Daniel 5:25-28
25 “Now this is the inscription that was written out: ‘MENĒ, MENĒ, TEKĒL, UPHARSIN.’ 26 This is the interpretation of the message: ‘MENĒ’—God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it. 27 ‘TEKĒL’—you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient. 28 ‘PERĒS’—your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.”
The Medes: An Iranian people who lived in the area of "Media."
The Persians: Iranian ethnic group.
Does this seem almost apropo to our modern times?
Saturday, November 5, 2016
Friday, November 4, 2016
Safety or Righteousness?
Help me understand!
I see so many Christians either posting nothing but family pictures and updated reports of family events while others are almost entirely political. What I don't see on these pages is anything about Christ.
I know that I cannot judge the heart of other believers based on facebook entirely, but I do have to wonder if it is an important clue. Don't we talk about on social media that which is on our mind most often? Is it possible that many if not most believers are ashamed to speak of Christ, embarrassed for fear of being mocked or ignored?
We are living in the last of the last days, Christ is very close to coming for His church, why are most believers not focused on their home going? Why are they enamored with the politics of saving this country if we are not going to be here much longer?
Christ told us our home is in heaven, our hope is in the return of Christ for His church, so why are we not compelled to speak about Him more than anything else?
It concerns me when the vantage point of a believer is nearly completely earthly, concerned about their safety, their money, their pleasure almost exclusively. These things are of interest to us, but rank low on the list of important matters.
Our spiritual condition ought to be taking up more space in our minds than anything else. Our home going along with our walk with Christ ought to have so much space in our brains that there is little time for the less important matters.
The way in which our country is headed is only important in terms of why it is going this way, that being the lost souls who are headed to hell for their rejection of Christ and those who have not yet understood the gospel message of salvation.
It might be good to ask ourselves, "why do I pray for my nation." If we pray for our nation because we want to be safe, fat and happy, then we have the wrong focus entirely as a believer. If we pray for our nation because we desire to see souls saved from their sin and hell, then that is the right focus. Perhaps it would be good to be completely honest and begin praying in the will of God.
If our heart is inclined toward the lost souls we are to be concerned about and the walk of fellow believers, then we are where we should be in our mind set. In love with Christ translates into a life when everything all the time is about Him.
Deuteronomy 6:5
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might."
John 14:15
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments."
John 17:24-26
"Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
We must understand that God may take our nation through terrible times to wake up the sleeping believers and to show non-believers their need for Christ. To pray that God save our nation is not always the best prayer. Perhaps in these end times it would be good to pray for hardship that God's purpose might be fulfilled.
After all, isn't it more important that souls are saved than for us to live out our days in safety and pleasure? Just sayin!!!!
I see so many Christians either posting nothing but family pictures and updated reports of family events while others are almost entirely political. What I don't see on these pages is anything about Christ.
I know that I cannot judge the heart of other believers based on facebook entirely, but I do have to wonder if it is an important clue. Don't we talk about on social media that which is on our mind most often? Is it possible that many if not most believers are ashamed to speak of Christ, embarrassed for fear of being mocked or ignored?
We are living in the last of the last days, Christ is very close to coming for His church, why are most believers not focused on their home going? Why are they enamored with the politics of saving this country if we are not going to be here much longer?
Christ told us our home is in heaven, our hope is in the return of Christ for His church, so why are we not compelled to speak about Him more than anything else?
It concerns me when the vantage point of a believer is nearly completely earthly, concerned about their safety, their money, their pleasure almost exclusively. These things are of interest to us, but rank low on the list of important matters.
Our spiritual condition ought to be taking up more space in our minds than anything else. Our home going along with our walk with Christ ought to have so much space in our brains that there is little time for the less important matters.
The way in which our country is headed is only important in terms of why it is going this way, that being the lost souls who are headed to hell for their rejection of Christ and those who have not yet understood the gospel message of salvation.
It might be good to ask ourselves, "why do I pray for my nation." If we pray for our nation because we want to be safe, fat and happy, then we have the wrong focus entirely as a believer. If we pray for our nation because we desire to see souls saved from their sin and hell, then that is the right focus. Perhaps it would be good to be completely honest and begin praying in the will of God.
If our heart is inclined toward the lost souls we are to be concerned about and the walk of fellow believers, then we are where we should be in our mind set. In love with Christ translates into a life when everything all the time is about Him.
Deuteronomy 6:5
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might."
John 14:15
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments."
John 17:24-26
"Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
We must understand that God may take our nation through terrible times to wake up the sleeping believers and to show non-believers their need for Christ. To pray that God save our nation is not always the best prayer. Perhaps in these end times it would be good to pray for hardship that God's purpose might be fulfilled.
After all, isn't it more important that souls are saved than for us to live out our days in safety and pleasure? Just sayin!!!!
What to do with a Hardened Person
This was my response to a sister who wanted to hear hope for those that have hardened hearts.
Here is the comment I made to her:
It seems that the only way a hardened heart can be softened again is through very devastating events that show them their own heart and helplessness. Let us not be the ones to continue to make them feel comfortable in their sin, even empowering them by accepting their behavior as though it is normal.
John 12:39-40
"Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.”
The warning is there to prevent those whose hearts are not yet hardened and to ask ourselves if we have one of those hearts. However there is always hope that God will do something to soften a heart.
Romans 9:18
"So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills."
Acts 3:19
"Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out,"
Ephesians 2:3
"Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."
Often we have to let go of the frustration we feel when we see loved ones seemingly too hard to reach. We have no idea what is going on in their hearts. It is possible that the anger of the hardened person is the evidence that they are convicted and that one day they will get tired of being so angry all the time.
I have seen it happen, someone who was resistant seemingly unreachable, began to see the folly of their arrogance and stubbornness. Eventually life catches up with us, some sooner than others. Sometimes it takes years and even old age for some to realize they need Christ.
My focus has to be Christ, if someone does not want to walk the walk with me, then I have to let them go and leave them to God. There remains a smidgen of hope within me, but I do not dwell on it everyday, even being able to carry on my life without them in joy and peace.
Sometimes it takes years to get to the point of letting go, perhaps the sin in our loved one is so great that they become worse as they age, making it easier to let go.
Personally, our life is much more peaceful without these people who bring constant drama and grief to our lives. Once we let go the joy and peace returns and in full measure.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 shows us that God not only gives us permission to walk away, but commands us to get away from them.
1 Corinthians 5:13 "…12 What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
The encouragement is not in everything becoming as we would like, but in knowing that we can move on, become closer to Christ while possessing more joy and peace if we remove them from our lives.
Having said that, we don't have to ignore them on the street, be mean to them if they drop by, or do anything that would leave us guilty of unkindness. We just don't make them a part of our everyday lives anymore. We have not chosen this route, they have chosen it by their continual attitudes and actions that dishonor God.
Here is the comment I made to her:
It seems that the only way a hardened heart can be softened again is through very devastating events that show them their own heart and helplessness. Let us not be the ones to continue to make them feel comfortable in their sin, even empowering them by accepting their behavior as though it is normal.
John 12:39-40
"Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.”
The warning is there to prevent those whose hearts are not yet hardened and to ask ourselves if we have one of those hearts. However there is always hope that God will do something to soften a heart.
Romans 9:18
"So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills."
Acts 3:19
"Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out,"
Ephesians 2:3
"Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."
Often we have to let go of the frustration we feel when we see loved ones seemingly too hard to reach. We have no idea what is going on in their hearts. It is possible that the anger of the hardened person is the evidence that they are convicted and that one day they will get tired of being so angry all the time.
I have seen it happen, someone who was resistant seemingly unreachable, began to see the folly of their arrogance and stubbornness. Eventually life catches up with us, some sooner than others. Sometimes it takes years and even old age for some to realize they need Christ.
My focus has to be Christ, if someone does not want to walk the walk with me, then I have to let them go and leave them to God. There remains a smidgen of hope within me, but I do not dwell on it everyday, even being able to carry on my life without them in joy and peace.
Sometimes it takes years to get to the point of letting go, perhaps the sin in our loved one is so great that they become worse as they age, making it easier to let go.
Personally, our life is much more peaceful without these people who bring constant drama and grief to our lives. Once we let go the joy and peace returns and in full measure.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 shows us that God not only gives us permission to walk away, but commands us to get away from them.
1 Corinthians 5:13 "…12 What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
The encouragement is not in everything becoming as we would like, but in knowing that we can move on, become closer to Christ while possessing more joy and peace if we remove them from our lives.
Having said that, we don't have to ignore them on the street, be mean to them if they drop by, or do anything that would leave us guilty of unkindness. We just don't make them a part of our everyday lives anymore. We have not chosen this route, they have chosen it by their continual attitudes and actions that dishonor God.
Thursday, November 3, 2016
Christ Died for All
If Christ had focused on His feelings, He never would have gone to the cross on our behalf.
Luke 22:42 "42“ Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him."
Next time we hear someone say, "God wouldn't want me to go through that", remind them that God didn't withhold His perfect Son who had no sin, to suffer and die for others even while they were still sinners.
Romans 5:7-9 "…7 It is rare indeed for anyone to die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!…"
Knowing that most of mankind would not receive Him, Christ went to the cross anyway for those who would choose Him. He desired that everyone come to Him, but knew most would not.
2 Corinthians 5:15 "15 And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again. "
Luke 22:42 "42“ Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him."
Next time we hear someone say, "God wouldn't want me to go through that", remind them that God didn't withhold His perfect Son who had no sin, to suffer and die for others even while they were still sinners.
Romans 5:7-9 "…7 It is rare indeed for anyone to die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!…"
Knowing that most of mankind would not receive Him, Christ went to the cross anyway for those who would choose Him. He desired that everyone come to Him, but knew most would not.
2 Corinthians 5:15 "15 And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again. "
Compassion and Empathy Go a Long Way
When we are shocked about the sins of others, it is an indication that we have a very high opinion of ourselves as though we are not capable of such things.
A humble person may be surprised on occasion at the sin of someone who didn't normally do such things, however, when we have compassion in our hearts, armed with the knowledge that we are also capable of the very same thing apart from Christ, can express compassion and empathy.
2 Peter 3:17 "You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,"
When we encounter a believer who has sinned, seeing that they are broken over it and desire to be cleansed of it, then is when we should weep with them showing compassion over their grief. These are the ones that we should extend mercy to and help lift up, not only in prayer but in our encouraging words from Scripture.
Galatians 1:1-2 "1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the Law of Christ.…"
Romans 12:15
"15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep."
May we be a blessing for those who struggle and wish to grow in holiness.
A humble person may be surprised on occasion at the sin of someone who didn't normally do such things, however, when we have compassion in our hearts, armed with the knowledge that we are also capable of the very same thing apart from Christ, can express compassion and empathy.
2 Peter 3:17 "You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,"
When we encounter a believer who has sinned, seeing that they are broken over it and desire to be cleansed of it, then is when we should weep with them showing compassion over their grief. These are the ones that we should extend mercy to and help lift up, not only in prayer but in our encouraging words from Scripture.
Galatians 1:1-2 "1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the Law of Christ.…"
Romans 12:15
"15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep."
May we be a blessing for those who struggle and wish to grow in holiness.
Monday, October 31, 2016
No Excuses on Judgment Day
There is no question that "O" and his minions have attempted and is succeeding in ruining our economy, making our militarily weak on the world stage, perverting our children, fostering rebellion in them and on the streets to promote anarchy, while removing the constitution and freedom of speech for conservatives and Christians, while facilitating freedom for the ideas and actions of wicked people.
Oppression is coming rapidly. When a segment of our culture is living under a gag order, we know we have lost our freedom and our country as we have known it.
The opposite is in place now from just 40 years ago. Those who walked in rebellion were encouraged to keep their dastardly deeds secret in the fear that society would punish them for what they do in the dark and rightly so. Now it is the righteous that are shamed and mocked for what should be the standard of the entire nation and was at one time.
Our children were encouraged to embrace the gender they were born with, while celebrating it, even taught the roles of each to enhance and help the family.
Everyone was valued for standing up for what was right and good, even preachers were revered for "fire and brimstone" preaching.
Everyone seemed to know it was right and good to become mature and responsible, with the exception of the minority of fringe rebels that avoided society as a whole.
And to think, this happened in only one short generation. All it took was a few crazed radicals to ruin it all, but why? My contention is that most people who walked righteously kept their mouths shut in order to be accepted by family members and neighbors. They valued man more than Christ.
I probably couldn't count the number of times I was told not to judge a matter because someone might be going through something difficult. We all go through difficult things, that is not an excuse to sin against God or man.
God will never say when we come before Him at the judgement any of these things:
*That's alright that you acted wickedly since your husband told you to do it.
*You will not be judged for that murder, someone else treated you badly causing you to lose control.
*Rejecting Christ is no big deal, after all you have a mind of your own, you need to be true to yourself.
*It's alright that you neglected others, at least you loved yourself.
*You are forgiven for stealing, you wanted that thing, no repentance needed.
*Don't worry, you manipulated to get something you wanted.
Most everything we are being told today in the modern churches are lies against God. We are told to honor and obey Christ no matter how we are treated or how badly we want something.
We are never told to stop honoring our father and mothers just because we grew up. We are never told to justify any sin that we choose to indulge in, nor are we told that any sin is "not so bad."
Since all sin no matter how small will keep us out of heaven, the good news is that Christ died on the cross to shed His blood on our behalf, since the shedding of someone's blood is necessary, someone had to die for it, since we are not perfect, only a perfect sacrifice was required, that was Jesus Christ.
However, we will not be saved without confession of sin while desiring to be cleansed by Christ. Christ will not forgive an unrepentant heart, nor will His blood cover those who don't want to be cleansed.
HEBREWS 9, THE WHOLE CHAPTER
Oppression is coming rapidly. When a segment of our culture is living under a gag order, we know we have lost our freedom and our country as we have known it.
The opposite is in place now from just 40 years ago. Those who walked in rebellion were encouraged to keep their dastardly deeds secret in the fear that society would punish them for what they do in the dark and rightly so. Now it is the righteous that are shamed and mocked for what should be the standard of the entire nation and was at one time.
Our children were encouraged to embrace the gender they were born with, while celebrating it, even taught the roles of each to enhance and help the family.
Everyone was valued for standing up for what was right and good, even preachers were revered for "fire and brimstone" preaching.
Everyone seemed to know it was right and good to become mature and responsible, with the exception of the minority of fringe rebels that avoided society as a whole.
And to think, this happened in only one short generation. All it took was a few crazed radicals to ruin it all, but why? My contention is that most people who walked righteously kept their mouths shut in order to be accepted by family members and neighbors. They valued man more than Christ.
I probably couldn't count the number of times I was told not to judge a matter because someone might be going through something difficult. We all go through difficult things, that is not an excuse to sin against God or man.
God will never say when we come before Him at the judgement any of these things:
*That's alright that you acted wickedly since your husband told you to do it.
*You will not be judged for that murder, someone else treated you badly causing you to lose control.
*Rejecting Christ is no big deal, after all you have a mind of your own, you need to be true to yourself.
*It's alright that you neglected others, at least you loved yourself.
*You are forgiven for stealing, you wanted that thing, no repentance needed.
*Don't worry, you manipulated to get something you wanted.
Most everything we are being told today in the modern churches are lies against God. We are told to honor and obey Christ no matter how we are treated or how badly we want something.
We are never told to stop honoring our father and mothers just because we grew up. We are never told to justify any sin that we choose to indulge in, nor are we told that any sin is "not so bad."
Since all sin no matter how small will keep us out of heaven, the good news is that Christ died on the cross to shed His blood on our behalf, since the shedding of someone's blood is necessary, someone had to die for it, since we are not perfect, only a perfect sacrifice was required, that was Jesus Christ.
However, we will not be saved without confession of sin while desiring to be cleansed by Christ. Christ will not forgive an unrepentant heart, nor will His blood cover those who don't want to be cleansed.
HEBREWS 9, THE WHOLE CHAPTER
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