The argument was used on me in the south of our country that "these are our traditions" when we challenged a church on false doctrine. Their response was, "this is our tradition."
When told this my response was "then your tradition needs to change to come in line with God's commands."
When any tradition is out of sync with God's commands then it is man's traditions that need to change not God's commands ignored.
John 14:15-16 "15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—…"
What are God's commands? They are everything written in the word of God. Not everything in the Word was written to us but everything was written for our learning and understanding.
The commands given to the Jews are for our learning but not for the Gentile to follow. However, everything written in the New Testament were written to all born again believers and should be taken seriously.
The Old Testament brings understanding to the purpose of the New Testament. We must read everything to understand the heart of God.
In the Old Testament is concealed what the New Testament reveals. Christ's death, burial and resurrection are in the Old Testament as a prophesy to come. The New Testament reveals exactly the timing of the fulfillment of that OT prophesy.
The Jewish marriage covenant brings understanding to the union between Christ and His church, revealing the permanency of that betrothal, the promise kept and the going home to the Father's house.
Gentiles do not have the custom of betrothal or going home to the Father's house and were not commanded to do so. However, the picture of marriage according to the Jewish custom helps us understand our relationship with our spouse in marriage and with Christ when we become a new creation and are indwelt by Him. One day soon He will take us home to His Father's house, our Father too.
When we become one with our spouse, when God makes us one, we do not lose our personalities or individual gifts but those things are now melded with our spouse to become a part of the equation in the life of the couple.
One person does not marry and lose their identity, they bring to the marriage their identity to combine with the identity of the spouse to become a new identity with two components. No one loses who they are in marriage, two come together to blend their traits for a greater and better couple than when there was only one of you.
Any man who dominates to control a wife is acting disrespectfully and negating God's purpose in marriage. Each one has a role to play and each one brings their own talents and personalities to enhance the other so there is no lack.
No man or woman is an island, they need one another's perspective, talents and personalities to make a whole oneness out of two.
Bottom Line: there is a melding and blending not a disintegration of one to enhance the other.
Thursday, October 3, 2019
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
When the Holy Spirit is Present
When the Holy Spirit of God is present in someone's life you will see these things:
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.
There are those who do not display these qualities but think they do.
Those who have the Holy Spirit will not manipulate or mock others to appear superior.
Those who have the Holy Spirit will be empathetic, loving and engaged with others for the sake of the others.
Those who have the Holy Spirit will speak with love, kindness and spiritually instructional.
Those who do not have the Holy Spirit are not subject to anyone in love. They are continually attempting to be above others without regard to the needs of those around them. They operate from the stand point of selfish gain rather than a depth of love for those around them.
Intellectualism is not a measure of Holy Spirit control. Legalism is not a measure of the Holy Spirit control. Knowledge is not a measure of Holy Spirit control.
You will never see embarrassment at the mention of God's Word or the principles of God in someone who has been filled with the Holy Spirit.
When Christ changes someone into a new creation He changes how they see things, how they operate and their responses to life.
2 Corinthians 5:16-18 "…16 So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:…"
Those who seem to lack the fruit of the Spirit, constantly in competition to others, measuring themselves by others very likely are not born again.
It is when we are concerned about what God thinks far more than what man thinks that our focus is in its proper place.
Proverbs 29:25-26 "25 The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD will be set securely on high. 26 Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD.…"
2 Corinthians 10:12 "For we dare not number ourselves, or compare ourselves, with some who commend themselves. For in measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, they are not wise."
God is not pleased with His children gazing sideways to evaluate themselves as good enough or better than others. We are to compare ourselves with God, this will prove we will never measure up and must depend on Him to shape us and mold us.
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.
There are those who do not display these qualities but think they do.
Those who have the Holy Spirit will not manipulate or mock others to appear superior.
Those who have the Holy Spirit will be empathetic, loving and engaged with others for the sake of the others.
Those who have the Holy Spirit will speak with love, kindness and spiritually instructional.
Those who do not have the Holy Spirit are not subject to anyone in love. They are continually attempting to be above others without regard to the needs of those around them. They operate from the stand point of selfish gain rather than a depth of love for those around them.
Intellectualism is not a measure of Holy Spirit control. Legalism is not a measure of the Holy Spirit control. Knowledge is not a measure of Holy Spirit control.
You will never see embarrassment at the mention of God's Word or the principles of God in someone who has been filled with the Holy Spirit.
When Christ changes someone into a new creation He changes how they see things, how they operate and their responses to life.
2 Corinthians 5:16-18 "…16 So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:…"
Those who seem to lack the fruit of the Spirit, constantly in competition to others, measuring themselves by others very likely are not born again.
It is when we are concerned about what God thinks far more than what man thinks that our focus is in its proper place.
Proverbs 29:25-26 "25 The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD will be set securely on high. 26 Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD.…"
2 Corinthians 10:12 "For we dare not number ourselves, or compare ourselves, with some who commend themselves. For in measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, they are not wise."
God is not pleased with His children gazing sideways to evaluate themselves as good enough or better than others. We are to compare ourselves with God, this will prove we will never measure up and must depend on Him to shape us and mold us.
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Outrageous Times
"It is NOT just your church that is focusing on seekers, believing that making people Rapture-ready will result in fear, division, and members fleeing. The church right BEFORE the Rapture will be Laodicean. This is an around-the-world phenomenon." Jan Markell
We are experiencing the very end of the last days. We can expect fewer and fewer people to be interested in prophesy even though it is happening right before our eyes just as God said it would.
2 Timothy 3
"3 But realize this, that in the last days perilous (ragingly insane) 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."
We are experiencing the very end of the last days. We can expect fewer and fewer people to be interested in prophesy even though it is happening right before our eyes just as God said it would.
2 Timothy 3
"3 But realize this, that in the last days perilous (ragingly insane) 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."
Why We Encourage One Another
"Meeting the like-minded assures people that they are not the only ones who are shut down, put down, scolded and ostracized, even by loved ones, just for believing the truth." Jan Markell
One might ask why we spend so much time on facebook and other media to expose the lies and embrace the truth, its very simple, we strengthen one another as tell the truth to one another.
And, in telling the truth to one another onlookers might see our dedication to our brothers and sisters as something rare and special, there might be something to this "gospel of Christ."
John 13:24-25 "…34 A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
Our love for the truth, for Christ and one another is a strong witness to the world of something far more important than anything this world has to offer.
1 John 2:15-16 "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.…"
Romans 12:2
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God."
James 1:27
"Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
James 4:4
"You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God."
One might ask why we spend so much time on facebook and other media to expose the lies and embrace the truth, its very simple, we strengthen one another as tell the truth to one another.
And, in telling the truth to one another onlookers might see our dedication to our brothers and sisters as something rare and special, there might be something to this "gospel of Christ."
John 13:24-25 "…34 A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
Our love for the truth, for Christ and one another is a strong witness to the world of something far more important than anything this world has to offer.
1 John 2:15-16 "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.…"
Romans 12:2
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God."
James 1:27
"Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
James 4:4
"You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God."
Our King of Kings the Only One to be Excited About
I cannot get excited about any leader in this world. My eyes are so focused on Christ our King Who will rule the world with perfect justice!!!
John 12:15 Did this already:
"FEAR NOT, DAUGHTER OF ZION; BEHOLD, YOUR KING IS COMING, SEATED ON A DONKEY'S COLT."
1 Timothy 6:13-15 "13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
14 that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen."
This world is growing worse because of the evil and sin that is upon it. We have nothing to look forward to concerning this world. However we have everything to look forward to soon when Christ our King takes us home after which we will come back with Him as He destroys the evil upon the earth.
YES!!!! We will be with Him!!! But only those who are born again will experience this joy and justice.
John 12:15 Did this already:
"FEAR NOT, DAUGHTER OF ZION; BEHOLD, YOUR KING IS COMING, SEATED ON A DONKEY'S COLT."
1 Timothy 6:13-15 "13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
14 that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen."
This world is growing worse because of the evil and sin that is upon it. We have nothing to look forward to concerning this world. However we have everything to look forward to soon when Christ our King takes us home after which we will come back with Him as He destroys the evil upon the earth.
YES!!!! We will be with Him!!! But only those who are born again will experience this joy and justice.
Church Foolishness and Deception
The first century church as described in the Bible had no prescribed rituals, no one man pastor systems, no buildings to spend money on and no government involvement. The government involvement has to do with owning property, I get that, but it was never meant to be. Some believers met in synagogues that were already built, but Christ never commanded any more buildings to be built for the purpose of meeting together.
All of these things were man concocted. I will not call them sin but rather a deviation from the model God gave us. There were to be elders appointed, a plurality of leadership never just one man.
No where in the word of God do we see anyone being assigned a title such as "Pastor". There were several pastors who served it was their calling but it was not a title or a particular position, it was a gift and several men in the group had the gift, these were those who were appointed to be elders.
Titus 1:5-6 " 5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination.…"
Elders were not young men, they were those who had already raised a family and were proven to have instilled in their children the principles of God.
There is no mention of a man titled "Pastor" who ruled over anyone. The pastors who were gifted led by example and through teaching.
1 Peter 5:1-4 "5 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,
2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
Young men who are still raising children and still learning themselves should not be in a leadership position. Also it is sheer silliness to place young leaders over teenagers who follow their "leader" simply because he is young like them. We see what has happened in the gatherings because of this foolishness. We see the young leaders acting more like the peers under them than godly men with wisdom to impart.
Any teenager who attends a gathering just because their leader is a "cool dude", is not seeking Christ and will likely remain immature as long as the young leader seeks to entice the youngsters by being more like them than he is like a mature serious believer.
Its sad to me that we have more goats in the pulpit leading the lambs to slaughter than we have serious minded godly men who care deeply about the souls of those they lead.
James 3:1 "1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."
All of these things were man concocted. I will not call them sin but rather a deviation from the model God gave us. There were to be elders appointed, a plurality of leadership never just one man.
No where in the word of God do we see anyone being assigned a title such as "Pastor". There were several pastors who served it was their calling but it was not a title or a particular position, it was a gift and several men in the group had the gift, these were those who were appointed to be elders.
Titus 1:5-6 " 5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination.…"
Elders were not young men, they were those who had already raised a family and were proven to have instilled in their children the principles of God.
There is no mention of a man titled "Pastor" who ruled over anyone. The pastors who were gifted led by example and through teaching.
1 Peter 5:1-4 "5 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,
2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
Young men who are still raising children and still learning themselves should not be in a leadership position. Also it is sheer silliness to place young leaders over teenagers who follow their "leader" simply because he is young like them. We see what has happened in the gatherings because of this foolishness. We see the young leaders acting more like the peers under them than godly men with wisdom to impart.
Any teenager who attends a gathering just because their leader is a "cool dude", is not seeking Christ and will likely remain immature as long as the young leader seeks to entice the youngsters by being more like them than he is like a mature serious believer.
Its sad to me that we have more goats in the pulpit leading the lambs to slaughter than we have serious minded godly men who care deeply about the souls of those they lead.
James 3:1 "1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."
Last Days Deceptions: Vegetarianism
There is an increase in vegetarianism because we are living in the end days. The more intensely the rejection of the Bible the more we will see people promoting wrong thinking about everything.
1 Timothy 4:2-4
"2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,
3 men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.
4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude;"
Those who believe it is wrong to eat meat are defying the will of God that everything is fit to eat. It is one thing to choose not to eat meat and substitute the meat with nuts and other sources of protein but it is wrong to tell others they should not eat what God has said is good to eat.
Genesis 9:3
"Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything."
Romans 14:3
"Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him."
1 Timothy 4:2-4
"2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,
3 men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.
4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude;"
Those who believe it is wrong to eat meat are defying the will of God that everything is fit to eat. It is one thing to choose not to eat meat and substitute the meat with nuts and other sources of protein but it is wrong to tell others they should not eat what God has said is good to eat.
Genesis 9:3
"Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything."
Romans 14:3
"Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him."
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