There may be some of you wondering why I am always correcting, rebuking and admonishing. It is because so much is wrong in the church today, much of what goes on is not Biblical, but tradition of men, while other things are patently satanic.
1 Timothy 4:1-2 "1 Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, 2 influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.…"
Monday, January 16, 2017
When Christ is Our Focus
When we love Christ above all else, we will be at odds with most people, even other believers. We love Christ so much and the brethren that we want truth to be the focus of EVERYTHING!
Most people who call themselves Christian today are more interested in their fun and happy life, that they neglect almost entirely to obey the Word of God. Even becoming angry when we use the Word of God to correct them. More correction is needed than ever before because the church has neglected the things of God for the sake of worldly wisdom.
It seems that believers following hard after Christ are doing more correcting these days because of the wickedness in the world. Every time we turn around believers are acting like non-believers, indulging in many things even occult practices to fit into the world.
1 John 2:14-16 "14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.…"
Those who desire to follow hard after Christ will not be interested in much that is going on in the world, other than the end times that show us the prophetic implications of the events. We will not be deeply entrenched in anything worldly, even if we partake a little, it will not be a enormously important. All we can see is interpreted in terms of Christ and His Word.
Most people who call themselves Christian today are more interested in their fun and happy life, that they neglect almost entirely to obey the Word of God. Even becoming angry when we use the Word of God to correct them. More correction is needed than ever before because the church has neglected the things of God for the sake of worldly wisdom.
It seems that believers following hard after Christ are doing more correcting these days because of the wickedness in the world. Every time we turn around believers are acting like non-believers, indulging in many things even occult practices to fit into the world.
1 John 2:14-16 "14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.…"
Those who desire to follow hard after Christ will not be interested in much that is going on in the world, other than the end times that show us the prophetic implications of the events. We will not be deeply entrenched in anything worldly, even if we partake a little, it will not be a enormously important. All we can see is interpreted in terms of Christ and His Word.
Idolatry of Sports Figures is Sin
I am shocked at how many believers are indulging in idolatry in the form of the idol worship of men, especially in sports. I don't know where so many get the idea that sports is a clean and wholesome profession.
There are many wicked things these ball players indulge in, they are often "party animals" with huge egos. Often those who go into sports are people who love to be superior to others, they have a problem with a need to be continually elevated, competition with others is the way they get their "fame fix."
Have we forgotten that they are performers the same as those on the screen who play a role?
Sure, enjoy your favorite ball team, but don't claim there is any higher moral standard in sports than there is in Hollywood.
Sports figures have become idols in our country! An obsession with anything is not good unless it is Christ. When we will speak often about a sports figure based on his talents as a ball player, but almost never mention Christ in conversation, then we have placed those sports moguls above Christ.
"Thou shalt have no other gods before me" is one of the Ten Commandments found in the Hebrew Bible (לא יהיה־לך אלהים אחרים על־פני; Exodus 20:3 = Deuteronomy 5:7).
There are many wicked things these ball players indulge in, they are often "party animals" with huge egos. Often those who go into sports are people who love to be superior to others, they have a problem with a need to be continually elevated, competition with others is the way they get their "fame fix."
Have we forgotten that they are performers the same as those on the screen who play a role?
Sure, enjoy your favorite ball team, but don't claim there is any higher moral standard in sports than there is in Hollywood.
Sports figures have become idols in our country! An obsession with anything is not good unless it is Christ. When we will speak often about a sports figure based on his talents as a ball player, but almost never mention Christ in conversation, then we have placed those sports moguls above Christ.
"Thou shalt have no other gods before me" is one of the Ten Commandments found in the Hebrew Bible (לא יהיה־לך אלהים אחרים על־פני; Exodus 20:3 = Deuteronomy 5:7).
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Only Truth and Commitment Keeps the Marriage
Yep, people who are married a long time do not have perfect marriages, they just have committed ones! Love goes beyond our personality quirks and tantrums, it transcends the trials. When the dust settles there is a strong relationship that can withstand anything. But it takes commitment and truth. Only with these two things commitment and truth, can there be permanency.
Friday, January 13, 2017
Appeasement of Sin
Appeasement: to bring to a state of peace, quiet, ease, calm, or contentment; pacify; soothe!
Appeasement toward sin only serves to encourage, enhance and increase it.
Appeasement toward sin only serves to encourage, enhance and increase it.
Honor Father and Mother?
On another post of a dear friend the subject of honoring parents was the topic of conversation, it spurred in me the need to address it also here along with some more scripture that supports this concept of honoring father AND mother.
Adult children in our generation think that they no longer have to honor or listen to their parents because of the attitude that since they are adults they no longer have to think of them at all. Christ answered this in His response to the Pharisees.
Mark 7:6 And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:
‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far away from Me.
7 ‘But in vain do they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’"
I've always thought of "honoring your parents" as the way we value them, not with gifts or flattery but with honest interest in their wisdom, desires and comfort.
Yes, in fact the Lord Jesus Christ rebuked the Pharisees for using an excuse that their money goes to the temple that they didn't have to take care of their parents.
Mark 7:12-13 "…12 he is no longer permitted to do anything for his father or mother. 13 Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so” in many such matters."
When adult children feel free to snap at, demean and mock their parents they are in rebellion against God. Often the father fosters this attitude in their children by snapping, demeaning and mocking the mother in front of the children, mother can also do this to fathers.
Those that do this, will have no more respect for God than they do for their parents, because the matter of lack of the principle of respect is absent from their hearts.
We cannot dishonor one, thinking we have a good reason, while honoring another. Honor and respect is in the heart. Sadly many narcissists will accuse us of lacking honor, when it is they that lack it. It is a way of justifying their own sinful behavior, to place the blame on someone else.
We see too that narcissists always have a "golden child", one that they honor and a "scapegoat" the other they dishonor. They have their favorites because the favorite does not instruct, correct or rebuke when needed. The favored parent does not defend and stand up for the scapegoat, but even at times goes along with the narcissist, further enhancing the rebellious and contemptuous attitude of the narcissist.
Another excuse that is often used in some cult like churches is that the father is to be honored and the mother has none, because she is the woman and under her husband, she is treated with contempt in the form of dismissiveness, as though she is not worthy of honor because she is under her husband. Clearly according to God this is false and divisive.
Proverbs 1:7-9 "7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8 Hear, my son, your father's instruction And do not forsake your mother's teaching; 9 Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head And ornaments about your neck.…"
Ephesians 6:2
“Honor your father AND mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),"
2 Timothy 1:5
"I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well."
Leviticus 20:9
"For anyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death; he has cursed his father OR his mother; his blood is upon him."
Interesting that dishonor of Father OR Mother is worthy of death in God's eyes.
Proverbs 19:26-27 "26 He who assaults his father and drives his mother away Is a shameful and disgraceful son. 27 Cease listening, my son, to discipline, And you will stray from the words of knowledge."
Those who honor father and despise mother is treating their father with contempt as well because the father and mother are one. They are to be treated as one, equal respect and honor, realizing that the position of the mother is just as precious as the position of the father, their roles are different, but equal in value.
I cannot stress enough the need for children to honor both parents, not the gifts version but the true version of valuing their wisdom and experience. The deceptive and disguised version of honor merely relieves the seared conscience of those who do not wish to honor one or both of the parents in a genuine way.
Those who accept this false version of honor of parents are helping to encourage the attitude of dishonor not only toward parents but also toward God.
Favoritism is ungodly and sinful, it only serves to undermine the marriage of the parents and to foster rebellion in the hearts of the grandchildren toward not only the grandparents but also toward their own parents.
Rebellious adult children will raise rebellious children of their own. They think their own rebellion remains in a vacuum, it does not, they will see a contemptuous mentality toward them in their own children.
Rebellion against God comes back to bite in the long run. One may get away with contempt for parents but eventually their own attitudes will be seen in their own children.
Proverbs 31:3-6 – Danger: What parents do in moderation their children take to excess!
Adult children in our generation think that they no longer have to honor or listen to their parents because of the attitude that since they are adults they no longer have to think of them at all. Christ answered this in His response to the Pharisees.
Mark 7:6 And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:
‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far away from Me.
7 ‘But in vain do they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’"
I've always thought of "honoring your parents" as the way we value them, not with gifts or flattery but with honest interest in their wisdom, desires and comfort.
Yes, in fact the Lord Jesus Christ rebuked the Pharisees for using an excuse that their money goes to the temple that they didn't have to take care of their parents.
Mark 7:12-13 "…12 he is no longer permitted to do anything for his father or mother. 13 Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so” in many such matters."
When adult children feel free to snap at, demean and mock their parents they are in rebellion against God. Often the father fosters this attitude in their children by snapping, demeaning and mocking the mother in front of the children, mother can also do this to fathers.
Those that do this, will have no more respect for God than they do for their parents, because the matter of lack of the principle of respect is absent from their hearts.
We cannot dishonor one, thinking we have a good reason, while honoring another. Honor and respect is in the heart. Sadly many narcissists will accuse us of lacking honor, when it is they that lack it. It is a way of justifying their own sinful behavior, to place the blame on someone else.
We see too that narcissists always have a "golden child", one that they honor and a "scapegoat" the other they dishonor. They have their favorites because the favorite does not instruct, correct or rebuke when needed. The favored parent does not defend and stand up for the scapegoat, but even at times goes along with the narcissist, further enhancing the rebellious and contemptuous attitude of the narcissist.
Another excuse that is often used in some cult like churches is that the father is to be honored and the mother has none, because she is the woman and under her husband, she is treated with contempt in the form of dismissiveness, as though she is not worthy of honor because she is under her husband. Clearly according to God this is false and divisive.
Proverbs 1:7-9 "7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8 Hear, my son, your father's instruction And do not forsake your mother's teaching; 9 Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head And ornaments about your neck.…"
Ephesians 6:2
“Honor your father AND mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),"
2 Timothy 1:5
"I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well."
Leviticus 20:9
"For anyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death; he has cursed his father OR his mother; his blood is upon him."
Interesting that dishonor of Father OR Mother is worthy of death in God's eyes.
Proverbs 19:26-27 "26 He who assaults his father and drives his mother away Is a shameful and disgraceful son. 27 Cease listening, my son, to discipline, And you will stray from the words of knowledge."
Those who honor father and despise mother is treating their father with contempt as well because the father and mother are one. They are to be treated as one, equal respect and honor, realizing that the position of the mother is just as precious as the position of the father, their roles are different, but equal in value.
I cannot stress enough the need for children to honor both parents, not the gifts version but the true version of valuing their wisdom and experience. The deceptive and disguised version of honor merely relieves the seared conscience of those who do not wish to honor one or both of the parents in a genuine way.
Those who accept this false version of honor of parents are helping to encourage the attitude of dishonor not only toward parents but also toward God.
Favoritism is ungodly and sinful, it only serves to undermine the marriage of the parents and to foster rebellion in the hearts of the grandchildren toward not only the grandparents but also toward their own parents.
Rebellious adult children will raise rebellious children of their own. They think their own rebellion remains in a vacuum, it does not, they will see a contemptuous mentality toward them in their own children.
Rebellion against God comes back to bite in the long run. One may get away with contempt for parents but eventually their own attitudes will be seen in their own children.
Proverbs 31:3-6 – Danger: What parents do in moderation their children take to excess!
Thursday, January 12, 2017
Appearances are of No Value, Only Substance Matters
Hollywoods focus is opposite of the focus of those who fear God and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 7:16-20
"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.
"Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. "So then, you will know them by their fruits.
Luke 12:22-23 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.”
Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
1 Peter 3:3-4 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
Colossians 3:12-14 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Matthew 7:16-20
"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.
"Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. "So then, you will know them by their fruits.
Luke 12:22-23 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.”
Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
1 Peter 3:3-4 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
Colossians 3:12-14 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
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