The Fruit is the Proof

Spiritual fruit of the born again believer:

Galatians 5:22-23
"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

1. Loves the Word of God, determined to know what God wants and how God thinks.

2. Loves God's people

3. Talks about God frequently, even interprets life events in terms of the Scriptures.

4. Hates any sin they see in their own life, enough to confess to be cleansed.

1 John 1:9
"9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

5. They know God sees all they think and do, they tend to be sensitive to any slight in their own walk and in the walk of those who claim to be Christian.

6. They judge righteously, not based on their feelings but based on the truth of God's word.

Born again believers are continually evaluating their walk, searching the word to know the mind of Christ. In short, they love Christ more than anything or anyone else. No one takes priority over Jesus Christ in the heart of the born again believer.

1 Corinthians 2:15-16 "…15 The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment. 16“For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ."

In the matter of youth leaders

It is not necessary for us to "relate to the youth", it is necessary that we have the wisdom to teach truth and bring them through their youth wiser than they were before. What people really mean is that they want to bring in a young leader so the youth will want to come. This is foolishness. If the only reason someone is coming is to have fun and enjoy the silly youth leader, then they are coming for the wrong reason. I believe a lot of young people are leaving churches because the proceedings are childish, silly and boring. Thinking people want to be challenged beyond where they are at. Those who have questions about God don't care about being entertained, they want truth.

Youth pastors cannot possibly know enough of life to have the wisdom needed to teach young people. They are novices still learning themselves. Sadly the Bible colleges today place more value on schooling than they do on the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Learning in a Bible college does not bring maturity, it often brings only arrogance and self exaltation. There are many far wiser men of God who have not attended these colleges than come out of them.

When someone looks to "education" more than or instead of the leading of the Holy Spirit, they only end up with educated neophytes who think they are wiser than everyone else. These people are often arrogant and self righteous, unteachable and determined to shut down anyone who challenges them.

1 Timothy 3:5-7 "…5 For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.…"

In order to have been proven to manage his household, the leader must have grown children. A life time of learning, growing and managing his life well before the Lord, proves a need for the leader to be older, not a youth, newly married, single or without grown children.

The entire system of a one man pastor led gathering is fostered by these Bible colleges. One is not seen as being in ministry unless they have graduated one of these indoctrination centers. The certificate that acquire from attending these schools brings self recognition.

When we walk with Christ, He guides us, teaches us and brings us into His ministry for us. Each one has a job to do, not just one, but everyone .

John 16:13-14 "13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you.…"

1 Corinthians 12:14-16 "…14 For the body does not consist of one part, but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body."

Men training men for the ministry is not God's plan, it is man's way of taking back control over the work of the Lord.

We are to mentor as led by God, but the whole idea of training pastors to be one man pastors is bad doctrine to begin with. God trains men to become whatever He wants them. He teaches them through His word. When men attempt to do the job of the Holy Spirit they fail miserably, bringing false teachings and traditions to bear on those they teach.

Prophesy is Playing Out in Front of Us

Believers we are so close to going home that we can sense the the end as if we could touch it. We are living in the days of 2 Timothy 3. We are so used to this progression of hatred in the world that we began to think it was normal until the Lord opened our eyes to what was happening. It helps to know prophesy, gaining discernment about the prophetic calendar and what it all looks like. Perhaps the prophets will want to ask us what it was really like. We have seen things they wrote about but didn't understand, now we understand them as they unfold.  Gwendolyn Wehage

T.W. Tramm wrote:

IN 1 THESSALONIANS, Paul writes to the Church concerning the day of the Lord:

“Concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief” (1 Thess. 5:1-4).

The Greek word translated “times” in this passage, chronos, refers to a particular duration or span of time.

The Greek word translated “season,” kairos, refers to a suitable or favorable moment and implies things “coming to a head.”

And so, Paul is telling us that the day of the Lord will commence—

• After a particular duration or span of time (chronos).

• At the suitable or favorable moment, when things are coming to a head (kairos).

• When people are saying “peace and safety.”

With the above in view, it’s eye-opening to consider where we, today, stand on God’s prophetic timeline and also a present-day convergence of events and circumstances.

TIMELINES

As of summer 2018 it has been—

• 6,000 years since the biblically reckoned time of Creation.

• 120 years since the First Zionist Congress, the first major step in reestablishing the State of Israel.

• 100 years since the Balfour Declaration, the second major step in reestablishing the State of Israel.

• 70 years since the Nation of Israel was reestablished in 1948 (Matt. 24:32-34; Ps. 90:10).

• 50 years since Israel’s capital, Jerusalem, was restored in 1967 (Dan. 9:25).

• 49 years since the Jews began to rebuild Jerusalem in 1969 (Dan. 9:25).

In Scripture, the numbers 6,000, 120, 100, 70, 50, and 49 denote the endpoint of a timespan related to God’s plan of redemption.

EVENTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES

• Peace and safety: summer 2018 is set to see the unveiling of a Mideast peace plan being touted the deal of the century. The Trump Administration’s novel approach and push for a solution to the 50-year-old land dispute distinguishes this peace proposal from others. Observers note there is a sense of “now or never” concerning a deal, as conditions in the region are seen as conducive in a way they may never be again.

Also this summer—

• Iran and its proxies have become increasingly antagonistic toward Israel and Saudi Arabia, creating a tinderbox environment across the Middle East.

• The US embassy move to Jerusalem has put the Holy City, more than ever, at the center of world controversy (Zech. 12:2).

• Damascus is being reduced to a pile of rubble before our eyes (Isa. 17).

• Russia, Iran, and Turkey are in alliance against Israel (Ezek. 38).

• Overheated economies, massive debt, and an escalating trade war have set the stage for a worldwide economic collapse and hyperinflation (Rev. 6:6).

• Seismic and meteorological phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanism, sinkholes, geysers, freak storms, floods, fires, droughts, and extreme temperatures are increasing in frequency and intensity.

• Signs in the heavens: the latest prophetic harbinger to garner worldwide attention is the century’s longest-in-duration and most viewable blood moon eclipse, set to occur over the Middle East and Europe later this month.

Are you getting the picture?

In his letter to the Church at Thessalonica, Paul teaches that the day of the Lord will begin after a certain duration of time, at a favorable moment when things are coming to a head, and when people are saying “peace and safety” (1 Thess. 5:1-4).

Most importantly, Paul explains that the day of the Lord will come upon the unbelieving world “suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape” (v. 3). The good news is that those who have received salvation through Jesus Christ *will* escape.

“For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thess. 5:9-11).

Jesus is coming soon.

Loving Self Creates Chaos and Disobedience

The more we are in love with ourselves the less we can love others.

Isn't it interesting that the world teaches just the opposite of the biblical principle of self love. The school systems, the colleges, the high schools and even in elementary schools everyone is robotically repeating the mantra, "you have to love yourself first in order to love others."

Sounds very good until one understands the principle of love through God's eyes. We are born loving ourselves too much, so much so that we have to be trained to love others. We don't have to train a two year old to be selfish, that comes automatically, instinctively they demand their way without any thought of their parents or siblings.

While the devil has been deceiving people into placing themselves above everyone including God, he has managed to convince the selfishly inclined that they are doing a good thing by elevating self to god like status. The same way he deceived Eve in the garden, he has been convincing people clear until this very day, to view themselves as first and foremost above every person and even God.

Philippians 2:2-4 "…2 then make my joy complete by being of one mind, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

As believers our joy is rooted in our security in Christ, His provision, His truth and His ability to be the Fatherly figure we need outweighs any need to be accepted or elevated by man. When we elevate Him above ourselves and above others we walk in confidence and joy, without worries and anxieties.

1 Peter 5:6-8 "…6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you. 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."

Self focus creates insecurity, our idols are men rather than confidence in Christ. The devil wants us to be insecure, dependent on the acceptance of men, it gives him more power over us.

The devil has no power over born again believers who are confident about who they are in Christ. The devil demands the building of pride, the very thing that got him thrown out of heaven. God demands humility and trust in Him, this brings great joy and spiritual and emotional stability.

Hallelujah!!!!

Christ Works in Us

An authentic person is not one who scans the room to see what others are doing and then act acceptable to others.

The authentic person is themselves no matter who they are with. How others expect an authentic person to act is not important to them, they must remain true to what they believe.

As born again believers we are not concerned with being accepted by man. Since we are accepted by Christ our only concern and prayer is that Christ work in us His way in His timing.

Whether or not I am "good enough" is not worthy of our attention. We know we are not good enough, we cannot be good enough. It is only Christ Who is good enough and He has imputed His goodness to us.

Christ will grow us and change us over time throughout our lives, no need to worry about it or agonize over how much we have grown.

1 Peter 2:4-6 "4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For this is contained in Scripture:"

Unity God's Way!

Unity is not based on softening everything so everyone will be happy. God's unity is agreement to go to Christ and His Word to find truth. We are unified in the truth, not in mutual acceptance of sin or error.

The World Trained Them

I know that others have encountered these things, that's why I write about it. The Lord has taken me to a wonderful place of trusting Him because of everything, I praise Him and my joy is great!
When Our children were in public schools the children were being trained to follow their teachers instead of their parents. Homeschooling was just getting started then, I wanted to do it to keep my children away from the teachers. My husband was not born again yet and insisted that they go to public school.

As the years went by the children grew to despise me for teaching something different from what the teachers were teaching. Our children have been deeply indoctrinated by extended family members and the school system to elevate themselves. Through excessive praise and kitten mitten handling, they are hyper sensitive to correction to this very day. They are middle aged now, in their 40's and still are enraged when any attempt is made to share wisdom with them.

Not only were the children taught these things they began gossiping to others things that were not true in order to continue the contempt against me. Narcissists cannot be alone, they must have followers and validaters to enhance their ego.

The so called, "Christian" relatives have fostered the same attitude as the school system, the mentality that "your mother doesn't know anything." Having come from a narcissistic family in which I was the scapegoat, the children thought there must be something about me that deserves contempt because of the way the relatives and the school system were treating me.

This is the plight of anyone who swims up stream against the prevailing current. We will not only be rejected by those who love the world, but they will pass on their contempt to others who have little to no information about us. Since those who love the world are popular they will be believed when they pass on their view of their target.

The reaction of the narcissist will no doubt be anger when they read this. The born again believer who reads this will feel badly that they have been a part of the narcissistic gossip and repent. The anger in those who are prideful will show they love their gossip and refuse to ask God to show them truth.

It is common now for the devil to place irrational and angry thoughts in those who have no defense against him. They will be influenced more by their feelings than they are by reasoning and facts. When an entire culture is driven by feelings, the war zones grow larger. When anger drives a culture, there is no place that is safe for the believer.

Thank the Lord we are not yet being imprisoned for our faith in this country, but we are attacked frequently by family and systems that honor popular opinion above God.

We know who our friends are by the way they treat us. It makes no sense to keep in our lives those who love to treat us with contempt. Especially if those people call themselves Christians.
Treating other brothers and sisters in Christ with contempt and lack of respect is sin, here is what God says about it;

1 Corinthians 5:11-12 "11 But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 12 What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?…"

Proverbs
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

Treating a brother or sister in Christ with contempt and demeaning merely because of what you might hear about them from others is indulging in gossip, but even worse is the treatment based on the gossip.

If you did not go to the person who is the object of the gossip to find out the truth, then you love your gossip. If you cannot bring yourself to go to the person gossiped against, then your responsibility is to choose not to believe anything you have not seen for yourself or investigated for yourself.