Because we love Christ, we love our families, but we do not live according to the expectations of family. Christ is always first.
Monday, June 30, 2025
Sunday, June 29, 2025
God is Sending Christ not Missionaries
I am convinced God is not sending missionaries to the Middle East because in our day, the missionaries are bringing a false or watered-down gospel full of psychological nonsense and a hierarchical system that God never commanded.
We are seeing stories now of the Arab people having visions of Jesus Christ Who is bringing them the gospel personally.
Matthew 23:15-16 "… 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. 16 Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’…"
People have not changed since the beginning of time. There will always be no lack of false teachers and religious systems that pretend to be godly but lead people away from trusting in Christ. When the people trust in their actions, their preacher, and their prestige within the gathering, but never trust in Christ, they remain headed to hell.
Just recently, I listened to two Christian men, a commentator and a pastor, who were lamenting the fact that our country was becoming anti-Israel. They were talking about ways we could get the young people to become pro-Israel by explaining why they should be pro-Isreal as a political entity.
This discussion disturbed me because our calling is not to make people like Israel; our calling is to bring the gospel. When someone becomes born again, they will be for Israel. What good is there in convincing someone to be pro-Israel while they remain headed for hell because they have taken a political stance but do not understand the way of salvation?
Those of us who are for the Jewish people because God told us to be good to them, know they are God's chosen people, and we are to do what we can to protect them while bringing them the gospel.
There is a misconception in our country among Christians that has managed to present a gospel of convenience and safety. With all the prosperity nonsense conveyed these days, many people who join churches do it thinking it brings them safety and prosperity without any desire to be changed by Christ or honor Him in all their ways.
The American church has taken its eyes off Christ while using Him as a political security blanket. They never speak of Him except to pretend that He is in heaven, wrapped in an American flag, as though America is the best and worthy of saving. This could not be farther from the truth.
I have actually seen banners like this one can purchase. It makes my skin crawl every time I see this blasphemy. America has demeaned, rejected and mocked Christ in the worst way without batting an eye.
I would no longer boast that America is a Christian nation or that it was the nation that sent missionaries all over the world. Sadly, the same foolishness that pastors and leaders do here is being repeated on the mission field by superficial missionaries full of a desire to be elevated as special.
Acts 13:10
"and said, “O child of the devil and enemy of all righteousness, you are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery! Will you never stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord?"
Yes, there are still some missionaries who have not fallen to the god of pleasure and convenience, but most have and are spreading the same unbiblical nonsense they learned while they were in their institutions of learning here in America.
My prayer is not that we send missionaries, my prayer is that God will send the Holy Spirit to those where there are no missionaries. My prayer is that every born-again believer who has been authentically born again will speak the truth wherever God leads them. Each individual will have a different area, often walking alone without human support, but each will have something.
2 Timothy 4:2-3 "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."
This is a command to every single born-again believer, not just a few, not those who are thought to be talented or educated. We speak the truth boldly as led by the Holy Spirit, He is the One Who is the guide for each one.
We are seeing stories now of the Arab people having visions of Jesus Christ Who is bringing them the gospel personally.
Matthew 23:15-16 "… 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. 16 Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’…"
People have not changed since the beginning of time. There will always be no lack of false teachers and religious systems that pretend to be godly but lead people away from trusting in Christ. When the people trust in their actions, their preacher, and their prestige within the gathering, but never trust in Christ, they remain headed to hell.
Just recently, I listened to two Christian men, a commentator and a pastor, who were lamenting the fact that our country was becoming anti-Israel. They were talking about ways we could get the young people to become pro-Israel by explaining why they should be pro-Isreal as a political entity.
This discussion disturbed me because our calling is not to make people like Israel; our calling is to bring the gospel. When someone becomes born again, they will be for Israel. What good is there in convincing someone to be pro-Israel while they remain headed for hell because they have taken a political stance but do not understand the way of salvation?
Those of us who are for the Jewish people because God told us to be good to them, know they are God's chosen people, and we are to do what we can to protect them while bringing them the gospel.
There is a misconception in our country among Christians that has managed to present a gospel of convenience and safety. With all the prosperity nonsense conveyed these days, many people who join churches do it thinking it brings them safety and prosperity without any desire to be changed by Christ or honor Him in all their ways.
The American church has taken its eyes off Christ while using Him as a political security blanket. They never speak of Him except to pretend that He is in heaven, wrapped in an American flag, as though America is the best and worthy of saving. This could not be farther from the truth.
I have actually seen banners like this one can purchase. It makes my skin crawl every time I see this blasphemy. America has demeaned, rejected and mocked Christ in the worst way without batting an eye.
I would no longer boast that America is a Christian nation or that it was the nation that sent missionaries all over the world. Sadly, the same foolishness that pastors and leaders do here is being repeated on the mission field by superficial missionaries full of a desire to be elevated as special.
Acts 13:10
"and said, “O child of the devil and enemy of all righteousness, you are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery! Will you never stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord?"
Yes, there are still some missionaries who have not fallen to the god of pleasure and convenience, but most have and are spreading the same unbiblical nonsense they learned while they were in their institutions of learning here in America.
My prayer is not that we send missionaries, my prayer is that God will send the Holy Spirit to those where there are no missionaries. My prayer is that every born-again believer who has been authentically born again will speak the truth wherever God leads them. Each individual will have a different area, often walking alone without human support, but each will have something.
2 Timothy 4:2-3 "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."
This is a command to every single born-again believer, not just a few, not those who are thought to be talented or educated. We speak the truth boldly as led by the Holy Spirit, He is the One Who is the guide for each one.
Changed by Christ into a New Creation
Carol Barrett Levak said this!!!!!
"Amen! TranslatED! Ephesians 2:6 "...and raisED us up with him and seatED us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
Carol makes a very good point that Christ saves us fully and completely when we repent and trust in Him. Our desires were changed into His desires, and we hate what He hates, He did that in us we did not do it to ourselves.
Ephesians 2:9-10 "…9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life. "
Hebrews 4:12-13 "12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.…"
Hebrews 12:5-7 "…5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” 7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"
1 John 2:1-2 "1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father— Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."
We battle the flesh daily; the more we battle in prayer, the less we give in to the temptations of the flesh.
Hebrews 7:25
"Therefore, He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them."
Romans 8:34
"Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us."
Why would Christ need to intercede for us if we never sinned after salvation? Because we are still trapped in this sinful flesh. We hate sin that we do and confess it to be cleansed.
1 John 1:8-10 "…8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us."
Those who have no conviction of sin when they indulge, even defending what God hates, were never born again. The Holy Spirit will not allow a born-again believer to continue in sin without conviction. If the believer will not listen to the Holy Spirit, He goes silent, removing perfect counsel from us so that we will feel the full brunt of the consequences of our sin.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22
"19 Do not quench the Spirit, 20 do not utterly reject prophecies (in God's Word), 21 but examine everything; hold firmly to that which is good, 22 abstain from every form of evil."
Once we have been changed into a new creation by Christ, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise as a Guarantee of our inheritance.
Ephesians 1:12-14 "…12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory. 13 And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth— the gospel of your salvation— you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.…"
"Amen! TranslatED! Ephesians 2:6 "...and raisED us up with him and seatED us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
"Let's note the past tense on all of these verbs--already occurred. To think that anyone could undo what God has given in GRACE b/c of FAITH would mean that God made a mistake and DIDN'T KNOW that we would do something we shouldn't do, or not do something we should do and then have to take away the salvation He already gave us is ludicrous. "OOPS!" is not in God's vocabulary!"
Unquote
Unquote
Carol makes a very good point that Christ saves us fully and completely when we repent and trust in Him. Our desires were changed into His desires, and we hate what He hates, He did that in us we did not do it to ourselves.
Ephesians 2:9-10 "…9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life. "
Hebrews 4:12-13 "12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.…"
Hebrews 12:5-7 "…5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” 7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"
1 John 2:1-2 "1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father— Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."
We battle the flesh daily; the more we battle in prayer, the less we give in to the temptations of the flesh.
Hebrews 7:25
"Therefore, He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them."
Romans 8:34
"Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us."
Why would Christ need to intercede for us if we never sinned after salvation? Because we are still trapped in this sinful flesh. We hate sin that we do and confess it to be cleansed.
1 John 1:8-10 "…8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us."
Those who have no conviction of sin when they indulge, even defending what God hates, were never born again. The Holy Spirit will not allow a born-again believer to continue in sin without conviction. If the believer will not listen to the Holy Spirit, He goes silent, removing perfect counsel from us so that we will feel the full brunt of the consequences of our sin.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22
"19 Do not quench the Spirit, 20 do not utterly reject prophecies (in God's Word), 21 but examine everything; hold firmly to that which is good, 22 abstain from every form of evil."
Once we have been changed into a new creation by Christ, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise as a Guarantee of our inheritance.
Ephesians 1:12-14 "…12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory. 13 And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth— the gospel of your salvation— you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.…"
Saturday, June 28, 2025
The Nature of Marriage
I just heard a short video in which the commentator was chastising a woman who was complaining about her husband being a jerk, even beating her until she finally left him.
No one should be tolerating abuse; this may mean separation for a time to protect herself and her family. However, let's take a look at the underlying cause of the problem.
The problem of the husband began when the woman did not choose a man wisely based on character. Every woman, if she is wise, will choose a man based on character qualities rather than physical attraction. People don't change very much, they just adjust their actions to accommodate the people they are with.
2 Corinthians 6:12-14 "14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?…"
This message is to believers and can be helpful to non-believers but doing what is helpful will not save them from hell, only trustin in Christ will do that. God was clear that we should be like-minded in our friendships and especially in our marriages.
When a woman marries a man who has a worldly and wicked attitude, she should expect problems in marriage. Yes, a man can hide the side of themselves that is rude and mean for a time, but eventually the anger in their heart will emerge if the woman gives him tests and challenges before they are married.
It is foolish not to be open and honest, and present challenges to be able to see what comes out of the person during these times. I am not talking about lying, manipulating or triggering, I am talking about full on honesty that promotes discussion about important matters.
The needy fear of losing someone who is paying attention to the woman is the stumbling block to missing the true character of the man. There are always clues that women ignore because they are so enamored with the attention and appearance of the man. The men (and women) know what to do that is good and right, but become lazy after marriage because they have reeled in their catch.
This also goes for men who are seeking wives. Both men and women should be assessing character qualities without regard to physical attraction or attention. Character does not change and is revealed eventually if one trains oneself to see the signs of anger or irritation about simple and minor provocations.
There are women who say, "he changed after we got married." This is not true; no one changes their character because they are in a new situation. When someone seems to have become a different person after marriage, they have only been hiding the real them, and no longer feel a need to hide.
The real self is the mean one that surfaces later; the phony self was the one that seemed so wonderful and perfect before there were any challenges.
Someone with authentically good character does not change with different circumstances. The one with good character becomes more loving and supportive when trials come, because it is their kind nature revealing itself.
Loving, kind people do not change; they are consistent and steady. They are the same with everyone; they never treat one person with contempt and another one with kindness, they treat everyone with kindness.
Bullies often fool people by being very kind and accommodating with those they wish to impress and mean and rude toward those for whom they lack respect. This is the biggest clue of all, bullies love dominating others, but know their limits, so they hide it from those whom they wish to think well of them.
What does this say about bullies? They know what they are doing, and it is a tactic to fool those they like and dominate those they don't like.
Proverbs 29:5:
"A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet,"
Proverbs 26:28:
"A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin,"
Romans 16:18
"18 For such people are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting."
Anyone who ruminates on superficiality, superiority, and boasting about oneself is attempting to trap their victim through deception. This happens all the time in dating situations. Presenting what they think is their best side, which is really not the real them, is a way of manipulating the perception of the one they desire to catch in their web.
Everyone has done this in dating, the very reason it is so dangerous to play this game of dating as though it were a means to a relationship. Dating is as superficial and phony as it gets, always based on pretending how good one is to impress the other.
Much miscommunication and even hiding go on in dating situations. Those who date ignore flaws or, worse, accept them as a fun way to be just to have the approval of the one they are with.
When a person bases their relationships on the Bible and is dedicated to waiting on God, they will have far fewer obstacles in marriage. Notice I said "fewer." There are always trials and hurdles because, without them, no one learns. Working out difficulties are the means to growing a quality and lasting marriage.
If one person is always giving up and the other always getting, this is a dysfunctional marriage based on a slave-master relationship.
God intended the man and woman to be life partners, each with different roles that enhance the life of the other. The man is not the master over the woman's role as a homemaker. God is her Master, and the woman is not master over the role of the man; God is his Master.
When each one seeks God, their talents and gifts will enhance one another. The man should not usurp the calling of homemaking of the wife, and the wife should not usurp the calling of the man. HOWEVER, they should each seek to improve and magnify the quality of one another's work. They each counsel one another as they discuss what is good for the whole family.
,
When a woman learns the good ways of a man, she will be a better person, just as when the man learns the good ways of a woman, he will be a better person.
Genesis 2:18
"18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a HELPER suitable for him.”
The Hebrew word for helper is "ezer" meaning a strong, vital, and even rescuing force, often used to describe God's role as a protector and provider for his people. The woman is a complementary and equal partner with her husband.
The important thing to remember here in this matter of choosing a spouse is making sure the person we choose is dedicated to knowing the Bible and following it. Just knowing is not enough; Satan knows, but is on his way to hell. We must want to obey what God says in His Word.
No one should be tolerating abuse; this may mean separation for a time to protect herself and her family. However, let's take a look at the underlying cause of the problem.
The problem of the husband began when the woman did not choose a man wisely based on character. Every woman, if she is wise, will choose a man based on character qualities rather than physical attraction. People don't change very much, they just adjust their actions to accommodate the people they are with.
2 Corinthians 6:12-14 "14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?…"
This message is to believers and can be helpful to non-believers but doing what is helpful will not save them from hell, only trustin in Christ will do that. God was clear that we should be like-minded in our friendships and especially in our marriages.
When a woman marries a man who has a worldly and wicked attitude, she should expect problems in marriage. Yes, a man can hide the side of themselves that is rude and mean for a time, but eventually the anger in their heart will emerge if the woman gives him tests and challenges before they are married.
It is foolish not to be open and honest, and present challenges to be able to see what comes out of the person during these times. I am not talking about lying, manipulating or triggering, I am talking about full on honesty that promotes discussion about important matters.
The needy fear of losing someone who is paying attention to the woman is the stumbling block to missing the true character of the man. There are always clues that women ignore because they are so enamored with the attention and appearance of the man. The men (and women) know what to do that is good and right, but become lazy after marriage because they have reeled in their catch.
This also goes for men who are seeking wives. Both men and women should be assessing character qualities without regard to physical attraction or attention. Character does not change and is revealed eventually if one trains oneself to see the signs of anger or irritation about simple and minor provocations.
There are women who say, "he changed after we got married." This is not true; no one changes their character because they are in a new situation. When someone seems to have become a different person after marriage, they have only been hiding the real them, and no longer feel a need to hide.
The real self is the mean one that surfaces later; the phony self was the one that seemed so wonderful and perfect before there were any challenges.
Someone with authentically good character does not change with different circumstances. The one with good character becomes more loving and supportive when trials come, because it is their kind nature revealing itself.
Loving, kind people do not change; they are consistent and steady. They are the same with everyone; they never treat one person with contempt and another one with kindness, they treat everyone with kindness.
Bullies often fool people by being very kind and accommodating with those they wish to impress and mean and rude toward those for whom they lack respect. This is the biggest clue of all, bullies love dominating others, but know their limits, so they hide it from those whom they wish to think well of them.
What does this say about bullies? They know what they are doing, and it is a tactic to fool those they like and dominate those they don't like.
Proverbs 29:5:
"A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet,"
Proverbs 26:28:
"A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin,"
Romans 16:18
"18 For such people are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting."
Anyone who ruminates on superficiality, superiority, and boasting about oneself is attempting to trap their victim through deception. This happens all the time in dating situations. Presenting what they think is their best side, which is really not the real them, is a way of manipulating the perception of the one they desire to catch in their web.
Everyone has done this in dating, the very reason it is so dangerous to play this game of dating as though it were a means to a relationship. Dating is as superficial and phony as it gets, always based on pretending how good one is to impress the other.
Much miscommunication and even hiding go on in dating situations. Those who date ignore flaws or, worse, accept them as a fun way to be just to have the approval of the one they are with.
When a person bases their relationships on the Bible and is dedicated to waiting on God, they will have far fewer obstacles in marriage. Notice I said "fewer." There are always trials and hurdles because, without them, no one learns. Working out difficulties are the means to growing a quality and lasting marriage.
If one person is always giving up and the other always getting, this is a dysfunctional marriage based on a slave-master relationship.
God intended the man and woman to be life partners, each with different roles that enhance the life of the other. The man is not the master over the woman's role as a homemaker. God is her Master, and the woman is not master over the role of the man; God is his Master.
When each one seeks God, their talents and gifts will enhance one another. The man should not usurp the calling of homemaking of the wife, and the wife should not usurp the calling of the man. HOWEVER, they should each seek to improve and magnify the quality of one another's work. They each counsel one another as they discuss what is good for the whole family.
,
When a woman learns the good ways of a man, she will be a better person, just as when the man learns the good ways of a woman, he will be a better person.
Genesis 2:18
"18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a HELPER suitable for him.”
The Hebrew word for helper is "ezer" meaning a strong, vital, and even rescuing force, often used to describe God's role as a protector and provider for his people. The woman is a complementary and equal partner with her husband.
The important thing to remember here in this matter of choosing a spouse is making sure the person we choose is dedicated to knowing the Bible and following it. Just knowing is not enough; Satan knows, but is on his way to hell. We must want to obey what God says in His Word.
Friday, June 27, 2025
Quote From Yvonne
I had to laugh at this because it is an extreme comment, but has a great deal of truth to it.
"Narcissists are like heat-seaking missiles... once they lock on their target, they will not stop until they destroy you. The lack of love is soul-destroying to the target." Quote from Yvonne
"Narcissists are like heat-seaking missiles... once they lock on their target, they will not stop until they destroy you. The lack of love is soul-destroying to the target." Quote from Yvonne
Disappointing People is a Part of Life
Disappointing people is a part of life and a part of emotional growth for both ourselves and the person we are speaking with; it is an opportunity for a lasting lesson.
When we have to disappoint people, their response will reveal their character, and we will learn something about them in the process. We may even learn about ourselves and what needs work in our own character building.
People pleasers are insecure people more focused on being liked than building quality relationships. They are often less mature than those who do what needs to be done without regard if anyone is pleased by it.
Since we cannot please everyone all the time, we might as well just tell the truth, build our own character, and let people be who they are authentically.
If we are rejected by someone for doing what we knew to be the right thing, then we have learned who our friends are. It would be wonderful if the friend who rejected us returns and admits their rejection, but if they do not, we are confident that what is right is more important than superficial friendships based on nothing important.
Proverbs 18:24 "A person of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
An old Chinese proverb says something similar: "A man with too many friends has none."
John 13:34-35
"A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
When we love one another, we will tell the truth, expect honest dialogue about it, and remain friends who challenge one another to greater holiness and wisdom.
When we have to disappoint people, their response will reveal their character, and we will learn something about them in the process. We may even learn about ourselves and what needs work in our own character building.
People pleasers are insecure people more focused on being liked than building quality relationships. They are often less mature than those who do what needs to be done without regard if anyone is pleased by it.
Since we cannot please everyone all the time, we might as well just tell the truth, build our own character, and let people be who they are authentically.
If we are rejected by someone for doing what we knew to be the right thing, then we have learned who our friends are. It would be wonderful if the friend who rejected us returns and admits their rejection, but if they do not, we are confident that what is right is more important than superficial friendships based on nothing important.
Proverbs 18:24 "A person of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
An old Chinese proverb says something similar: "A man with too many friends has none."
John 13:34-35
"A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
When we love one another, we will tell the truth, expect honest dialogue about it, and remain friends who challenge one another to greater holiness and wisdom.
Stop Looking for Approval from Men
If you are to serve the Lord, you cannot be looking to others for approval, it will stumble you!!!!
Do Not Look Back as Lot's Wife Did
When you become saved, do not look back to the old ways and people you used to know, the sins you left behind, and the memories that brought you low.
Remember Lot's wife; she looked back, longing for what she thought she lost.
When people want you to look back, you are free to reject the temptation and look at the person of Jesus Christ, Who changed you, moved you along a new path that leads to heaven.
Do not mourn the people you left behind or who turned away from you; they do not walk the same path with the same goals.
Philippians 3:13-14 "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus."
Hebrews 10:38-39 "But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.” / But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls."
Hallelujah: Onward Christian Soldiers of the Cross Marching as to War!!!! I love this song, it is a Spiritual battle song!
Luke 9:62 "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."
Isaiah 43:18-19 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
Remember Lot's wife; she looked back, longing for what she thought she lost.
When people want you to look back, you are free to reject the temptation and look at the person of Jesus Christ, Who changed you, moved you along a new path that leads to heaven.
Do not mourn the people you left behind or who turned away from you; they do not walk the same path with the same goals.
Philippians 3:13-14 "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus."
Hebrews 10:38-39 "But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.” / But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls."
Hallelujah: Onward Christian Soldiers of the Cross Marching as to War!!!! I love this song, it is a Spiritual battle song!
Luke 9:62 "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."
Isaiah 43:18-19 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
What Does Respect Look Like?
When people respect you, they show up on time, they answer your texts in a timely manner, they respond when you are speaking, they listen to you to know you. They answer your questions honestly, and they do not gossip about you to others. They never guess what you might be doing when they don't know. They are interested in you as a person. Those who respect you are happy and anxious to see you even when it seems inconvenient.
When people disrespect you, they are often late, they ignore your texts, they do not respond when spoken to, they do not answer your questions honestly, and they gossip about you to others. They guess things about you when they don't know, and they are not interested in you as a person. Those who disrespect you lack hospitality and loving acceptance when you are inconvenient.
When we see the difference between respect and disrespect, it is pretty clear who we should choose for our constant companions.
Malachi 1:6 "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests who despise my name."
1 Peter 5:5 "Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Matthew 7:12 "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."
Romans 12:10 "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."
Disrespect is rampant in our culture today, but those practicing it think they have a good reason, even though when asked to describe the reason, they have none to give. In other words, the disrespect is an excuse not based on substance.
2 Timothy 3 gives us the mentality of the end times in which all manner of evil dwells in the heart of men wholesale! The entire culture has been hijacked by the devil's minions to ruin everyone he can before Christ returns for His church.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 "3 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these."
We are living in the end times when everything is irrational and unreasonable. Human interactions are agonizingly difficult, leading authentic believers to isolate themselves from those who have claimed Christianity but have rejected Him openly through sinful attitudes.
I have met in my lifetime deeply angry and rebellious Christians who have such high opinions of themselves that it is hard for me to believe they were ever changed by Christ into a new creation. Humility is either non-existence or they never had it.
I don't know for sure often, but at the very least, they are smudging the name of Christ by calling themselves by His name. These folks are rude, mean, and deeply self-righteous, adhering to their own idea of "religion," making rules God never made while demeaning authentically born-again believers who do not walk as those who reject most of God's Word in their relationships.
When God told us not to take His name in vain, it was not just about using His name as a curse word; it was also not to claim to be of Him while disobeying and dishonoring Him in their lifestyle.
John 14:15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever."
1 John 5:3 "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome,"
We cannot have the love of Christ if He does not live in us. We have the love of Christ because He does live in us. When we have His love we have His fruit!
Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, / gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law."
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs.
When people disrespect you, they are often late, they ignore your texts, they do not respond when spoken to, they do not answer your questions honestly, and they gossip about you to others. They guess things about you when they don't know, and they are not interested in you as a person. Those who disrespect you lack hospitality and loving acceptance when you are inconvenient.
When we see the difference between respect and disrespect, it is pretty clear who we should choose for our constant companions.
Malachi 1:6 "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests who despise my name."
1 Peter 5:5 "Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Matthew 7:12 "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."
Romans 12:10 "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."
Disrespect is rampant in our culture today, but those practicing it think they have a good reason, even though when asked to describe the reason, they have none to give. In other words, the disrespect is an excuse not based on substance.
2 Timothy 3 gives us the mentality of the end times in which all manner of evil dwells in the heart of men wholesale! The entire culture has been hijacked by the devil's minions to ruin everyone he can before Christ returns for His church.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 "3 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these."
Notice the form of religion in verse 5, but the denial of Christ through the lack of adherence to the Bible. They will say they are Bible believing, but negate most of it in their lives. They deny Christ through rebellion against His Word.
We are living in the end times when everything is irrational and unreasonable. Human interactions are agonizingly difficult, leading authentic believers to isolate themselves from those who have claimed Christianity but have rejected Him openly through sinful attitudes.
I have met in my lifetime deeply angry and rebellious Christians who have such high opinions of themselves that it is hard for me to believe they were ever changed by Christ into a new creation. Humility is either non-existence or they never had it.
I don't know for sure often, but at the very least, they are smudging the name of Christ by calling themselves by His name. These folks are rude, mean, and deeply self-righteous, adhering to their own idea of "religion," making rules God never made while demeaning authentically born-again believers who do not walk as those who reject most of God's Word in their relationships.
When God told us not to take His name in vain, it was not just about using His name as a curse word; it was also not to claim to be of Him while disobeying and dishonoring Him in their lifestyle.
John 14:15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever."
1 John 5:3 "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome,"
We cannot have the love of Christ if He does not live in us. We have the love of Christ because He does live in us. When we have His love we have His fruit!
Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, / gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law."
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs.
6 Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth.
7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Envy and Jealousy are Close Cousins
Envy is "I want what you have" and Jealousy is "I don't want you to have it." These traits lead to the downfall of angry people.
Christ is all we Need all the Time
In high school or college, were you the one who showed up at a reunion after ten years of being in the world, thinking that people may have changed and grown up and the people you knew were now reasonable, rational, and kind adults, only to realize most of them had not changed? Many were divorced, remarried, or living in sin together with no commitment. Their lives were a mess and they were getting older, life did not afford them the highs that used to come in youth.
The cliques were still as strong as ever, and the ones who were wallflowers were still seen as an oddity, just as they were in high school.
In case you have never heard the term "wallflower," it means you were invisible (blending into the wall unseen) and sometimes mocked for being different from the herd.
Since you didn't think the way of the herd, you didn't follow what the herd was doing, and you dared to have your own thoughts while disliking all the superficial banter and competition so prevalent among the groupthinkers.
They were still as immature at the 10th reunion as they were when they were in high school. Were they just as immature at the 20th reunion and the 30th and even the 40th reunions as they were when they were in high school?
As I observed life, I realized that the most popular people in these institutions were always those who had somewhat of a rebellious streak, clamoring for attention as though their lives depended on it. And often their lives were empty without the group that propped them up.
Looking back, I see those who were the happiest in life were those who were selfless and comfortable in their own skin without the need for superficial validation from others.
I have also noticed that the people who turn to Christ and have the humility to admit their lost plight and seek Christ for salvation lose their need to be adored or seen as superior by people. Christ has given them such joy and peace as well as dependence on Him that they are as comfortable completely alone as they are with others who love Him as much as they do.
For the born-again believer, life is not about being better than anyone else, it is more about growing and becoming more Christ like within ourselves. Those who seek to be superior must always be judging the small matters of others to gain the feeling of dominance and supremacy.
Spiritual and emotional depth cannot occur when someone is dependent on others to prop them up. The emotional and Spiritual depth takes place from completely depending on Christ. Those who love Christ have no need to feel superior or dominant over anyone else. They know they were nothing before they had Christ, and after He came to live in them, He is everything to them.
There are those in the world who are able to operate without continual accolades from people however, they are never as completely free to be themselves as believers are who have Christ living in them.
Philippians 1:20-22 "20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22But if I go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. So what shall I choose? I do not know."
Galatians 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."
There is a terrible and fearful burden associated with continually clamoring to be seen and elevated by people.
2 Corinthians 5:8
"We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord."
Romans 14:8
"If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord."
All praise to Jesus Christ that He is all we need all the time!!!!!
The cliques were still as strong as ever, and the ones who were wallflowers were still seen as an oddity, just as they were in high school.
In case you have never heard the term "wallflower," it means you were invisible (blending into the wall unseen) and sometimes mocked for being different from the herd.
Since you didn't think the way of the herd, you didn't follow what the herd was doing, and you dared to have your own thoughts while disliking all the superficial banter and competition so prevalent among the groupthinkers.
They were still as immature at the 10th reunion as they were when they were in high school. Were they just as immature at the 20th reunion and the 30th and even the 40th reunions as they were when they were in high school?
As I observed life, I realized that the most popular people in these institutions were always those who had somewhat of a rebellious streak, clamoring for attention as though their lives depended on it. And often their lives were empty without the group that propped them up.
Looking back, I see those who were the happiest in life were those who were selfless and comfortable in their own skin without the need for superficial validation from others.
I have also noticed that the people who turn to Christ and have the humility to admit their lost plight and seek Christ for salvation lose their need to be adored or seen as superior by people. Christ has given them such joy and peace as well as dependence on Him that they are as comfortable completely alone as they are with others who love Him as much as they do.
For the born-again believer, life is not about being better than anyone else, it is more about growing and becoming more Christ like within ourselves. Those who seek to be superior must always be judging the small matters of others to gain the feeling of dominance and supremacy.
Spiritual and emotional depth cannot occur when someone is dependent on others to prop them up. The emotional and Spiritual depth takes place from completely depending on Christ. Those who love Christ have no need to feel superior or dominant over anyone else. They know they were nothing before they had Christ, and after He came to live in them, He is everything to them.
There are those in the world who are able to operate without continual accolades from people however, they are never as completely free to be themselves as believers are who have Christ living in them.
Philippians 1:20-22 "20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22But if I go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. So what shall I choose? I do not know."
Galatians 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."
There is a terrible and fearful burden associated with continually clamoring to be seen and elevated by people.
2 Corinthians 5:8
"We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord."
Romans 14:8
"If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord."
All praise to Jesus Christ that He is all we need all the time!!!!!
The Insult Sandwich
I love what Jefferson Fisher said when he described what he calls the "insult sandwich" when we have something difficult to tell someone, psychology says to compliment the person first that's the top piece of bread, then tell them the hard thing, which is the filling in the middle and the bottom piece of bread is more phony compliments.
As I was listening to this video, I remember hearing this method years ago, thinking it was silly. The reason it seemed silly to me was because it was disingenuous, meaning insincere and manipulative with flattery.
At the end of the sandwich, the person doesn't trust us because we used flattery and manipulation to soften the blow of the problem that needed to be discussed, but still had to address the ugly thing.
So much of psychology is focused on each person feeling good about themselves at the end of it, but they still end up having to deal with feelings of disappointment. The only person the insult sandwich helps is the one who has to deliver the sad news, feeling better about having to do it.
It is better to speak the truth up front and allow everyone to work through whatever feelings they are going to have. Life is hard, it is disappointing at times, but these difficulties are what make us into stronger people if we accept them and learn from them.
Honesty really is the best policy, and immediate honesty given in genuine love and concern without flattery, manipulation, or psychological tricks is the best way, it is God's way.
God is all about honesty without manipulation. Over the years, I learned that those who use flattery generously are those whom one cannot trust. They have a hard time speaking about difficult things, so they slather it in sugar to disguise the problem.
I remember the feeling many years ago of being with someone who was a continual flatterer; my sense at the end of the visit was to go home and take a shower to wash off all the honey.
Ephesians 4:25 "Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another."
John 8:32 "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free".
Zechariah 8:16 "These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another, render true and sound judgments in your gates,"
Colossians 3:9 "Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices,"
Proverbs 12:22 "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight."
1 Peter 3:10 "For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech."
Flattery is deceitful speech; this is what God says about it.
Proverbs 29:5 "A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet."
The purpose of flattery is to disarm someone to be able to more fully manipulate them.
Love does not flatter or manipulate; it speaks boldly with love and concern for the one to whom it speaks. Protecting oneself through manipulation does not help others; truth and honesty do.
Psalm 12:2 "They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart."
Psalm 55:21 "His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed."
Jeremiah 9:8 "Their tongues are deadly arrows; they speak deception. With his mouth a man speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him."
Honesty and integrity have been removed from our culture in favor of soft answers with deceitful expectations. In other words, when we use psychology in the "insult sandwich," we are more concerned about controlling the outcome through manipulation than we are about each person involved learning and growing as they work through a problem.
May the Bible be our guide and not the secular psychologists who have looked to faulty human wisdom to solve what only God can solve with real and lasting solutions from His Word.
As I was listening to this video, I remember hearing this method years ago, thinking it was silly. The reason it seemed silly to me was because it was disingenuous, meaning insincere and manipulative with flattery.
At the end of the sandwich, the person doesn't trust us because we used flattery and manipulation to soften the blow of the problem that needed to be discussed, but still had to address the ugly thing.
So much of psychology is focused on each person feeling good about themselves at the end of it, but they still end up having to deal with feelings of disappointment. The only person the insult sandwich helps is the one who has to deliver the sad news, feeling better about having to do it.
It is better to speak the truth up front and allow everyone to work through whatever feelings they are going to have. Life is hard, it is disappointing at times, but these difficulties are what make us into stronger people if we accept them and learn from them.
Honesty really is the best policy, and immediate honesty given in genuine love and concern without flattery, manipulation, or psychological tricks is the best way, it is God's way.
God is all about honesty without manipulation. Over the years, I learned that those who use flattery generously are those whom one cannot trust. They have a hard time speaking about difficult things, so they slather it in sugar to disguise the problem.
I remember the feeling many years ago of being with someone who was a continual flatterer; my sense at the end of the visit was to go home and take a shower to wash off all the honey.
Ephesians 4:25 "Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another."
John 8:32 "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free".
Zechariah 8:16 "These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another, render true and sound judgments in your gates,"
Colossians 3:9 "Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices,"
Proverbs 12:22 "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight."
1 Peter 3:10 "For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech."
Flattery is deceitful speech; this is what God says about it.
Proverbs 29:5 "A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet."
The purpose of flattery is to disarm someone to be able to more fully manipulate them.
Love does not flatter or manipulate; it speaks boldly with love and concern for the one to whom it speaks. Protecting oneself through manipulation does not help others; truth and honesty do.
Psalm 12:2 "They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart."
Psalm 55:21 "His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed."
Jeremiah 9:8 "Their tongues are deadly arrows; they speak deception. With his mouth a man speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him."
Honesty and integrity have been removed from our culture in favor of soft answers with deceitful expectations. In other words, when we use psychology in the "insult sandwich," we are more concerned about controlling the outcome through manipulation than we are about each person involved learning and growing as they work through a problem.
May the Bible be our guide and not the secular psychologists who have looked to faulty human wisdom to solve what only God can solve with real and lasting solutions from His Word.
The Modern Lie of Friendliness with the World
The more we focus on Christ and His calling for us, the more this will cost us family and long-time friends.
Most people remain our friends when we are satisfied with stagnation or when we validate all their worldly ideas and pleasures.
When we grow and change with the help of the Holy Spirit, it will be off-putting to most people who say they are Christians. We no longer experience life the same way that our friends and family view it, everything we see, do, and say is infused with the principles and thoughts of God.
We no longer want the things of the world, even though we move within it and enjoy many things about our lives. This world is only the place we live and work for Christ until He takes us home.
Our connection with people is all about Him continually and works well when we are in company of others who think the way we do. This radical dedication to Christ is driven by the Holy Spirit Who guides and trains us every single day, unless we ignore Him, then He will go silent until we return to obedience.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22
"19 Do not quench the Spirit, 20 do not utterly reject prophecies, 21 but examine everything; hold firmly to that which is good, 22 abstain from every form of evil."
Ephesians 4:30
"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
Galatians 5:16-17
"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want."
When we seek Christ every day to be more like Him and to be directed continually by Him we will become despised by the world and even some people who say they are Christians.
The modern church system wants "Christians" to keep their faith in that designated building while walking with the world when they leave it so they can fit in with the world. The excuse I have heard many times is "to win the world we must be like them." This phrase comes in many forms, but essentially it is the same mentality that is "to be liked and friends with the world, will make the world like Jesus." It is a false teaching and must be discarded.
It is not true, being friends with the world makes us like them. They do not come to Jesus Christ because we were friendly and accommodating; they pretend to be Christians because of those who compromise their walk with Christ to be loved by the world.
John 15:18-20 "18 If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. 19 If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. 20 Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well.…"
When we walk with Christ in a radical dedication to Him the world will hate us even while claiming to be Christian.
James 4:4 "You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God."
John 15:18-25
Disciples’ Relation to the World
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.
20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they followed My word, they will follow yours also.
21 But all these things they will do to you on account of My name, because they do not know the One who sent Me.
22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.
23 The one who hates Me hates My Father also.
24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well.
25 But this has happened so that the word that is written in their Law will be fulfilled: ‘They hated Me for no reason.’"
Those who are attempting to manipulate the world to like them are themselves worldly. These people hate Christ even when they pretend to love Him, and they hate us because we love Him.
Most people remain our friends when we are satisfied with stagnation or when we validate all their worldly ideas and pleasures.
When we grow and change with the help of the Holy Spirit, it will be off-putting to most people who say they are Christians. We no longer experience life the same way that our friends and family view it, everything we see, do, and say is infused with the principles and thoughts of God.
We no longer want the things of the world, even though we move within it and enjoy many things about our lives. This world is only the place we live and work for Christ until He takes us home.
Our connection with people is all about Him continually and works well when we are in company of others who think the way we do. This radical dedication to Christ is driven by the Holy Spirit Who guides and trains us every single day, unless we ignore Him, then He will go silent until we return to obedience.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22
"19 Do not quench the Spirit, 20 do not utterly reject prophecies, 21 but examine everything; hold firmly to that which is good, 22 abstain from every form of evil."
Ephesians 4:30
"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
Galatians 5:16-17
"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want."
When we seek Christ every day to be more like Him and to be directed continually by Him we will become despised by the world and even some people who say they are Christians.
The modern church system wants "Christians" to keep their faith in that designated building while walking with the world when they leave it so they can fit in with the world. The excuse I have heard many times is "to win the world we must be like them." This phrase comes in many forms, but essentially it is the same mentality that is "to be liked and friends with the world, will make the world like Jesus." It is a false teaching and must be discarded.
It is not true, being friends with the world makes us like them. They do not come to Jesus Christ because we were friendly and accommodating; they pretend to be Christians because of those who compromise their walk with Christ to be loved by the world.
John 15:18-20 "18 If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. 19 If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. 20 Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well.…"
When we walk with Christ in a radical dedication to Him the world will hate us even while claiming to be Christian.
James 4:4 "You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God."
John 15:18-25
Disciples’ Relation to the World
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.
20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they followed My word, they will follow yours also.
21 But all these things they will do to you on account of My name, because they do not know the One who sent Me.
22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.
23 The one who hates Me hates My Father also.
24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well.
25 But this has happened so that the word that is written in their Law will be fulfilled: ‘They hated Me for no reason.’"
Those who are attempting to manipulate the world to like them are themselves worldly. These people hate Christ even when they pretend to love Him, and they hate us because we love Him.
Born Again and the Holy Spirit, No one can have one without the other.
The Holy Spirit is only given to those who have trusted in Christ and have been changed into a new creation by Him.
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit are the character qualities of Christ dwelling in full measure in the Holy Spirit.
How many times have you been in company with someone who attends a church and even reads their Bible, but acts embarrassed to hear the sound of the name of Jesus Christ, and worse, they do not speak of Him themselves.
Anyone who decided they wanted to be a Christian because attending a group makes them feel accepted and safe, but has no desire to obey all of what is in the Word of God, probably never trusted in Christ.
Those who have been changed by Christ into a new creation love Him above everyone and everything else. Whatever they talk about, wherever they go, and whomever they see, the name of Jesus Christ is continually and regularly on their lips.
John 14:15 "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever."
1 John 3:22-24
"And we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and we should love one another just as He commanded us. Whoever keeps His commandments remains in God, and God in him. And by this we know that He remains in us: by the Spirit He has given us."
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."
To walk in love toward others, we will be walking according to the commandments of God.
Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven."
Those who are pretenders are those who join churches for their own good feelings of safety and pleasure; they have no interest in being changed by Christ and often make up their own rules not mentioned or mandated by God.
1 Peter 1:22 "Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart."
Those who obey Christ are the ones who have genuine love for their brothers and sisters in Christ. Those who do not obey the Word do not love Christ or one another.
Matthew 7:15-17 "15 Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit."
Galatians 5:22-23
"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
When we meet those who fight against the truth, act superior to others without love, and resist anyone who corrects them, we know we have met a pretender.
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."
The Holy Spirit is the very embodiment of this fruit, and everyone who is born again has the Holy Spirit and all His fruit.
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit are the character qualities of Christ dwelling in full measure in the Holy Spirit.
How many times have you been in company with someone who attends a church and even reads their Bible, but acts embarrassed to hear the sound of the name of Jesus Christ, and worse, they do not speak of Him themselves.
Anyone who decided they wanted to be a Christian because attending a group makes them feel accepted and safe, but has no desire to obey all of what is in the Word of God, probably never trusted in Christ.
Those who have been changed by Christ into a new creation love Him above everyone and everything else. Whatever they talk about, wherever they go, and whomever they see, the name of Jesus Christ is continually and regularly on their lips.
John 14:15 "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever."
1 John 3:22-24
"And we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and we should love one another just as He commanded us. Whoever keeps His commandments remains in God, and God in him. And by this we know that He remains in us: by the Spirit He has given us."
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."
To walk in love toward others, we will be walking according to the commandments of God.
Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven."
Those who are pretenders are those who join churches for their own good feelings of safety and pleasure; they have no interest in being changed by Christ and often make up their own rules not mentioned or mandated by God.
1 Peter 1:22 "Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart."
Those who obey Christ are the ones who have genuine love for their brothers and sisters in Christ. Those who do not obey the Word do not love Christ or one another.
Galatians 5:14
"The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
"The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Matthew 7:15-17 "15 Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit."
Galatians 5:22-23
"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
When we meet those who fight against the truth, act superior to others without love, and resist anyone who corrects them, we know we have met a pretender.
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."
The Holy Spirit is the very embodiment of this fruit, and everyone who is born again has the Holy Spirit and all His fruit.
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Washed in the Blood of the Lamb
Amen, Amen!!!! I am convinced we will dance in heaven at the marriage supper and in the Millennium. Love it!!!! Yes I am washed in the blood of the Lamb!!! Hallelujah!!!! Watch a man who loves the Lord Jesus Christ, let it edify you! Watch the video and be blessed!
https://www.facebook.com/reel/638712575864745
https://www.facebook.com/reel/638712575864745
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Better to Please God Than Men
Often, I meet an arrogant person who wants to appear superior to others. I feel sorry for them because this mentality exposes their insecurity.
It is clear they have trusted in themselves but it is not working for them. When we place our trust in Christ we have no need to feel superior to others. We know everyone has fallen short of the glory of God and everyone needs a Savior; no one, including ourselves, is above or better than anyone else.
Isaiah 55:8-9
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts."
No person could ever measure up to the mighty Power of Christ so why would we ever feel the need for validation from people?
We love people as Christ loved us but we do not try to win their approval; it is only the approval of Christ we care about.
2 Timothy 2:14-16 "14 Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeed only in leading the listeners to ruin. 15 Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth. 16 But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,…"
Nowhere does God tell us to make every effort to please men.
Galatians 1:9-11 "…9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse! 10 Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. 11 For I certify to you, brothers, that the gospel I preached was not devised by man.…"
It is better to be without friends than to diminish the word of God to keep them.
It is clear they have trusted in themselves but it is not working for them. When we place our trust in Christ we have no need to feel superior to others. We know everyone has fallen short of the glory of God and everyone needs a Savior; no one, including ourselves, is above or better than anyone else.
Isaiah 55:8-9
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts."
No person could ever measure up to the mighty Power of Christ so why would we ever feel the need for validation from people?
We love people as Christ loved us but we do not try to win their approval; it is only the approval of Christ we care about.
2 Timothy 2:14-16 "14 Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeed only in leading the listeners to ruin. 15 Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth. 16 But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,…"
Nowhere does God tell us to make every effort to please men.
Galatians 1:9-11 "…9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse! 10 Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. 11 For I certify to you, brothers, that the gospel I preached was not devised by man.…"
It is better to be without friends than to diminish the word of God to keep them.
Key Phrases here: "for without Me you can do nothing!" And, "He who abides in Me bears much fruit."
When we have trusted in Christ our goal ought to be to seek Him in all things all the time.
Jealousy and Arrogance are Close Cousins
Something I have been encountering in recent years is daughters-in-law speaking against their mother-in-laws, mothers-in-law speaking against the mother of their daughter-in-law in law to be seen as the preferred person in the life of their daughter-in-law.
This problem of jealousy is demonstrated when someone attempts to turn one person against another by deliberately misinterpreting events or words, passing on the misunderstood version to the one they wish to win to their side. causing ill feelings in one person toward another.
Jealousy and arrogance are close cousins, the jealousy being ill feelings toward someone for having the ear of another person, and the arrogance that they should be superior and preferred over the other person.
This is exactly the same tactic the devil used in the garden when he hated that God loved Adam and Eve. The devil had been banished by God for his wickedness, so in retaliation, he managed to turn the first couple against the very God who created them. This wicked entity, the devil, is still using the same tactics today as he influences many people to disregard and gossip against those of whom they are jealous.
We see this all the time in relationships in our day. God told us it would happen because of the sin in the hearts of people in these end times.
Luke 12:52-53 "…52 From now on, five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
This problem of hatred toward one another because of jealousy ought not to be present with born-again believers. When it is present, it must be called out. The response of the one called out will tell us whether or not they are rebellious or contrite.
A contrite heart will feel badly and confess their sin, but a rebellious person will justify themselves, lie and say they didn't act certain ways, blame others and refuse to change their behavior. In fact the rebellious one will make sure the gossip flies against the one who called them out to repent.
Micah 7:6
"For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies are the members of his own household."
Matthew 24:10
"At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another,"
Satan will make sure that the anger and contempt in the heart of the gossiper will become so hardened that there is no way to resolve it but to walk away.
John 10:19
"Again there was division among the Jews because of Jesus’ message."
When we walk with Christ and proclaim His truth we will be treated just like He was treated when He told the truth.
Sadly, Christ came to save mankind from their sin and from hell and yet they were so hardened that they killed Him for His effort to show grace to them.
Jealousy is a very strange animal, instead of enjoying the blessings of others and sharing in the joy of someone else, the jealous one hates those who have something they do not have.
Taking away someone else's blessing of a relationship by turning one person against another is a very common and favorite tactic of the devil. He is using this tactic every day with those who have no defenses against him.
We are living in the days like those of Noah when people have given themselves over to selfishness and worldliness. It is rare now to find a friend who is genuinely happy for someone else and dedicated to their friend.
Thankfully, we can still love, we can refuse to become like the world around us as we educate ourselves on whom to trust and who not to trust. The Holy Spirit must be our guide in all things. It is easy to be fooled by those who regularly practice the sweet/mean cycle. In other words they are friendly to suck us in and once our guard is down they revert to their old nasty self again.
Jeremiah 9:4-5
“Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity."
This is why I am dedicated to keeping my focus on Christ while knowing the tricks of the devil so that I will not be sucked into his tricks.
It is vitally important that we do not allow the schemes of ungodly people to influence us to be like them. When we become accustomed to a culture, eventually we will act like that culture even without realizing it.
1 Corinthians 15:33 "
"Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”
James 1:27
"27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."
1 John 2:15-17
"Do Not Love the World
15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever."
Romans 12:2
"2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
Satan will throw many things on us to derail our walk with Christ. We must know God's Word well, repeat it often and walk in it daily to keep from being tainted by his evil.
This problem of jealousy is demonstrated when someone attempts to turn one person against another by deliberately misinterpreting events or words, passing on the misunderstood version to the one they wish to win to their side. causing ill feelings in one person toward another.
Jealousy and arrogance are close cousins, the jealousy being ill feelings toward someone for having the ear of another person, and the arrogance that they should be superior and preferred over the other person.
This is exactly the same tactic the devil used in the garden when he hated that God loved Adam and Eve. The devil had been banished by God for his wickedness, so in retaliation, he managed to turn the first couple against the very God who created them. This wicked entity, the devil, is still using the same tactics today as he influences many people to disregard and gossip against those of whom they are jealous.
We see this all the time in relationships in our day. God told us it would happen because of the sin in the hearts of people in these end times.
Luke 12:52-53 "…52 From now on, five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
This problem of hatred toward one another because of jealousy ought not to be present with born-again believers. When it is present, it must be called out. The response of the one called out will tell us whether or not they are rebellious or contrite.
A contrite heart will feel badly and confess their sin, but a rebellious person will justify themselves, lie and say they didn't act certain ways, blame others and refuse to change their behavior. In fact the rebellious one will make sure the gossip flies against the one who called them out to repent.
Micah 7:6
"For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies are the members of his own household."
Matthew 24:10
"At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another,"
Satan will make sure that the anger and contempt in the heart of the gossiper will become so hardened that there is no way to resolve it but to walk away.
John 10:19
"Again there was division among the Jews because of Jesus’ message."
When we walk with Christ and proclaim His truth we will be treated just like He was treated when He told the truth.
Sadly, Christ came to save mankind from their sin and from hell and yet they were so hardened that they killed Him for His effort to show grace to them.
Jealousy is a very strange animal, instead of enjoying the blessings of others and sharing in the joy of someone else, the jealous one hates those who have something they do not have.
Taking away someone else's blessing of a relationship by turning one person against another is a very common and favorite tactic of the devil. He is using this tactic every day with those who have no defenses against him.
We are living in the days like those of Noah when people have given themselves over to selfishness and worldliness. It is rare now to find a friend who is genuinely happy for someone else and dedicated to their friend.
Thankfully, we can still love, we can refuse to become like the world around us as we educate ourselves on whom to trust and who not to trust. The Holy Spirit must be our guide in all things. It is easy to be fooled by those who regularly practice the sweet/mean cycle. In other words they are friendly to suck us in and once our guard is down they revert to their old nasty self again.
Jeremiah 9:4-5
“Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity."
This is why I am dedicated to keeping my focus on Christ while knowing the tricks of the devil so that I will not be sucked into his tricks.
It is vitally important that we do not allow the schemes of ungodly people to influence us to be like them. When we become accustomed to a culture, eventually we will act like that culture even without realizing it.
1 Corinthians 15:33 "
"Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”
James 1:27
"27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."
1 John 2:15-17
"Do Not Love the World
15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever."
Romans 12:2
"2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
Satan will throw many things on us to derail our walk with Christ. We must know God's Word well, repeat it often and walk in it daily to keep from being tainted by his evil.
Confession is Just as Important as Forgiveness
When we do things God's way, it brings fruit and reconciliation. When we do things man's way, nothing good is accomplished, and often sin is coddled and allowed to grow.
Luke 17:3-4 "…3 Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” "
It is important not to miss the words "if he sins against you, rebuke him" and "if he comes and says, 'I repent,' forgive him.
Confession of sin is just as important as forgiveness; they are both necessary to reconcile a relationship. Without the confession, there is just enabling that causes evil to grow worse and conscience to be seared.
If we care about the offender, we tell them the offense and require a contrite heart to reconcile.
Our desire should never be just to feel peaceful while running from needed discussions that can resolve things.
There are those who have proven to be so unreasonable in their responses to the mildest challenges that we know an attempt at reconciliation through confession is impossible; this problem of arrogance and lack of humility is growing in our culture.
It is human nature to do the easy thing and just let everything go. But God's way is that we do the hard work of reconciliation that not only resolves things but grows people closer than if they had never resolved it and pretended it didn't happen.
The important thing to remember is that humility is required in both the offender and the offended. When this happens, relationships grow together in holiness and strength of character.
May we surround ourselves with people who think Biblically and are dedicated to quality relationships rather than superficial ones.
Luke 17:3-4 "…3 Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” "
It is important not to miss the words "if he sins against you, rebuke him" and "if he comes and says, 'I repent,' forgive him.
Confession of sin is just as important as forgiveness; they are both necessary to reconcile a relationship. Without the confession, there is just enabling that causes evil to grow worse and conscience to be seared.
If we care about the offender, we tell them the offense and require a contrite heart to reconcile.
Our desire should never be just to feel peaceful while running from needed discussions that can resolve things.
There are those who have proven to be so unreasonable in their responses to the mildest challenges that we know an attempt at reconciliation through confession is impossible; this problem of arrogance and lack of humility is growing in our culture.
It is human nature to do the easy thing and just let everything go. But God's way is that we do the hard work of reconciliation that not only resolves things but grows people closer than if they had never resolved it and pretended it didn't happen.
The important thing to remember is that humility is required in both the offender and the offended. When this happens, relationships grow together in holiness and strength of character.
May we surround ourselves with people who think Biblically and are dedicated to quality relationships rather than superficial ones.
Monday, June 23, 2025
Relationships are Demolished for Lack of Integrity
Marriages fall apart today because of the lack of commitment to God and honor. Many people had to work out problems in marriage because the dishonor that came with divorce was worse than our personal discomfort or desires.
When we are committed to being honorable, personal discomfort is not an issue.
My definition of honor: adherence to what is right, no matter what it takes!
The sense of giving up honor to have pleasure or lack of struggle was unthinkable two generations ago. The struggle was preferable to the disgrace of giving up integrity.
Integrity was of such great value that there was a sense of accomplishment and determination attached to it more than any idea of personal aggrandizement. Getting it done right was the goal of every endeavor, even if no one else noticed.
Proverbs 11:3 "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perverseness of the treacherous destroys them"
When we are committed to being honorable, personal discomfort is not an issue.
My definition of honor: adherence to what is right, no matter what it takes!
The sense of giving up honor to have pleasure or lack of struggle was unthinkable two generations ago. The struggle was preferable to the disgrace of giving up integrity.
Integrity was of such great value that there was a sense of accomplishment and determination attached to it more than any idea of personal aggrandizement. Getting it done right was the goal of every endeavor, even if no one else noticed.
Proverbs 11:3 "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perverseness of the treacherous destroys them"
The Hardest Thing is to do Nothing
The hardest thing for mankind to do is "nothing"; we think we can fix everything, when in reality, there is very little we can fix without help.
When we trust in Christ instead of ourselves, we can depend on Him for the proper answer at the proper time. When something is done His way we will have the best outcome for our good.
It may not be what we wanted or expected, but we will see how much better it is for us.
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."
When we trust in Christ instead of ourselves, we can depend on Him for the proper answer at the proper time. When something is done His way we will have the best outcome for our good.
It may not be what we wanted or expected, but we will see how much better it is for us.
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."
Sunday, June 22, 2025
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Hearers Interpret What They Hear in Terms of their own Mindset!
Next time someone accuses you of saying something in a mean way when you did not, just quote scripture to them.
Hebrews 4:12-13
"12 For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom [b]we must answer."
Those who focus on the delivery will almost always misinterpret the intent because they will hear it the way the spirit in them is feeling about the information.
These same people will tell you that "only God knows the heart.", Yes, He does, and He imparts that wisdom to us because He lives in us and gives us the discernment through His Word to be able to navigate through this rebellious and sinful world.
Those who are open to a correction will hear the truth, without regard to the delivery. How we say something, the feelings of those hearing, and other excuses are distractions to disarm believers, making them fearful about speaking the truth.
Hebrews 4:13 "13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.…"
Sinful, resistant people hate being exposed and will operate to defend and excuse themselves.
Ephesians 6:17
"And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Jeremiah 23:29
“Is not My word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that smashes a rock?”
When we are equipped with the Word of God we have no need to worry about the response of others.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work."
God's word is a shield and blessing to those who want to grow in holiness but it is a hammer and feared by those who are full of arrogance and pride.
Proverbs 30:5
"Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him."
1 Thessalonians 2:13
"And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is also now at work in you who believe."
We as born-again believers, know the incredible peace and joy that comes from knowing the truth and following it. It causes us to tell others so they can have it too.
Psalm 119:130
"The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple."
Hebrews 4:12-13
"12 For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom [b]we must answer."
Those who focus on the delivery will almost always misinterpret the intent because they will hear it the way the spirit in them is feeling about the information.
These same people will tell you that "only God knows the heart.", Yes, He does, and He imparts that wisdom to us because He lives in us and gives us the discernment through His Word to be able to navigate through this rebellious and sinful world.
Those who are open to a correction will hear the truth, without regard to the delivery. How we say something, the feelings of those hearing, and other excuses are distractions to disarm believers, making them fearful about speaking the truth.
Hebrews 4:13 "13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.…"
Sinful, resistant people hate being exposed and will operate to defend and excuse themselves.
Ephesians 6:17
"And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Jeremiah 23:29
“Is not My word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that smashes a rock?”
When we are equipped with the Word of God we have no need to worry about the response of others.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work."
God's word is a shield and blessing to those who want to grow in holiness but it is a hammer and feared by those who are full of arrogance and pride.
Proverbs 30:5
"Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him."
1 Thessalonians 2:13
"And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is also now at work in you who believe."
We as born-again believers, know the incredible peace and joy that comes from knowing the truth and following it. It causes us to tell others so they can have it too.
Psalm 119:130
"The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple."
Friday, June 20, 2025
Worship in Spirit and in Truth
We have become so accustomed to "doing something" to appear to be worshiping that many cannot wrap their mind around worshiping in "Spirit and Truh."
Worship, after Christ left this earth, was not about physical acts of worship as it was in the Old Testament days. Worship is now something that happens in the hearts of those who belong to Him.
We edify one another to build up the faith of one another. Edification is to speak to one another about Christ and to agree with one another.
John 4:24
"24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”"
Hosea 6:6
"6 For I desire loyalty rather than sacrifice,
And the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings."
Psalm 51:16-17
"For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. / The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise."
These attitudes toward God are not about outward acts of worship but the inner heart of worship that we carry with us everywhere we go, which demonstrates our loyalty to God.
Amos 5:21-24
“I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard. Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps."
Our mandate from God is to have an attitude of worship in our heart that presents itself in obedience to HIm and edification toward one another.
Proverbs 21:3
"To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice."
Romans 12:1
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship."
Worship does not involve routine rituals expected every week by others who tell the congregation what to say, what to sing. When we gather to edify one another, each one will ask for a song, prayer and expound on the word as they are led by the Holy Spirit.
To edify one another in this way we are worshiping as God commanded.
Psalm 40:3-4 " 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. 4Blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, who has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.…"
To edify one another is to encourage the hearts of those in the gathering to focus on Christ in all they do and say. It is not ritual actions or ritual words that are the worship; it is the heart reaching up to God in love toward Him, agreeing with Him!!!
1 Thessalonians 5:11
"Therefore, encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing."
When we gather together to agree about Christ, we will leave the gathering equipped to go into the world sharing the gospel and encouraging others believers we meet to keep looking to Jesus Christ.
Worship, after Christ left this earth, was not about physical acts of worship as it was in the Old Testament days. Worship is now something that happens in the hearts of those who belong to Him.
We edify one another to build up the faith of one another. Edification is to speak to one another about Christ and to agree with one another.
John 4:24
"24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”"
Hosea 6:6
"6 For I desire loyalty rather than sacrifice,
And the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings."
Psalm 51:16-17
"For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. / The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise."
These attitudes toward God are not about outward acts of worship but the inner heart of worship that we carry with us everywhere we go, which demonstrates our loyalty to God.
Amos 5:21-24
“I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard. Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps."
Our mandate from God is to have an attitude of worship in our heart that presents itself in obedience to HIm and edification toward one another.
Proverbs 21:3
"To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice."
Romans 12:1
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship."
Worship does not involve routine rituals expected every week by others who tell the congregation what to say, what to sing. When we gather to edify one another, each one will ask for a song, prayer and expound on the word as they are led by the Holy Spirit.
To edify one another in this way we are worshiping as God commanded.
Psalm 40:3-4 " 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. 4Blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, who has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.…"
To edify one another is to encourage the hearts of those in the gathering to focus on Christ in all they do and say. It is not ritual actions or ritual words that are the worship; it is the heart reaching up to God in love toward Him, agreeing with Him!!!
1 Thessalonians 5:11
"Therefore, encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing."
When we gather together to agree about Christ, we will leave the gathering equipped to go into the world sharing the gospel and encouraging others believers we meet to keep looking to Jesus Christ.
Christ Should be the Focus
When we are more concerned about people liking us than we are about truth, then Christ is not the focus....we are the focus. We are more concerned about people liking us than we are about truth, then Christ is not the focus... we are the focus.
Christ First and Only
No one is greater than Jesus Christ Who lives in the born-again believer. He is called the Counselor, the Teacher, the Savior, the Bread of Life, and many more descriptions of what He does for us!
Christ saves us, leads us, trains us, and is our sustenance; no human being can be any of this for us.
No person can teach us better, help us better, or protect us better than Jesus Christ.
God NEVER said: "Trust in a leader with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
God did say, "Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Trusting in Christ always is His mandate to us, each and every born-again believer! We hear teachers, we evaluate them according to the bible but we do not allow them to dictate anything to us, they can never usurp Jesus Christ Who lives in us.
Listening to teachers is associated with the mandate to edify one another in the Word; it is not associated with authority over us any more than we have authority over any other believer.
Follow Christ alone!!!!
Christ saves us, leads us, trains us, and is our sustenance; no human being can be any of this for us.
No person can teach us better, help us better, or protect us better than Jesus Christ.
God NEVER said: "Trust in a leader with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
God did say, "Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Trusting in Christ always is His mandate to us, each and every born-again believer! We hear teachers, we evaluate them according to the bible but we do not allow them to dictate anything to us, they can never usurp Jesus Christ Who lives in us.
Listening to teachers is associated with the mandate to edify one another in the Word; it is not associated with authority over us any more than we have authority over any other believer.
Follow Christ alone!!!!
They Judged What They Did Not See For Themselves
They weren't there to see how you said something, but will assume you must have done it wrong because the person you spoke to became angry. Those who assume wrongdoing merely because of someone else's response are falsely judging where they have no business judging.
Notice the strange thing that happened with the accusation that you did something wrong because someone else became angry.
Why would anyone assume someone had a good reason to be angry? Why wouldn't they assume the angry person may have been irrational?
The reason we see assumptions like this is because the devil wants to silence the one who tells the truth by intimidating them into believing the bad behavior of the hearer was the truth teller's fault.
Was it the fault of Jesus Christ that His people became so angry that they killed Him?
Was it the fault of the apostles when the people became so angry that they were martyred for telling the truth?
It is common now for people to rush to judgment and accusation when someone becomes angry, blaming the innocent party for the response of the one who rages.
In every case where I witnessed someone becoming angry over a disagreement, it was the angry person who refused to allow the other person to express themselves without being punished for it.
Anger over a disagreement is the evidence that there is out-of-control exasperation in the one who rages. Their focus is on winning, not resolution.
Those who are full of pride and arrogance will rush to judgment and rage easily at the mildest challenge to think differently.
Proverbs 29:8-10 "…8 Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger. 9 If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution. 10 Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life."
Satan did the same thing in the garden with Eve. He claimed God was doing something wrong in denying the first couple one tree in the garden. Never mind that God gave them every other tree, gave them life, and the paradise they were enjoying.
This is how the devil works: he deliberately misinterprets the good that people do, plants the false idea in the minds of unthinking and angry hearts to cause trouble where no trouble was necessary.
Ecclesiastes 10:12-14
"The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness. Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?"
2 Timothy 2:23-24
"But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling. And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing."
Those who walk with Christ do not deliberately misinterpret circumstances because they seek to find out the truth through reasonable and rational dialogue. Their heart is one of peace and truth, when these things are present, relationships are built and maintained on the Love of Christ.
Notice the strange thing that happened with the accusation that you did something wrong because someone else became angry.
Why would anyone assume someone had a good reason to be angry? Why wouldn't they assume the angry person may have been irrational?
The reason we see assumptions like this is because the devil wants to silence the one who tells the truth by intimidating them into believing the bad behavior of the hearer was the truth teller's fault.
Was it the fault of Jesus Christ that His people became so angry that they killed Him?
Was it the fault of the apostles when the people became so angry that they were martyred for telling the truth?
It is common now for people to rush to judgment and accusation when someone becomes angry, blaming the innocent party for the response of the one who rages.
In every case where I witnessed someone becoming angry over a disagreement, it was the angry person who refused to allow the other person to express themselves without being punished for it.
Anger over a disagreement is the evidence that there is out-of-control exasperation in the one who rages. Their focus is on winning, not resolution.
Those who are full of pride and arrogance will rush to judgment and rage easily at the mildest challenge to think differently.
Proverbs 29:8-10 "…8 Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger. 9 If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution. 10 Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life."
Satan did the same thing in the garden with Eve. He claimed God was doing something wrong in denying the first couple one tree in the garden. Never mind that God gave them every other tree, gave them life, and the paradise they were enjoying.
This is how the devil works: he deliberately misinterprets the good that people do, plants the false idea in the minds of unthinking and angry hearts to cause trouble where no trouble was necessary.
Ecclesiastes 10:12-14
"The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness. Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?"
2 Timothy 2:23-24
"But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling. And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing."
Those who walk with Christ do not deliberately misinterpret circumstances because they seek to find out the truth through reasonable and rational dialogue. Their heart is one of peace and truth, when these things are present, relationships are built and maintained on the Love of Christ.
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