once having an autistic son who people looked at you like why did you bring that into the world I didn’t care what they thought but they were strangers. It is another thing if it is your spouse or children and I chose God over them too. It matters what God thinks not man. It mattered to Jesus what the Father thought than man."
Gwendolyn said: "Amen Ruth, why would we care about what evil people think! Those who believe someone does not measure up to their standard are not worthy to live is beyond evil. They must think very highly of themselves to believe they measure up to be able to live."
It is astonishing that others would take a beautiful thing, that is the dedication of a mother to her child and attempt to make her feel guilty about doing what pleases God.
We are running into this sort of thinking all the time now. Even when we leave people alone and just live our lives as we believe we should, those who are convicted of their sinfulness will attack us, merely because we do not do what they do.
Gwendolyn said: "Amen Ruth, why would we care about what evil people think! Those who believe someone does not measure up to their standard are not worthy to live is beyond evil. They must think very highly of themselves to believe they measure up to be able to live."
It is astonishing that others would take a beautiful thing, that is the dedication of a mother to her child and attempt to make her feel guilty about doing what pleases God.
We are running into this sort of thinking all the time now. Even when we leave people alone and just live our lives as we believe we should, those who are convicted of their sinfulness will attack us, merely because we do not do what they do.
Saturday, June 22, 2019
Ask, All We Have to do is Ask!
I am struck with the fact that most people I meet have no interest in the end times even though we live in them just as prophesied in the Bible.
God said that the events of the end would be shut up until the time of the end. The understanding of these last days events have emerged so boldly and blatantly that anyone with eyes to see and ears to hear can discern them easily.
Perhaps Christ is only opening the understanding to those who want to know and those who belong to Him.
Yep, I think that's it!!!!! "ASK" that is the key to wisdom and knowledge.
Matthew 7:7-8 " 7 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.…"
James 1:4-6 "…4 Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.…"
God said that the events of the end would be shut up until the time of the end. The understanding of these last days events have emerged so boldly and blatantly that anyone with eyes to see and ears to hear can discern them easily.
Perhaps Christ is only opening the understanding to those who want to know and those who belong to Him.
Yep, I think that's it!!!!! "ASK" that is the key to wisdom and knowledge.
Matthew 7:7-8 " 7 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.…"
James 1:4-6 "…4 Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.…"
Friday, June 21, 2019
Fleshly Christianity
Attempting to do our Christianity in the flesh based on what we interpret as good is an exercise in futility.
Judges 17:6
"6 In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes."
When we desire to be changed and guided by Christ He will bring about change in us that results in far different behavior than if we are working in the flesh.
We might be able to fool others for a time with our outward appearances and shallow words but eventually those who pretend grow weary of the hard work of that pretense and the real them sneaks out, sometimes without them realizing it at all.
Then there is also the problem of those who have discernment about the fleshly walk. They are able to see into the soul by Spiritual discernment that reveals things the pretender didn't' think anyone else could see. Ways of expressing themselves in their words, facial expressions, body language and tones of voice often give them away.
I have heard it said that only 7% of communication is actually words. Most of what one conveys to others comes through to us other than words.
And, we know that God sees everything all the time. Even if someone is able to fool man they will never fool God. Who is the most important?......of course it is God.
There is food gluttony that is a sin, but even worse than food gluttony is a glutton of self worship. When someone is fixated on self to such a degree that it is unthinkable that anyone would correct them then they are self worshiping.
We see this self worship emerging in many forms in our day. Those who attend church gatherings every week expecting to be entertained and comforted care little if anything about Christ. These people are coming to get what they can from God even though in their heart they hate Him.
Parents in our day can understand this concept when they are rejected by ungrateful children. So many adult children are never to be seen while the parents are living but will show up at the reading of the will and the memorial to find out what their parents left them. In other words they want their parents wealth and material possessions but they care nothing about the parents.
So many "Christians" do this with God. They are "naming and claiming" whatever they want from God but deny His principles in His word. They become angry when an authentic believer corrects them with Scripture because they do not love God, they only want what He has to offer. Sadly these same people will not have what He has to offer, that is salvation, nor will they have His protection or blessings in any other area.
When we encounter a "Christian" who hears the Word of God and fights and argues to defend their sin one minute and the next crying out to Him for something they want, they can expect nothing from God.
Psalm 66: 17:-19…17 I cried out to Him with my mouth, and His praise was on my tongue. 18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. 19 But God has surely heard; He has attended to the sound of my prayer.
Isaiah 1:14-16…14 I hate your New Moons and your appointed feasts; they have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. 15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. 16 Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil!…"
Have you wondered why our country is in such a mess morally? As a country we claim to be Christian but negate and ignore more of Scripture than we obey as a nation.
Let me ask this: "Why have all the abortion clinics not been shut down, the houses of porn, the brothels, the taverns, the immoral clothing shops, the laws allowing divorce and remarriage, the movie houses, the television shows that depict evil as good?" Might I add, "where are the mothers who are not in the home caring for their families? " They are working outside the home to earn the all mighty buck when they should be fulfilling their role as keeper of the home.
The list is so long it would take a book to write about all of the violations of God's' word and even the hostility toward Him that we see every day.
Our country does the same thing as individuals do every day, it proclaims Christianity in words only, but actions are absent.
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.’”…"
The most disturbing thing of all to me is that so many "houses of God" are the worst in perverting His word and accepting sin as a normal course. I have heard of many cases in which pastors are divorced and remarried, shack ups are attending the services and every one greets and endorses their choice to mock God and most are attending these gatherings for the entertainment that was designed to entice them.
When we cater to the unsaved to bring them in then all we do is cater to them once they are in. Think about it, watering down the gospel message of repentance and confession of sinfulness will bring in those who are not serious about following Christ. Those who are not serious will dictate the goings on through their unrepentant attitude that will leave at the first sign of conviction. Take away all the entertainment and the houses of God will dwindle so much so the salary of the "pastor" will not be enough for him to live on.
Is it possible that a very good salary will cause many to market their church for a higher salary. This is one more thing to add to our book about the ills and problems in this nation that has rejected Christ.
WORDS are not enough, God proved that in Matthew 15:8! All we have to do is watch for a little while what people say and how they act to prove what God has said. Most people talk a good line and think that's enough.
Just Saying!
Judges 17:6
"6 In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes."
When we desire to be changed and guided by Christ He will bring about change in us that results in far different behavior than if we are working in the flesh.
We might be able to fool others for a time with our outward appearances and shallow words but eventually those who pretend grow weary of the hard work of that pretense and the real them sneaks out, sometimes without them realizing it at all.
Then there is also the problem of those who have discernment about the fleshly walk. They are able to see into the soul by Spiritual discernment that reveals things the pretender didn't' think anyone else could see. Ways of expressing themselves in their words, facial expressions, body language and tones of voice often give them away.
I have heard it said that only 7% of communication is actually words. Most of what one conveys to others comes through to us other than words.
And, we know that God sees everything all the time. Even if someone is able to fool man they will never fool God. Who is the most important?......of course it is God.
There is food gluttony that is a sin, but even worse than food gluttony is a glutton of self worship. When someone is fixated on self to such a degree that it is unthinkable that anyone would correct them then they are self worshiping.
We see this self worship emerging in many forms in our day. Those who attend church gatherings every week expecting to be entertained and comforted care little if anything about Christ. These people are coming to get what they can from God even though in their heart they hate Him.
Parents in our day can understand this concept when they are rejected by ungrateful children. So many adult children are never to be seen while the parents are living but will show up at the reading of the will and the memorial to find out what their parents left them. In other words they want their parents wealth and material possessions but they care nothing about the parents.
So many "Christians" do this with God. They are "naming and claiming" whatever they want from God but deny His principles in His word. They become angry when an authentic believer corrects them with Scripture because they do not love God, they only want what He has to offer. Sadly these same people will not have what He has to offer, that is salvation, nor will they have His protection or blessings in any other area.
When we encounter a "Christian" who hears the Word of God and fights and argues to defend their sin one minute and the next crying out to Him for something they want, they can expect nothing from God.
Psalm 66: 17:-19…17 I cried out to Him with my mouth, and His praise was on my tongue. 18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. 19 But God has surely heard; He has attended to the sound of my prayer.
Isaiah 1:14-16…14 I hate your New Moons and your appointed feasts; they have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. 15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. 16 Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil!…"
Have you wondered why our country is in such a mess morally? As a country we claim to be Christian but negate and ignore more of Scripture than we obey as a nation.
Let me ask this: "Why have all the abortion clinics not been shut down, the houses of porn, the brothels, the taverns, the immoral clothing shops, the laws allowing divorce and remarriage, the movie houses, the television shows that depict evil as good?" Might I add, "where are the mothers who are not in the home caring for their families? " They are working outside the home to earn the all mighty buck when they should be fulfilling their role as keeper of the home.
The list is so long it would take a book to write about all of the violations of God's' word and even the hostility toward Him that we see every day.
Our country does the same thing as individuals do every day, it proclaims Christianity in words only, but actions are absent.
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.’”…"
The most disturbing thing of all to me is that so many "houses of God" are the worst in perverting His word and accepting sin as a normal course. I have heard of many cases in which pastors are divorced and remarried, shack ups are attending the services and every one greets and endorses their choice to mock God and most are attending these gatherings for the entertainment that was designed to entice them.
When we cater to the unsaved to bring them in then all we do is cater to them once they are in. Think about it, watering down the gospel message of repentance and confession of sinfulness will bring in those who are not serious about following Christ. Those who are not serious will dictate the goings on through their unrepentant attitude that will leave at the first sign of conviction. Take away all the entertainment and the houses of God will dwindle so much so the salary of the "pastor" will not be enough for him to live on.
Is it possible that a very good salary will cause many to market their church for a higher salary. This is one more thing to add to our book about the ills and problems in this nation that has rejected Christ.
WORDS are not enough, God proved that in Matthew 15:8! All we have to do is watch for a little while what people say and how they act to prove what God has said. Most people talk a good line and think that's enough.
Just Saying!
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Bad People Hurt People
Hurt people do not hurt people. The narcissist is not hurt they are just evil.
God will never change the heart of someone who does not want to change. When God told Jeremiah to stop praying for his nation it was because the heart of the people have become so hardened that their heart could no longer be changed.
Jeremiah 11:14 " 14 As for you, do not pray for these people. Do not raise up a cry or a prayer on their behalf, for I will not be listening when they call out to Me at the time of their disaster. "
Isaiah 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. "
God will never change the heart of those who love their sin. All of us have been hurt from time to time, even a lifetime of hurt, but we do not continually hurt others because of what we have been through. In fact many of us who have been hurt can't stand the thought of hurting others because of how we felt when it was done to us.
We can never use the excuse that someone hurt us to justify hurting others. We ought never to minimize the bad behavior of others to their victims by declaring how hurt the perp is. Bad behavior should be treated with a rebuke not compassion.
It is unjust to pressure the victim to forgive while coddling the narcissist, enabling them to continue using excuses for their behavior.
The best way to help someone learn to stop bad behavior is to tell them it is bad and refuse to engage with them if they refuse to stop it.
Just saying!
God will never change the heart of someone who does not want to change. When God told Jeremiah to stop praying for his nation it was because the heart of the people have become so hardened that their heart could no longer be changed.
Jeremiah 11:14 " 14 As for you, do not pray for these people. Do not raise up a cry or a prayer on their behalf, for I will not be listening when they call out to Me at the time of their disaster. "
Isaiah 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. "
God will never change the heart of those who love their sin. All of us have been hurt from time to time, even a lifetime of hurt, but we do not continually hurt others because of what we have been through. In fact many of us who have been hurt can't stand the thought of hurting others because of how we felt when it was done to us.
We can never use the excuse that someone hurt us to justify hurting others. We ought never to minimize the bad behavior of others to their victims by declaring how hurt the perp is. Bad behavior should be treated with a rebuke not compassion.
It is unjust to pressure the victim to forgive while coddling the narcissist, enabling them to continue using excuses for their behavior.
The best way to help someone learn to stop bad behavior is to tell them it is bad and refuse to engage with them if they refuse to stop it.
Just saying!
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
The More We Learn the More We Need to Learn
The more we learn the more we realize just how much we do not know. Those who walk in humility are far more concerned about growing than merely knowing. Lots of people have knowledge who do not possess the basic elements of the Christians walk, such as empathy, kindness and truth.
When we learn something new that opens our eyes a little wider we will move a little differently. Gaining knowledge that just remains in the brain and goes no where else is useless.
Our learning ought to cause our steps to widen and lengthen.
1 Corinthians 8:1 "Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies."
When we are growing and changing people will notice without our every having to tell them. Those who don't want to see our growth will deny it, but the honest ones will.
Those who have to boast of their growth probably are relying on their words alone without a changed heart. In other words there probably has not been authentic growth but only words.
Words have no power except when they are accompanied by actions and attitudes.
James 2:17-19 "…17So too, faith by itself, if it is not complemented by action, is dead. 18But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.…"
Faith is not just a word that emerges from mouths, if it is authentic faith there will always be actions. Those actions will not be forced or deliberate, they will roll off of the life like rolling off a log, without thought and without boasting.
Faith that is real comes naturally without working to prove it.
"One of the elements of holiness is the absence of self awareness." Author Unknown
When we learn something new that opens our eyes a little wider we will move a little differently. Gaining knowledge that just remains in the brain and goes no where else is useless.
Our learning ought to cause our steps to widen and lengthen.
1 Corinthians 8:1 "Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies."
When we are growing and changing people will notice without our every having to tell them. Those who don't want to see our growth will deny it, but the honest ones will.
Those who have to boast of their growth probably are relying on their words alone without a changed heart. In other words there probably has not been authentic growth but only words.
Words have no power except when they are accompanied by actions and attitudes.
James 2:17-19 "…17So too, faith by itself, if it is not complemented by action, is dead. 18But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.…"
Faith is not just a word that emerges from mouths, if it is authentic faith there will always be actions. Those actions will not be forced or deliberate, they will roll off of the life like rolling off a log, without thought and without boasting.
Faith that is real comes naturally without working to prove it.
"One of the elements of holiness is the absence of self awareness." Author Unknown
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Responding to the Critical Person
Dr. Les Carter thoughts paraphrased:
Critical people enjoy being insulting!
Critical people will judge us as the problem.
Critical people don't want our input.
Critical people do not have an understanding spirit and their words are empty. A critic sees no need for understanding anyone else.
We are not required to play along with the critics insults or to engage with them at all when they are insulting.
Do not react to anything, do everything with reasoning and understanding.
My thoughts on this were:
When we pay little to no attention to our emotions and reason things out we most often will not react but will respond Biblically.
When we know the enemy, are deeply rooted in the Word of God and looking to Christ instead of to self we will not be very concerned about how we are treated, but more about how we are demonstrating the principles of God in our responses or lack of responses.
God has given us some very specific ways to respond to injustice all we have to do is read His Word and pray that the Holy Spirit give us the understanding.
James 1:5 "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
Critical people enjoy being insulting!
Critical people will judge us as the problem.
Critical people don't want our input.
Critical people do not have an understanding spirit and their words are empty. A critic sees no need for understanding anyone else.
We are not required to play along with the critics insults or to engage with them at all when they are insulting.
Do not react to anything, do everything with reasoning and understanding.
My thoughts on this were:
When we pay little to no attention to our emotions and reason things out we most often will not react but will respond Biblically.
When we know the enemy, are deeply rooted in the Word of God and looking to Christ instead of to self we will not be very concerned about how we are treated, but more about how we are demonstrating the principles of God in our responses or lack of responses.
God has given us some very specific ways to respond to injustice all we have to do is read His Word and pray that the Holy Spirit give us the understanding.
James 1:5 "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
Hearing God's Voice
In recalling our visit to Israel a few years ago I am reminded of the encounter we had with a flock of sheep and goats. The animals were behind a large pen. As I walked up to the animals I could not resist petting them. They were walking away from me as I was calling out to them in English.
The shepherd who was standing near the pen, a very young man very middle eastern looking was watching me. I called to the sheep a few times but they ignored me. Then suddenly the shepherd called out to them in Hebrew and the sheep came running back to where we were.
The sheep knew his voice and came without hesitation. Later as the shepherd took them from the pen and walked them down the long path they were jumping all around him, bleating and running to keep up with him. You see, those sheep and goats knew their shepherd and loved to be with him.
It occurred to me then that God allowed me to see what it looked like to be a child of God, able to know the voice of the Great Shepherd when others in the sound of His voice do not hear or understand Him.
As I watched how excited the sheep and goats were to be with their shepherd when he called and ran after him when he walked away, I was struck with how our walk with Christ should be. We ought to be anxious and ready to search for Him, His heart, His will in the pages of His Book the Bible as well as in prayer to hear from Him.
We would never be confused about anything if we are patiently waiting for His answers. When we don't understand we know He has a purpose and eventually will reveal to us all that we need to know.
John 10:27-28
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
The shepherd who was standing near the pen, a very young man very middle eastern looking was watching me. I called to the sheep a few times but they ignored me. Then suddenly the shepherd called out to them in Hebrew and the sheep came running back to where we were.
The sheep knew his voice and came without hesitation. Later as the shepherd took them from the pen and walked them down the long path they were jumping all around him, bleating and running to keep up with him. You see, those sheep and goats knew their shepherd and loved to be with him.
It occurred to me then that God allowed me to see what it looked like to be a child of God, able to know the voice of the Great Shepherd when others in the sound of His voice do not hear or understand Him.
As I watched how excited the sheep and goats were to be with their shepherd when he called and ran after him when he walked away, I was struck with how our walk with Christ should be. We ought to be anxious and ready to search for Him, His heart, His will in the pages of His Book the Bible as well as in prayer to hear from Him.
We would never be confused about anything if we are patiently waiting for His answers. When we don't understand we know He has a purpose and eventually will reveal to us all that we need to know.
John 10:27-28
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Romans 2
The Impartiality of God
"2 Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.
2 And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things.
3 But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?
4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
6 who will render to each person according to his deeds:
7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life;
8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.
9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
11 For there is no partiality with God."
"12 For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law;
13 for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.
14 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having [o]the Law, are a law to themselves,
15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,
16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus."
The Jew Is Condemned by the Law
"17 But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely upon the Law and boast in God,
18 and know His will and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law,
19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,
20 a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth,
21 you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal?
22 You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
23 You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God?
24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written."
"25 For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.
26 So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?
27 And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law?
28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.
29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God."
"2 Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.
2 And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things.
3 But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?
4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
6 who will render to each person according to his deeds:
7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life;
8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.
9 There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
11 For there is no partiality with God."
"12 For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law;
13 for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.
14 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having [o]the Law, are a law to themselves,
15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,
16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus."
The Jew Is Condemned by the Law
"17 But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely upon the Law and boast in God,
18 and know His will and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law,
19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,
20 a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth,
21 you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal?
22 You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
23 You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God?
24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written."
"25 For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.
26 So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?
27 And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law?
28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.
29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God."
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