Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Don't Worry God Has It
Speak the Word boldly, do not worry about the response, God will take it where He wants it to go.
Let God Take It Where He Wants It To Go
It might be a good idea to take a look at some tactics of the devil to see how his minions sometimes operate to destroy relationships. I am not one who sees a demon under every rock, however I do see many instances when they are working on the minds of people to confuse, frustrate and cause division where there is no need for any.
Devils put ideas in the minds of people to believe things that are not true but seem so real, they can make a person angry at another person when there is no reason to be angry.
The alien abduction stories are a good example of the fear that demons can put in the minds of people, while none of it really happened. I have seen this in many relationships, where people actually believe someone did something rude, that never happened or someone took offense when none was given.
The demons concoct questions in the minds of their targets to see what is not there. They control emotions, making their target think they have a reason to be hurt or angry, but when they ponder the situation, they can't figure out why they are suspicious, they just feel uneasy, even depressed.
I believe that is what is happening between Christians and pretenders. The pretender senses the Holy Spirit in someone, feeling convicted and intimidated, the pretender runs from the Holy Spirit filled believer, thinking that person is mean or rude, when nothing happened. Often the pretender accuses the believer of attitudes and actions that were never in play, their rationale is that there is a bad feeling so there must have been a reason, they think up a reason and act upon that accusation which is most often lies.
One of the most effective tactics that demons use, is to lie in front of a group of people, such as a facebook thread, acting aggressively, causing others looking on, to believe the accusation is correct. The old "if someone got mad, then the one they are mad at, must have done something wrong", trick. Then the accused, looks bad, if they explain themselves over trivials, they look defensive and therefore guilty.
The devil is working overtime in these last days to pit believers against one another and promote fighting between believers and pretenders.
We know that these tactics of twisting minds are real and effective simply by watching what Islam is doing these days. They have no reason to hate all others as they do, even allowing children to be suicide bombers, their own people. What they believe and what they do goes beyond even normal rational human thinking.
We see from God's Word that in the last days there will be a lack of "natural affection." Women are killing their own babies for no other reason except that they are inconvenient. This goes beyond the normal protective nature of a woman over her children.
Families have been broken over silly and useless things, for the sake of doing what they want without restraint. Even non-believers had a sense of protection for family many years ago, that seems to be gone now.
The only way to overcome these demonic attacks that twist the mind, is to be continually cleansing the mind with the Word. Not reading just to know, but reading the Word to be changed by it, through the working of the Holy Spirit. Keeping our minds free from the sludge of worldly material helps to keep our focus.
We lose our focus when we take our minds off of the Scripture and become fixated on the problems that come at us. If we could throw a scripture at every dilemma, while practicing in obedience what we read, we will be able to avoid being manipulated by those who seem to lack the power or knowledge to combat the demonic influence.
One of the tactics of the devil is to make us question our own sanity. If we doubt what we said or did, then we can be silenced.
Romans 12:2 "2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
I am not saying that people are necessarily possessed, although I believe the terrorist of Islam are, I am saying that demons attack us from the outside. When we see the demons as the culprits we can spend less time trying to figure out the people they use. Often our reactions are based on fear of being maligned. We must leave that mess to God and keep moving forward in obedience. Do not answer silly manipulative statements, continue with the Word.
Remember that satan will try to make you look bad or wrong but Christ in you is more powerful and the use of His Word will thwart the devil, even when you feel like you have lost the argument, God's Word never goes out void, have faith that He will take it where He wants it to go.
1 John 4:18 "18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."
2 Timothy 1:7 "7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
1 John 5:18 "18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not."
1 John 3:8 "8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."
Ephesians 1:20-23 "20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."
2 Corinthians 11:14 "14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
Devils put ideas in the minds of people to believe things that are not true but seem so real, they can make a person angry at another person when there is no reason to be angry.
The alien abduction stories are a good example of the fear that demons can put in the minds of people, while none of it really happened. I have seen this in many relationships, where people actually believe someone did something rude, that never happened or someone took offense when none was given.
The demons concoct questions in the minds of their targets to see what is not there. They control emotions, making their target think they have a reason to be hurt or angry, but when they ponder the situation, they can't figure out why they are suspicious, they just feel uneasy, even depressed.
I believe that is what is happening between Christians and pretenders. The pretender senses the Holy Spirit in someone, feeling convicted and intimidated, the pretender runs from the Holy Spirit filled believer, thinking that person is mean or rude, when nothing happened. Often the pretender accuses the believer of attitudes and actions that were never in play, their rationale is that there is a bad feeling so there must have been a reason, they think up a reason and act upon that accusation which is most often lies.
One of the most effective tactics that demons use, is to lie in front of a group of people, such as a facebook thread, acting aggressively, causing others looking on, to believe the accusation is correct. The old "if someone got mad, then the one they are mad at, must have done something wrong", trick. Then the accused, looks bad, if they explain themselves over trivials, they look defensive and therefore guilty.
The devil is working overtime in these last days to pit believers against one another and promote fighting between believers and pretenders.
We know that these tactics of twisting minds are real and effective simply by watching what Islam is doing these days. They have no reason to hate all others as they do, even allowing children to be suicide bombers, their own people. What they believe and what they do goes beyond even normal rational human thinking.
We see from God's Word that in the last days there will be a lack of "natural affection." Women are killing their own babies for no other reason except that they are inconvenient. This goes beyond the normal protective nature of a woman over her children.
Families have been broken over silly and useless things, for the sake of doing what they want without restraint. Even non-believers had a sense of protection for family many years ago, that seems to be gone now.
The only way to overcome these demonic attacks that twist the mind, is to be continually cleansing the mind with the Word. Not reading just to know, but reading the Word to be changed by it, through the working of the Holy Spirit. Keeping our minds free from the sludge of worldly material helps to keep our focus.
We lose our focus when we take our minds off of the Scripture and become fixated on the problems that come at us. If we could throw a scripture at every dilemma, while practicing in obedience what we read, we will be able to avoid being manipulated by those who seem to lack the power or knowledge to combat the demonic influence.
One of the tactics of the devil is to make us question our own sanity. If we doubt what we said or did, then we can be silenced.
Romans 12:2 "2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
I am not saying that people are necessarily possessed, although I believe the terrorist of Islam are, I am saying that demons attack us from the outside. When we see the demons as the culprits we can spend less time trying to figure out the people they use. Often our reactions are based on fear of being maligned. We must leave that mess to God and keep moving forward in obedience. Do not answer silly manipulative statements, continue with the Word.
Remember that satan will try to make you look bad or wrong but Christ in you is more powerful and the use of His Word will thwart the devil, even when you feel like you have lost the argument, God's Word never goes out void, have faith that He will take it where He wants it to go.
1 John 4:18 "18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."
2 Timothy 1:7 "7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
1 John 5:18 "18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not."
1 John 3:8 "8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."
Ephesians 1:20-23 "20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."
2 Corinthians 11:14 "14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
Course Jesting Is Not Fitting
I am always surprised at what "Christians" place on their facebook pages. We can watch them over time, they speak of God, they post signs about God, and then all of a sudden they begin to post dirty jokes, vile pictures and crude comments.
I am left shocked, thinking "where did that come from?" I think that if we watch someone long enough we will get a picture of their real inner self. No one can keep up a pretense forever.
Many people think that if they speak about God, it will prevent others from evaluating them on other things. We live in fear of "judging" someone, these pretenders count on that.
It is my hope that those who do these things will re-evaluate what they do, questioning their own hearts to see if they are in the faith. Just 60 years ago even decent non-believers would not be doing these things, at least out of concern that it would offend others.
Believers should be very uncomfortable with the darkness that comes with these things, their own Christian witness and protecting their own hearts, should be foremost in all they do.
Ephesians 5:4 "and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks."
I am left shocked, thinking "where did that come from?" I think that if we watch someone long enough we will get a picture of their real inner self. No one can keep up a pretense forever.
Many people think that if they speak about God, it will prevent others from evaluating them on other things. We live in fear of "judging" someone, these pretenders count on that.
It is my hope that those who do these things will re-evaluate what they do, questioning their own hearts to see if they are in the faith. Just 60 years ago even decent non-believers would not be doing these things, at least out of concern that it would offend others.
Believers should be very uncomfortable with the darkness that comes with these things, their own Christian witness and protecting their own hearts, should be foremost in all they do.
Ephesians 5:4 "and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks."
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Charismatic Pentecostalism Betrays Christ
A warning to those who would follow these wolves in sheeps clothing. There is punishment in store for those who lie against Christ, joining with wicked cults.
The Passover Then, The Lord's Supper Now
The Passover was instituted to demonstrate "Christ to come." When Christ came, the Lord's Supper took it's place. He celebrated the Passover because He had not yet been crucified and risen. Once that happened, we were to celebrate Him as having come and fulfilling that picture of the Passover, through the Lord's Supper.
Confession and Forgiveness
I guess we know who are true friends are, the ones that love us are the ones who will forgive when we express our sorrow over hurting them.
When we have been hurt, and someone asks forgiveness, our heart should melt and cause us to act as though the thing never happened.
We have no right to expect forgiveness as an offender, and if the offended doesn't forgive, we should walk away humbled but prayerful that they will think about it and change their mind.
If someone asks forgiveness, the offended says no, and the offender gets mad, then we know the repentance was not real brokenness over sin but merely an attempt to manipulate things for the bad feelings to be over.
There is a vast difference between wanting a problem to be over and truly sorrowing over a sin we commit.
When we have been hurt, and someone asks forgiveness, our heart should melt and cause us to act as though the thing never happened.
We have no right to expect forgiveness as an offender, and if the offended doesn't forgive, we should walk away humbled but prayerful that they will think about it and change their mind.
If someone asks forgiveness, the offended says no, and the offender gets mad, then we know the repentance was not real brokenness over sin but merely an attempt to manipulate things for the bad feelings to be over.
There is a vast difference between wanting a problem to be over and truly sorrowing over a sin we commit.
One of the clues that the motivation for asking forgiveness, for the sake of the trouble to be over, is that the asker will be general in their delivery. They will give a generic blanket statement, "will you forgive me for everything", without specifics.
A true confession of guilt and brokenness of heart, will express sorrow specifically for what they did that offended, and statements would be used to describe their own sinful heart such as; "I was only thinking of myself", or "it was a mean thing for me to do."
When self is left out in the apology, often it is because the offender is distancing himself from the acts, as though it really wasn't him, but knows he must apologize to make the conflict go away. Many people cannot tell on themselves, so they make excuses for their behavior or distance themselves personally from what they did, this is pride. If there is any pride left in the apology, we know there has not been true repentance, shame should be present.
Jeremiah 6:15 "Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD."
A discerning person will be able to tell most times, if the apology or asking of forgiveness is real. One thing for sure, is that after all is repented of and forgiven, the offender doesn't continue that same attitude and behavior again. If they do reoffend, they are quickly convicted and desire immediate reconciliation.
Those who are repentant do not continue to do the same things over and over again. They were so broken the first time they had to confess that they never want to repeat the wrong behavior or attitude again.
The first One to go to for forgiveness is God and then the person we offended.
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
The manipulative offender who apologizes to resolve a matter quickly, rather than true repentance is much like the people described in Matthew 15. They want the relationships to continue for their own benefit, but they are not truly repentant.
There are many people in prisons like this, they have, what is called "jailhouse religion", these people are very sorry they are in jail, but have no remorse for doing the crime they did. Religion is a way of making themselves feel better, and deceiving parole officers so they can get out sooner.
Matthew 15:8 "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me."
True repentance and true forgiveness will bring reconciliation to any relationship, even making that relationship stronger than it was before. In the case of repentance and in the case of forgiveness, humility is at the core of the person expressing these things. Neither response can happen without humility.
If we cannot go to a person with specifics of our offense, then there is still pride motivating us to protect ourselves, we would need to go to prayer, asking God to remove pride and fear before we can go to those we have offended. Dishonor and disrespect are present in our hearts when we place ourselves so far above others, that we cannot admit our own actions against them.
Philippians 2:3-11 "3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
James 4:6 "6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Proverbs 22:4 "The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches, honor and life."
1 Peter 5:6 "6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,"
Matthew 23:12 "12 Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted."
Romans 12:3 "3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith."
A true confession of guilt and brokenness of heart, will express sorrow specifically for what they did that offended, and statements would be used to describe their own sinful heart such as; "I was only thinking of myself", or "it was a mean thing for me to do."
When self is left out in the apology, often it is because the offender is distancing himself from the acts, as though it really wasn't him, but knows he must apologize to make the conflict go away. Many people cannot tell on themselves, so they make excuses for their behavior or distance themselves personally from what they did, this is pride. If there is any pride left in the apology, we know there has not been true repentance, shame should be present.
Jeremiah 6:15 "Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD."
A discerning person will be able to tell most times, if the apology or asking of forgiveness is real. One thing for sure, is that after all is repented of and forgiven, the offender doesn't continue that same attitude and behavior again. If they do reoffend, they are quickly convicted and desire immediate reconciliation.
Those who are repentant do not continue to do the same things over and over again. They were so broken the first time they had to confess that they never want to repeat the wrong behavior or attitude again.
The first One to go to for forgiveness is God and then the person we offended.
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
The manipulative offender who apologizes to resolve a matter quickly, rather than true repentance is much like the people described in Matthew 15. They want the relationships to continue for their own benefit, but they are not truly repentant.
There are many people in prisons like this, they have, what is called "jailhouse religion", these people are very sorry they are in jail, but have no remorse for doing the crime they did. Religion is a way of making themselves feel better, and deceiving parole officers so they can get out sooner.
Matthew 15:8 "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me."
True repentance and true forgiveness will bring reconciliation to any relationship, even making that relationship stronger than it was before. In the case of repentance and in the case of forgiveness, humility is at the core of the person expressing these things. Neither response can happen without humility.
If we cannot go to a person with specifics of our offense, then there is still pride motivating us to protect ourselves, we would need to go to prayer, asking God to remove pride and fear before we can go to those we have offended. Dishonor and disrespect are present in our hearts when we place ourselves so far above others, that we cannot admit our own actions against them.
Philippians 2:3-11 "3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
James 4:6 "6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Proverbs 22:4 "The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches, honor and life."
1 Peter 5:6 "6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,"
Matthew 23:12 "12 Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted."
Romans 12:3 "3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith."
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