When our president asks the nation to pray he is asking non-believers to pray. God never hears the prayers of unbelievers. A born again believer understands this principle.
John 9:31 "31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does listen to the one who worships Him and does His will. "
Proverbs 28:9
"If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination."
1 Peter 3:12
"For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Psalm 66:18
"If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened."
Isaiah 59:2
"But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear."
James 4:3
"You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions."
James 4:8
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Those Who Will Follow the Antichrist
Trump has been a good and effective deception in these last days. He has a "spiritual advisor who is a false prophet and a snake.
He surrounds himself with prosperity preachers. He speaks the large flowery language to entice people and has thrown a few bones to make conservatives think he is on their side.
When the president uses language such as "pray for the nation" he does not understand real prayer, he is talking about speaking things to make them happen, the power of the mind, and the power of the masses speaking them. His god is himself and those who surround him interpret his words in the ways they want to hear them, they are discerning.
The way Christians have acted in defense of Trump is the same way they will react when the antichrist will come on the scene.
Trump was the test, the precursor for what is coming.
Paula White, Trumps spiritual advisor is a heretic. She believes in a false Jesus who went to hell to suffer more after the cross and she believes we are all little gods. There is much more but those two things are enough for me to identify her as a false witness.
She fits right with Trump on the prosperity gospel. His favorite mentor was Norman Vincent Peale who taught the power of the mind to make things happen.
The power of the mind means all we have to do it say something and believe in it and it will happen. This is deeply akin to "claiming" what someone wants to get it. Trump uses this tactic all the time, repeating that good will happen merely by saying so.
When we look at the fruit it is rotten. Sure you are getting a few things you want, a wall, a better economy, and he is against abortion. But none of this makes him good or godly.
The sad thing is that I see people placing their trust in Trump more than in Christ. They are fighting with those who tell the truth about him. They defend him as though we should never expose the bad, perhaps because they do not see it.
I knew homosexuals for life who marched against abortion back in the day. They were on their way to hell and influenced many people to become perverse. Yet they were against killing babies. Being for or against the things we are for or against does not prove someone is of God.
I am convinced now that our president was not brought to save our country but to show us how spiritually and emotionally we are vulnerable to a fast talker and a few false miracles.
Christians have jumped on this bandwagon of a leader to save America when America does not deserve saving. We have committed many abominations in the past 60 years that have fostered a selfish god-hating culture. Where do we get off thinking we have a right to be saved?
As born again believers we ought to be focused not on politics, the government or a leader to save us but on Christ, the only One who can keep someone out of hell.
Psalm 20:7-8 "7 Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. 8 They collapse and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.…"
When our trust is having the leader we like we are no different from Israel when they demanded a leader like the other nations. They were not satisfied with God as their leader they wanted a human leader. This is the same mentality we are seeing in Christians in our day. They pay little attention to Christ, to His principles but have no lack of conversation about the ungodly man in the white house.
Do you wish to have an idea of what it will look like when the antichrist appears to the world? Just look at the adulation toward our president and you will know. There is an element of worship toward the leader when someone is not allowed to voice the flaws and warnings about that leader.
One clue is the anger that arises when we point out the facts and the flaws of our president. This is how the pretenders will be when the antichrist appears and announces to give the world prosperity and safety. The same way they have responded about Trump will be the way they will fight to defend the antichrist.
My hope is that those who are born again believers will take their eyes off of this world and look up, that is our only hope.
Luke 21:27-29 "…27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” 29 Then Jesus told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees.…"
Did God say look around and try to get a good president who gives you what you want? NO, God told us to look to Him all the time for everything. He is our provider and the only One Whom we can trust.
Hallelujah!!!
He surrounds himself with prosperity preachers. He speaks the large flowery language to entice people and has thrown a few bones to make conservatives think he is on their side.
When the president uses language such as "pray for the nation" he does not understand real prayer, he is talking about speaking things to make them happen, the power of the mind, and the power of the masses speaking them. His god is himself and those who surround him interpret his words in the ways they want to hear them, they are discerning.
The way Christians have acted in defense of Trump is the same way they will react when the antichrist will come on the scene.
Trump was the test, the precursor for what is coming.
Paula White, Trumps spiritual advisor is a heretic. She believes in a false Jesus who went to hell to suffer more after the cross and she believes we are all little gods. There is much more but those two things are enough for me to identify her as a false witness.
She fits right with Trump on the prosperity gospel. His favorite mentor was Norman Vincent Peale who taught the power of the mind to make things happen.
The power of the mind means all we have to do it say something and believe in it and it will happen. This is deeply akin to "claiming" what someone wants to get it. Trump uses this tactic all the time, repeating that good will happen merely by saying so.
When we look at the fruit it is rotten. Sure you are getting a few things you want, a wall, a better economy, and he is against abortion. But none of this makes him good or godly.
The sad thing is that I see people placing their trust in Trump more than in Christ. They are fighting with those who tell the truth about him. They defend him as though we should never expose the bad, perhaps because they do not see it.
I knew homosexuals for life who marched against abortion back in the day. They were on their way to hell and influenced many people to become perverse. Yet they were against killing babies. Being for or against the things we are for or against does not prove someone is of God.
I am convinced now that our president was not brought to save our country but to show us how spiritually and emotionally we are vulnerable to a fast talker and a few false miracles.
Christians have jumped on this bandwagon of a leader to save America when America does not deserve saving. We have committed many abominations in the past 60 years that have fostered a selfish god-hating culture. Where do we get off thinking we have a right to be saved?
As born again believers we ought to be focused not on politics, the government or a leader to save us but on Christ, the only One who can keep someone out of hell.
Psalm 20:7-8 "7 Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. 8 They collapse and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.…"
When our trust is having the leader we like we are no different from Israel when they demanded a leader like the other nations. They were not satisfied with God as their leader they wanted a human leader. This is the same mentality we are seeing in Christians in our day. They pay little attention to Christ, to His principles but have no lack of conversation about the ungodly man in the white house.
Do you wish to have an idea of what it will look like when the antichrist appears to the world? Just look at the adulation toward our president and you will know. There is an element of worship toward the leader when someone is not allowed to voice the flaws and warnings about that leader.
One clue is the anger that arises when we point out the facts and the flaws of our president. This is how the pretenders will be when the antichrist appears and announces to give the world prosperity and safety. The same way they have responded about Trump will be the way they will fight to defend the antichrist.
My hope is that those who are born again believers will take their eyes off of this world and look up, that is our only hope.
Luke 21:27-29 "…27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” 29 Then Jesus told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees.…"
Did God say look around and try to get a good president who gives you what you want? NO, God told us to look to Him all the time for everything. He is our provider and the only One Whom we can trust.
Hallelujah!!!
Pride Ruins Whomever it Controls
Pride got the devil and his minions thrown out of heaven. Self-exaltation will ruin the prideful person.
The Insecurity of Pride
Insecurity is a sign of pride, I know that sounds strange or diametrically opposed, but the truth is that anyone who is fearful of being discovered, is also full of pride. The need to preserve a particular image is one whose pride rules their heart.
Those who are not concerned about others learning the real them are not insecure. They have no need to be superior or special, they are happy in their own skin because they humbly know what they are and are open to correction and growth.
Defensiveness is an indication of pride. When we can honestly evaluate matters in truth we have no worries about being seen as less than perfect. The humble person easily admits a flaw or a mistake without embarrassment or defensiveness.
The prideful, fearful person must always be seen as special and better than others. Embarrassment is the response of those who have pride, they cannot interact with anyone without exuding a sense of superiority. For a flaw to be exposed is unthinkable to the prideful person.
Jealousy looms large in the heart of a prideful fearful person. Since it is so important to be special and superior to the insecure person they are easily jealous of the accomplishments of others. These people deliberately ignore the joys and gifts of others.
When we have no need to impress others we can be full of joy. The blessing of enjoying our own accomplishments and pleasing God is enough for us. We share our joys with others but do not seek to be superior.
Romans 12:15
"15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep."
Narcissists never engage in the joys and pleasures with others. They are the only ones they see all the time. I am saddened for them because they are desperately attempting to pretend to be what no one can be, which is perfect and superior to others.
These people are not to be despised, they are to be pitied and prayed for since their depression comes and goes continually. They may even say they are not depressed but the burden of their need to feel superior shadows them every day.
James 4:10
"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
There is hope for those who are full of pride, that hope is in Jesus Christ. Only He can cleanse the prideful heart of its burden. The solution is to ask forgiveness and for the Lord to change the heart.
James 4:6
"But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Those who are not concerned about others learning the real them are not insecure. They have no need to be superior or special, they are happy in their own skin because they humbly know what they are and are open to correction and growth.
Defensiveness is an indication of pride. When we can honestly evaluate matters in truth we have no worries about being seen as less than perfect. The humble person easily admits a flaw or a mistake without embarrassment or defensiveness.
The prideful, fearful person must always be seen as special and better than others. Embarrassment is the response of those who have pride, they cannot interact with anyone without exuding a sense of superiority. For a flaw to be exposed is unthinkable to the prideful person.
Jealousy looms large in the heart of a prideful fearful person. Since it is so important to be special and superior to the insecure person they are easily jealous of the accomplishments of others. These people deliberately ignore the joys and gifts of others.
When we have no need to impress others we can be full of joy. The blessing of enjoying our own accomplishments and pleasing God is enough for us. We share our joys with others but do not seek to be superior.
Romans 12:15
"15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep."
Narcissists never engage in the joys and pleasures with others. They are the only ones they see all the time. I am saddened for them because they are desperately attempting to pretend to be what no one can be, which is perfect and superior to others.
These people are not to be despised, they are to be pitied and prayed for since their depression comes and goes continually. They may even say they are not depressed but the burden of their need to feel superior shadows them every day.
James 4:10
"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
There is hope for those who are full of pride, that hope is in Jesus Christ. Only He can cleanse the prideful heart of its burden. The solution is to ask forgiveness and for the Lord to change the heart.
James 4:6
"But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Sheep Don't Even Have the Sense to Bite
The dog (wolf) knows the character of the sheep. I grew up around sheep, they are stupid. They follow anyone who feeds them. If they are frightened, they run until they die to avoid the predator.
They have no defenses except to run, and that running will kill them. The sheep are among the most frightened and helpless creatures, they don't even bite. I believe this is why God calls us sheep, very few people think and evaluate, they just go whichever way they feel safest without thinking of the consequences.
Isaiah 53:6 "6 We, all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way."
Peter 2:25
"For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."
Sheep cannot survive without a shepherd or protector.
Jeremiah 50:6
"My people are lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray, causing them to roam the mountains. They have wandered from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place."
They have no defenses except to run, and that running will kill them. The sheep are among the most frightened and helpless creatures, they don't even bite. I believe this is why God calls us sheep, very few people think and evaluate, they just go whichever way they feel safest without thinking of the consequences.
Isaiah 53:6 "6 We, all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way."
Peter 2:25
"For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."
Sheep cannot survive without a shepherd or protector.
Jeremiah 50:6
"My people are lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray, causing them to roam the mountains. They have wandered from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place."
How to Grow in Wisdom and Holiness
If someone does something publicly it should be handled publically. People who are prideful like secrets. They are fearful that the real them will be discovered.
1 Timothy 5:20 "Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning."
The reason our churches have become apostate is that wrong attitudes and sin have not been addressed in the context within when they happened.
Secrecy allows people to continue in sin and sinful attitudes without accountability causing it to grow. Not only does the pride grow but also the influence of the sin and pride grow among others in the group. The devil loves secrecy and gossip. Gossip cannot occur when things are handled honestly and openly.
When we are confronted with something wrong or perhaps a correction not associated with sin, often the accusation comes back that it should have been hidden. This is not Biblical.
When you confront a narcissist about their bad attitude or blatant sin, often the accusation comes that you should have done it privately. This is only true when the sin was private. If the sin was public, in front of the rest of the body then that should be handled at the time it happens and in the presence of all.
2 Timothy 4:2
"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."
1 Timothy 5:20
"As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear."
All things are to be done in an orderly manner without guile or revenge. Everything should be done with the purpose of glorifying God and bringing the sinner back into obedience to Christ.
The purpose of complete openness with brothers and sisters is to help them evaluate themselves to remain on track as they grow in holiness. We are not merely friends with the gathering, we are helpers in one another's spiritual growth.
It is true that no man is an island, if someone wants to be an island unto themselves then they are demonstrating pride which leads to inclusiveness.
Galatians 6:1
"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted."
Those who hide are guilty of something!
Luke 17:3
"Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him,"
Our goal in this life ought not to be appearing superior or perfect but they learn the ways of Christ, growing gradually as God reveals needed confession in areas we might not see in ourselves.
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."
Those who can swallow their pride while evaluating themselves will be those who will grow in holiness and wisdom.
.
1 Timothy 5:20 "Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning."
The reason our churches have become apostate is that wrong attitudes and sin have not been addressed in the context within when they happened.
Secrecy allows people to continue in sin and sinful attitudes without accountability causing it to grow. Not only does the pride grow but also the influence of the sin and pride grow among others in the group. The devil loves secrecy and gossip. Gossip cannot occur when things are handled honestly and openly.
When we are confronted with something wrong or perhaps a correction not associated with sin, often the accusation comes back that it should have been hidden. This is not Biblical.
When you confront a narcissist about their bad attitude or blatant sin, often the accusation comes that you should have done it privately. This is only true when the sin was private. If the sin was public, in front of the rest of the body then that should be handled at the time it happens and in the presence of all.
2 Timothy 4:2
"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."
1 Timothy 5:20
"As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear."
All things are to be done in an orderly manner without guile or revenge. Everything should be done with the purpose of glorifying God and bringing the sinner back into obedience to Christ.
The purpose of complete openness with brothers and sisters is to help them evaluate themselves to remain on track as they grow in holiness. We are not merely friends with the gathering, we are helpers in one another's spiritual growth.
It is true that no man is an island, if someone wants to be an island unto themselves then they are demonstrating pride which leads to inclusiveness.
Galatians 6:1
"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted."
Those who hide are guilty of something!
Luke 17:3
"Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him,"
Our goal in this life ought not to be appearing superior or perfect but they learn the ways of Christ, growing gradually as God reveals needed confession in areas we might not see in ourselves.
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."
Those who can swallow their pride while evaluating themselves will be those who will grow in holiness and wisdom.
.
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