Amen, Amen!!! If we are too proud to express our faults to one another then God has more work to do in us.
James 5:16
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Only God's Words Are Powerful
Only the Word of God is powerful, human words have no power or meaning unless they are proven by actions.
1 John 3:18
"Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
James 1:22
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
James 2:17
"So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
James 3:13
"Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom."
Matthew 5:16
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
1 John 3:18
"Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
James 1:22
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
James 2:17
"So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
James 3:13
"Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom."
Matthew 5:16
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
There Should Be Change
If someone remains in a church gathering all their life without any spiritual change, it's a good bet they never new Christ.
If someone can come to a church gathering and remain for years in a sinful state, then something is wrong with the preaching.
If someone can come to a church gathering and remain for years in a sinful state, then something is wrong with the preaching.
By Faith
Hebrews 11
"1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
2 For by it the men of old gained approval."
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.
9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;
10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
11 By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.
13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.
15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.
16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; 18 it was he to whom it was said, “In Isaac your descendants shall be called.”
19 He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,
26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.
27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.
28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.
31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.
32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,
33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,
34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection;
36 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment.
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.
"1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
2 For by it the men of old gained approval."
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.
9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;
10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
11 By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.
13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.
15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.
16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; 18 it was he to whom it was said, “In Isaac your descendants shall be called.”
19 He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,
26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.
27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.
28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.
31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.
32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,
33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,
34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection;
36 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment.
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.
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Useful Nobodies
If you think of yourself as a nobody, that's alright, so were the apostles. When they wrote their letters to the churches they had no idea they would go any further than the particular gatherings to which they were sent.
God never told them that their writings would be saved in the Holy Word of God, going down through history 2000 years. I am sure it didn't cross their minds that someone in 2017 sitting at a machine called a computer could call up their words on hundreds of places on something called the internet.
If we are amazed that we can read the words of someone in nearly every language of the world in a book that was preserved all this time, how much more astonished we should be that we can do this on a machine that reaches the entire world in seconds, nearly instantly.
The apostles didn't have the ability to make copies of what they wrote, they depended on God to get that one letter to the church for which it was written, that's all they knew about where their writings would end up. But we can copy and send letters to every corner of this globe without leaving our homes.
To recap:
Later others copied those letters, preserved them, then they were protected in caves, copied again into hundreds of languages to be given out in books all over the world, now we have the internet, these same letters can reach the other side of the world instantly, waiting in someone's cyber mailbox until they sit down at their computers to call up their mail.
I don't know about you but this makes me excited about all the things the Lord has in store for us that we don't know about, what is coming is even greater than anything we have experienced thus far.
Have faith, what we cannot see is better yet!
Proverbs 3:5-6
"5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight."
Psalm 118:8
"It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man."
Romans 15:13
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."
God never told them that their writings would be saved in the Holy Word of God, going down through history 2000 years. I am sure it didn't cross their minds that someone in 2017 sitting at a machine called a computer could call up their words on hundreds of places on something called the internet.
If we are amazed that we can read the words of someone in nearly every language of the world in a book that was preserved all this time, how much more astonished we should be that we can do this on a machine that reaches the entire world in seconds, nearly instantly.
The apostles didn't have the ability to make copies of what they wrote, they depended on God to get that one letter to the church for which it was written, that's all they knew about where their writings would end up. But we can copy and send letters to every corner of this globe without leaving our homes.
To recap:
Later others copied those letters, preserved them, then they were protected in caves, copied again into hundreds of languages to be given out in books all over the world, now we have the internet, these same letters can reach the other side of the world instantly, waiting in someone's cyber mailbox until they sit down at their computers to call up their mail.
I don't know about you but this makes me excited about all the things the Lord has in store for us that we don't know about, what is coming is even greater than anything we have experienced thus far.
Have faith, what we cannot see is better yet!
Proverbs 3:5-6
"5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight."
Psalm 118:8
"It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man."
Romans 15:13
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."
They Know Where to Find Us
Many if not most people these days are "easily offended", it is rampant, everything is based on "feelings" instead of rational reasoning.
2 Timothy 3:1-3
1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these."
God does not tell us to remain with these people just in case we can tell them something that will help them. Rather, He tells us to remove ourselves, they are not open to truth.
Let's remember that if our prayers are answered and the 2 Timothy 3 types have been changed by Christ into a born again state, God will tell us and they will know where to find us.
2 Timothy 3:1-3
1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these."
God does not tell us to remain with these people just in case we can tell them something that will help them. Rather, He tells us to remove ourselves, they are not open to truth.
Let's remember that if our prayers are answered and the 2 Timothy 3 types have been changed by Christ into a born again state, God will tell us and they will know where to find us.
Man Only Does Evil Because He is Evil
There is a psychological teaching going around, has been for years, that teaches if someone is mean, someone must have hurt them or they had a bad experience in their life.
Mean people say hurtful things. It is psychology and wrong that people only lash out because they are hurting. God never said we are given a pass for our past or how people treat us. He told us to bless those who curse us.
Evil people should be confronted, the reason we have more evil than ever before in our culture is because we showed grace to the wicked man while badgering the victim to forgive. The wicked man in our culture believes we are obligated to forgive him, that's why he keeps doing the same wicked things over and over again without remorse. Even if he gets worse because he is confronted, it only means that his heart has not been broken over his sinfulness.
Our culture has lied to us, pretending that no one is truly evil and anyone who calls them out on their mean behavior is the evil one. But notice something, they are willing to tolerate the evil in someone who is truly evil, but not willing to tolerate anyone who calls out the evil one.
Isaiah 26:10 "10 Though the wicked is shown favor, He does not learn righteousness; He deals unjustly in the land of uprightness, And does not perceive the majesty of the LORD."
Those who do mean things are showing their heart of contempt and need to be shown that heart. We don' automatically hurt others because we have been hurt. Often a humble loving person are better with others because we don't want to hurt others the way we have been hurt.
How we respond to being hurt reveals our heart, it does not shape it.
A kind and loving person will respond in shame when told they are sinning, or if they have been accused and are not sinning, they will not respond in rage, but rather want to discuss it to clear things up.
An evil heart refuses to discuss anything, they accuse, demean, mock and rage without any concern whatever that anything is cleared up. Being seen as "winning" is more important to the evil heart than truth, in fact these people have an hatred against the truth because it usually exposes their sinfulness.
John 3:20
"Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed."
Mean people say hurtful things. It is psychology and wrong that people only lash out because they are hurting. God never said we are given a pass for our past or how people treat us. He told us to bless those who curse us.
Evil people should be confronted, the reason we have more evil than ever before in our culture is because we showed grace to the wicked man while badgering the victim to forgive. The wicked man in our culture believes we are obligated to forgive him, that's why he keeps doing the same wicked things over and over again without remorse. Even if he gets worse because he is confronted, it only means that his heart has not been broken over his sinfulness.
Our culture has lied to us, pretending that no one is truly evil and anyone who calls them out on their mean behavior is the evil one. But notice something, they are willing to tolerate the evil in someone who is truly evil, but not willing to tolerate anyone who calls out the evil one.
Isaiah 26:10 "10 Though the wicked is shown favor, He does not learn righteousness; He deals unjustly in the land of uprightness, And does not perceive the majesty of the LORD."
Those who do mean things are showing their heart of contempt and need to be shown that heart. We don' automatically hurt others because we have been hurt. Often a humble loving person are better with others because we don't want to hurt others the way we have been hurt.
How we respond to being hurt reveals our heart, it does not shape it.
A kind and loving person will respond in shame when told they are sinning, or if they have been accused and are not sinning, they will not respond in rage, but rather want to discuss it to clear things up.
An evil heart refuses to discuss anything, they accuse, demean, mock and rage without any concern whatever that anything is cleared up. Being seen as "winning" is more important to the evil heart than truth, in fact these people have an hatred against the truth because it usually exposes their sinfulness.
John 3:20
"Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed."
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