When we were growing up, there was prayer in school, many people went to church, perhaps for the wrong reasons often, but they admired and loved the people of God and His ways.
It was a different time, a time long gone away and I am convinced never to return, or if it does it will be brief just like the surge of people into churches after 9-11, after which only a few weeks and everything went back to it had been before.
Too often people run to God for safety, while wanting nothing of Him, except what they can get for themselves, only the safety until they don't need Him anymore, then they return to their vomit as though they never needed Him and as though He never did anything for them.
They do not consider Him in their decisions, they don't thank Him even for their meals each day, they merely use Him when they have no place else to go.
Isaiah 1:14-15 "14"I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. 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. 16"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil,"
Monday, December 26, 2016
Promoting Immorality is Sin
Some of the very things that we think are love are actually promoting immorality, by removing the consequences and the shame that needs to be there.
Jeremiah 6:14-16 "…14 "They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, Saying, 'Peace, peace,' But there is no peace. 15 "Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done? They were not even ashamed at all; They did not even know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time that I punish them, They shall be cast down," says the LORD. 16 Thus says the LORD, "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'…"
Deuteronomy 23:2 " 2"No one of illegitimate birth shall enter the assembly of the LORD; none of his descendants, even to the tenth generation, shall enter the assembly of the LORD."
Hebrews 12:8
"But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons."
God calls those who are not born again but pretend to be "illegitimate." There is such a thing as an illegitimate child. All this talk about all babies being from the Lord is true in once sense, but not true in another.
Very often God does not bless the families who are not repentant from their sexual immorality and their children are not blessed either. I do not celebrate in a baby shower the birth of the child born out of wedlock it sends a wrong message to celebrate that which offends God, that being the sex act outside marriage.
As for the baby, I would provide some of their needs, love them and care for them, but I would not legitimize sexual immorality by affording the same joy and privilege of a party for those who acted immorally to obtain this baby.
Baby showers and parties to celebrate birth should be limited to those who did it the right way through marriage. We have glorified the status of unwed mother by throwing these parties.
And, guess what, many say it's for the baby, it is not! The baby doesn't even know the party is taking place. The things are for the baby, that's fine, bring them one by one with the message of repentance. To have a party is for the mother, validating sex out of marriage. Our culture is so twisted in this thinking, they have encouraged immorality by affording the same joy and blessings that belong only to the mother who obeyed God in chastity.
Jeremiah 6:14-16 "…14 "They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, Saying, 'Peace, peace,' But there is no peace. 15 "Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done? They were not even ashamed at all; They did not even know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time that I punish them, They shall be cast down," says the LORD. 16 Thus says the LORD, "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'…"
Deuteronomy 23:2 " 2"No one of illegitimate birth shall enter the assembly of the LORD; none of his descendants, even to the tenth generation, shall enter the assembly of the LORD."
Hebrews 12:8
"But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons."
God calls those who are not born again but pretend to be "illegitimate." There is such a thing as an illegitimate child. All this talk about all babies being from the Lord is true in once sense, but not true in another.
Very often God does not bless the families who are not repentant from their sexual immorality and their children are not blessed either. I do not celebrate in a baby shower the birth of the child born out of wedlock it sends a wrong message to celebrate that which offends God, that being the sex act outside marriage.
As for the baby, I would provide some of their needs, love them and care for them, but I would not legitimize sexual immorality by affording the same joy and privilege of a party for those who acted immorally to obtain this baby.
Baby showers and parties to celebrate birth should be limited to those who did it the right way through marriage. We have glorified the status of unwed mother by throwing these parties.
And, guess what, many say it's for the baby, it is not! The baby doesn't even know the party is taking place. The things are for the baby, that's fine, bring them one by one with the message of repentance. To have a party is for the mother, validating sex out of marriage. Our culture is so twisted in this thinking, they have encouraged immorality by affording the same joy and blessings that belong only to the mother who obeyed God in chastity.
Legalism is a Destroyer
There were many things that fell from my life when I became born again. Not because I thought about it offending God, but because I no longer had a desire for them. The Holy Spirit in me took them out of my heart, they just weren't there anymore. As I grew in Christ I became disdainful of the things I left behind, I hated what God hated and loved what God loved.
Psalm 97:9-11 "…9 For You are the LORD Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods. 10 Hate evil, you who love the LORD, Who preserves the souls of His godly ones; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked. 11 Light is sown like seed for the righteous And gladness for the upright in heart.…"
Over the years God began opening my eyes to many things while more beliefs and practices would fall off, replaced by truth. So many things most believers enjoy and do today I am no longer interested in. They may not even be bad or evil things, they are just not commanded by God so I am free to leave them alone if I choose.
Our culture engages in a lot of unBiblical tradition. I am alright with others making their choices to do these things, however, I want no pressure from others to do the same just because everyone else does them.
I remember as a child I drove people crazy with the question, "why do we do this?" Because of my continual questioning everything, I never fit in anywhere. I didn't fit in because others very often did something that was merely their desire and not purposeful in the Kingdom of God while being intimidated by the simple question, "why?"
Often when people are asked to explain their actions or observances, they give a half baked answer using out of context sentences from the Bible, that have little or nothing to do with truth. The explanations are always heavily peppered with human wisdom and desire. And, sadly the very things they think please God are not pleasing to Him because they come from a heart that is looking to please self rather than Christ.
Of course we all, me included, do things God never commanded, the problem is not that we do these things necessarily, the problem comes when we fight and argue over them, demean and mock, even devaluing others who don't do what we do.
Legalists are adept at creating guilt over things that have no basis in Scripture. Those who make extraneous rules not found in the Word explicitly, are full of pride, not because they follow them, but because they look down their nose at others who don't do as they do.
Deuteronomy 4:29
"But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul."
1 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. 3 They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected,…"
Romans 14:4-6 "…4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One man regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes a special day does so to the Lord; he who eats does so to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.…"
We are to judge and speak against sin, but much of the fighting going on is not about sin, but humanistic ritual that God never commanded.
Our responsibility as believers in Christ is to ask God for ourselves. Those who do not ask God are more vulnerable to humanistic legalism, that only detracts from our walk and leaves distaste in the mouths of non-believers who are watching our lives.
A suggestion: Ask God to remove all pride from our lives, expose anything we believe that is not truth and ask the Lord what He wants from us while reading His Word that He might speak to us. How can anyone go wrong when they are asking God to reveal truth!!!!
We have no excuse for not knowing something, God promised if we ask He will show us truth.
James 1:4-6 "…4 Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.…"
Matthew 6:5-15
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. ..."
James 5:16
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Psalm 97:9-11 "…9 For You are the LORD Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods. 10 Hate evil, you who love the LORD, Who preserves the souls of His godly ones; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked. 11 Light is sown like seed for the righteous And gladness for the upright in heart.…"
Over the years God began opening my eyes to many things while more beliefs and practices would fall off, replaced by truth. So many things most believers enjoy and do today I am no longer interested in. They may not even be bad or evil things, they are just not commanded by God so I am free to leave them alone if I choose.
Our culture engages in a lot of unBiblical tradition. I am alright with others making their choices to do these things, however, I want no pressure from others to do the same just because everyone else does them.
I remember as a child I drove people crazy with the question, "why do we do this?" Because of my continual questioning everything, I never fit in anywhere. I didn't fit in because others very often did something that was merely their desire and not purposeful in the Kingdom of God while being intimidated by the simple question, "why?"
Often when people are asked to explain their actions or observances, they give a half baked answer using out of context sentences from the Bible, that have little or nothing to do with truth. The explanations are always heavily peppered with human wisdom and desire. And, sadly the very things they think please God are not pleasing to Him because they come from a heart that is looking to please self rather than Christ.
Of course we all, me included, do things God never commanded, the problem is not that we do these things necessarily, the problem comes when we fight and argue over them, demean and mock, even devaluing others who don't do what we do.
Legalists are adept at creating guilt over things that have no basis in Scripture. Those who make extraneous rules not found in the Word explicitly, are full of pride, not because they follow them, but because they look down their nose at others who don't do as they do.
Deuteronomy 4:29
"But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul."
1 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. 3 They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected,…"
Romans 14:4-6 "…4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One man regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes a special day does so to the Lord; he who eats does so to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.…"
We are to judge and speak against sin, but much of the fighting going on is not about sin, but humanistic ritual that God never commanded.
Our responsibility as believers in Christ is to ask God for ourselves. Those who do not ask God are more vulnerable to humanistic legalism, that only detracts from our walk and leaves distaste in the mouths of non-believers who are watching our lives.
A suggestion: Ask God to remove all pride from our lives, expose anything we believe that is not truth and ask the Lord what He wants from us while reading His Word that He might speak to us. How can anyone go wrong when they are asking God to reveal truth!!!!
We have no excuse for not knowing something, God promised if we ask He will show us truth.
James 1:4-6 "…4 Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.…"
Matthew 6:5-15
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. ..."
James 5:16
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Saturday, December 24, 2016
Hatred of Tradition Grows in Me
As a former Catholic who left behind all that ritual and clap trap, I cannot stand the use of artifacts, amulets or any other thing made by human hands to remember or worship Christ.
The first thing God put on my heart when I trusted Christ was an disdain for ritual and idols.
Most people have little understanding of what an idol is or that we can have an idol in our mind simply by placing something or someone above Christ.
We worship in Spirit and in Truth, no need for earthly objects.
We worship in Spirit and in Truth, no need for human traditions to make me sense God's closeness.
The Holy Spirit provides all that I need all the time. No need for special days, observances or any other tradition of men to know how near my God is, even inside of me.
Colossians 2:8
"8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits[a] of the world, and not according to Christ."
Matthew 15:3
"He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?"
2 Timothy 4:2-4
"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."
1 Timothy 4:7
"Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;"
The first thing God put on my heart when I trusted Christ was an disdain for ritual and idols.
Most people have little understanding of what an idol is or that we can have an idol in our mind simply by placing something or someone above Christ.
We worship in Spirit and in Truth, no need for earthly objects.
We worship in Spirit and in Truth, no need for human traditions to make me sense God's closeness.
The Holy Spirit provides all that I need all the time. No need for special days, observances or any other tradition of men to know how near my God is, even inside of me.
Colossians 2:8
"8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits[a] of the world, and not according to Christ."
Matthew 15:3
"He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?"
2 Timothy 4:2-4
"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."
1 Timothy 4:7
"Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;"
Friday, December 23, 2016
Growth or Regression Which Will it Be!
The humble person knows their shortcomings and can admit them, to move forward in strength and improvement.
The reason narcissists, those with insolent pride, cannot grow and change, is because in order to do that, they would have to admit their own frailties.
Pride prevents people from seeing themselves in truth, therefore they are continually having to prove themselves through mocking and demeaning others.
Pride prevents improvement, in fact it furthers and enhances the frailties. As a prideful person gets older his pride become solidified and worsens, as though God has fully turned them over to their own reality.
Matthew 13:12-14 "…12 Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ 14 In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.…"
It's a terrible thing to go ones entire life fighting against truth, growth and spiritual betterment, only to find oneself no longer able to think reasonably or righteously.
Think about it! "What will my my state when I am too old to pretend anymore?"
The reason narcissists, those with insolent pride, cannot grow and change, is because in order to do that, they would have to admit their own frailties.
Pride prevents people from seeing themselves in truth, therefore they are continually having to prove themselves through mocking and demeaning others.
Pride prevents improvement, in fact it furthers and enhances the frailties. As a prideful person gets older his pride become solidified and worsens, as though God has fully turned them over to their own reality.
Matthew 13:12-14 "…12 Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ 14 In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.…"
It's a terrible thing to go ones entire life fighting against truth, growth and spiritual betterment, only to find oneself no longer able to think reasonably or righteously.
Think about it! "What will my my state when I am too old to pretend anymore?"
The Devil Wrestles Dirty
Do not become discouraged when you have been drawn into a debate with a narcissist. The devil is using their mind and their mouth, they are not capable of rational thinking or verbiage. Often they will create situations to start fights and arguments. Christ in us can teach us through His word how to deal with such people. He can make us into people who are unaffected by the foolishness of those who have no interest in truth, but only in appearing superior.
Domination is always the goal of a fool, never truth, never resolution of a matter. When we love Christ, we care about resolution of problems, but the fool glories in his own ability to anger and upset others. Notice this is what the devil does, it is his favored tactic.
John 10:10-29 "10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly......"
God's people love to heal, bless and care for others. The devil has only one goal, that is to judge, destroy, ruin and frustrate believers in Christ. We must see his tactics for what they are and refuse to engage with him.
Ephesians 6:12-13 "12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.…"
George Bernard Shaw said this:
"I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it."
God says it this way:
"9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words."
Proverbs 29:9
"9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet."
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 28:26
"Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered."
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. ..."
Domination is always the goal of a fool, never truth, never resolution of a matter. When we love Christ, we care about resolution of problems, but the fool glories in his own ability to anger and upset others. Notice this is what the devil does, it is his favored tactic.
John 10:10-29 "10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly......"
God's people love to heal, bless and care for others. The devil has only one goal, that is to judge, destroy, ruin and frustrate believers in Christ. We must see his tactics for what they are and refuse to engage with him.
Ephesians 6:12-13 "12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.…"
George Bernard Shaw said this:
"I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it."
God says it this way:
"9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words."
Proverbs 29:9
"9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet."
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 28:26
"Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered."
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. ..."
The Devil's Mind Control
Many of these death experiences for people who claim to have gone to heaven never have the gospel message. They also assume everyone is going to heaven when they die. We know that people do not become converted to Christ by happy thoughts and feelings, they are converted by confronting their sinful nature, confessing it and wanting to be changed by Christ.
Luke 24:47
"and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem."
Matthew 26:28
"for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins."
Hebrews 9:22
"And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
Acts 2:38
"Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
One thing that strikes me, is that demons can do mind control miracles that make us think we have gone some where so vividly that we believe we have been there. Non-believers have no defense against this deception. The only people who seem to have these dreams are non-believers who claim to be converted by them. But the question is what are they converted to?
I have never heard of a non-Christian mentioned in the Bible who went to heaven. It makes more sense that God only showed heaven to those who were godly.
Those who have had these vision often are non-believers who come back from their experience as "believers in heaven", but there is no mention of how their life really changed after the event.
Also we have many people who claim to have been abducted by aliens and gone into a space ship. There is never any evidence of it, except their own testimonies. I believe these things are happening in the brain not reality, by the power of demons. The anti-christ will do "false miracles and lying wonders." I believe most of it will be in the mind, many will believe the miracles but they never actually happen, their minds have been convinced by these visions from demons.
Also, in the last days deception the anti-christ will do false miracles making people think he is the savior of the world. It will all be happening in their minds.
When a brain surgeon is working on someone's brain and the person is awake, the surgeon can touch a part of the brain and make someone taste their favorite ice cream. They are not having ice cream but they think they are tasting it. The surgeon can touch another part of the brain and make someone re-live some event they did in the past. I am convinced that demons can and do manipulate people's brains to see and believe things that are not true.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 "…10 and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. 11 For this reason, God will send them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie, 12 in order that judgment will come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.…"
I am also convinced that right now demons are causing thoughts in the minds of those who are not walking with Christ, to make others believe their family and friends have attitudes and actions that do and did not exist. He loves to cause chaos and mayhem, especially against believers and followers of Christ Jesus.
When we are accused of things that we know didn't happen, or thoughts we didn't have, we can be sure that something is messing with the minds of those the devil is using to debilitate us.
1 Peter 5:7-9 "…7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.…"
I have actually witnessed people who say something that is evil or mean, when I address it seconds after they say it, they proclaim they never said that, even when I use exactly the same words they used. They really believe they never said it, causing me to believe someone else used their mouth, being the reason they don't have the words recorded in their brain to recall.
Please brothers and sisters, stay in prayer over everything, remembering that the devil is working to manipulate people against us to demean, mock and diminish the Word of God. If he can turn people against us, he then can discredit anything we say in the eyes of those who once loved or appreciated us.
We don't have to live under a cloud all the time, worried that someone is working the devil's antics. We can live free from the effects of his wiles, at the same time growing in holiness, only as long as we keep our eyes on Christ and truth. We need to remember not to react to the evil around us, that's what the devil wants. We must respond in the Holy Spirit while remaining steady.
Proverbs 4:24-26 "…24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you. 25 Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. 26 Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established.…"
2 Corinthians 4:3-5 "…3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.…"
Isaiah 33:15-16 "15 He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, He who rejects unjust gain And shakes his hands so that they hold no bribe; He who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed And shuts his eyes from looking upon evil; 16 He will dwell on the heights, His refuge will be the impregnable rock; His bread will be given him, His water will be sure.…"
Luke 24:47
"and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem."
Matthew 26:28
"for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins."
Hebrews 9:22
"And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
Acts 2:38
"Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
One thing that strikes me, is that demons can do mind control miracles that make us think we have gone some where so vividly that we believe we have been there. Non-believers have no defense against this deception. The only people who seem to have these dreams are non-believers who claim to be converted by them. But the question is what are they converted to?
I have never heard of a non-Christian mentioned in the Bible who went to heaven. It makes more sense that God only showed heaven to those who were godly.
Those who have had these vision often are non-believers who come back from their experience as "believers in heaven", but there is no mention of how their life really changed after the event.
Also we have many people who claim to have been abducted by aliens and gone into a space ship. There is never any evidence of it, except their own testimonies. I believe these things are happening in the brain not reality, by the power of demons. The anti-christ will do "false miracles and lying wonders." I believe most of it will be in the mind, many will believe the miracles but they never actually happen, their minds have been convinced by these visions from demons.
Also, in the last days deception the anti-christ will do false miracles making people think he is the savior of the world. It will all be happening in their minds.
When a brain surgeon is working on someone's brain and the person is awake, the surgeon can touch a part of the brain and make someone taste their favorite ice cream. They are not having ice cream but they think they are tasting it. The surgeon can touch another part of the brain and make someone re-live some event they did in the past. I am convinced that demons can and do manipulate people's brains to see and believe things that are not true.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 "…10 and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. 11 For this reason, God will send them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie, 12 in order that judgment will come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.…"
I am also convinced that right now demons are causing thoughts in the minds of those who are not walking with Christ, to make others believe their family and friends have attitudes and actions that do and did not exist. He loves to cause chaos and mayhem, especially against believers and followers of Christ Jesus.
When we are accused of things that we know didn't happen, or thoughts we didn't have, we can be sure that something is messing with the minds of those the devil is using to debilitate us.
1 Peter 5:7-9 "…7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.…"
I have actually witnessed people who say something that is evil or mean, when I address it seconds after they say it, they proclaim they never said that, even when I use exactly the same words they used. They really believe they never said it, causing me to believe someone else used their mouth, being the reason they don't have the words recorded in their brain to recall.
Please brothers and sisters, stay in prayer over everything, remembering that the devil is working to manipulate people against us to demean, mock and diminish the Word of God. If he can turn people against us, he then can discredit anything we say in the eyes of those who once loved or appreciated us.
We don't have to live under a cloud all the time, worried that someone is working the devil's antics. We can live free from the effects of his wiles, at the same time growing in holiness, only as long as we keep our eyes on Christ and truth. We need to remember not to react to the evil around us, that's what the devil wants. We must respond in the Holy Spirit while remaining steady.
Proverbs 4:24-26 "…24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you. 25 Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. 26 Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established.…"
2 Corinthians 4:3-5 "…3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.…"
Isaiah 33:15-16 "15 He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, He who rejects unjust gain And shakes his hands so that they hold no bribe; He who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed And shuts his eyes from looking upon evil; 16 He will dwell on the heights, His refuge will be the impregnable rock; His bread will be given him, His water will be sure.…"
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