Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Leave the Fool to God
Fools consider themselves wise if they have been able to bait others into fights and arguments. They are so foolish that they think they have won something just by making others agitated or angry.
Proverbs 26:4-5 "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes".
Never feed the "beast" by engaging with them. Anger and fights are their food, they live to see drama and hate, even worse they love to turn friends against one another.
Never share your deepest hurts or past forgiven sin with anyone who has proven to be untrustworthy. They will act empathetic to your face but quickly gossip to others to ruin you, even though the sin is past and forgiven by God, they will still act as though it is happening in the present.
Proverbs 22:24-25 "Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare."
It is anger that drives the gossip, anger fostered by the devils that wish to ruin anyone who follows Christ.
Proverbs 16:28 "A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends."
Spreading half-truths and whole lies is candy to those who wish to feel superior to others, often driven by jealousy and envy.
Envy: discontentment and resentment at the blessings of others.
Jealousy: anger that someone has something we don't have, wishing they didn't have it.
When we discover someone is jealous and envious, it is best to remove ourselves to avoid any triggering these people will attempt to cause us to sin, whether in our hearts or openly.
There is only one reason for fools to start fights it is because their jealousy drives them to want us to do something that makes us look bad and them to appear to be a victim.
Do not allow a fool to trigger you into responding in an ungodly manner or to validate them in any way to avoid conflict; silence is the best course of action when in company with a fool.
Do not be triggered, do not validate them, and do not respond.
Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
God can deal with the fool better than we could; leave the fool to God.
Proverbs 26:4-5 "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes".
Never feed the "beast" by engaging with them. Anger and fights are their food, they live to see drama and hate, even worse they love to turn friends against one another.
Proverbs 17:9 "Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends."
Never share your deepest hurts or past forgiven sin with anyone who has proven to be untrustworthy. They will act empathetic to your face but quickly gossip to others to ruin you, even though the sin is past and forgiven by God, they will still act as though it is happening in the present.
Proverbs 22:24-25 "Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare."
It is anger that drives the gossip, anger fostered by the devils that wish to ruin anyone who follows Christ.
Proverbs 16:28 "A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends."
Spreading half-truths and whole lies is candy to those who wish to feel superior to others, often driven by jealousy and envy.
Envy: discontentment and resentment at the blessings of others.
Jealousy: anger that someone has something we don't have, wishing they didn't have it.
When we discover someone is jealous and envious, it is best to remove ourselves to avoid any triggering these people will attempt to cause us to sin, whether in our hearts or openly.
There is only one reason for fools to start fights it is because their jealousy drives them to want us to do something that makes us look bad and them to appear to be a victim.
Do not allow a fool to trigger you into responding in an ungodly manner or to validate them in any way to avoid conflict; silence is the best course of action when in company with a fool.
Do not be triggered, do not validate them, and do not respond.
Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
God can deal with the fool better than we could; leave the fool to God.
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
The Pressure of the Modern System of Church Gatherings
The pressure of the modern cultural church system is intense and leaves baby Christians to think they must do all the things those more "seasoned" Christians do in attending a large gathering in a building designated as the "holy place."
When Christ changed me into a new creation, I was under the delusion that the way all the other "Evangelicals" did it was the right way, and I sought to be like them, until I prayed for wisdom and truth about everything all the time.
Then the Lord opened my eyes, the more I prayed for wisdom, the more uncomfortable I felt with what I was doing and what my friends were doing, the things they were saying and the ways they were acting were so prideful and superior that it repulsed me.
Matthew 23:15 "… 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You traverse land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are."
There was then, and even much more now, a sense of arrogance in the church gatherings. They preached love but did not demonstrate it the way God wrote about it in His Word.
Correction was disallowed within the gathering if the correction came from an "underling," not the designated "paid-pastor." And, all the other underlings were not to be corrected by one of their peers; the designated paid-pastor was allowed to correct others, at least in the minds of the "underlings."
Even those who had been Christians for many years and followed certain men thought it was arrogant for an "underling" to correct one of their favorite elevated men, educated in a seminary. They used scripture out of context to intimidate the underling from criticizing the elite pastor.
There was and is a sort of idolatry present when a "pastor" walked into the room. Anyone who did not elevate him as special was considered rebellious.
Status for the paid-pastor was and is enormous and raised to the level of "vicar for Christ", at least in their thinking, even if they would deny it, they resented anyone who would correct the designated "Vicar."
When we place any person above Christ, that person is an idol.
Romans 12:16 "
Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation."
There is a sort of specialness by osmosis when someone elevates and associates with the designated exceptional personage. Sadly, this mentality creates pride in the one being elevated; often, they become incensed that anyone would dare challenge them. And all those who follow them are also antagonistic toward the one who desires truth over status.
Everyone has a job in the body of Christ, and everyone is equal; the only elevated One is the Holy Spirit. He alone is to be trusted; everything else anyone says is to be tested through the Word of God.
1 Corinthians 12:12-26
"12 For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.
It is mankind in their arrogance who have elevated some spiritual gifts above others. God never did that; all the gifts are from Him for His purposes, and no one was superior to another. Because of this, no part of the body is elevated above another, no part of the body is without need for teaching and correction, edification and discipline.
Those who act as though one gift that comes from God is better than another gift is denying God's purpose in all things.
We ought not to question the purposes of God; we cannot understand all that God is doing, and should be humble enough to admit it.
Isaiah 55:9 "…8“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. 9“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."
No man is more special than another, no gift is more special than another, it is only Christ Who is above all!!!!
And, final thought, it seems to me that the most used people mentioned in the Bible were those who were thought of as lesser by their peers. Just saying!
When Christ changed me into a new creation, I was under the delusion that the way all the other "Evangelicals" did it was the right way, and I sought to be like them, until I prayed for wisdom and truth about everything all the time.
Then the Lord opened my eyes, the more I prayed for wisdom, the more uncomfortable I felt with what I was doing and what my friends were doing, the things they were saying and the ways they were acting were so prideful and superior that it repulsed me.
Matthew 23:15 "… 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You traverse land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are."
There was then, and even much more now, a sense of arrogance in the church gatherings. They preached love but did not demonstrate it the way God wrote about it in His Word.
Correction was disallowed within the gathering if the correction came from an "underling," not the designated "paid-pastor." And, all the other underlings were not to be corrected by one of their peers; the designated paid-pastor was allowed to correct others, at least in the minds of the "underlings."
Even those who had been Christians for many years and followed certain men thought it was arrogant for an "underling" to correct one of their favorite elevated men, educated in a seminary. They used scripture out of context to intimidate the underling from criticizing the elite pastor.
There was and is a sort of idolatry present when a "pastor" walked into the room. Anyone who did not elevate him as special was considered rebellious.
Status for the paid-pastor was and is enormous and raised to the level of "vicar for Christ", at least in their thinking, even if they would deny it, they resented anyone who would correct the designated "Vicar."
When we place any person above Christ, that person is an idol.
Romans 12:16 "
Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation."
There is a sort of specialness by osmosis when someone elevates and associates with the designated exceptional personage. Sadly, this mentality creates pride in the one being elevated; often, they become incensed that anyone would dare challenge them. And all those who follow them are also antagonistic toward the one who desires truth over status.
Everyone has a job in the body of Christ, and everyone is equal; the only elevated One is the Holy Spirit. He alone is to be trusted; everything else anyone says is to be tested through the Word of God.
1 Corinthians 12:12-26
"12 For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one part, but many.
14 For the body is not one part, but many.
15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any less a part of the body.
16 And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any less a part of the body.
17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has arranged the parts, each one of them in the body, just as He desired.
19 If they were all one part, where would the body be?
20 But now there are many parts, but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again, the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”
22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the parts of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary;
23 and those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor, and our less presentable parts become much more presentable,
24, whereas our more presentable parts have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked,
25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same care for one another.
26 And if one part of the body suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if a part is honored, all the parts rejoice with it."
20 But now there are many parts, but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again, the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”
22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the parts of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary;
23 and those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor, and our less presentable parts become much more presentable,
24, whereas our more presentable parts have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked,
25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same care for one another.
26 And if one part of the body suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if a part is honored, all the parts rejoice with it."
It is mankind in their arrogance who have elevated some spiritual gifts above others. God never did that; all the gifts are from Him for His purposes, and no one was superior to another. Because of this, no part of the body is elevated above another, no part of the body is without need for teaching and correction, edification and discipline.
Those who act as though one gift that comes from God is better than another gift is denying God's purpose in all things.
We ought not to question the purposes of God; we cannot understand all that God is doing, and should be humble enough to admit it.
Isaiah 55:9 "…8“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. 9“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."
No man is more special than another, no gift is more special than another, it is only Christ Who is above all!!!!
And, final thought, it seems to me that the most used people mentioned in the Bible were those who were thought of as lesser by their peers. Just saying!
No paid man-made hierarchy in the gathering of born-again believers.
Recently, I engaged in a conversation with a sister in Christ. She was concerned that my husband and I were not attending a "church".
Here is what I told her.
"I am a dedicated Christ-born-again believer, which is why I left the unbiblical organized church system. Christ never commanded us to do church the way that system operates."
"He never told us to "go to church." He said Where two or three are gathered in His name, there is He in the midst. According to the Scriptures, we can meet on any day at any time with anyone who is a sibling in Christ."
"Those who are born-again are the church; Our body is the temple, and we worship in Spirit and Truth, not with our bodies or particular places."
"When we study the Bible with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can see how much is wrong with these apostate gatherings. They say some right things, but many things they believe are wrong. And, the denominations are against God's Word."
God told us to agree, which means we seek Christ until we agree according to the Bible. God said we serve Him with our bodies, but we do not engage in man-made rituals that deter us from edifying one another in the Spirit.
The purpose of the gathering is to build one another in the faith so that we become strong enough to share the gospel with the lost and live out our Christianity boldly and unashamedly.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
"11 Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing."
This encouragement is not praise for good deeds done, it is encouragement to keep remaining faithful to God's Word in our walk. Thankfulness that one is walking in good deeds is included but it is not praise to build pride.
Hebrews 3:13
"But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness."
Ephesians 4:29
"Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen."
Romans 14:19
"So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification."
Definition of Edification: Improvement of the mind and understanding.
Romans 14:19
"19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another."
Ephesians 4:14-16 "…14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming.
Because we love someone, we tell the truth; their response to the truth does not lie with us. When we speak the truth, we do it to help someone continue to obey God or to begin obeying God. It is not done with malice to impress or intimidate anyone; it is done because of our love for them.
Those who are prideful and resistant to correction will misinterpret our motives and come against us because of their pride, not because we did something wrong.
The gathering of believers has become a social club with everyone walking on eggshells, promoting good feelings without important life lessons to grow one another in the faith.
Some Christians are coming out of the organized 501c3 organizations led by men and not by the Holy Spirit because of all the unbiblical and worldly practices and attitudes that go on in them.
Colossians 1:28
"We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ."
All believers proclaim Him, all admonish and teach everyone in all wisdom. The only leader is the Holy Spirit, and those who are designated as shepherds are subject to everyone else in the gathering. No one has authority over anyone else; we are all admonished to speak the truth using the Scriptures.
Here is what I told her.
"I am a dedicated Christ-born-again believer, which is why I left the unbiblical organized church system. Christ never commanded us to do church the way that system operates."
"He never told us to "go to church." He said Where two or three are gathered in His name, there is He in the midst. According to the Scriptures, we can meet on any day at any time with anyone who is a sibling in Christ."
"Those who are born-again are the church; Our body is the temple, and we worship in Spirit and Truth, not with our bodies or particular places."
"When we study the Bible with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can see how much is wrong with these apostate gatherings. They say some right things, but many things they believe are wrong. And, the denominations are against God's Word."
Unquote
God told us to agree, which means we seek Christ until we agree according to the Bible. God said we serve Him with our bodies, but we do not engage in man-made rituals that deter us from edifying one another in the Spirit.
The purpose of the gathering is to build one another in the faith so that we become strong enough to share the gospel with the lost and live out our Christianity boldly and unashamedly.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
"11 Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing."
This encouragement is not praise for good deeds done, it is encouragement to keep remaining faithful to God's Word in our walk. Thankfulness that one is walking in good deeds is included but it is not praise to build pride.
Hebrews 3:13
"But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness."
Ephesians 4:29
"Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen."
Romans 14:19
"So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification."
Definition of Edification: Improvement of the mind and understanding.
Romans 14:19
"19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another."
Ephesians 4:14-16 "…14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming.
15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head.
16 From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part."
16 From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part."
Because we love someone, we tell the truth; their response to the truth does not lie with us. When we speak the truth, we do it to help someone continue to obey God or to begin obeying God. It is not done with malice to impress or intimidate anyone; it is done because of our love for them.
Those who are prideful and resistant to correction will misinterpret our motives and come against us because of their pride, not because we did something wrong.
The gathering of believers has become a social club with everyone walking on eggshells, promoting good feelings without important life lessons to grow one another in the faith.
Some Christians are coming out of the organized 501c3 organizations led by men and not by the Holy Spirit because of all the unbiblical and worldly practices and attitudes that go on in them.
Colossians 1:28
"We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ."
All believers proclaim Him, all admonish and teach everyone in all wisdom. The only leader is the Holy Spirit, and those who are designated as shepherds are subject to everyone else in the gathering. No one has authority over anyone else; we are all admonished to speak the truth using the Scriptures.
Monday, April 28, 2025
Pretenders and Their Rules
Many pretenders make rules God never made and then treat us as if we were in rebellion when it is they who ignore God to follow their own ways while ignoring the ways of God.
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.’ "
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.’ "
Narcissists who Cause Trouble and Blame others for the Result
No one plays the victim better than the one who does the damage.
Ignoring the Bible is the Same as Ignoring Christ
Legalism is following man's rules that God never commanded; obedience to God is obeying His principles and commands. It is not love to say we follow Christ and then ignore His principles; it is the same as ignoring Him.
John 14:15-31
15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
The Holy Spirit
16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever;
17 The Helper is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you.
18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you.
19 After a little while, the world no longer is going to see Me, but you are going to see Me; because I live, you also will live.
20 On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I in you.
21 The one who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him.”
22 Judas (not Iscariot) *said to Him, “Lord, what has happened that You are going to reveal Yourself to us and not to the world?”
23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will follow My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him.
24 The one who does not love Me does not follow My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me.
25 “These things I have spoken to you while remaining with you.
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you."
When we live according to Christ's principles and commands, His ways are not burdensome but a blessing. Those who twist the Bible to make it say what they want to believe are walking in disobedience, the opposite of what Christ told us to do, to walk in obedience.
The born-again believer is grieved when they offend God, the pretender who claims to be a Christian but does not obey God is not grieved when they sin, they defend it or deny that it is not sin. They have no love in them and fight against those who authentically love God.
1 John 2:3-5
"By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments. If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him:"
2 John 1:6
"And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the very commandment you have heard from the beginning, that you must walk in love."
Matthew 22:37-40
"Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ "
Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Those who love Christ have the fruit of the Spirit and the first character quality of the fruit is Love. All the fruit of the Spirit flows out of that first character trait of Christ, love.
Love encompasses many things: support for doing what is right, discipline for doing what is wrong, and returning a believer to obedience when they fail.
All the demonstrations of love are the foundation for all the rest of the fruit. joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control, all come out of that first quality of Love.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth."
Romans 8:6
"The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace,"
Colossians 3:12-14
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity."
James 3:17-18
"But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness."
Hallelujah!!!
John 14:15-31
15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
The Holy Spirit
16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever;
17 The Helper is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you.
18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you.
19 After a little while, the world no longer is going to see Me, but you are going to see Me; because I live, you also will live.
20 On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I in you.
21 The one who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him.”
22 Judas (not Iscariot) *said to Him, “Lord, what has happened that You are going to reveal Yourself to us and not to the world?”
23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will follow My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him.
24 The one who does not love Me does not follow My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me.
25 “These things I have spoken to you while remaining with you.
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you."
When we live according to Christ's principles and commands, His ways are not burdensome but a blessing. Those who twist the Bible to make it say what they want to believe are walking in disobedience, the opposite of what Christ told us to do, to walk in obedience.
The born-again believer is grieved when they offend God, the pretender who claims to be a Christian but does not obey God is not grieved when they sin, they defend it or deny that it is not sin. They have no love in them and fight against those who authentically love God.
1 John 2:3-5
"By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments. If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him:"
2 John 1:6
"And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the very commandment you have heard from the beginning, that you must walk in love."
Matthew 22:37-40
"Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ "
Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Those who love Christ have the fruit of the Spirit and the first character quality of the fruit is Love. All the fruit of the Spirit flows out of that first character trait of Christ, love.
Love encompasses many things: support for doing what is right, discipline for doing what is wrong, and returning a believer to obedience when they fail.
All the demonstrations of love are the foundation for all the rest of the fruit. joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control, all come out of that first quality of Love.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth."
Romans 8:6
"The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace,"
Colossians 3:12-14
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity."
James 3:17-18
"But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness."
Hallelujah!!!
Sunday, April 27, 2025
We are only the Messengers, God is the One Who Changes Hearts
I used to believe that remaining in company with those who have false doctrine or blatant rejection of Christ would cause my influence to somehow rub off on them.
Over the years, I realized that being with those who reject the Bible, even if they say they are Christians, only tends to silence us to avoid conflict. We do not change the minds of others merely by spending time with them.
We are not called to change the behavior or mindset of others. We are called to speak truth and allow the Holy Spirit to move in their lives as they make their own decision to follow or not follow Christ.
God has clearly shown me to "move on" when someone shows no interest or is aggravated by what I tell them. Remaining with those who will not listen does not cause them to hear better because we hang around. Remaining only dilutes us while empowering them to remain as they are, without hope and without Christ, but confident they are alright just as they are, after all, "the Christian accepts me", so our differences are not a big deal in the mind of the stubborn one.
2 Corinthians 6:17 "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you".
Ephesians 5:11
"Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them."
When we love Christ and we love people, we will share the gospel with the unsaved, and if they reject Christ, we will remove ourselves to carry on with those who want to listen.
Jesus Christ walked away from many people who rejected Him, and embraced and encouraged those who accepted Him. This does not mean we hate those who are unsaved; it means that we can obey by speaking the gospel, but have no power over the choices of others. We do not desire power over anyone!
Manipulation is not one of the tactics Christians use to get people to make choices we want them to make. Intimidation is also not a tactic we use in sharing the gospel to "cause fear" in people to accept Christ. We share out of love for God and people, and we leave all the results to God.
It is important that we protect our walk with Christ through wise choices pertaining to who our constant companions will be. If we walk with dedicated Christ followers, they will edify us and we will edify them, making a strong cord that can resist against false teaching and the intimidation of the world.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 "Though one may be overpowered by another, two can resist him. And a threefold cord is not easily broken".
To edify: "to improve morally or intellectually." Edifying one another is not about praise or flattery; it is about helping one another to keep walking the walk of faith, to keep obeying Christ and His Word.
Flattery builds pride in one's own accomplishments; this does not help, it harms, and praise causes arrogance, the desire to elevate oneself above others! The world loves pride and arrogance, living every day under its spell. But born-again believers love truth and humility. Love and humility are rooted in truth; there can be no authentic love without humility and truth!
1 Corinthians 13:6:
"Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth".
James 4:10 "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."
Philippians 2:3 "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves".
We must not be so prideful and superior that we force others to do what we think they should do or be what we think they should be; we are only messengers, God is the One Who changes hearts.
Over the years, I realized that being with those who reject the Bible, even if they say they are Christians, only tends to silence us to avoid conflict. We do not change the minds of others merely by spending time with them.
We are not called to change the behavior or mindset of others. We are called to speak truth and allow the Holy Spirit to move in their lives as they make their own decision to follow or not follow Christ.
God has clearly shown me to "move on" when someone shows no interest or is aggravated by what I tell them. Remaining with those who will not listen does not cause them to hear better because we hang around. Remaining only dilutes us while empowering them to remain as they are, without hope and without Christ, but confident they are alright just as they are, after all, "the Christian accepts me", so our differences are not a big deal in the mind of the stubborn one.
2 Corinthians 6:17 "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you".
Ephesians 5:11
"Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them."
When we love Christ and we love people, we will share the gospel with the unsaved, and if they reject Christ, we will remove ourselves to carry on with those who want to listen.
Jesus Christ walked away from many people who rejected Him, and embraced and encouraged those who accepted Him. This does not mean we hate those who are unsaved; it means that we can obey by speaking the gospel, but have no power over the choices of others. We do not desire power over anyone!
Manipulation is not one of the tactics Christians use to get people to make choices we want them to make. Intimidation is also not a tactic we use in sharing the gospel to "cause fear" in people to accept Christ. We share out of love for God and people, and we leave all the results to God.
It is important that we protect our walk with Christ through wise choices pertaining to who our constant companions will be. If we walk with dedicated Christ followers, they will edify us and we will edify them, making a strong cord that can resist against false teaching and the intimidation of the world.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 "Though one may be overpowered by another, two can resist him. And a threefold cord is not easily broken".
To edify: "to improve morally or intellectually." Edifying one another is not about praise or flattery; it is about helping one another to keep walking the walk of faith, to keep obeying Christ and His Word.
Flattery builds pride in one's own accomplishments; this does not help, it harms, and praise causes arrogance, the desire to elevate oneself above others! The world loves pride and arrogance, living every day under its spell. But born-again believers love truth and humility. Love and humility are rooted in truth; there can be no authentic love without humility and truth!
1 Corinthians 13:6:
"Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth".
James 4:10 "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."
Philippians 2:3 "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves".
We must not be so prideful and superior that we force others to do what we think they should do or be what we think they should be; we are only messengers, God is the One Who changes hearts.
Saturday, April 26, 2025
The Fruit of Truth is Trust
"Trust is the fruit of what happens when there is truth!" Without truth, there can be no trust!
God Doen't Force Anyone!
People only change when they want to; when they change behavior under the pressure of others, it's because someone else intimidated them into it, it's not a heart change, it is actually dishonest.
Intimidation to change another person is all about the pride in the one attempting to change them. Those who use manipulation and intimidation to coerce another person into accepting their idea of righteousness are playing God and demonstrating a haughty attitude of superiority. There is no love in manipulation and intimidation.
Born-again believers share with love the truth to help others but we must leave the results to God so that we may not be a hindrance to what God might be doing in the life of the hearer.
When we love God, we obey Him in sharing truth, but we do not attempt any tactic of force ourselves, we leave all the results to God.
Proverbs 3:5-6 "5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
God never forced anyone to obey! When we see that someone is not open to the truth, we leave them alone and leave them to God.
Matt. 7:6, “Give not that which is holy unto dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”
Intimidation to change another person is all about the pride in the one attempting to change them. Those who use manipulation and intimidation to coerce another person into accepting their idea of righteousness are playing God and demonstrating a haughty attitude of superiority. There is no love in manipulation and intimidation.
Born-again believers share with love the truth to help others but we must leave the results to God so that we may not be a hindrance to what God might be doing in the life of the hearer.
When we love God, we obey Him in sharing truth, but we do not attempt any tactic of force ourselves, we leave all the results to God.
Proverbs 3:5-6 "5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight."
God never forced anyone to obey! When we see that someone is not open to the truth, we leave them alone and leave them to God.
Matt. 7:6, “Give not that which is holy unto dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”
Friday, April 25, 2025
Thursday, April 24, 2025
What is a Part of Us Comes Naturally without Trying
Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Don't need a law to force people to breathe air! When we have been changed by Christ and have the fruit of His Spirit, we don't try to be what we should; it comes naturally, and it is unnatural to be anything else.
Don't need a law to force people to breathe air! When we have been changed by Christ and have the fruit of His Spirit, we don't try to be what we should; it comes naturally, and it is unnatural to be anything else.
Only Christ Has a Word for Us!
I have been told a couple of times in my life that someone had a word from the Lord for me, and my response is this:
"There is only one mediator between God and man, and that is Jesus Christ. If he wants me to know something, He tells me."
Those who wish to show off, demonstrating how spiritual they are by proclaiming things for other people, are fakers and liars.
It is one thing to approach someone who is violating Scripture using the scriptures to help them back on the road to obedience; it is not the same as claiming to hear special and specific information from God that is not in the Bible.
Those who walk in the Spirit can easily discern fakers who wish to convince others they are superior. They promote themselves instead of Christ. Fakers are elevating self not Christ!
Let's think logically, if something is going to happen to us in the future that God has ordained, we have no need to be told because we walk by faith, not by sight, trusting God every day for whatever He has for us. We have no need to know the future; we only need to trust in Him.
And, it is silly to think that Christ Who lives in me, would give someone else a message He has for me. We have no need to know the future beyond what God has already revealed in His Word for us.
Matthew 15:8-9
‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.
2 Peter 2:1-3 "Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them, the way of truth will be defamed. In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep. They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”
"There is only one mediator between God and man, and that is Jesus Christ. If he wants me to know something, He tells me."
Those who wish to show off, demonstrating how spiritual they are by proclaiming things for other people, are fakers and liars.
It is one thing to approach someone who is violating Scripture using the scriptures to help them back on the road to obedience; it is not the same as claiming to hear special and specific information from God that is not in the Bible.
Those who walk in the Spirit can easily discern fakers who wish to convince others they are superior. They promote themselves instead of Christ. Fakers are elevating self not Christ!
Let's think logically, if something is going to happen to us in the future that God has ordained, we have no need to be told because we walk by faith, not by sight, trusting God every day for whatever He has for us. We have no need to know the future; we only need to trust in Him.
And, it is silly to think that Christ Who lives in me, would give someone else a message He has for me. We have no need to know the future beyond what God has already revealed in His Word for us.
Matthew 15:8-9
‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.
2 Peter 2:1-3 "Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them, the way of truth will be defamed. In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep. They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”
Influenced by the Culture or Influenced by Christ
God said in 2 Timothy three we are living in "perilous" times, that word perilous means "ragingly insane" times in which very little makes good sense, and there is rebellion all around us all the time.
Those of us who can discern things with the mind of Christ, because He lives in us, can see what most people cannot see.
Most people are influenced heavily by the culture around them, working feverishly to be accepted by the world.
Even Christians say things like, "We need to say things in a way that will be received by the hearer," rather than just speaking the truth with boldness as Christ did. They say these things because they are depending on themselves rather than the Holy Spirit.
Even the Holy Spirit prevented the apostles from going to certain places, we don't know exactly why, but some cultures have hardened their hearts, and it is a waste of time to go where God says not to go.
Acts 16:6-7 "6 They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, after being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; 7 and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them."
We are not called to manipulate people into believing the truth; we are commanded to speak it and leave all the results to God. We are not called to speak to every person, however, we are to obey when Christ in us leads us to speak to others. When we depend on the Holy Spirit to speak through us, we don't need formulas; He knows exactly what is needed for each person that we cannot know. The leading of the Holy Spirit knows the complexities of everyone's life, and His delivery is designed for the person we are speaking to. We cannot know like the Holy Spirit knows we must depend on Him.
It is not our fault if someone rejects the gospel; the fault belongs to them. Unbelievers will attempt to blame us by accusing our delivery or words, but it is a lie from the devil to intimidate us into silence, making us fearful that we might not do it right. Ignore the devil he is full of lies all the time in everything.
Psychology has determined that every person is an animal who was influenced and controlled by others around them, causing insecurities that were not their fault. This thinking comes from Darwinism, which teaches that men are only operating from instinct, like all other animals.
Because of this faulty and evil system of Darwinism, people are convinced that we are the problem when we hold people accountable or expect them to act better than they do. Instead, according to Darwinism, we should coddle everyone for the hurt inside of them that caused them to do evil.
The problem with this theory is that some people who have been hurt deeply do not hurt others because they know how it felt and don't want to do what was done to them.
This wicked theory leaves the victims unattended and ignored while the perpetrator of the evil is coddled.
Then there are those who were treated well and chose to dominate and control others because of their bent toward evil and selfishness.
It isn't about the way we were treated, it is about our choices when we are grown to either become like the abuser or to reject the ways of the abuser to be better than that.
Choices, it's all about choosing to be different because we want to be a loving person, or choosing to be the same as the abuser out of anger and bitterness. It is irrational to harm others who have never harmed us merely because a wicked person did evil to us in the past.
Mankind likes to make excuses for their behavior so they don't have to confess it or feel bad about themselves. What wicked people don't understand is that the temporary glee they feel from harming others does not dispel the continual anger they hang onto in their hearts; they are in bondage to their anger.
It is only in Christ that a wicked person can be transformed into the opposite of what comes naturally, from their fallen human nature to a person filled with love and kindness flowing from the heart of Christ Who lives in them.
When Christ transforms someone, they are no longer in bondage to their sinful feelings. They no longer have to follow what comes naturally to them; they can walk in "newness of life" full of joy and peace that only Christ can give.
Romans 6:3-5 "…3Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection."
There is great hope for anyone who is willing to confess their sinfulness and trust in Christ Who died for them, that they would be freed from their sinful heart of bondage.
Colossians 2:12
"And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead."
Galatians 3:27
"For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."
Those who have been transformed by Christ have the fruit of His Spirit. We don't need to work hard to pretend to have it; it comes naturally to us as much as breathing without thinking. It is who we are in essence.
Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Those of us who can discern things with the mind of Christ, because He lives in us, can see what most people cannot see.
Most people are influenced heavily by the culture around them, working feverishly to be accepted by the world.
Even Christians say things like, "We need to say things in a way that will be received by the hearer," rather than just speaking the truth with boldness as Christ did. They say these things because they are depending on themselves rather than the Holy Spirit.
Even the Holy Spirit prevented the apostles from going to certain places, we don't know exactly why, but some cultures have hardened their hearts, and it is a waste of time to go where God says not to go.
Acts 16:6-7 "6 They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, after being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; 7 and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them."
We are not called to manipulate people into believing the truth; we are commanded to speak it and leave all the results to God. We are not called to speak to every person, however, we are to obey when Christ in us leads us to speak to others. When we depend on the Holy Spirit to speak through us, we don't need formulas; He knows exactly what is needed for each person that we cannot know. The leading of the Holy Spirit knows the complexities of everyone's life, and His delivery is designed for the person we are speaking to. We cannot know like the Holy Spirit knows we must depend on Him.
It is not our fault if someone rejects the gospel; the fault belongs to them. Unbelievers will attempt to blame us by accusing our delivery or words, but it is a lie from the devil to intimidate us into silence, making us fearful that we might not do it right. Ignore the devil he is full of lies all the time in everything.
Psychology has determined that every person is an animal who was influenced and controlled by others around them, causing insecurities that were not their fault. This thinking comes from Darwinism, which teaches that men are only operating from instinct, like all other animals.
Because of this faulty and evil system of Darwinism, people are convinced that we are the problem when we hold people accountable or expect them to act better than they do. Instead, according to Darwinism, we should coddle everyone for the hurt inside of them that caused them to do evil.
The problem with this theory is that some people who have been hurt deeply do not hurt others because they know how it felt and don't want to do what was done to them.
This wicked theory leaves the victims unattended and ignored while the perpetrator of the evil is coddled.
Then there are those who were treated well and chose to dominate and control others because of their bent toward evil and selfishness.
It isn't about the way we were treated, it is about our choices when we are grown to either become like the abuser or to reject the ways of the abuser to be better than that.
Choices, it's all about choosing to be different because we want to be a loving person, or choosing to be the same as the abuser out of anger and bitterness. It is irrational to harm others who have never harmed us merely because a wicked person did evil to us in the past.
Mankind likes to make excuses for their behavior so they don't have to confess it or feel bad about themselves. What wicked people don't understand is that the temporary glee they feel from harming others does not dispel the continual anger they hang onto in their hearts; they are in bondage to their anger.
It is only in Christ that a wicked person can be transformed into the opposite of what comes naturally, from their fallen human nature to a person filled with love and kindness flowing from the heart of Christ Who lives in them.
When Christ transforms someone, they are no longer in bondage to their sinful feelings. They no longer have to follow what comes naturally to them; they can walk in "newness of life" full of joy and peace that only Christ can give.
Romans 6:3-5 "…3Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection."
There is great hope for anyone who is willing to confess their sinfulness and trust in Christ Who died for them, that they would be freed from their sinful heart of bondage.
Colossians 2:12
"And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead."
Galatians 3:27
"For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."
Those who have been transformed by Christ have the fruit of His Spirit. We don't need to work hard to pretend to have it; it comes naturally to us as much as breathing without thinking. It is who we are in essence.
Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Discerning the Holy Spirits Leading
When we walk with Christ daily, we will discern when the Holy Spirit is speaking to us and when it is just our own thoughts; we can tell the difference.
This reminds me of the gatherings of Christians I have experienced in recent years, perhaps all my life. In social gatherings, I never hear them speak of Christ or the Holy Spirit. They speak about politics, their latest adventures in life, and their family, but never about Christ or the Holy Spirit.
In fact, they look at me strangely as if irritated when I say something like, "The Holy Spirit led me to do it" or "the Holy Spirit prevented me from doing it." It is as though they consider it arrogance to say we have heard from the Holy Spirit.
Acts 16:5-7 "5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. 6 After the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word in the province of Asia, they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia. 7 And when they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them.…"
When we walk with Christ daily, we hear clearly the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and we know it is Him. If we are unsure because of the noise of the culture around us, we pray until Christ quiets the noise and makes it even more clear that He is speaking.
If something is not the will of the Holy Spirit, He will prevent it from happening, and it will become clear eventually why He didn't want it to happen.
Acts 13:2-4
"While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” / And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. / So Barnabas and Saul, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus."
Acts 20:22-23
"And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. / I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me."
Have you ever felt deeply compelled to do something, so intensely that the sense remained until you did what God told you to do? Then, after obeying, the feeling of urgency left, and peace was restored.
Peace comes when we have obeyed; however, when we do not obey immediately, the sense of urgency persists until we do what the Holy Spirit has called us to do. When we obey the urgency leaves and contentment returns.
There have been times when others did not understand that the Holy Spirit was guiding me, even coming against me for doing what God told me to do, but the urgency to obey God didn't leave, no matter how much pressure from the culture around me.
The culture we live in will not understand us, nor do they care to understand. Cultures are hard-wired to follow the flow of the crowd, without questioning where the crowd is going. They seem content to follow the multitude of people, the mob, because it seems safer to them to have others to lean on who prop them up, whether or not the herd is going in the right direction.
Very few people can stand alone boldly with powerful resolve to obey God without validation from the crowd. Only those who are in Christ, who seek His leading, will be able to stand alone.
Matthew 10:32-33:
"Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my Father in heaven".
1 Peter 3:14-15:
"But even if you suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not be afraid of those who threaten you. But in your hearts, give honor to the Lord as your God". This verse encourages Christians to remain steadfast in their faith, even when facing persecution, and to honor Christ as Lord, regardless of the circumstances."
2 Timothy 1:7:
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-discipline."
Even when we are misunderstood, lied against, and devalued by the crowd, we can still remain strong, fully devoted to Christ Who lives in us!!! Hallelujah!!!
This reminds me of the gatherings of Christians I have experienced in recent years, perhaps all my life. In social gatherings, I never hear them speak of Christ or the Holy Spirit. They speak about politics, their latest adventures in life, and their family, but never about Christ or the Holy Spirit.
In fact, they look at me strangely as if irritated when I say something like, "The Holy Spirit led me to do it" or "the Holy Spirit prevented me from doing it." It is as though they consider it arrogance to say we have heard from the Holy Spirit.
Acts 16:5-7 "5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. 6 After the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word in the province of Asia, they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia. 7 And when they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them.…"
When we walk with Christ daily, we hear clearly the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and we know it is Him. If we are unsure because of the noise of the culture around us, we pray until Christ quiets the noise and makes it even more clear that He is speaking.
If something is not the will of the Holy Spirit, He will prevent it from happening, and it will become clear eventually why He didn't want it to happen.
Acts 13:2-4
"While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” / And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. / So Barnabas and Saul, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus."
Acts 20:22-23
"And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. / I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me."
Have you ever felt deeply compelled to do something, so intensely that the sense remained until you did what God told you to do? Then, after obeying, the feeling of urgency left, and peace was restored.
Peace comes when we have obeyed; however, when we do not obey immediately, the sense of urgency persists until we do what the Holy Spirit has called us to do. When we obey the urgency leaves and contentment returns.
There have been times when others did not understand that the Holy Spirit was guiding me, even coming against me for doing what God told me to do, but the urgency to obey God didn't leave, no matter how much pressure from the culture around me.
The culture we live in will not understand us, nor do they care to understand. Cultures are hard-wired to follow the flow of the crowd, without questioning where the crowd is going. They seem content to follow the multitude of people, the mob, because it seems safer to them to have others to lean on who prop them up, whether or not the herd is going in the right direction.
Very few people can stand alone boldly with powerful resolve to obey God without validation from the crowd. Only those who are in Christ, who seek His leading, will be able to stand alone.
Matthew 10:32-33:
"Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my Father in heaven".
1 Peter 3:14-15:
"But even if you suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not be afraid of those who threaten you. But in your hearts, give honor to the Lord as your God". This verse encourages Christians to remain steadfast in their faith, even when facing persecution, and to honor Christ as Lord, regardless of the circumstances."
2 Timothy 1:7:
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-discipline."
Even when we are misunderstood, lied against, and devalued by the crowd, we can still remain strong, fully devoted to Christ Who lives in us!!! Hallelujah!!!
Believers do not Live a Lifestyle of Rudeness Toward Others
As Christians, Christ in us convicts us of sin even before we do something wrong to help us resist it.
Those who justify their sin against others, whether it be lies, covert rudeness, or out-and-out sin against someone, couldn't be saved because Christ in the believer will warn the one in whom He dwells before they commit the sin.
Even if a believer sins, they quickly feel the weight of conviction and confess it to be cleansed quickly. The sense that we have displeased God is stronger in us than the feelings to defend and justify ourselves.
1 John 1:9 "9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
The born-again believer can't stand the separation from our Lord because of sin, we must confess and be restored to walk in His likeness.
1 John 3:9 "No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God 's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God."
Those who live continually to harm others, dominate them and aggravate them, knowing what they are doing, cannot possibly have the Holy Spirit living in them.
Those who justify their sin against others, whether it be lies, covert rudeness, or out-and-out sin against someone, couldn't be saved because Christ in the believer will warn the one in whom He dwells before they commit the sin.
Even if a believer sins, they quickly feel the weight of conviction and confess it to be cleansed quickly. The sense that we have displeased God is stronger in us than the feelings to defend and justify ourselves.
1 John 1:9 "9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
The born-again believer can't stand the separation from our Lord because of sin, we must confess and be restored to walk in His likeness.
1 John 3:9 "No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God 's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God."
Those who live continually to harm others, dominate them and aggravate them, knowing what they are doing, cannot possibly have the Holy Spirit living in them.
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
The easy way to refute Calvinism and irresistible grace!!!!
I once heard it said that "our DNA is not our destiny." When we are born and grow into adulthood, somewhere around 12 years old, we make choices, and our choices determine the outcome of our lives.
To say that someone has no choice in their salvation would also imply that we have no choices in our lives pertaining to our behavior.
It is irrational to say that we have no choice for our salvation and we will be whatever we were born to be, and then teach a child to obey commands he has no ability to obey.
There is no chance I would ever tell a child just do whatever you feel like doing, whether or not it is evil or good, because you are going to be whatever God determined you to be without a choice anyway.
It is irrational to train a child to obey God if the child has no choice to obey God. God gave us commands that we would make a choice to obey or disobey Him and our parents.
I also have to wonder why those who believe they are one of the chosen by God think they are one of those chosen. Is it merely because they decided to believe that false doctrine? What evidence do they cling to that makes them believe they are one of the chosen ones?
Romans 10:12-14 "…12 For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?…"
Nothing in these passages indicates that "the chosen" are born to be saved and those not chosen born to go to hell. God clearly says that we become born again, saved from sin and hell by choosing Christ, all who want Christ will be saved.
Joshua 24:14-16 "14 Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; cast aside the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!” 16 The people replied, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods!"
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
If we were not given a choice to follow Christ, then it is irrational to say that we deserve hell for not choosing.
My God is not one who throws people into hell for His own pleasure, just to watch them burn. That would be the devil who would do such a thing.
My God placed Himself on the cross to pay for the sins of the world because of His great love, giving everyone a chance to repent and live forever with Him in paradise.
One thing is for sure: every one I have met who has been caught up in the doctrine of Calvinism's irresistible grace has been arrogant and unteachable. I say this not only because of the way they act but also because they have determined themselves to be one of the elect merely for saying so.
2 Corinthians 13:5-6 "5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test? 6 And I hope you will realize that we have not failed the test."
What is the test? This is the test!
Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
This fruit can be discerned by those who have the Holy Spirit. The pretender and other unregenerate people cannot discern this fruit. In fact, they see the qualities and despise it as though it were weaknesses.
1 Corinthians 2:14 "But a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned."
Next time someone says to you, "I am one of the elect chosen by God to be saved", ask them why they think they are!
To say that someone has no choice in their salvation would also imply that we have no choices in our lives pertaining to our behavior.
It is irrational to say that we have no choice for our salvation and we will be whatever we were born to be, and then teach a child to obey commands he has no ability to obey.
There is no chance I would ever tell a child just do whatever you feel like doing, whether or not it is evil or good, because you are going to be whatever God determined you to be without a choice anyway.
It is irrational to train a child to obey God if the child has no choice to obey God. God gave us commands that we would make a choice to obey or disobey Him and our parents.
I also have to wonder why those who believe they are one of the chosen by God think they are one of those chosen. Is it merely because they decided to believe that false doctrine? What evidence do they cling to that makes them believe they are one of the chosen ones?
Romans 10:12-14 "…12 For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?…"
Nothing in these passages indicates that "the chosen" are born to be saved and those not chosen born to go to hell. God clearly says that we become born again, saved from sin and hell by choosing Christ, all who want Christ will be saved.
Joshua 24:14-16 "14 Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; cast aside the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!” 16 The people replied, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods!"
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
If we were not given a choice to follow Christ, then it is irrational to say that we deserve hell for not choosing.
My God is not one who throws people into hell for His own pleasure, just to watch them burn. That would be the devil who would do such a thing.
My God placed Himself on the cross to pay for the sins of the world because of His great love, giving everyone a chance to repent and live forever with Him in paradise.
One thing is for sure: every one I have met who has been caught up in the doctrine of Calvinism's irresistible grace has been arrogant and unteachable. I say this not only because of the way they act but also because they have determined themselves to be one of the elect merely for saying so.
2 Corinthians 13:5-6 "5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test? 6 And I hope you will realize that we have not failed the test."
What is the test? This is the test!
Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
This fruit can be discerned by those who have the Holy Spirit. The pretender and other unregenerate people cannot discern this fruit. In fact, they see the qualities and despise it as though it were weaknesses.
1 Corinthians 2:14 "But a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned."
Next time someone says to you, "I am one of the elect chosen by God to be saved", ask them why they think they are!
The Remnant, the Rare Exception in these Days of Apostasy
Pride and arrogance, jealousy and envy, are all the deeply seeded traits of the devil that he fosters in the hearts of those who do not know Christ.
Pride is a deep satisfaction in one's own accomplishments, whether real or imagined.
Arrogance is haughtiness, the desire to be superior to others, whether real or imagined.
Envy is the desire to have what someone else has.
Jealousy is not wanting someone else to have what we don't have.
These traits are growing exponentially in this culture of the end times. Along with these traits comes intense hatred for those who have not offended anyone, requiring the one who is arrogant, prideful, envious, and jealous to concoct stories to validate their own loathing toward those who do not deserve the disrespect extended to them.
They did this to Christ and all the apostles and followers of Christ all down through the ages.
The devil did this in the garden with Adam and Eve. He lied to Eve to foster feelings of distrust in her toward God. The devil hated that God loved His creation and had given them everything good. He not only deceived Eve but also manipulated Eve to deceive her husband. Both people were at fault for accepting the lie of the devil to gratify their own pleasure.
This mentality, "no one tells me", was evident in the garden and rampant in society today.
It wasn't enough that God created them and then gave them every good thing needed for a lovely life; they had to ignore the goodness of God to take the one thing they knew God didn't want them to have, which would bring their downfall.
The devil wanted the first couple to disobey God, move into sin, causing trouble between them as a couple and worse between them and God.
Those who are manipulated by he devil to hate those who love God have all the traits listed above, the very attributes that got the devil thrown out of heaven.
Before a person is born again, they have no genuine love for God or others.
The goal of the devil is to destroy any possibility of a relationship between God and mankind in any way he can, and he does it through the four traits that began this article.
These four traits are the foundation of every other act of evil that mankind does against one another.
If the devil can cause a person to believe they deserve special treatment, they will not only lean into the evil traits of pride, arrogance, jealousy and envy, but rather than resist it, they will justify it. It is only in Christ that we can resist these character flaws that lead to destruction.
God told us the end times would be "perilous" (ragingly insane) with the very attributes of the devil that caused his downfall and eventual final existence in hell for eternity.
Thank the Lord for His provision of Facebook, that every believer who is led by the Spirit of Christ can warn the world about sin and hell from their own homes.
We are so close to the end of the church age that those who are looking for the coming of Christ have a sense of immanence that dwells in them every day, even a joy and hope that this will all be over soon and they will be going home, their eternal home.
They see with their eyes what God described in 2 Timothy 3 when the world will live continually dominated by the evil mentality of the devil. In these end times, people will be rude, mean, and destructive to relationships and think they are doing the right thing.
We see the departure from the things of God as people embrace lies using the scripture to appear righteous, but are defying God. Many people are changing God's word to meet their own fleshly desires while attacking those who are telling the truth about what is going on in the world.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."
2 Timothy 3:1-5 "1 But understand this: In the last days, terrible (ragingly insane) times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, 4traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!"
The churches are more interested in what is going on in politics than they are in obeying and glorifying God. They have, for the most part, become apostate. Few obscure and rare and hard-to-find gatherings are still following Christ and depending on His Word. The Authentic church is the rare exception now, the remnant God calls it.
My hope is that this will encourage believers to keep looking up. Their hope and joy will keep them from being emotionally and spiritually damaged by all that is going on around them. It will also help them maintain their confidence in Christ, no matter what others are doing against them.
Keep Looking Up!!!!!
Pride is a deep satisfaction in one's own accomplishments, whether real or imagined.
Arrogance is haughtiness, the desire to be superior to others, whether real or imagined.
Envy is the desire to have what someone else has.
Jealousy is not wanting someone else to have what we don't have.
These traits are growing exponentially in this culture of the end times. Along with these traits comes intense hatred for those who have not offended anyone, requiring the one who is arrogant, prideful, envious, and jealous to concoct stories to validate their own loathing toward those who do not deserve the disrespect extended to them.
They did this to Christ and all the apostles and followers of Christ all down through the ages.
The devil did this in the garden with Adam and Eve. He lied to Eve to foster feelings of distrust in her toward God. The devil hated that God loved His creation and had given them everything good. He not only deceived Eve but also manipulated Eve to deceive her husband. Both people were at fault for accepting the lie of the devil to gratify their own pleasure.
This mentality, "no one tells me", was evident in the garden and rampant in society today.
It wasn't enough that God created them and then gave them every good thing needed for a lovely life; they had to ignore the goodness of God to take the one thing they knew God didn't want them to have, which would bring their downfall.
The devil wanted the first couple to disobey God, move into sin, causing trouble between them as a couple and worse between them and God.
Those who are manipulated by he devil to hate those who love God have all the traits listed above, the very attributes that got the devil thrown out of heaven.
Before a person is born again, they have no genuine love for God or others.
Everything an unsaved person does is based on gratifying and elevating oneself in one's own mind, just as the devil did when he was thrown out of heaven.
Since the devil was chastised by God, he wants to ruin human relationships by fostering pride, arrogance, envy, and jealousy in those who have no defense against him because they do not know the Lord Jesus Christ.
Since the devil was chastised by God, he wants to ruin human relationships by fostering pride, arrogance, envy, and jealousy in those who have no defense against him because they do not know the Lord Jesus Christ.
The goal of the devil is to destroy any possibility of a relationship between God and mankind in any way he can, and he does it through the four traits that began this article.
These four traits are the foundation of every other act of evil that mankind does against one another.
If the devil can cause a person to believe they deserve special treatment, they will not only lean into the evil traits of pride, arrogance, jealousy and envy, but rather than resist it, they will justify it. It is only in Christ that we can resist these character flaws that lead to destruction.
God told us the end times would be "perilous" (ragingly insane) with the very attributes of the devil that caused his downfall and eventual final existence in hell for eternity.
Thank the Lord for His provision of Facebook, that every believer who is led by the Spirit of Christ can warn the world about sin and hell from their own homes.
We are so close to the end of the church age that those who are looking for the coming of Christ have a sense of immanence that dwells in them every day, even a joy and hope that this will all be over soon and they will be going home, their eternal home.
They see with their eyes what God described in 2 Timothy 3 when the world will live continually dominated by the evil mentality of the devil. In these end times, people will be rude, mean, and destructive to relationships and think they are doing the right thing.
We see the departure from the things of God as people embrace lies using the scripture to appear righteous, but are defying God. Many people are changing God's word to meet their own fleshly desires while attacking those who are telling the truth about what is going on in the world.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."
2 Timothy 3:1-5 "1 But understand this: In the last days, terrible (ragingly insane) times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, 4traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!"
The churches are more interested in what is going on in politics than they are in obeying and glorifying God. They have, for the most part, become apostate. Few obscure and rare and hard-to-find gatherings are still following Christ and depending on His Word. The Authentic church is the rare exception now, the remnant God calls it.
My hope is that this will encourage believers to keep looking up. Their hope and joy will keep them from being emotionally and spiritually damaged by all that is going on around them. It will also help them maintain their confidence in Christ, no matter what others are doing against them.
Keep Looking Up!!!!!
Monday, April 21, 2025
The way the modern church does church is not Biblical.
There is no one-man-paid-pastor in the Bible. There is no prescribed time or place to meet.
When we come together, we are to observe the Lord's supper every time. All the people attending participate in edifying one another and there is a meal.
1 Corinthians 14:26-33
"26 What is the outcome then, brothers and sisters? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All things are to be done for edification.
27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it must be by two or at the most three, and each one in turn, and one is to interpret;
28 but if there is no interpreter, he is to keep silent in church; and have him speak to himself and to God.
29 Have two or three prophets speak, and have the others pass judgment.
30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, then the first one is to keep silent.
31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;
32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;
33 for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace."
In the gathering of believers, no one has authority over anyone else. It is the Holy Spirit Who is the Authority over the believers; all things are done as led by the Holy Spirit.
The modern church gatherings have turned into cults in which the people in the pews follow one man up front, are not allowed to question him in the gathering, and are shut down if anyone challenges what is being taught.
The Lord's supper is rarely practiced in most churches as an afterthought rather than as the main event.
Most attendees of these gatherings don't read the Bible for themselves at home, so when they come, they leave all the work of seeking God to the one who is paid to do it. Anyone who questions the paid-pastor is seen as rebellious and rejected by the sheep in the pews.
The paid-pastor is elevated above the others by a stage, further intimidating those in the pews from speaking. Since the paid-pastor is educated in special colleges and given a degree, he is seen as the authority over the people. The trust of the people in the pews is for the paid, educated pastor and not the Holy Spirit.
I was told once by a friend that I couldn't know the truth about something because I had not been to a seminary. My response was, "Oh, you think the Holy Spirit only goes to seminary?"
It was in the second century AD that this hierarchy system in churches began and has escalated beyond redemption to this very day. Most church attendees placed their trust in that one man, paid pastor, more than they do the Holy Spirit.
The world has been so brain-washed into this system that they think those who don't believe this is the right way have lost their minds.
There are church gatherings that still practice the Biblical model of meeting together, but they are few and hard to find. I have been in these gatherings, and the love and sweetness of the gatherings were wonderful. It has been a long time since we were in one because most of these gatherings have elderly people in them, and when they die, so does the gathering.
The authentic church is a small remnant now! I would never advise anyone to find a building with people in it and join it just to say they have obeyed the scripture not to forsake the gathering.
We can gather anywhere with anyone at any time and it need not be with more than two people to be considered a gathering. Many people are now gathering online because of the apostasy in their community. There is no building to attend that glorifies God; they have all gone apostate.
The Holy Spirit must teach us and guide us in all that we do, even in whether or not we attend a gathering. Meeting at home with a friend is enough, and Christ will be there.
God did not want us to isolate ourselves from other believers, however, when the believers we meet are not obeying Christ and are walking in disobedience, misinterpreting and misunderstanding His word because they are interpreting the Word in terms of their own mindset instead of what God really said, there can be no oneness of mind, there is no fellowship to edify one another.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 "11 Therefore, encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing. "
Hebrews 3:13
But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness."
Ephesians 4:29
"Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen."
Romans 14:19
"So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification."
Colossians 3:16
"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."
Hebrews 10:24-25
"And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Definition of edify; "instruct or improve one another."
This is not about praise or flattery, but it is about helping one another grow in wisdom and the fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
When we come together, we are to observe the Lord's supper every time. All the people attending participate in edifying one another and there is a meal.
1 Corinthians 14:26-33
"26 What is the outcome then, brothers and sisters? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All things are to be done for edification.
27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it must be by two or at the most three, and each one in turn, and one is to interpret;
28 but if there is no interpreter, he is to keep silent in church; and have him speak to himself and to God.
29 Have two or three prophets speak, and have the others pass judgment.
30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, then the first one is to keep silent.
31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;
32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;
33 for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace."
In the gathering of believers, no one has authority over anyone else. It is the Holy Spirit Who is the Authority over the believers; all things are done as led by the Holy Spirit.
The modern church gatherings have turned into cults in which the people in the pews follow one man up front, are not allowed to question him in the gathering, and are shut down if anyone challenges what is being taught.
The Lord's supper is rarely practiced in most churches as an afterthought rather than as the main event.
Most attendees of these gatherings don't read the Bible for themselves at home, so when they come, they leave all the work of seeking God to the one who is paid to do it. Anyone who questions the paid-pastor is seen as rebellious and rejected by the sheep in the pews.
The paid-pastor is elevated above the others by a stage, further intimidating those in the pews from speaking. Since the paid-pastor is educated in special colleges and given a degree, he is seen as the authority over the people. The trust of the people in the pews is for the paid, educated pastor and not the Holy Spirit.
I was told once by a friend that I couldn't know the truth about something because I had not been to a seminary. My response was, "Oh, you think the Holy Spirit only goes to seminary?"
It was in the second century AD that this hierarchy system in churches began and has escalated beyond redemption to this very day. Most church attendees placed their trust in that one man, paid pastor, more than they do the Holy Spirit.
The world has been so brain-washed into this system that they think those who don't believe this is the right way have lost their minds.
There are church gatherings that still practice the Biblical model of meeting together, but they are few and hard to find. I have been in these gatherings, and the love and sweetness of the gatherings were wonderful. It has been a long time since we were in one because most of these gatherings have elderly people in them, and when they die, so does the gathering.
The authentic church is a small remnant now! I would never advise anyone to find a building with people in it and join it just to say they have obeyed the scripture not to forsake the gathering.
We can gather anywhere with anyone at any time and it need not be with more than two people to be considered a gathering. Many people are now gathering online because of the apostasy in their community. There is no building to attend that glorifies God; they have all gone apostate.
The Holy Spirit must teach us and guide us in all that we do, even in whether or not we attend a gathering. Meeting at home with a friend is enough, and Christ will be there.
God did not want us to isolate ourselves from other believers, however, when the believers we meet are not obeying Christ and are walking in disobedience, misinterpreting and misunderstanding His word because they are interpreting the Word in terms of their own mindset instead of what God really said, there can be no oneness of mind, there is no fellowship to edify one another.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 "11 Therefore, encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing. "
Hebrews 3:13
But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness."
Ephesians 4:29
"Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen."
Romans 14:19
"So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification."
Colossians 3:16
"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."
Hebrews 10:24-25
"And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Definition of edify; "instruct or improve one another."
This is not about praise or flattery, but it is about helping one another grow in wisdom and the fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Walk with the Wise and We will Become Wise
The Lord has been removing me from those who walk a superficial Christianity based on cultural customs for a few years now. He has been opening my eyes to the continual opposition and snarkiness of those who are stubborn toward the scriptures, even though they claim to be Christian. It is one thing to encounter non-believers to witness Christ. It is far different to be in constant company with those who hate our witness and want to fight and argue about everything, but still claim to be Christian. I am so done with all that mess!!!!
The thought of wasting one more moment with those who want to appear spiritually superior but want nothing of Christ is too much to bear. Being alone with Christ is preferable to being with mean-spirited, superior-acting pretenders who cannot be reached for Christ because of the pride in themselves.
Luke 18:9-14 "9 Now He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:
10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood and began praying this in regard to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, crooked, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’
13 But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to raise his eyes toward heaven, but was beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’
14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other one; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Those who are authentically born-again will have all the fruit of the Spirit of Christ.
Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Pretenders can try to appear to have the fruit, but it falls flat, coming off as phony and self-serving. When the Holy Spirit warns us about the pretenders, we can repeat the gospel one more time to them and leave them to God. Remaining with them only dilutes our own walk with Christ.
We are to keep company with like-minded people who love the Lord, not with the world of pretenders.
The hardest people to reach for Christ are the pretenders who have a high opinion of themselves; they will never see their need to let go of their pride until God utterly breaks them. We cannot do it, nor should we; it is God's business. In the meantime, we are to avoid contact with those who do not walk in obedience to Christ while claiming they do.
Psalm 26:3-5 "…3 For Your loving devotion is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth. 4 I do not sit with deceitful men, nor keep company with hypocrites. 5 I hate the mob of evildoers, and refuse to sit with the wicked."
Proverbs 4:14-15
"Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and pass on by."
1 Corinthians 15:33
"Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
The company we keep reveals what is in our hearts.
The thought of wasting one more moment with those who want to appear spiritually superior but want nothing of Christ is too much to bear. Being alone with Christ is preferable to being with mean-spirited, superior-acting pretenders who cannot be reached for Christ because of the pride in themselves.
Luke 18:9-14 "9 Now He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:
10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood and began praying this in regard to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, crooked, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’
13 But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to raise his eyes toward heaven, but was beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’
14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other one; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Those who are authentically born-again will have all the fruit of the Spirit of Christ.
Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Pretenders can try to appear to have the fruit, but it falls flat, coming off as phony and self-serving. When the Holy Spirit warns us about the pretenders, we can repeat the gospel one more time to them and leave them to God. Remaining with them only dilutes our own walk with Christ.
We are to keep company with like-minded people who love the Lord, not with the world of pretenders.
The hardest people to reach for Christ are the pretenders who have a high opinion of themselves; they will never see their need to let go of their pride until God utterly breaks them. We cannot do it, nor should we; it is God's business. In the meantime, we are to avoid contact with those who do not walk in obedience to Christ while claiming they do.
Psalm 26:3-5 "…3 For Your loving devotion is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth. 4 I do not sit with deceitful men, nor keep company with hypocrites. 5 I hate the mob of evildoers, and refuse to sit with the wicked."
Proverbs 4:14-15
"Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and pass on by."
1 Corinthians 15:33
"Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
The company we keep reveals what is in our hearts.
Sunday, April 20, 2025
Defining Others
" We define others by the questions we choose to ask and the answers we choose to believe" (a quote from someone else.)
Rude People are Full of Hate
Rude people want us to either fear them or fight with them. When we show them the respect they didn't show us, we avoid becoming like them.
1 Peter 3:8-10 "8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble.
9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech."
1 Peter 3:8-10 "8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble.
9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech."
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