There are many children who do what their parents want thinking that this alone is obedience. Merely doing what our authorities want, is not all there is to obedience. When we reluctantly obey an authority while dishonoring them in our heart, is the same as disobedience.
Isaiah 1:19 "If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; "
"If you are willing...and obey." Notice that wording, it is not obedience alone, but a heart desire as well that is required.
Psalm 112:1 "Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments! "
"greatly delights in His commandments!" Again, our heart must delight in God and His commands to be counted as obeying.
2 Chronicles 21:31 "And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered."
"Seeking His God" is the criteria for obedience, a heart desire to honor and obey.
1 John 5:2-3 "2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome."
God is not pleased when we obey with a rebellious heart simply to keep out of trouble or to placate the one in authority. He wants us to love Him, love His wisdom and commands.
Psalm 119:1-2 "119 1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord! 2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart,"
Notice these verses speak of "seeking God." When we desire to obey in our hearts, then we will seek to meet the desires of those in authority over us.
Proverbs 30:17 "The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother will be picked out by the ravens of the valley and eaten by the vultures."
Proverbs 17:11 "An evil man seeks only rebel...lion, and a cruel messenger will be sent against him."
Proverbs 29:1-9
"1 He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,
will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 He who loves wisdom makes his father glad,
but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down.
5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
6 An evil man is ensnared in his transgression,
but a righteous man sings and rejoices.
7 A righteous man knows the rights of the poor;
a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.
8 Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet."
The child that mocks father or mother by rolling of the eyes when told to do something or does it reluctantly without diligence in the process are in rebellion in their heart, while not fully obeying.
When raising children, it was clear to me when a child was obeying to keep out of trouble or whether or not they were doing so to please me. When they wanted to please me they would joyfully go off and do the task doing it well. Even coming back to share what a good job they thought they did.
When a child was rebelling in their heart, they would roll their eyes at the direction, walk away in a prideful haughty stride and do a job that was not well done. When asked if they did what I told them to do, they glibly and arrogantly answer "yes I did" in a range boss tone of voice as though I had done something wrong in asking.
Often we know the attitude of our children by their response to our commands. In our present culture it is considered rude to command a child, our sick rebellious culture requires that we "ask" our children "if they will please" do something. This leaves the control in the hands of the child while demeaning the authority, relegating them to a friend who is asking a favor, while giving the child the impression that they are free to dishonor if they please.
God wants our heart and so do parents. When we whine, complain and mock our parents, even if we do what they ask, we are still walking in rebellion.
Matthew 6:21 "21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. "
Proverbs 4:23 "23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
Romans 12:2 "2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
1 Samuel 15:22 "Samuel said, "Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams."
If we obey with selfish reasons, even to just keep out of trouble, rather than obeying to be a blessing to our authority, then we have disobeyed God.
If we obey because our heart desires to be a blessing to our authority and because we deeply love them, then we have obeyed God and He is honored.
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
The Church That Chased Bumbs
Many years ago we were in a Christian and Missionary Alliance church in Portland Oregon. The pastor was confronted by some of the people in the church on the sermons and use of psychology in the church.
In the coming weeks the pastor gave a sermon on the need for psychology. He then held the Bible over his head and declared "all the answers to life's problems are not in this book and all the answers to life's problem's are not Jesus Christ."
We had already decided to leave the church for other reasons, but this was the last straw on the camels back when this happened.
While I was there helping to prepare for a women's luncheon, a homeless man was sleeping on one of the pews. The pastors wife came up stairs to find him and chased him around in the church to get him out. She returned to the kitchen to brag about having to chase that "bumb out of the church." I was horrified, here we were, preparing a lot of food for women who had plenty in their own homes, while neglecting to offer the homeless man a plate of food.
I saw this as a test from God as to their level of Christianity. The man was not given any food when it was readily available and to make matters worse he was never given the gospel, just chased away as though he were pond scum. This church failed the test miserably, their desire was to have a nice clean, fun happy church that was not bothered by those "icky" people.
I thought back on that situation many times, thinking that God could have begun a ministry there to the homeless, not just feeding them food but feeding them the gospel too. But since they failed, they managed to smudge the name of Christ as One Who only gives to rich deserving people. The building was in an area where homeless came through regularly, it could have blossomed into a ministry that glorified God.
We never went back, but were accused of causing division by leaving. I had been saved about ten years and my husband was a new believer, that church was the first Protestant church he had ever been in after leaving the Catholic church. I am so glad he was strong enough to know right from wrong in his infancy as a believer.
It is frightening how much damage self serving pleasure seeking churches can do to the name of Christ. I don't know what happened there in the coming years, it has been a long time since that time, but I would hope that God worked to break hearts into compassionate hearts of flesh rather than the stone that I saw.
In the coming weeks the pastor gave a sermon on the need for psychology. He then held the Bible over his head and declared "all the answers to life's problems are not in this book and all the answers to life's problem's are not Jesus Christ."
We had already decided to leave the church for other reasons, but this was the last straw on the camels back when this happened.
While I was there helping to prepare for a women's luncheon, a homeless man was sleeping on one of the pews. The pastors wife came up stairs to find him and chased him around in the church to get him out. She returned to the kitchen to brag about having to chase that "bumb out of the church." I was horrified, here we were, preparing a lot of food for women who had plenty in their own homes, while neglecting to offer the homeless man a plate of food.
I saw this as a test from God as to their level of Christianity. The man was not given any food when it was readily available and to make matters worse he was never given the gospel, just chased away as though he were pond scum. This church failed the test miserably, their desire was to have a nice clean, fun happy church that was not bothered by those "icky" people.
I thought back on that situation many times, thinking that God could have begun a ministry there to the homeless, not just feeding them food but feeding them the gospel too. But since they failed, they managed to smudge the name of Christ as One Who only gives to rich deserving people. The building was in an area where homeless came through regularly, it could have blossomed into a ministry that glorified God.
We never went back, but were accused of causing division by leaving. I had been saved about ten years and my husband was a new believer, that church was the first Protestant church he had ever been in after leaving the Catholic church. I am so glad he was strong enough to know right from wrong in his infancy as a believer.
It is frightening how much damage self serving pleasure seeking churches can do to the name of Christ. I don't know what happened there in the coming years, it has been a long time since that time, but I would hope that God worked to break hearts into compassionate hearts of flesh rather than the stone that I saw.
Rebellion Creates Foolishness
Rebellion makes people stupid, their reasoning ability is almost non-existent. Those who live in a plane of complete superficiality without ability to see think in reality. They concoct ideas in their head that have no real basis in actual experience, they live in the realm of fantasy.
Proverbs 30:17 "The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother will be picked out by the ravens of the valley and eaten by the vultures."
Proverbs 17:11 "An evil man seeks only rebel...lion, and a cruel messenger will be sent against him."
Proverbs 29:1-9
"1 He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,
will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 He who loves wisdom makes his father glad,
but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down.
5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
6 An evil man is ensnared in his transgression,
but a righteous man sings and rejoices.
7 A righteous man knows the rights of the poor;
a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.
8 Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet."
Proverbs 30:17 "The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother will be picked out by the ravens of the valley and eaten by the vultures."
Proverbs 17:11 "An evil man seeks only rebel...lion, and a cruel messenger will be sent against him."
Proverbs 29:1-9
"1 He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,
will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 He who loves wisdom makes his father glad,
but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4 By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down.
5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
6 An evil man is ensnared in his transgression,
but a righteous man sings and rejoices.
7 A righteous man knows the rights of the poor;
a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.
8 Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet."
Monday, October 5, 2015
The Holocaust Continues
Sometimes it is overwhelming the evil that goes on in our country. We once said that we would not forget the holocaust in Germany, but if we haven't forgotten it, why then are we aborting millions of babies every year? Why do many if not most of Americans accepting of these murders as a even greater holocaust than the one in Europe many years ago? The holocaust in Europe is over, the world grieved for the Jews, even gave them back their nation because of the shame it brought. BUT THIS COUNTRY CONTINUES IT'S HOLOCAUST IN BABY MURDERS TO THE TUNE OF 1.2 MILLION BABIES A YEAR!!!!!!
It amazes me that this country has made many movies on the Jewish holocaust but are blind to all the millions of murdered human beings in this country every year.
Perhaps we are also blinded to all the other sin this culture practices but thinks is not as bad as abortion. Divorce and remarriage is the sacred cow sin, so much so, that no one in the churches will address the evil of divorce and remarriage.
Malachi 2:16 "For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously."
The two greatest sins in the eyes of God, the murder of the innocence and the destruction of marriage, have brought us to the evil environment we now endure every day.
The two sins that are the most accepted nationwide are the very sins that have destroyed us as a nation. When we get to the point of violence in marriage through divorce and remarriage and the murder of millions of our babies that is when the nation is finished.
Every other sin increases because of the hardened hearts of those who would attempt to dissolve a marriage and murder babies.
Lamentation 3:65 " You will give them hardness of heart, Your curse will be on them."
Ephesians 4:18 " being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;"
I am convinced we are beyond returning to a softened heart. Even though we as a nation can no longer enjoy the peace and power we once had because of the violence on the land, there is still possibility for individuals to examine themselves asking God to reveal the sin that is in their own heart, while asking to be changed into a new creation by Christ.
None of this mess can be changed now as a nation, but each person can seek God, repent from the violence that is in their heart and become born again, a new creature, operating in a completely new way. When we are changed, we see the value of the marriage, the blessedness of the baby and God's purpose in selflessness.
It amazes me that this country has made many movies on the Jewish holocaust but are blind to all the millions of murdered human beings in this country every year.
Perhaps we are also blinded to all the other sin this culture practices but thinks is not as bad as abortion. Divorce and remarriage is the sacred cow sin, so much so, that no one in the churches will address the evil of divorce and remarriage.
Malachi 2:16 "For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously."
The two greatest sins in the eyes of God, the murder of the innocence and the destruction of marriage, have brought us to the evil environment we now endure every day.
The two sins that are the most accepted nationwide are the very sins that have destroyed us as a nation. When we get to the point of violence in marriage through divorce and remarriage and the murder of millions of our babies that is when the nation is finished.
Every other sin increases because of the hardened hearts of those who would attempt to dissolve a marriage and murder babies.
Lamentation 3:65 " You will give them hardness of heart, Your curse will be on them."
Ephesians 4:18 " being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;"
I am convinced we are beyond returning to a softened heart. Even though we as a nation can no longer enjoy the peace and power we once had because of the violence on the land, there is still possibility for individuals to examine themselves asking God to reveal the sin that is in their own heart, while asking to be changed into a new creation by Christ.
None of this mess can be changed now as a nation, but each person can seek God, repent from the violence that is in their heart and become born again, a new creature, operating in a completely new way. When we are changed, we see the value of the marriage, the blessedness of the baby and God's purpose in selflessness.
Evidence of Pre-Trib
Marian Winans said, " You know for those who don't believe in a pre-trib rapture they truly haven't been paying much attention to scripture, especially this one... Notice the pronouns that are being used..."
1 Thessalonians 5:3 "For when THEY say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon THEM, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And THEY shall not escape. 4 But YOU, BRETHREN, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 YOU are all sons of light and sons of THE DAY. WE are NOT of the NIGHT NOR of DARKNESS. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did NOT APPOINT US UNTO WRATH, but to obtain SALVATION [a PHYSICAL DELIVERANCE in the Greek] through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
11 Therefore COMFORT each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing."
Living In Sin? God Will Not Answer!
Do we think we can ignore God's principles willfully and still have our prayers answer?
For those who think they can live any way they please without repentance, these verses are for you. Those who take for granted the mercy of God, ignoring Him, His principles and His heart, cannot expect to have Him on their side when they are in trouble because of their own willfulness.
John 9:31...
Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
For those who think they can live any way they please without repentance, these verses are for you. Those who take for granted the mercy of God, ignoring Him, His principles and His heart, cannot expect to have Him on their side when they are in trouble because of their own willfulness.
John 9:31...
Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
James 4:3
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Deuteronomy 1:45
And ye returned and wept before the LORD; but the LORD would not hearken to your voice, nor give ear unto you.
Isaiah 59:2 "But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear."
Jeremiah 14:12 ""When they fast, I am not going to listen to their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I am not going to accept them. Rather I am going to make an end of them by the sword, famine and pestilence."
Isaiah 1:15 ""So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood."
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Deuteronomy 1:45
And ye returned and wept before the LORD; but the LORD would not hearken to your voice, nor give ear unto you.
Isaiah 59:2 "But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear."
Jeremiah 14:12 ""When they fast, I am not going to listen to their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I am not going to accept them. Rather I am going to make an end of them by the sword, famine and pestilence."
Isaiah 1:15 ""So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood."
Friday, October 2, 2015
Wise and Foolilsh Men
Proverbs 1:1-7
"1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:
2 To know wisdom and instruction,
To discern the sayings of understanding,
3 To receive instruction in wise behavior,
Righteousness, justice and equity;
4 To give prudence to the [a]naive,
To the youth knowledge and discretion,
5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning,
And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
6 To understand a proverb and a figure,
The words of the wise and their riddles.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction"
"1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:
2 To know wisdom and instruction,
To discern the sayings of understanding,
3 To receive instruction in wise behavior,
Righteousness, justice and equity;
4 To give prudence to the [a]naive,
To the youth knowledge and discretion,
5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning,
And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
6 To understand a proverb and a figure,
The words of the wise and their riddles.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction"
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