Anyone who supports abortion even if they don't do it themselves, has the same punishment of Hitler if they do not repent.
2 John 1:10-11 "10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; 11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds."
Those who endorse by silence wicked deeds are willing helpers in evil. At the very least we should be known for our disapproval of evil, so much so that most people who know us would know what we disapprove of without even asking us.
Monday, April 20, 2015
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Don't Be A Fool, Trust Christ
"Only a fool says in his heart "no" God." When a fool says there is no God, he is not saying He doesn't exist, he is saying he refuses to count Him as worthy of his notice.
God calls people like this "fools" because He created them, to deny the very Being that could blow on them and make them disappear, is what I call stupid at best.
The believers life is one of great joy and peace even through the hardships. There is more despair than ever before, teen suicide is up because all hope has been taken away from the youth. Their families are in shambles, the world doesn't care, they are "on their own completely", in their minds. There is no one they can count on and no one they trust.
For the believer, we love people but do not place our trust in them, we place it in Christ Who knows the end from the beginning. Those who do not have Christ, all they have is themselves in this growing narcissistic mess.
My prayer is always that those who walk in despair will listen to the still small voice of God when He speaks to them, that they will realize that this life is not all there is and only Christ can fill that emptiness they feel.
If only people would realize that no matter what is going on in their lives, Christ can take them through it, coming out the other side victoriously. God doesn't bail us out of our troubles, but He will go through with us, if we place our trust in Him alone.
Psalm 56:8 "You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?"
God calls people like this "fools" because He created them, to deny the very Being that could blow on them and make them disappear, is what I call stupid at best.
The believers life is one of great joy and peace even through the hardships. There is more despair than ever before, teen suicide is up because all hope has been taken away from the youth. Their families are in shambles, the world doesn't care, they are "on their own completely", in their minds. There is no one they can count on and no one they trust.
For the believer, we love people but do not place our trust in them, we place it in Christ Who knows the end from the beginning. Those who do not have Christ, all they have is themselves in this growing narcissistic mess.
My prayer is always that those who walk in despair will listen to the still small voice of God when He speaks to them, that they will realize that this life is not all there is and only Christ can fill that emptiness they feel.
If only people would realize that no matter what is going on in their lives, Christ can take them through it, coming out the other side victoriously. God doesn't bail us out of our troubles, but He will go through with us, if we place our trust in Him alone.
Psalm 56:8 "You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?"
Two Things Can Happen
There may be those who think we are negative people because we are constantly warning and correcting. Our desire is to help people avoid the pitfalls of their sin but mostly to trust Christ and live forever in heaven.
I also believe we are to warn of the coming judgement, if there is some way to make unbelievers feel good about that, I don't know what it is. Warning seems negative to those who are perishing, but to others who may heed the warnings, it is a huge blessing, one that will last for eternity.
Matthew 10:28 "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell."
Luke 21:28 "Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Two things can happen because of our "negativity", the first is that non-believers will spurn the warnings, hate us for telling them, and the second is that non-believers might become saved because they listened and will see the amazing blessings of heaven forever.
Jude 1:20-23 "20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."
Isaiah 30:10 "Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:"
Those who are stubborn will spurn the warnings that God has given us to share, while on their way to hell. Sadly, these will be most people who hear the forewarnings of what is coming, but mock and persecute us all the while thinking they are harming us, but in fact they are negating God.
Those who think we are negative are missing the great joy we have in the Lord. They choose not to see that we are strong, and persevering no matter what comes against us. They fail to see our joy when we live every day with Christ in us, our helper and sustainer. The unsaved have no help, they are at the mercy of their own fallen devices, while thinking thy are in charge, they are controlled by the devils minions. They are not their own person as they think, but a slave to their flesh and the devil.
1 John 2:16 "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."
There is great hope for the believer, no matter what life throws our way, the Lord that lives in us is continually directing us toward holiness, reminding us of the glory to come.
I also believe we are to warn of the coming judgement, if there is some way to make unbelievers feel good about that, I don't know what it is. Warning seems negative to those who are perishing, but to others who may heed the warnings, it is a huge blessing, one that will last for eternity.
Matthew 10:28 "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell."
Luke 21:28 "Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Two things can happen because of our "negativity", the first is that non-believers will spurn the warnings, hate us for telling them, and the second is that non-believers might become saved because they listened and will see the amazing blessings of heaven forever.
Jude 1:20-23 "20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."
Isaiah 30:10 "Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:"
Those who are stubborn will spurn the warnings that God has given us to share, while on their way to hell. Sadly, these will be most people who hear the forewarnings of what is coming, but mock and persecute us all the while thinking they are harming us, but in fact they are negating God.
Those who think we are negative are missing the great joy we have in the Lord. They choose not to see that we are strong, and persevering no matter what comes against us. They fail to see our joy when we live every day with Christ in us, our helper and sustainer. The unsaved have no help, they are at the mercy of their own fallen devices, while thinking thy are in charge, they are controlled by the devils minions. They are not their own person as they think, but a slave to their flesh and the devil.
1 John 2:16 "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."
There is great hope for the believer, no matter what life throws our way, the Lord that lives in us is continually directing us toward holiness, reminding us of the glory to come.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Evil Does Not Win, Christ Does
Evil is not only being allowed and tolerated but celebrated in our day, it is a very hard time to be living in our world. Everyday we see new things rottonizing our children and destroying family unity.
The closer we get to the time of the Lord's return, the more despicable our culture becomes. The elements I have noticed missing the most, are love, empathy and kindness.
Pride rules the day, most people are looking to protect their own desires above all else, while despising those who think we should do otherwise.
I have quoted 2 Timothy 3 more times than I can count in the past year, in an effort to comfort those who are experiencing the antics of narcissists, who think that they are more important than anyone else and rabbit with anger when anyone suggests that they are ungodly and unloving. The gospel offends those who have elevated themselves to godlike status.
As believers we don't have to be whipped around by the machinations of those who attempt to use or abuse us emotionally or spiritually. We can remain being controlled by Christ, withdrawing from the world as God leads, as stated in 2 Timothy 3 when God says "from such turn away."
We have great hope in the face of all this wickedness, the hope of our future and that no one who wants to become born again, will be and after the last one accepts Christ, we will be going home. Hallelujah!!!!
The closer we get to the time of the Lord's return, the more despicable our culture becomes. The elements I have noticed missing the most, are love, empathy and kindness.
Pride rules the day, most people are looking to protect their own desires above all else, while despising those who think we should do otherwise.
I have quoted 2 Timothy 3 more times than I can count in the past year, in an effort to comfort those who are experiencing the antics of narcissists, who think that they are more important than anyone else and rabbit with anger when anyone suggests that they are ungodly and unloving. The gospel offends those who have elevated themselves to godlike status.
As believers we don't have to be whipped around by the machinations of those who attempt to use or abuse us emotionally or spiritually. We can remain being controlled by Christ, withdrawing from the world as God leads, as stated in 2 Timothy 3 when God says "from such turn away."
We have great hope in the face of all this wickedness, the hope of our future and that no one who wants to become born again, will be and after the last one accepts Christ, we will be going home. Hallelujah!!!!
The Mother Matters
"20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother."
Proverbs 6:20
"My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:"
Proverbs 19:26
"He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach."
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Hospitality Is Important
Hospitality is more than actions that we take, it is also an attitude that we have. When we love others we care about their personal comfort and their emotional and spiritual well being.
If we love, we are careful not to do things in the presence of another that might be offensive to them, whether it be a movie, a type of food they abstain from or language that would offend them. We do not show displeasure at their presence by ignoring them while they are in the room.
Part of hospitality is knowing the person we are serving, if it is a stranger we are careful to act in ways that are generally accepted as gentile, free from crude speech or action and especially free from confrontation over things that do not matter.
Ephesians 4:29 "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear."
Showing our delight in the visit of our guest, is one of the ways we accept them, that gives them a sense that they are welcome in our home. When there is aloofness, shyness or dismissiveness, we make the guest feel as though we are a burden.
A part of hospitality is learning to be a good guest. If a host has worked to make a beautiful table and delicious food, we don't say things like "why did you make such a fuss," Rather we say "thank you so much, this is lovely." To mock the decorations or negate them in any way is a way for a narcissist to diminish the person who decorated the beautiful table and made the wonderful food. It is a form of not only ungratefulness but also a way of stripping the host of her delight in serving. The purpose in this is to hurt the host, removing her joy in preparing for her guests.
The reason to write about this in a culture that no longer understands these principles, is because we are seeing hospitality diminishing in this culture of selfishness but we can be the examples. We cannot get our guests to act as they should but we can continue to obey God in being hospitable no matter what our guests do. If we are a guest, we will not always encounter hosts who act as they should but we can be a good guest. We will never be disappointed when we obey God, even if others do not act as they should.
If we love, we are careful not to do things in the presence of another that might be offensive to them, whether it be a movie, a type of food they abstain from or language that would offend them. We do not show displeasure at their presence by ignoring them while they are in the room.
Part of hospitality is knowing the person we are serving, if it is a stranger we are careful to act in ways that are generally accepted as gentile, free from crude speech or action and especially free from confrontation over things that do not matter.
Ephesians 4:29 "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear."
Showing our delight in the visit of our guest, is one of the ways we accept them, that gives them a sense that they are welcome in our home. When there is aloofness, shyness or dismissiveness, we make the guest feel as though we are a burden.
A part of hospitality is learning to be a good guest. If a host has worked to make a beautiful table and delicious food, we don't say things like "why did you make such a fuss," Rather we say "thank you so much, this is lovely." To mock the decorations or negate them in any way is a way for a narcissist to diminish the person who decorated the beautiful table and made the wonderful food. It is a form of not only ungratefulness but also a way of stripping the host of her delight in serving. The purpose in this is to hurt the host, removing her joy in preparing for her guests.
The reason to write about this in a culture that no longer understands these principles, is because we are seeing hospitality diminishing in this culture of selfishness but we can be the examples. We cannot get our guests to act as they should but we can continue to obey God in being hospitable no matter what our guests do. If we are a guest, we will not always encounter hosts who act as they should but we can be a good guest. We will never be disappointed when we obey God, even if others do not act as they should.
Without Hospitality We Cannot Please God
Not that long ago it was considered rude to neglect to offer refreshment to a stranger when they found themselves at our home. It was also an offense for the stranger to refuse refreshment when offered.
An old expression of this was: "don't ask and don't refuse", was the rule of thumb pertaining to hospitality. The one who offered was showing gratefulness for the visit and the one accepting was showing gratefulness for being accepted as a visitor.
Refreshment was a way of welcoming those that entered our home, to refuse the refreshment was insulting, a sort of rejection of the hospitality showed arrogance.
We live in a time when many people do not offer hospitality to their extended family let alone to total strangers. We also live in a time when most people don't feel an obligation to anyone who is not closely connected to them through family. They show their disinterest in us through their lack of enthusiasm for the visit.
Hospitality has always been important in God's economy. He highly values kindness extended to those who came to call, no matter who they were. To neglect this kindness is the same as saying, "I don't care about you and I have no interest in your visit, on the part of the host or the visitor.
1 Peter 4:9 "Be hospitable to one another without complaint."
Romans 12:12-13 "12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality."
1 Timothy 3:2 "An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,"
Titus 1:7-8 "7 For the [a]overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,"
1 Timothy 5:10 "having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work."
Hebrews 13:2 "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it."
We see by these verses that God commands us to place others above ourselves, denying self is the greater part of the Christian life, without it we would never do what we should do, be what we should be in the sight of God.
An old expression of this was: "don't ask and don't refuse", was the rule of thumb pertaining to hospitality. The one who offered was showing gratefulness for the visit and the one accepting was showing gratefulness for being accepted as a visitor.
Refreshment was a way of welcoming those that entered our home, to refuse the refreshment was insulting, a sort of rejection of the hospitality showed arrogance.
We live in a time when many people do not offer hospitality to their extended family let alone to total strangers. We also live in a time when most people don't feel an obligation to anyone who is not closely connected to them through family. They show their disinterest in us through their lack of enthusiasm for the visit.
Hospitality has always been important in God's economy. He highly values kindness extended to those who came to call, no matter who they were. To neglect this kindness is the same as saying, "I don't care about you and I have no interest in your visit, on the part of the host or the visitor.
1 Peter 4:9 "Be hospitable to one another without complaint."
Romans 12:12-13 "12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality."
1 Timothy 3:2 "An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,"
Titus 1:7-8 "7 For the [a]overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,"
1 Timothy 5:10 "having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work."
Hebrews 13:2 "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it."
We see by these verses that God commands us to place others above ourselves, denying self is the greater part of the Christian life, without it we would never do what we should do, be what we should be in the sight of God.
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