The WAY one thinks will determines their response to every situation.
If someone is invited to a meal by someone whom they do not like, the guest will be critical of the food, the table settings, the decorations and everything else that goes on in the gathering. That person will be seen as all bad and completely inept.
Those who are born again believers ought to move past their prejudice toward someone to maintain a stance of respect and objectivity in spite of their feelings.
Someone who cannot validate in any way the one for whom they have contempt, is walking in pride obeying their feelings rather than rational evaluation. They often act as though they are enjoying their evil feelings of superiority. This person is to be avoided, they bring only chaos to any relationship.
Those who treat others badly, whether covertly or openly, are demonstrating deep contempt merely because they desire to appear superior.
When we know what we were before we became born again and what we would still be without Christ, we could never treat someone else disrespectfully or contemptuously simply to elevate self.
And, yes, I do question the salvation of those who have not changed in all their years as a Christian. When we become born again the fruit becomes evident to all who want to admit the change in us.
There are those in our lives who do not want to admit that we have changed, because they have not changed. Remaining exactly the same after 40 years of church attendance is a very big clue that the one who does not change was never born again. There are many of these in the church today. A further clue is that when challenged on scripture to obey God, these people become angry and vengeful.
Those who question themselves saying, "I wonder if I am a selfish fleshly person", are likely not that, because a narcissist would never question themselves, they would refuse to look at themselves in truth.
Those who question themselves in a desire to grow spiritually are the ones who WILL grow, they WILL progress because the Lord loves to give us what we want when it aligns with His principles.
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."
May those who walk in pride repent and may those who seek the Lord be blessed with great wisdom as they obey what they know from the Word.
Sunday, August 26, 2018
Saturday, August 25, 2018
Only Through Christ Alone
Most people think they are going to heaven for the one or two good acts they have done in their life. They are working their way to heaven without actually doing much. Little do they realize that it doesn't matter how many good works they do, it will not get them there.
Only believing Christ will one become saved from their sin and hell.
Ephesians 2:8-10 "…8 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life."
Only believing Christ will one become saved from their sin and hell.
Ephesians 2:8-10 "…8 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life."
They Rejected God's Messengers
Those who hate truth always hate the one who brings it!!!
Paul and all the apostles who were martyred.
Jesus Christ they hung on a tree and many others down through the ages had more to lose than we do, rejection of friendship.....really....how could that possibly compare to what the apostles and other martyrs endured.
Especially our Lord Jesus Christ who gave up His elevated status in heaven to come to earth and endure the worst form of rejection......and get this......that those who persecuted Him might be saved.
Go figure!!!!!
Paul and all the apostles who were martyred.
Jesus Christ they hung on a tree and many others down through the ages had more to lose than we do, rejection of friendship.....really....how could that possibly compare to what the apostles and other martyrs endured.
Especially our Lord Jesus Christ who gave up His elevated status in heaven to come to earth and endure the worst form of rejection......and get this......that those who persecuted Him might be saved.
Go figure!!!!!
Friday, August 24, 2018
When the Last Believer Believes
I am convinced that the day they shut the Christians down is the day we will be going up in the rapture. God is using this medium right now for the end times push to get out the truth. When the truth has been given and the last soul has come to Christ, we will all be going home and facebook will have no witness to comfort people.
Imagine a world in which there is no hope. The earth is falling apart, people have become frighteningly mean and brutal but there is no where one can escape.
This is the picture of the tribulation after the saints have been removed in the rapture.
The warnings have gone out over the entire earth, that the rapture is coming and soon the choice to be saved will be finished for those who have heard and rejected.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 "1 As God’s fellow workers, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For He says: “In the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation! "
Imagine a world in which there is no hope. The earth is falling apart, people have become frighteningly mean and brutal but there is no where one can escape.
This is the picture of the tribulation after the saints have been removed in the rapture.
The warnings have gone out over the entire earth, that the rapture is coming and soon the choice to be saved will be finished for those who have heard and rejected.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 "1 As God’s fellow workers, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For He says: “In the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation! "
Remove the Idols in Your Mind
There is one mediator between God and man, that is Christ Jesus!
When anyone elevates their pastor as the authority over them, then they have an idol. Christ is the only authority over the born again believer.
Leaders in the church are helpers, servers to remind us of God's Words, they have no authority to dictate for Christ.
Leaders in the church lead by example and teaching, not mandates or allegiance to them.
1 Peter 5:2-3 "…2Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. "
1 Timothy 2:5 "5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,"
If anyone is confessing to or obeying a priest they are placing that priest in the roll of Christ, he is an idol. Stop placing men in the roll that only belongs to Christ.
When anyone elevates their pastor as the authority over them, then they have an idol. Christ is the only authority over the born again believer.
Leaders in the church are helpers, servers to remind us of God's Words, they have no authority to dictate for Christ.
Leaders in the church lead by example and teaching, not mandates or allegiance to them.
1 Peter 5:2-3 "…2Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. "
1 Timothy 2:5 "5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,"
If anyone is confessing to or obeying a priest they are placing that priest in the roll of Christ, he is an idol. Stop placing men in the roll that only belongs to Christ.
Fool Equals Narcissist
"Fools" is the word God uses for "narcissists". They hate correction or instruction. Since they believe they already know everything, or at least desire to present the false image of knowing everything, they can never admit when they have flaws or were wrong about something.
These self righteous people exude an attitude of superiority over those they perceive to be less than they.
One can never get to know another person as long as they are minimizing them for personal aggrandizement.
There can never be a good relationship with anyone, since the only people they allow in their lives are those who elevate them. Superficiality and pretense dominates their lives to such a degree that no one can know them and no one measures up to them.
Hiding is the favorite MO of the narcissist. They come unglued when anyone finds them out. The one who has discovered the real them become the target to be destroyed. If the target cannot be dominated by the narcissist, the narcissist will attempt to control how others view the target through half truth and lies in their gossip.
Proverbs 18:2
"A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion."
When a fool is confronted with anything about themselves they will rage and carry out revenge.
Proverbs 1:7
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
We live in a world now that is increasing in this mentality of superiority due to the self esteem teaching. Those who elevate self above others cannot learn and grow.
We are watching a world in which adults are acting more like children than they are like adults.
The play mentality that dominates our culture is keeping people spiritually and emotionally younger than their biological age.
God calls this foolishness!
1 Corinthians 13:11 "11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I set aside childish ways."
Our church gatherings are full of gown up children who need entertainment to keep them engaged. They cannot seem to just enjoy worshiping, it must be lively and fun, as though attending a party.
In the first century church the people brought food, worshiped and preached all day, it was their joy. The purpose was to worship God, grow in wisdom and fellowship with one another around the Word of God. The meal was to be able to stay all day without having to leave to eat.
There are many distractions today that cause people to want to "get it over with quickly", so they can go home and play.
Most of us have had that sense that "the service went to long today", its a brain washing we endured when we were growing up, one in which church was a place you went to fulfill an obligation.
Sadly relationships have become this way too. If there isn't entertainment involved many will not visit those who do not provide amusement.
Believers, do not be discouraged by this, keep your fervor by realizing this is prophesied for the end times. The best way to endure this is to become the person God wants you to be through the help of the Holy Spirit.
Remind yourself that Lot did not have others to come alongside, neither did Noah. All the prophets were living in cultures just like ours today, having no one to come along side, they had only God to keep them encouraged.
We are not called to be what our culture wants us to be, we are free to be what God wants for us no matter what anyone else is doing, even if we obey God all by ourselves.
These self righteous people exude an attitude of superiority over those they perceive to be less than they.
One can never get to know another person as long as they are minimizing them for personal aggrandizement.
There can never be a good relationship with anyone, since the only people they allow in their lives are those who elevate them. Superficiality and pretense dominates their lives to such a degree that no one can know them and no one measures up to them.
Hiding is the favorite MO of the narcissist. They come unglued when anyone finds them out. The one who has discovered the real them become the target to be destroyed. If the target cannot be dominated by the narcissist, the narcissist will attempt to control how others view the target through half truth and lies in their gossip.
Proverbs 18:2
"A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion."
When a fool is confronted with anything about themselves they will rage and carry out revenge.
Proverbs 1:7
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
We live in a world now that is increasing in this mentality of superiority due to the self esteem teaching. Those who elevate self above others cannot learn and grow.
We are watching a world in which adults are acting more like children than they are like adults.
The play mentality that dominates our culture is keeping people spiritually and emotionally younger than their biological age.
God calls this foolishness!
1 Corinthians 13:11 "11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I set aside childish ways."
Our church gatherings are full of gown up children who need entertainment to keep them engaged. They cannot seem to just enjoy worshiping, it must be lively and fun, as though attending a party.
In the first century church the people brought food, worshiped and preached all day, it was their joy. The purpose was to worship God, grow in wisdom and fellowship with one another around the Word of God. The meal was to be able to stay all day without having to leave to eat.
There are many distractions today that cause people to want to "get it over with quickly", so they can go home and play.
Most of us have had that sense that "the service went to long today", its a brain washing we endured when we were growing up, one in which church was a place you went to fulfill an obligation.
Sadly relationships have become this way too. If there isn't entertainment involved many will not visit those who do not provide amusement.
Believers, do not be discouraged by this, keep your fervor by realizing this is prophesied for the end times. The best way to endure this is to become the person God wants you to be through the help of the Holy Spirit.
Remind yourself that Lot did not have others to come alongside, neither did Noah. All the prophets were living in cultures just like ours today, having no one to come along side, they had only God to keep them encouraged.
We are not called to be what our culture wants us to be, we are free to be what God wants for us no matter what anyone else is doing, even if we obey God all by ourselves.
Saved Eternally at the Moment of Salvation
For those who think they are working their way to heaven through their obedience, remember you cannot be good enough and you cannot save yourself by your works.
Christ is the One Who saves, we merely believe and He does all the rest of the work. We become born again, sealed by His Holy Spirit never to be lost again. EVER!!!!! We become "ETERNALLY Saved."
Ephesians 1:13-14 "13 And in Him you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, having heard and believed the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. 14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.…"
Hebrews 13:5 "Let your manner of living be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have. For He hath said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”;
Hebrews 12:5-7 "…5And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, or lose heart when He rebukes you. 6For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.” 7Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"
Matthew 7:21-23 as you have quoted above is speaking of people who claim to be Christian but were pretenders who were never born again. Notice in that passage God says, "I NEVER knew you." He didn's say "I used to know you." He Said "I NEVER knew you."
Prov 3:11-12 "My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in."
1 Cor 11:32 "But when God does judge us, he disciplines us as his own sons, that we may not be involved in the general condemnation of the world."
We are not sinless but we do sin less as we grow in holiness. If God's blood didn't cover all our sin, then His death on the cross was foolishness. He paid the price for our sin and gives us the grace to grow in holiness through the training of His Holy Spirit. We are counted as seated with Christ right now in the heavenlies, because of His seal.
Ephesians 2:5-7 "…5 made us alive with Christ, even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved! 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.…"
Christ is the One Who saves, we merely believe and He does all the rest of the work. We become born again, sealed by His Holy Spirit never to be lost again. EVER!!!!! We become "ETERNALLY Saved."
Ephesians 1:13-14 "13 And in Him you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, having heard and believed the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. 14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.…"
Hebrews 13:5 "Let your manner of living be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have. For He hath said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”;
Hebrews 12:5-7 "…5And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, or lose heart when He rebukes you. 6For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.” 7Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"
Matthew 7:21-23 as you have quoted above is speaking of people who claim to be Christian but were pretenders who were never born again. Notice in that passage God says, "I NEVER knew you." He didn's say "I used to know you." He Said "I NEVER knew you."
Prov 3:11-12 "My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in."
1 Cor 11:32 "But when God does judge us, he disciplines us as his own sons, that we may not be involved in the general condemnation of the world."
We are not sinless but we do sin less as we grow in holiness. If God's blood didn't cover all our sin, then His death on the cross was foolishness. He paid the price for our sin and gives us the grace to grow in holiness through the training of His Holy Spirit. We are counted as seated with Christ right now in the heavenlies, because of His seal.
Ephesians 2:5-7 "…5 made us alive with Christ, even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved! 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.…"
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