1 John 4:1-6
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
It is a command from God to test the spirits, be skeptical and stop believing every spirit simply because it claims to be of God or because it sounds good.
Just because something sounds good and we like it, is not evidence that it is truth.
False prophets hate those who question all things. They hate a challenge that exposes them. While I was in the Catholic church I began to question all that was done there, the more I questioned the more hostile those around me became.
Satan comes as an angel of light, pretending to be from God while operating contrary to Scripture with such clever deception that only those who are discerning are able to spot it. One of his very effective tactics is to rage when challenged, attempting to intimidate those who hold God's truth in highest regard.
For many years now the church has bought into the deception of all time, the very craftiness that tempted Eve in the garden, that of love of self, or as our culture titles it, "self esteem."
The church has been deceived into believing that if someone is sinning, they are doing so because of something bad that happened to them. Of course this makes no sense, because Eve disobeyed and dismissed God's wisdom by ignoring His command to refrain from eating the forbidden fruit. What wrong did God do that caused Eve to ignore God and do what she wanted to do? We know God never harmed Eve in any way, He sought to provide the best for her. She made the choice to follow what would make her feel superior.
The deception of "self esteem" has been around since the time of Eve and it has been taught as vitally important in our culture. This devilish teaching has brought us to the arrogance and rebellion we see now, increasing in intensity every day until the Lord returns.
We must ask ourselves if we are self willed, seeking our own pleasure and elevated status, or are we determined to get our counsel from the Lord to gain wisdom?
A combative arrogant man or woman lack humility, they desire to feel superior to others and even God. The more they are challenged to question their belief system, the greater they defend themselves.
A humble man or woman who deeply loves Christ will welcome discussion, check out what is being said through the Word of God to find truth and enjoy discovering God's principles.
The arrogant man or woman defends themselves to appear more exalted or excellent, everything is about themselves.
Proverbs 29:11 "A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back."
Proverbs 14:16 "A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, But a fool is arrogant and careless."
Proverbs 18:1-3 "18 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding,
But in expressing his own heart.
3 When the wicked comes, contempt comes also;
And with dishonor comes reproach."
The humble man or woman defends the truth and Scripture, they are not concerned about themselves, but about truth and righteousness.
1 Peter 5:6 "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,"
Philippians 2:3-11 "3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Individuals Must Repent and Trust Christ
How many of you believe a better leader will save this country, raise your hand?
If we had no leaders at all and every person loved the Lord, we wouldn't need to have laws. Sort of like the believer who has Christ living in Him, we have the Law Giver living in us, we don't want to sin, when we do we confess it to be further cleansed.
1 Timothy 1:8 "Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,"
If we had no leaders at all and every person loved the Lord, we wouldn't need to have laws. Sort of like the believer who has Christ living in Him, we have the Law Giver living in us, we don't want to sin, when we do we confess it to be further cleansed.
1 Timothy 1:8 "Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,"
The leaders are not going to make the people good, they can only oppress us because the people are evil while being lawless. So....God is sending us oppressive leaders to punish our lawlessness.
The only solution for our country is for the people, each individual to confess their sinfulness and trust what Christ did on the cross, while desiring to be changed into a new creation by Christ. Only He can save a man and only He can change a nation, but He will not do it against the will of the people.
God is a gentleman, He never forces anyone, they must choose Him and then He will work.
Trusting Christ on the part of the people is the only way God will work in this country. Placing godly leaders over a wicked people will not change anything.
The only solution for our country is for the people, each individual to confess their sinfulness and trust what Christ did on the cross, while desiring to be changed into a new creation by Christ. Only He can save a man and only He can change a nation, but He will not do it against the will of the people.
God is a gentleman, He never forces anyone, they must choose Him and then He will work.
Trusting Christ on the part of the people is the only way God will work in this country. Placing godly leaders over a wicked people will not change anything.
Friday, March 4, 2016
Spiritual not Temporal
Those who display the greatest faith are those who do not see many outward blessings, but have inner spiritual strength that takes them through persecution remaining faithful, even when there doesn't seem to be a way out.
We are not called to live a happy fulfilled life, we are called to trust Christ through everything.
Those who live a cushy life getting what they want in earthly terms, generally have little faith while remaining materialistic and deeply connected to this world.
Hebrews 11:37-40
"37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated
38 (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.
39 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised,
40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect."
I feel sad for all the people who measure their spirituality by how much money they have, the latest inventions, how many adventures they experience, they will never grow in wisdom, their eyes are focused on the temporal that will pass away. These same people spend a lot of energy on judging those who do not have the wealth that they have placed their trust in.
Those who focus on Christ, deeply grateful for His sacrifice and their own salvation, are wealthy beyond measure, they enjoy the greatest wealth and blessing of all, that of joy no matter what their circumstances. Nothing intimidates them or stops them from running after Christ.
John 10:29 ""My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."
Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 40:31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 42:16 And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
2 Corinthians 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 1:6-9 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
We are not called to live a happy fulfilled life, we are called to trust Christ through everything.
Those who live a cushy life getting what they want in earthly terms, generally have little faith while remaining materialistic and deeply connected to this world.
Hebrews 11:37-40
"37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated
38 (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.
39 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised,
40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect."
I feel sad for all the people who measure their spirituality by how much money they have, the latest inventions, how many adventures they experience, they will never grow in wisdom, their eyes are focused on the temporal that will pass away. These same people spend a lot of energy on judging those who do not have the wealth that they have placed their trust in.
Those who focus on Christ, deeply grateful for His sacrifice and their own salvation, are wealthy beyond measure, they enjoy the greatest wealth and blessing of all, that of joy no matter what their circumstances. Nothing intimidates them or stops them from running after Christ.
John 10:29 ""My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."
Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 40:31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 42:16 And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
2 Corinthians 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 1:6-9 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Narcissists Hate Manners
One of the elements of the narcissistic personality is their hatred of manners, they do not like to be polite or encouraging.
Being kind and encouraging someone, is a form of lowering ourselves for the sake of another, narcissistic people hate to lower themselves for anyone.
Acts 28:2
"2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold."
Narcissists hate to give honor to anyone who does not elevate them. Because their entire existence is based on others making them special, they cannot tolerate those who do not elevate them above others.
I have also seen narcissists not only lack hospitality, but they will not receive it either. To accept hospitality they also must lower themselves to be grateful.
They can be very critical of those who do good for them, they see it as a weakness. As strange as it may seem, the narcissist despises tenderness, generosity, self sacrifice and honest emotion. They will demean those who enjoy hospitality to invoke a sad or angry response.
It is common for a narcissist to mock our attempts at hospitality, saying we didn't need to do what we did, to remove our joy of doing it for them. It is irrational, but makes the narcissist feel in control of others. When we see someone acting this way consistently, as a matter of course, then it is best to keep our distance in the future, they bring nothing but turmoil and emptiness to any gathering.
Proverbs 18:2 "A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. "
Proverbs 29:11 "A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. "
Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Proverbs 18:6 "A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating."
Proverbs 26:19 "Is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”
Proverbs 29:9 "If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet."
Proverbs 28:26 "Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered."
Matthew 5:22 "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire."
Proverbs 26:3-12 "A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools. ... "
Proverbs 10:23 "Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding."
The key to handling narcissists, is to never respond in anger or frustration to their rudeness, it only feeds their desire to cause trouble and avoid contact with them as much as possible. The devil is using their mouths to mock and demean God's ways, while stifling our walk with the Lord. The devil is using them as tools to keep us from walking in the Lord's peace and joy.
It is a joy to do things God's way, the greatest pleasure of the believer is to show hospitality, when someone does not want this, then they will not be an asset to our spiritual growth, only keeping us continually on our toes without rest in our souls. God tells us to get away from them in 2 Timothy 3:1-5.
Praise the Lord we are allowed to choose our companions, we are allowed to withdraw from unruly people who have no love for righteousness.
God's Will is in the His Word
If something you want to do is not backed up by God's Word, then it is not God's Will!!!!
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Actions are more Powerful Than Words
"Our actions speak louder and truer than our words."
If our words do not match our actions, then we have some work to do in evaluating our heart attitude. We can hide from others through words, but only for a little while, soon people who get to know us will see if our words are true, or whether they are lies merely to impress others around us.
Let's learn to evaluate our inner spirit, to see if lines up with God's Word, that when we speak our words will be true!
Zechariah 8:16 "These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace;"
Proverbs 28:13 "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy."
Ephesians 4:15 "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,"
Psalm 5:6 "You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man."
Ephesians 4:25 "Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another."
John 8:44 "You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
2 Timothy 2:15 "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."
If our words do not match our actions, then we have some work to do in evaluating our heart attitude. We can hide from others through words, but only for a little while, soon people who get to know us will see if our words are true, or whether they are lies merely to impress others around us.
Let's learn to evaluate our inner spirit, to see if lines up with God's Word, that when we speak our words will be true!
Zechariah 8:16 "These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace;"
Proverbs 28:13 "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy."
Ephesians 4:15 "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,"
Psalm 5:6 "You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man."
Ephesians 4:25 "Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another."
John 8:44 "You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
2 Timothy 2:15 "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
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