Pragmatism is rampant now, the idea that we can do anything anyway we want if there are good results is ludicrous. We must do things God's way guided by the Holy Spirit and it will always line up with Scripture. Just because something appeared to work does not mean its alright to do it.
Pragmatism always leads to doctrinal error, which leads to sin.
Luke 6:46 ""Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?"
God is not pleased when we use human methods to carry out His will, He wants us to do His will His Way!!!!!
Doesn't seem real hard does it? Unless we are stubborn and willful, like a spoiled child who wants to have his own way because it is popular.
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Knowledge Does Not Save Anyone!
One time I asked a young man if he was born again and his response was which church he attended. I told him that isn't what I asked him, he didn't know how to answer me.
I gave him the salvation message but he seemed confused, a little embarrassed and respectfully excused himself. At least in the south there is honor and respect even if there is a social gospel based on good manners, too bad that social gospel doesn't get anyone saved, it merely makes people feel good about themselves and promotes pride.
There is an erroneous idea floating about that one can attend church, even say all the right things in terms of a moral life and this makes them godly and good.
Sadly for almost as long as this country has been in existence many people have gagged their level of spirituality and their salvation on what things they do that are nice, the fact that they don't commit crimes while being very careful to be "gracious" enough not to offend anyone by bringing up subjects such as "religion and politics" in order to have a civil conversation.
Little did these same people realize that salvation is not based on good deeds, social status in the community or their "gracious silence."
When we become born again by trusting Christ, He changes us into a new creation. He gives us a driveness in our soul to speak the "Good News", to anyone and everyone we encounter.
True believers are compelled through the Holy Spirit to share what they know with an unsaved world and to proclaim righteousness, while exposing unrighteousness. They are also driven to instruct with good doctrine and correct bad doctrine based entirely on the Word of God.
Those who believe they are above instruction because they attended a college or read special books are walking in pride and can progress no further. Eventually these people regress in their walk and sometimes are proven to never having been born again. When their pride keeps them from listening, they cannot move forward, but worse yet, they regress while feeling smug and comfortable for what they think they know.
As stated in 2 Timothy 3 we see that these people cannot progress in wisdom, their knowledge is worldly and unproductive on every level. God makes it clear that these people cannot learn, will not listen while bringing strife into the life of the born again believer.
2 Timothy 3:1-9
"1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,
7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith;
9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was."
When someone is broken over their sinful life, realizing their need for the Savior, everything about them changes and the first thing to go is excessive pride. Someone who remains blatantly prideful displaying a contemptuous attitude toward anyone who would instruct them, very likely is not born again. If they were born again, they would sense conviction of the Holy Spirit in them and would not rest until God has broken that pride, they would even pray for the Lord to remove it, that they might once again begin to be taught.
My prayers are not only for people to become born again but often that the believers ask God to show them anything unholy in their own lives, that they might confess to be cleansed by God.
Here is what God says to believer:
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."
I gave him the salvation message but he seemed confused, a little embarrassed and respectfully excused himself. At least in the south there is honor and respect even if there is a social gospel based on good manners, too bad that social gospel doesn't get anyone saved, it merely makes people feel good about themselves and promotes pride.
There is an erroneous idea floating about that one can attend church, even say all the right things in terms of a moral life and this makes them godly and good.
Sadly for almost as long as this country has been in existence many people have gagged their level of spirituality and their salvation on what things they do that are nice, the fact that they don't commit crimes while being very careful to be "gracious" enough not to offend anyone by bringing up subjects such as "religion and politics" in order to have a civil conversation.
Little did these same people realize that salvation is not based on good deeds, social status in the community or their "gracious silence."
When we become born again by trusting Christ, He changes us into a new creation. He gives us a driveness in our soul to speak the "Good News", to anyone and everyone we encounter.
True believers are compelled through the Holy Spirit to share what they know with an unsaved world and to proclaim righteousness, while exposing unrighteousness. They are also driven to instruct with good doctrine and correct bad doctrine based entirely on the Word of God.
Those who believe they are above instruction because they attended a college or read special books are walking in pride and can progress no further. Eventually these people regress in their walk and sometimes are proven to never having been born again. When their pride keeps them from listening, they cannot move forward, but worse yet, they regress while feeling smug and comfortable for what they think they know.
As stated in 2 Timothy 3 we see that these people cannot progress in wisdom, their knowledge is worldly and unproductive on every level. God makes it clear that these people cannot learn, will not listen while bringing strife into the life of the born again believer.
2 Timothy 3:1-9
"1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,
7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith;
9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was."
When someone is broken over their sinful life, realizing their need for the Savior, everything about them changes and the first thing to go is excessive pride. Someone who remains blatantly prideful displaying a contemptuous attitude toward anyone who would instruct them, very likely is not born again. If they were born again, they would sense conviction of the Holy Spirit in them and would not rest until God has broken that pride, they would even pray for the Lord to remove it, that they might once again begin to be taught.
My prayers are not only for people to become born again but often that the believers ask God to show them anything unholy in their own lives, that they might confess to be cleansed by God.
Here is what God says to believer:
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."
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Both Confession and Forgiveness are Necessary
We can not grow in holiness without confession of sin. Even the help programs for alcoholism understands the need to own our sins to go forward in forsaking them. When we forgive without requiring a confession of the offenses, we defy the purpose of confession and forgiveness. The confession helps the sinner to feel cleansed and more able to move forward in refusing that sin the next time they are faced a temptation.
There is no cleansing and growing without confession, there are no restored relationships without confession first and the forgiveness that comes after. We must have both elements to see progress for both parties.
There is no cleansing and growing without confession, there are no restored relationships without confession first and the forgiveness that comes after. We must have both elements to see progress for both parties.
Those Who Speak Falsely
2 John 1:10 "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;"
When we meet people who bring a false gospel into our relationships, we are to correct them, if they will not stop then they must be ignored them and put away from us. Sadly our culture teaches us that we are never to reject anyone, they may breathe in some of our "Christian air" and by osmosis trust Christ.
2 John 1:10 "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;"
Titus 3:10 "Reject a factious man after a first and second warning,"
2 Timoth 4:2 "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."
This thinking, our demeanor alone will cause a person to want Christ, is not in line with the principles of Christ. God clearly says that keeping company with unsaved people does not cause them to become believers, it only taints our walk with God and ultimately validates the life by our silence.
Isaiah 26:10
“But when grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness; even in a land of uprightness they go on doing evil and do not regard the majesty of the Lord."
People become born again by hearing the gospel, not because they think we are "nice people." When we speak the gospel boldly, most will not like it, but we must do it anyway. In fact in most cases, no matter how calmly or nicely we speak the gospel the response to it will be hostile.
Luke 6:26 "“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets."
Luke 10:16 ""The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.""
John 3:36 "John 3:36
"He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
Romans 2:8 "but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation."
Those who do not want Christ will accuse us of things that are not true while attempting to undermine our character. The only way to please an unsaved rebellious person is to do, be and say everything they want you to, then they will see you as an extension of themselves and therefore acceptable to them. Honor and respect must be earned by validating everything they are and everything they do. Do we see the problem here?
The gospel doesn't validate anything in a human beings life, rather the opposite is true, it exposes our sinful nature and requires change that only Christ can make in us. The rebellious person refuses to listen to anyone let alone submit to God Whom they cannot see, taste or feel.
The important thing to remember is that we need to be immersed in the Word of God, directed by the Holy Spirit and uninfluenced by the culture to remain strong and grow in righteousness and wisdom.
When we meet people who bring a false gospel into our relationships, we are to correct them, if they will not stop then they must be ignored them and put away from us. Sadly our culture teaches us that we are never to reject anyone, they may breathe in some of our "Christian air" and by osmosis trust Christ.
2 John 1:10 "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;"
Titus 3:10 "Reject a factious man after a first and second warning,"
2 Timoth 4:2 "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."
This thinking, our demeanor alone will cause a person to want Christ, is not in line with the principles of Christ. God clearly says that keeping company with unsaved people does not cause them to become believers, it only taints our walk with God and ultimately validates the life by our silence.
Isaiah 26:10
“But when grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness; even in a land of uprightness they go on doing evil and do not regard the majesty of the Lord."
People become born again by hearing the gospel, not because they think we are "nice people." When we speak the gospel boldly, most will not like it, but we must do it anyway. In fact in most cases, no matter how calmly or nicely we speak the gospel the response to it will be hostile.
Luke 6:26 "“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets."
Luke 10:16 ""The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.""
John 3:36 "John 3:36
"He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
Romans 2:8 "but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation."
Those who do not want Christ will accuse us of things that are not true while attempting to undermine our character. The only way to please an unsaved rebellious person is to do, be and say everything they want you to, then they will see you as an extension of themselves and therefore acceptable to them. Honor and respect must be earned by validating everything they are and everything they do. Do we see the problem here?
The gospel doesn't validate anything in a human beings life, rather the opposite is true, it exposes our sinful nature and requires change that only Christ can make in us. The rebellious person refuses to listen to anyone let alone submit to God Whom they cannot see, taste or feel.
The important thing to remember is that we need to be immersed in the Word of God, directed by the Holy Spirit and uninfluenced by the culture to remain strong and grow in righteousness and wisdom.
Stand For Your Marriage!
Our actions prove our heart!
Manipulating others through covert maneuvers shows the inner heart of a person who wants to control rather than bless others. When we do things to people in order to force them to do things our way, then we are selfish lacking a servants heart.
As believers, all that we do, should be out of concern for the well being of those in our life. Nothing else should motivate us except blessing those around us with truth, seeking their good and their desires.
When we have a relationship it should be based on "working out" the matters of life together, this requires communication and concern. When one person seeks to continually have their own way without regard for their spouse, it is hurtful and damaging to the relationship. God never intended for a marriage to be one party getting all they want their way, without regard for the other person.
1 Peter 3:7 "You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered."
To completely ignore or disregard the desires and feelings of our spouse is to tell them they don't matter or are not worthy of respect and honor. When a spouse gets this message they become discouraged in the relationships and lose trust for their spouse.
It has been my observation recently that many people are experiencing interlopers who attempt to poke their noses into the marriages of others because of their idolization of one person in the marriage while showing contempt for the other. This favoritism is devilish, it seeks to undermine the marriage for the sake of diverting attention from the spouse to the interloper.
I have heard of such a case, where those who interfere in the marriage, attempt to influence the easily manipulated target for their own desires, while covertly picking on the spouse for their own gain.
When we see this happening we need to remove those nosy parkers from our life to protect the marriage. These people target the easily manipulated spouse to make decisions without their husband or wife. The goal of the narcissists who do this is to turn the one spouse against the other so they can maintain control over the marriage.
NO ONE outside a marriage should be allowed to remain in a friendship with a couple who are using these methods to undermine a marriage.
2 Thessalonians 3:11 "For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like BUSYBODIES."
1 Timothy 5:13 "Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not."
1 Thessalonians 4:11 "And to aspire to live quietly, and to MIND YOUR OWN AFFAIRS, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,"
Proverbs 20:3 "It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling."
Leviticus 19:16 "You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord."
I think we have sufficient evidence from the word to show that judging someone else's marriage while attempting to interfere by influencing one person against another is sin. Those who recognize the culprits must stand against them to protect the marriage.
Manipulating others through covert maneuvers shows the inner heart of a person who wants to control rather than bless others. When we do things to people in order to force them to do things our way, then we are selfish lacking a servants heart.
As believers, all that we do, should be out of concern for the well being of those in our life. Nothing else should motivate us except blessing those around us with truth, seeking their good and their desires.
When we have a relationship it should be based on "working out" the matters of life together, this requires communication and concern. When one person seeks to continually have their own way without regard for their spouse, it is hurtful and damaging to the relationship. God never intended for a marriage to be one party getting all they want their way, without regard for the other person.
1 Peter 3:7 "You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered."
To completely ignore or disregard the desires and feelings of our spouse is to tell them they don't matter or are not worthy of respect and honor. When a spouse gets this message they become discouraged in the relationships and lose trust for their spouse.
It has been my observation recently that many people are experiencing interlopers who attempt to poke their noses into the marriages of others because of their idolization of one person in the marriage while showing contempt for the other. This favoritism is devilish, it seeks to undermine the marriage for the sake of diverting attention from the spouse to the interloper.
I have heard of such a case, where those who interfere in the marriage, attempt to influence the easily manipulated target for their own desires, while covertly picking on the spouse for their own gain.
When we see this happening we need to remove those nosy parkers from our life to protect the marriage. These people target the easily manipulated spouse to make decisions without their husband or wife. The goal of the narcissists who do this is to turn the one spouse against the other so they can maintain control over the marriage.
NO ONE outside a marriage should be allowed to remain in a friendship with a couple who are using these methods to undermine a marriage.
2 Thessalonians 3:11 "For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like BUSYBODIES."
1 Timothy 5:13 "Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not."
1 Thessalonians 4:11 "And to aspire to live quietly, and to MIND YOUR OWN AFFAIRS, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,"
Proverbs 20:3 "It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling."
Leviticus 19:16 "You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord."
I think we have sufficient evidence from the word to show that judging someone else's marriage while attempting to interfere by influencing one person against another is sin. Those who recognize the culprits must stand against them to protect the marriage.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Showing Off is Sinful!
I don't like the videos of people in shopping centers or on the street paying for someone else's groceries. These seem like "show-off" acts to me since they are not even discerning whether or not people need it. I believe when we give like that it ought to be in secret and if there is a real need.
Just making yourself feel good momentarily while getting praise from others for it, does not mean it is a selfless act. Often good deeds are for self aggrandizement. God hates this kind of giving and says that we have our reward already it will not count in heaven.
I also am a little appalled when ball players get out on the field and bow down in public, when they could have done it in the locker room. I wonder what a ball player is praying for when he does this? Is he praying to win the game or to be a better player or even worse is he praying to impress those in the stand. If he is praying for anything but the salvation of the people in the stands, then he is probably just a show off.
Matthew 6:1-8 "6 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
2 “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
3 But when you [b]give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
4 so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
5 “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.
8 So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him."
Many people love themselves for their good deeds but those deeds don't save them.
Just making yourself feel good momentarily while getting praise from others for it, does not mean it is a selfless act. Often good deeds are for self aggrandizement. God hates this kind of giving and says that we have our reward already it will not count in heaven.
I also am a little appalled when ball players get out on the field and bow down in public, when they could have done it in the locker room. I wonder what a ball player is praying for when he does this? Is he praying to win the game or to be a better player or even worse is he praying to impress those in the stand. If he is praying for anything but the salvation of the people in the stands, then he is probably just a show off.
Matthew 6:1-8 "6 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.
2 “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
3 But when you [b]give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
4 so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
5 “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.
8 So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him."
Many people love themselves for their good deeds but those deeds don't save them.
Bad Company Corrupts Good Character
"Bad company corrupts good character." 1 Corinthians 15:33
When we hang out with, enjoy and spend lots of time with ungodly people we tend to act like them to be accepted, it is human nature.
It is also true that we hang around those we feel most comfortable with, rather than those who will challenge us to greater holiness. We used to hear a saying years ago that covers this principle. "if you are in the bad crowd, you are the bad crowd."
Those who refuse to be corrected or instructed, have a habit of choosing friends who elevate them, not questioning anything they do, allowing them to feel elevated in their own eyes. They tend to reject anyone who will expose a wrong attitude or thinking, their elevated status in their own minds does not allow them to think anything but positive about themselves. There are those who will even "rage" at us for the slightest correction or rebuke.
Proverbs 11:2 - [When] pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly [is] wisdom.
Proverbs 16:5 - Every one [that is] proud in heart [is] an abomination to the LORD: [though] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
Proverbs 29:23 - A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
Proverbs 16:18 - Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Galatians 6:3 - For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Proverbs 27:2 - Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
Proverbs 26:12 - Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him.
James 4:6 - But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Jeremiah 9:23 - Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise [man] glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty [man] glory in his might, let not the rich [man] glory in his riches:
Philippians 2:3 - [Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
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.
Romans 12:16 - [Be] of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
If we are secure in our walk with Christ, we are able to look at all sides of ourselves. We can say, "I was wrong" or "that was dumb of me", without flinching. When our goal is to learn all we can about Christ in us, we can look negative comments straight in the face and truthfully evaluate them.
If we cannot see anything negative in ourselves, or take a rebuke from anyone, we have a spirit of pride, there will be no spiritual growth until we can do this. Many people remain spiritual babies their entire lives because they don't care about "being" holy, they only want to "appear" that way, no effort is required, except keeping up a superficial persona. These people are very different at home with family than the rest of the world sees them.
Are you the same everywhere you go, whether alone or in a crowd? Do you act differently depending on which crowd you happen to be with? Those who love God are the same everywhere at anytime, they are steady and steadfast.
1 Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."
Psalm 61:3 "For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy."
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."
1 John 2:15 "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
Those who change their colors like a chameleon depending on who they are with, walk in fear, fear of rejection by those who might find out the "real them."
When we walk with Christ everyday, we can rest in who He is making us, admitting who we are while having joy that God is working on us and we don't have to be anything, He is everything, it's all about Him, every bit of it.
Psalm 136:1-26
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
4 to him who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 to him who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
15 but overthrew[a] Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
17 to him who struck down great kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
18 and killed mighty kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
20 and Og, king of Bashan,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
21 and gave their land as a heritage,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
22 a heritage to Israel his servant,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 he who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
When we hang out with, enjoy and spend lots of time with ungodly people we tend to act like them to be accepted, it is human nature.
It is also true that we hang around those we feel most comfortable with, rather than those who will challenge us to greater holiness. We used to hear a saying years ago that covers this principle. "if you are in the bad crowd, you are the bad crowd."
Those who refuse to be corrected or instructed, have a habit of choosing friends who elevate them, not questioning anything they do, allowing them to feel elevated in their own eyes. They tend to reject anyone who will expose a wrong attitude or thinking, their elevated status in their own minds does not allow them to think anything but positive about themselves. There are those who will even "rage" at us for the slightest correction or rebuke.
Proverbs 11:2 - [When] pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly [is] wisdom.
Proverbs 16:5 - Every one [that is] proud in heart [is] an abomination to the LORD: [though] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
Proverbs 29:23 - A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
Proverbs 16:18 - Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Galatians 6:3 - For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Proverbs 27:2 - Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
Proverbs 26:12 - Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him.
James 4:6 - But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Jeremiah 9:23 - Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise [man] glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty [man] glory in his might, let not the rich [man] glory in his riches:
Philippians 2:3 - [Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
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.
Romans 12:16 - [Be] of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
If we are secure in our walk with Christ, we are able to look at all sides of ourselves. We can say, "I was wrong" or "that was dumb of me", without flinching. When our goal is to learn all we can about Christ in us, we can look negative comments straight in the face and truthfully evaluate them.
If we cannot see anything negative in ourselves, or take a rebuke from anyone, we have a spirit of pride, there will be no spiritual growth until we can do this. Many people remain spiritual babies their entire lives because they don't care about "being" holy, they only want to "appear" that way, no effort is required, except keeping up a superficial persona. These people are very different at home with family than the rest of the world sees them.
Are you the same everywhere you go, whether alone or in a crowd? Do you act differently depending on which crowd you happen to be with? Those who love God are the same everywhere at anytime, they are steady and steadfast.
1 Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."
Psalm 61:3 "For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy."
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."
1 John 2:15 "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
Those who change their colors like a chameleon depending on who they are with, walk in fear, fear of rejection by those who might find out the "real them."
When we walk with Christ everyday, we can rest in who He is making us, admitting who we are while having joy that God is working on us and we don't have to be anything, He is everything, it's all about Him, every bit of it.
Psalm 136:1-26
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
4 to him who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 to him who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
15 but overthrew[a] Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
17 to him who struck down great kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
18 and killed mighty kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
20 and Og, king of Bashan,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
21 and gave their land as a heritage,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
22 a heritage to Israel his servant,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 he who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
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