Monday, November 27, 2017
Feeling Over Substance
When superficial feelings take priority over God's truth, then we know that self is on the throne and not God.
Ananias and Sapphira Lied
Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit as the Bible says and died because of it.
Acts 5:1-11
Fate of Ananias and Sapphira
5 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,
2 and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land?
4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
5 And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it.
6 The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.
7 Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
8 And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.”
9 Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.”
10 And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things."
Notice that the Holy Spirit in Peter revealed to him that this couple was lying. They were not even required to give all that came from the sale of the land. They lied to make themselves look good to others. They were pretenders, grievous to God. They were saved but they were taken out early so that their prideful heart would not influence others in the beginnings of the church. Notice too that their death for their sin was so dramatic that many came to the Lord because His power was revealed in His discipline.
When we are with Christians in a "fun" gathering and any attempt to bring the conversation to Christ or His principles is mocked and ignored, we very likely are dealing with pretenders or prideful believers.
I have experienced this a lot in my life, thinking that because we are with Christians the gathering ought to be exuding the joy of the Lord and discussions about Him and His principles, but instead we are met with contempt and anger for the attempt.
Those who would keep God in a box in church, will never authentically live their lives for Him. When we are excited about the Word and about Christ, we cannot stop talking about Him. It doesn't matter where we are, who we're with or what we are doing everything we think is filtered through the Word of God.
Rebellious Christians do not want their fun disrupted by discussions about Christ or answers that come from His Word. They will talk about the ball games, their latest trips, their newest material possession, but become embarrassed and even angry when things of the Lord are mentioned.
This is the state of the apostate church, there are monstrous lying judgments made against anyone who loves the Lord. The more we live for Christ the greater the gossip will proliferate. The pretender must discredit the believer by mocking, accusing us of things we never did or said or attitudes we never had, the very things the narcissist is doing but the authentic believer is not doing.
They will say we are unloving and mean spirited to intimidate us into silence or regretting that we spoke of the Lord.
Pretenders are "religious", but they are not born again. They love themselves for the things they do. Demonstrating contempt for anyone who will want to discuss matters to come to a solution. They use the mantra often, "just love them", but do not know or understand the love of Christ. Their form of love is acceptance of everything no matter how disobedient to Christ and a jovial happy smile all the time so that people will like THEM.
It is interesting to me that God said of the account of Ananias and Sapphira, they were being influenced by the devil. The very same influence that is twisting the minds of people today to reject God's principles, His answers and holiness while they attend church every week.
"But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit."
When you become confused that so many people, seem to be surrounded by friends and family who have flattering and glowing words for them, but when you speak of the Lord, you are counted as an enemy.
Galatians 4:16-17 "16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 Those people are zealous for you, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you from us, so that you will be zealous for them.…"
Pray for strength that the Holy Spirit respond in you on your behalf as you deal with the increased hostility even in the church gathering.
Acts 5:1-11
Fate of Ananias and Sapphira
5 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,
2 and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land?
4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
5 And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it.
6 The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.
7 Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
8 And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.”
9 Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.”
10 And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things."
Notice that the Holy Spirit in Peter revealed to him that this couple was lying. They were not even required to give all that came from the sale of the land. They lied to make themselves look good to others. They were pretenders, grievous to God. They were saved but they were taken out early so that their prideful heart would not influence others in the beginnings of the church. Notice too that their death for their sin was so dramatic that many came to the Lord because His power was revealed in His discipline.
When we are with Christians in a "fun" gathering and any attempt to bring the conversation to Christ or His principles is mocked and ignored, we very likely are dealing with pretenders or prideful believers.
I have experienced this a lot in my life, thinking that because we are with Christians the gathering ought to be exuding the joy of the Lord and discussions about Him and His principles, but instead we are met with contempt and anger for the attempt.
Those who would keep God in a box in church, will never authentically live their lives for Him. When we are excited about the Word and about Christ, we cannot stop talking about Him. It doesn't matter where we are, who we're with or what we are doing everything we think is filtered through the Word of God.
Rebellious Christians do not want their fun disrupted by discussions about Christ or answers that come from His Word. They will talk about the ball games, their latest trips, their newest material possession, but become embarrassed and even angry when things of the Lord are mentioned.
This is the state of the apostate church, there are monstrous lying judgments made against anyone who loves the Lord. The more we live for Christ the greater the gossip will proliferate. The pretender must discredit the believer by mocking, accusing us of things we never did or said or attitudes we never had, the very things the narcissist is doing but the authentic believer is not doing.
They will say we are unloving and mean spirited to intimidate us into silence or regretting that we spoke of the Lord.
Pretenders are "religious", but they are not born again. They love themselves for the things they do. Demonstrating contempt for anyone who will want to discuss matters to come to a solution. They use the mantra often, "just love them", but do not know or understand the love of Christ. Their form of love is acceptance of everything no matter how disobedient to Christ and a jovial happy smile all the time so that people will like THEM.
It is interesting to me that God said of the account of Ananias and Sapphira, they were being influenced by the devil. The very same influence that is twisting the minds of people today to reject God's principles, His answers and holiness while they attend church every week.
"But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit."
When you become confused that so many people, seem to be surrounded by friends and family who have flattering and glowing words for them, but when you speak of the Lord, you are counted as an enemy.
Galatians 4:16-17 "16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 Those people are zealous for you, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you from us, so that you will be zealous for them.…"
Pray for strength that the Holy Spirit respond in you on your behalf as you deal with the increased hostility even in the church gathering.
Sunday, November 26, 2017
Why Do You Read the Bible
There are three reasons people read the Bible! 1. there is an addiction to knowledge, 2 to impress others and 3 to learn the heart of God to do and be what pleases Him, to become like Him.
Let the Lord guide you as you ask this question of God for you. Which one are you?
Let the Lord guide you as you ask this question of God for you. Which one are you?
Turning At God's Reproof
Proverbs 1:23
"If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you."
There is no greater love than turning someone from their sin toward God.
"If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you."
There is no greater love than turning someone from their sin toward God.
Feeling Oriented Decisions
Has anyone noticed that when someone is drunk they will do things they would not have done if they were sober? Notice too that those who indulge in obedience to feelings also do things that normal reason and logic would have prevented them from doing otherwise.
Following feelings as a way of dealing with life will only bring devastation. We must think with the mind of Christ, know His Word and obey what we hear to avoid the pitfalls of feeling oriented decisions.
Following feelings as a way of dealing with life will only bring devastation. We must think with the mind of Christ, know His Word and obey what we hear to avoid the pitfalls of feeling oriented decisions.
Avoid Becoming Drunk
God says for the believer to avoid becoming drunk with wine! There is for the believer an even greater tragedy within the church, that is to be drunk on self.
This drunkenness causes a stupor of tolerance toward sin, causing it to grow in the body of Christ.
Apostasy and apathy go hand in hand. The lack of concern about loving God more than man, brings disobedience and arrogance to the body. Scriptures are twisted, maligned, ignored and even mocked by those who hate to obey anyone.
The Holy Spirit is mocked while God's principles are ignored.
Attacks against the believer who loves to use the Word of God as the standard for discussion is railed against. Then the personal attacks to our character begin.
When the narcissist does not have an answer for our questions about the principles of God, they begin attacking us, even accusing us of aggressiveness as they mock and demean us, claiming things about us that are not true, even laughing at us to intimidate us into silence.
Do not be unnerved by these tactics, they are nothing more than a smoke screen for a tortured and rebellious soul. God is clear that we will be seeing this barrage of persecution against us in these last days.
The love is gone, at least God's Love His Way, is a thing of the past for most people who say they are Christians. The only concern these people have is that they be elevated, praised and appreciated by others, they have little concern about obedience to God's Word. These people claim it is legalism to seek the Word to know the mind of Christ for obedience. This is their excuse for their rebellion.
The love of the world has replace any resemblance to God's love. Those who have been addicted to the world cannot wrap their mind around God's Love God's Way.
Romans 1:18 "18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth."
The world's love does not bring peace, it brings more unnecessary trials because of the consequences that come with rebellion against God.
When temporary feelings take center stage in one's life there are difficulties far greater than what we can see momentarily. Feelings are like the man whose inhibitions have been removed because of drunkenness.
Has anyone noticed that when someone is drunk they will do things they would not have done if they were sober? Notice too that those who indulge in obedience to feelings also do things that normal reason and logic would have prevented them from doing otherwise.
Following feelings as a way of dealing with life will only bring devastation. We must think with the mind of Christ, know His Word and obey what we hear to avoid the pitfalls of feeling oriented decisions.
This drunkenness causes a stupor of tolerance toward sin, causing it to grow in the body of Christ.
Apostasy and apathy go hand in hand. The lack of concern about loving God more than man, brings disobedience and arrogance to the body. Scriptures are twisted, maligned, ignored and even mocked by those who hate to obey anyone.
The Holy Spirit is mocked while God's principles are ignored.
Attacks against the believer who loves to use the Word of God as the standard for discussion is railed against. Then the personal attacks to our character begin.
When the narcissist does not have an answer for our questions about the principles of God, they begin attacking us, even accusing us of aggressiveness as they mock and demean us, claiming things about us that are not true, even laughing at us to intimidate us into silence.
Do not be unnerved by these tactics, they are nothing more than a smoke screen for a tortured and rebellious soul. God is clear that we will be seeing this barrage of persecution against us in these last days.
The love is gone, at least God's Love His Way, is a thing of the past for most people who say they are Christians. The only concern these people have is that they be elevated, praised and appreciated by others, they have little concern about obedience to God's Word. These people claim it is legalism to seek the Word to know the mind of Christ for obedience. This is their excuse for their rebellion.
The love of the world has replace any resemblance to God's love. Those who have been addicted to the world cannot wrap their mind around God's Love God's Way.
Romans 1:18 "18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth."
The world's love does not bring peace, it brings more unnecessary trials because of the consequences that come with rebellion against God.
When temporary feelings take center stage in one's life there are difficulties far greater than what we can see momentarily. Feelings are like the man whose inhibitions have been removed because of drunkenness.
Has anyone noticed that when someone is drunk they will do things they would not have done if they were sober? Notice too that those who indulge in obedience to feelings also do things that normal reason and logic would have prevented them from doing otherwise.
Following feelings as a way of dealing with life will only bring devastation. We must think with the mind of Christ, know His Word and obey what we hear to avoid the pitfalls of feeling oriented decisions.
What is Love According to God
The church is not only accepting sin within it's ranks but is in many cases embracing it to demonstrate "tolerance", the tolerance for sin that negates and nullifies God.
Those who call it love to remain silent while people are going to hell or while those in the body of Christ are sinning against God, do not understand God's love.
God's love is first toward God and then toward man. When we love God first then we will love man God's way.
Proverbs 27:5
"Better is open rebuke than hidden love."
1 Timothy 5:20
"As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear."
Titus 2:15
"Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you."
2 Timothy 4:2
"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."
James 5:20
"Let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."
Proverbs 27:6
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy."
Proverbs 1:23
"If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you."
There is no greater love than turning someone from their sin toward God.
Those who call it love to remain silent while people are going to hell or while those in the body of Christ are sinning against God, do not understand God's love.
God's love is first toward God and then toward man. When we love God first then we will love man God's way.
Proverbs 27:5
"Better is open rebuke than hidden love."
1 Timothy 5:20
"As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear."
Titus 2:15
"Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you."
2 Timothy 4:2
"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."
James 5:20
"Let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."
Proverbs 27:6
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy."
Proverbs 1:23
"If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you."
There is no greater love than turning someone from their sin toward God.
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