No believer will take the mark of the beast. I am pre-trib in my thinking, but I know that many will be born again after the rapture, the entire nation of Israel. God will give every believer whatever he needs when he needs it to refuse to take the mark. We do not have to worry about whether we will be strong enough, Christ in us is strong enough. He never comes too soon to help us but He is always on time.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Calvinism Makes No Sense
Calvinism makes no sense!
It makes no sense that God would determine someone to be a sinner on their way to hell without a choice and then punish them for the choice they could not make. This is not the God of the Bible.
Acts 16:31 "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
God told us to go into all the world and preach the gospel. What sense does it make to tell the truth to everyone, or to pray for everyone, when there would be those who have no ability to choose to follow Christ?
1 Timothy 2:1-4
New King James Version (NKJV)
Pray for All Men
"1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
Calvinism is not only foolishness, it is clearly a way the devil has devised to cause many to care little about evangelism. Not only do Calvinists have little burden for souls, they have a lax attitude toward sin.
It makes no sense that God would determine someone to be a sinner on their way to hell without a choice and then punish them for the choice they could not make. This is not the God of the Bible.
Acts 16:31 "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
God told us to go into all the world and preach the gospel. What sense does it make to tell the truth to everyone, or to pray for everyone, when there would be those who have no ability to choose to follow Christ?
1 Timothy 2:1-4
New King James Version (NKJV)
Pray for All Men
"1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
Calvinism is not only foolishness, it is clearly a way the devil has devised to cause many to care little about evangelism. Not only do Calvinists have little burden for souls, they have a lax attitude toward sin.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
The Destination Matters
A popular saying among the seculars these days is; "It's not the destination that matters it is the journey."
I once heard a testimony from a legislator's wife at his funeral, that they were so proud of him because he believed that where we were going didn't matter as long as we were having a good time getting there.
His friend got up during the memorial and shared a story about him that made my husband and I gasp. The friend said that he and the legislator went out sailing, while on the ocean they became lost and didn't know where they were or where they were going. The friend was pleased with the legislators response, which was; "it is not important where we are going, only that we enjoy the sail."
My husband and I had the same thoughts at the same time. We looked at one another with disapproving eyes and knew the other had the same thoughts.
The deceased legislator lived his entire life this way and his votes reflected his distorted and perverted view of life. He made decisions based on emotionalism for the moment, without regard to the long term effects. This man was an atheist, not understanding that one day he would be called to account for his disregard for God and others.
Sadly we have many legislators in the houses of government who think this same way.
It didn't occur to the legislator that danger may be ahead, that over the horizon may be something ominous and deadly. This is how non-believers have to think to maintain their sanity, because of the lack of hope in their existence.
As believers we know the future, even if we do not know the details of the journey. We focus our eyes on what has been done by Christ and what He has ahead for us. Everything in between is for our good, even if we don't understand.
Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
For the unbeliever.....nothing has purpose, except to make life better or worse on this earth, to them this is all there is, nothing more is expected than this life. How very sad for them. Those who are pretenders, expecting that their good deeds will get them something in eternity, have a very frightening realization before them when they get before Christ and He says to them; "I Never Knew You."
Contrary to what our culture believes, not everyone goes to a "better place" when they die. Only those who have trusted Christ and been sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise will be born again and on their way to heaven.
These people are sealed and are seated in the heavenlies with Christ at the moment Christ made them into a new creation.
Ephesians 1:13-14
"13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory."
Ephesians 2:6 "and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,"
Positionally we are seated with Christ right now waiting to be taken to our eternal home. If we could lose that then we would have to fall out of heaven.
I once heard a testimony from a legislator's wife at his funeral, that they were so proud of him because he believed that where we were going didn't matter as long as we were having a good time getting there.
His friend got up during the memorial and shared a story about him that made my husband and I gasp. The friend said that he and the legislator went out sailing, while on the ocean they became lost and didn't know where they were or where they were going. The friend was pleased with the legislators response, which was; "it is not important where we are going, only that we enjoy the sail."
My husband and I had the same thoughts at the same time. We looked at one another with disapproving eyes and knew the other had the same thoughts.
The deceased legislator lived his entire life this way and his votes reflected his distorted and perverted view of life. He made decisions based on emotionalism for the moment, without regard to the long term effects. This man was an atheist, not understanding that one day he would be called to account for his disregard for God and others.
Sadly we have many legislators in the houses of government who think this same way.
It didn't occur to the legislator that danger may be ahead, that over the horizon may be something ominous and deadly. This is how non-believers have to think to maintain their sanity, because of the lack of hope in their existence.
As believers we know the future, even if we do not know the details of the journey. We focus our eyes on what has been done by Christ and what He has ahead for us. Everything in between is for our good, even if we don't understand.
Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
For the unbeliever.....nothing has purpose, except to make life better or worse on this earth, to them this is all there is, nothing more is expected than this life. How very sad for them. Those who are pretenders, expecting that their good deeds will get them something in eternity, have a very frightening realization before them when they get before Christ and He says to them; "I Never Knew You."
Contrary to what our culture believes, not everyone goes to a "better place" when they die. Only those who have trusted Christ and been sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise will be born again and on their way to heaven.
These people are sealed and are seated in the heavenlies with Christ at the moment Christ made them into a new creation.
Ephesians 1:13-14
"13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory."
Ephesians 2:6 "and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,"
Positionally we are seated with Christ right now waiting to be taken to our eternal home. If we could lose that then we would have to fall out of heaven.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Shamefully Silly!
The devil loves to convince people they could lose their salvation, that they have to work real hard to keep it. They must wring their hands in distrust every day, that perhaps they will not measure up to make it into heaven.
This is shear nonsense, Christ did all the work for us already, to say that His death on the cross was not enough we have to add our works to it, is completely ludicrous.
What silly little number of deeds could we do that would add to the terrible cross that our Lord endured. How many deeds must we do, how often and how big must they be?
The only sacrifice for sin was the shedding of blood of a perfect lamb. We could not qualify. We are not a suitable sacrifice no matter how many deeds we do.
How silly, How shamefully silly, to think that we can add to what Christ did to keep our salvation.
This is shear nonsense, Christ did all the work for us already, to say that His death on the cross was not enough we have to add our works to it, is completely ludicrous.
What silly little number of deeds could we do that would add to the terrible cross that our Lord endured. How many deeds must we do, how often and how big must they be?
The only sacrifice for sin was the shedding of blood of a perfect lamb. We could not qualify. We are not a suitable sacrifice no matter how many deeds we do.
How silly, How shamefully silly, to think that we can add to what Christ did to keep our salvation.
A Simmering Spirit
Pretenders are so cleaver they even do miracles in Christ's name but they were never His. Imagine a person going all the way to their grave thinking they were doing all this good for God, only to find out they were never born again. If they can fool themselves, they can even more effectively fool those around them.
The signs of one walking in deception is evident, if we are trained by the Holy Spirit.
We cannot base our assessment of what we think we see on the outside, of any human being. Many people are very good actors and actresses. They know exactly what to say and how to act while in the presence of others, when deep in their heart is growing rebellion.
1 John 2:19 "They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us."
If we have discernment, the more we know the character of man, the more we recognize the signs of a simmering spirit.
Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many [a]miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’"
The signs of one walking in deception is evident, if we are trained by the Holy Spirit.
We cannot base our assessment of what we think we see on the outside, of any human being. Many people are very good actors and actresses. They know exactly what to say and how to act while in the presence of others, when deep in their heart is growing rebellion.
1 John 2:19 "They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us."
If we have discernment, the more we know the character of man, the more we recognize the signs of a simmering spirit.
Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many [a]miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’"
Out of Context is Sin
The devil loves for people to take Scripture out of context, while quoting the Bible, it makes them sound right while speaking the opposite of what God said.
Anger At God Is Foolish
Anger at God?
Is is alright to be angry at God? Someone was angry with me at the suggestion that it was sin to be angry with God.
Angry at the God that gave you life?
Angry at the God who knows all things perfectly and has never sinned?
Angry at the God who destroyed Sodom because of its' sin?
Angry at the God who parted the sea for His people to cross?
Angry at the God who knows you better than you know yourself?
Amazing arrogance it is to even entertain thoughts of anger toward an all knowing perfect and righteous God!!!!
Hebrews 10:31 "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
The idea that we can be angry with God comes from psychology, borne out of the rebellion of the sixties. Unfortunately this same mentality has spawned the attitude toward all authority in our families.
Since we think we can be angry with God and get away with it, we must also think that we can display anger at other authorities over us that were ordained of God, our parents, our teachers, law enforcement.
If we cannot respect the authority and teaching of those we can see how would we ever be able to respect and obey a God we cannot see.
The god of this age is a god on the same level as human beings and animals. He is no more than a figment of our imagination based on our own selfish bias. This god has no more power or authority than a dead idol.
Anger at the Living God, a preposterous idea, foolish and dangerous!!!
Titus 2:11-14
"11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works."
1 Thessalonians 1
"1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.[a]
Their Good Example
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,
3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,
4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.
5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.
8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.
9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come."
Is is alright to be angry at God? Someone was angry with me at the suggestion that it was sin to be angry with God.
Angry at the God that gave you life?
Angry at the God who knows all things perfectly and has never sinned?
Angry at the God who destroyed Sodom because of its' sin?
Angry at the God who parted the sea for His people to cross?
Angry at the God who knows you better than you know yourself?
Amazing arrogance it is to even entertain thoughts of anger toward an all knowing perfect and righteous God!!!!
Hebrews 10:31 "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
The idea that we can be angry with God comes from psychology, borne out of the rebellion of the sixties. Unfortunately this same mentality has spawned the attitude toward all authority in our families.
Since we think we can be angry with God and get away with it, we must also think that we can display anger at other authorities over us that were ordained of God, our parents, our teachers, law enforcement.
If we cannot respect the authority and teaching of those we can see how would we ever be able to respect and obey a God we cannot see.
The god of this age is a god on the same level as human beings and animals. He is no more than a figment of our imagination based on our own selfish bias. This god has no more power or authority than a dead idol.
Anger at the Living God, a preposterous idea, foolish and dangerous!!!
Titus 2:11-14
"11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works."
1 Thessalonians 1
"1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.[a]
Their Good Example
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,
3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,
4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.
5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.
8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.
9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come."
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