For those who would criticize our president for removing the troops from Syria, here is my answer to that!
Damascus is about to fall and removing our troops is just another piece of the prophesy puzzle.
Dare we criticize God's prophesy?
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
A test of spiritual maturity.
Too much focus on worry about whether or not we are maturing is a self focus, however pondering from time to time as we hear from the Holy Spirit will reveal our spiritual health.
We should be evaluating ourselves as questions arise. Especially when someone else corrects us. The Holy Spirit uses other believers to correct and rebuke.
Are you teachable, rebukable or correctable? The answer will be clear as we ponder our responses to a correction.
If you base your reactions on feelings, emotion or the delivery of the one who rebukes, you are spiritually immature.
We ought to be able to accept and pray about a rebuke no matter what the delivery is, if the delivery is the excuse to reject the rebuke then there is spiritual immaturity.
Rebukable people have a humble and wise spirit. They do not focus on the delivery, the feelings or the emotions, rather they focus on whether or not the rebuke is correct.
Since a rebuke cannot be worse by any means than our understanding of the gospel, we see a rebuke as minor to the understanding that we are all pond scum without Christ.
When we know we do not deserve anything, that we are not special or better than others it is easy to receive a rebuke in comparison to how God viewed us before we were born again.
Hebrews 3:12-13 "12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness."
What is your response when you are rebuked? Do you rage, do you defend yourself, do you dismiss as though unimportant, or do you pray to understand, do you listen to learn and do you repent if the rebuke is found to be deserved?
One of the signs of a prideful person who is stubborn is their automatic reaction to a rebuke. These people will rage almost immediately, they will punish with silence and non-responsiveness as well as gossip to malign those who rebuked them. Prideful people refuse to listen and they refuse to be honest in their responses. When they are caught in their wrong state they will refuse to answer even simple questions.
A sign of the humble teachable and correctable person is their desire to learn more, to talk things out and to come to an understanding. The humble teachable person will respond with interest desiring to learn more, either to understand or to repent if needed.
We live in a world today that fosters an attitude of pride, loving their self elevated status that looms in their own mind, so much so that they will bludgeon anyone who dares to correct them.
Psalm 104:7
"At Your rebuke they fled, At the sound of Your thunder they hurried away."
Proverbs 6:23
"For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; And reproofs for discipline are the way of life."
Rebuke and correction should be a way of life for all those who are following Christ. There is much work to be done in all of us, refusing correction merely delays the growing process. Stubborn people often grow into old age as spiritually immature as they were when they were young. It is in acknowledging our flaws that we can change and grow. Those who refuse to admit their own flaws will never grow until they can be honest about themselves.
Proverbs 17:10
'A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred blows into a fool."
Proverbs 19:25
"Strike a scoffer and the naive may become shrewd, But reprove one who has understanding and he will gain knowledge."
Proverbs 9:7-8
"He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, Reprove a wise man and he will love you."
We live among those who are scoffers, they refuse correction while continually spouting their foolishness as though it were from the Bible.
Do not be afraid to rebuke, if the one receiving the rebuke rages in anger that is our clue to remove ourselves and leave them to God. These are not teachable people, further contact with them will only bring heartache. When we realize we cannot reach someone for the gospel or a believer for correction then our job is finished, time to shake the dust from the feet and move on to others who will listen.
Matthew 10:13-15 "…13 If the home is worthy, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 And if anyone will not welcome you or heed your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town."
Another tactic of stubborn people who do not want to listen is the use of joking to divert attention from the subject at hand. When we meet someone who will not engage rationally and reasonably while remaining on topic we have met someone who avoids any self reflection. These people will either joke or rage, there is no in between. It is impossible to work out a problem with someone like this. God speaks about these people in His Word.
Proverbs 29:8-10 "…8 Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger. 9 If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution. 10 Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life.…"
Ever since God began showing me the various nuances of the rebellious heart I have been able to discern quickly the attitude of those who avoid truth. We cannot help someone or work out a difficulty when those involved will not be honest, open, calm and reflective.
Proverbs 26:4
"Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him."
Proverbs 29:8
"Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger."
Titus 1:12 -"14 As one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them harshly, so that they will be sound in the faith 14 and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth.…"
We should be evaluating ourselves as questions arise. Especially when someone else corrects us. The Holy Spirit uses other believers to correct and rebuke.
Are you teachable, rebukable or correctable? The answer will be clear as we ponder our responses to a correction.
If you base your reactions on feelings, emotion or the delivery of the one who rebukes, you are spiritually immature.
We ought to be able to accept and pray about a rebuke no matter what the delivery is, if the delivery is the excuse to reject the rebuke then there is spiritual immaturity.
Rebukable people have a humble and wise spirit. They do not focus on the delivery, the feelings or the emotions, rather they focus on whether or not the rebuke is correct.
Since a rebuke cannot be worse by any means than our understanding of the gospel, we see a rebuke as minor to the understanding that we are all pond scum without Christ.
When we know we do not deserve anything, that we are not special or better than others it is easy to receive a rebuke in comparison to how God viewed us before we were born again.
Hebrews 3:12-13 "12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness."
What is your response when you are rebuked? Do you rage, do you defend yourself, do you dismiss as though unimportant, or do you pray to understand, do you listen to learn and do you repent if the rebuke is found to be deserved?
One of the signs of a prideful person who is stubborn is their automatic reaction to a rebuke. These people will rage almost immediately, they will punish with silence and non-responsiveness as well as gossip to malign those who rebuked them. Prideful people refuse to listen and they refuse to be honest in their responses. When they are caught in their wrong state they will refuse to answer even simple questions.
A sign of the humble teachable and correctable person is their desire to learn more, to talk things out and to come to an understanding. The humble teachable person will respond with interest desiring to learn more, either to understand or to repent if needed.
We live in a world today that fosters an attitude of pride, loving their self elevated status that looms in their own mind, so much so that they will bludgeon anyone who dares to correct them.
Psalm 104:7
"At Your rebuke they fled, At the sound of Your thunder they hurried away."
Proverbs 6:23
"For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; And reproofs for discipline are the way of life."
Rebuke and correction should be a way of life for all those who are following Christ. There is much work to be done in all of us, refusing correction merely delays the growing process. Stubborn people often grow into old age as spiritually immature as they were when they were young. It is in acknowledging our flaws that we can change and grow. Those who refuse to admit their own flaws will never grow until they can be honest about themselves.
Proverbs 17:10
'A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred blows into a fool."
Proverbs 19:25
"Strike a scoffer and the naive may become shrewd, But reprove one who has understanding and he will gain knowledge."
Proverbs 9:7-8
"He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, Reprove a wise man and he will love you."
We live among those who are scoffers, they refuse correction while continually spouting their foolishness as though it were from the Bible.
Do not be afraid to rebuke, if the one receiving the rebuke rages in anger that is our clue to remove ourselves and leave them to God. These are not teachable people, further contact with them will only bring heartache. When we realize we cannot reach someone for the gospel or a believer for correction then our job is finished, time to shake the dust from the feet and move on to others who will listen.
Matthew 10:13-15 "…13 If the home is worthy, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 And if anyone will not welcome you or heed your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town."
Another tactic of stubborn people who do not want to listen is the use of joking to divert attention from the subject at hand. When we meet someone who will not engage rationally and reasonably while remaining on topic we have met someone who avoids any self reflection. These people will either joke or rage, there is no in between. It is impossible to work out a problem with someone like this. God speaks about these people in His Word.
Proverbs 29:8-10 "…8 Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger. 9 If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution. 10 Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life.…"
Ever since God began showing me the various nuances of the rebellious heart I have been able to discern quickly the attitude of those who avoid truth. We cannot help someone or work out a difficulty when those involved will not be honest, open, calm and reflective.
Proverbs 26:4
"Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him."
Proverbs 29:8
"Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger."
Titus 1:12 -"14 As one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them harshly, so that they will be sound in the faith 14 and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth.…"
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Ignore the Feelings Look for the Facts
"Facts Don't Care About Feelings"
"Feelings are not Facts.
"Feelings come and go they must be ignored."
The Age of Feelings over Reason!
It is a common story in our day for those who raised children in the 70's and beyond to be estranged from their adult children and they never know why.
Sometimes its rebellious in law children who hate our Christian standards who influence our children. Other times it just that the children didn't like obeying their parent or parents and rejected any guidance or correction during their years as a child in their parents home.
I meet many people who have the same trials. None of my children will give me specifics as to why they have such contempt for me.
This leads me to believe the devil is placing irrational feelings in their heart that are not supported by events.
When someone uses generalities such as, "you are mean spirited", "you didn't care", "you didn't listen", and other favored mantras, they are seldom followed up by specific stories that demonstrated these things.
It has been my experience that when we try to get to the root of the problem the accuser shuts down the conversation refusing to speak of the specific things that were done to make them think the way they do.
When there are no specifics but the angst is intense I have to believe there is demonic influence in involved. The devil can make a person feel badly, even hate toward someone when there has been nothing to indicate a reason.
Have you ever been somewhere happy and all of a sudden for no reason at all you began to feel sad but cannot see any reason? These tactics of the devil are common, this is the reason we cannot depend on feelings for our truth.
We must ignore our feelings and reason with our minds the facts. When we do this the feelings leave and the facts dominate.
Far too many people in our culture are living by their feelings and not facts. Our entire culture is completely engaged in feelings far more than facts.
One good example of this is the irrational transgender business. The facts of science prove which gender we are, but those who wish to be another gender than what God made them lean into their feelings and decide they are the opposite of what God made them.
Often we have to take the question to its logical extreme to determine the meanings of things.
We live in a culture now that is hyper-sensitive to criticism, they cannot received constructive and helpful criticism without becoming angry and even enraged. These people never grow emotionally or spiritually, they remain infants their entire lives because they cannot learn from life and others.
These are the days we are living in, the days of "perilous times", that is "ragingly insane" times. The key to living in these times unscathed is to keep focused on Christ, His truth and remain calm in the face of the character assassinations and rejection we are likely to encounter, some far more than others. God promised us that it would be this way, He told us so we could remain strong and steadfast.
Keep going, don't give up and don't give in to the evil around!
Sometimes its rebellious in law children who hate our Christian standards who influence our children. Other times it just that the children didn't like obeying their parent or parents and rejected any guidance or correction during their years as a child in their parents home.
I meet many people who have the same trials. None of my children will give me specifics as to why they have such contempt for me.
This leads me to believe the devil is placing irrational feelings in their heart that are not supported by events.
When someone uses generalities such as, "you are mean spirited", "you didn't care", "you didn't listen", and other favored mantras, they are seldom followed up by specific stories that demonstrated these things.
It has been my experience that when we try to get to the root of the problem the accuser shuts down the conversation refusing to speak of the specific things that were done to make them think the way they do.
When there are no specifics but the angst is intense I have to believe there is demonic influence in involved. The devil can make a person feel badly, even hate toward someone when there has been nothing to indicate a reason.
Have you ever been somewhere happy and all of a sudden for no reason at all you began to feel sad but cannot see any reason? These tactics of the devil are common, this is the reason we cannot depend on feelings for our truth.
We must ignore our feelings and reason with our minds the facts. When we do this the feelings leave and the facts dominate.
Far too many people in our culture are living by their feelings and not facts. Our entire culture is completely engaged in feelings far more than facts.
One good example of this is the irrational transgender business. The facts of science prove which gender we are, but those who wish to be another gender than what God made them lean into their feelings and decide they are the opposite of what God made them.
Often we have to take the question to its logical extreme to determine the meanings of things.
We live in a culture now that is hyper-sensitive to criticism, they cannot received constructive and helpful criticism without becoming angry and even enraged. These people never grow emotionally or spiritually, they remain infants their entire lives because they cannot learn from life and others.
These are the days we are living in, the days of "perilous times", that is "ragingly insane" times. The key to living in these times unscathed is to keep focused on Christ, His truth and remain calm in the face of the character assassinations and rejection we are likely to encounter, some far more than others. God promised us that it would be this way, He told us so we could remain strong and steadfast.
Keep going, don't give up and don't give in to the evil around!
The Calvinist View of Marriage
A very Calvinist view of marriage is the concept that a woman should obey her husband even when he asks her to do sinful and wicked things.
The Calvinists believe that woman basically have no will of her own, she is validated by her obedience to her husband even if he is sinning or asking her to sin.
Romans 6:12-14
“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”
This passage in Roman is given to all believers men and women alike.
A good example of this is when a man once told me that he counseled a young woman, a new believer, that she should look at pornographic videos with her unsaved husband because he was the head of the household and she must obey Him.
The Calvinists believe that God is the author of sin and if someone sins it was His will that they sin for His purposes therefore sin is tolerated as the will of God.
To obey a man who is our authority, even at a job when they ask us to sin flies in the face of God's commands to obey Him.
When anyone places their authority, husband or work place boss, above the authority of God they are engaging in idolatry.
God used the evil choices of men to accomplish His will but He never commands us to sin in obedience to any man.
When a woman stands before the Lord on judgment day she alone will be accountable for her own choices. God is not going to ask her if her husband made her sin. No one makes anyone else sin not even God. Anyone who sins chooses that sin to avoid the conflict that will come if the wicked husband or boss is unhappy that we did not sin with him.
Ananias and Sapphira were good examples of this principle. Sapphira went along with her husband in lying to the Holy Spirit. She did not protest her husbands decision to sin, even embracing it for self glory.
Acts 5:1-11 "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."
Ananias and Sappira were not killed by God for selling the land for a particular price. They had a choice how much to sell it for and how much to give to God. They were killed for lying in their attempt to impress others with their giving.
Sappira was held accountable for her own choice to follow her husband's deception.
A man who demands unthinking obedience to him is not a godly man. He is a narcissist who loves his power over others even if that power destroys the spiritual well being of his wife.
There is no strength of character in having the power to control others. True spiritual strength is the ability to teach the truth in love while allowing others to make their own decision. To force others through intimidation, mocking and even physical abuse is bullying and condemned by God.
Any woman who chooses to obey a wicked husband over the commands of God has a weak faith as well as a desire to be loved of man more than a desire to please God.
Avoidance of the consequences of doing what is right is weakness and lacks the faith to obey God even when one is hated or persecuted for doing so.
The Mormons, Islam and Calvinism all teach coercion rather than the personal choice to obey God. These are cults, false religions that do not teach leading by example as the Bible teaches, rather these cults teach absolute obedience to man without regard to God.
It is wicked for any man to place his wife in a position of violating her conscience in regard to sin. Any man who would do this is deeply sinful himself.
Ephesians 5:25-33
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,
26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.
28 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself;
29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church,
30 because we are members of His body.
31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.
33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband."
Using a wife to be able to have everything they want is not the love God speaks of in Ephesians. Loving a wife is dedication to her well being spiritually as well as physically. Dominating her to do things she does not want to do is not love. Each one must make their own choice.
If a wife does not want to obey truth then the man is to pray, no where does the Bible teach he is to coerce, mock, demean or manipulate his wife to do anything. This is wickedness of the worst sort. Let it be clear too that a spouse who does not show respect to the wife's parents is showing disrespect to the wife.
And, a wife who does not show respect to a husband's family is also showing disrespect to the husband.
Honor and respect is for everyone, not just those we like because they elevate us personally. Treating everyone with respect is godly, choosing who to treat with respect based on personal preferences is sin.
The Calvinists believe that woman basically have no will of her own, she is validated by her obedience to her husband even if he is sinning or asking her to sin.
Romans 6:12-14
“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”
This passage in Roman is given to all believers men and women alike.
A good example of this is when a man once told me that he counseled a young woman, a new believer, that she should look at pornographic videos with her unsaved husband because he was the head of the household and she must obey Him.
The Calvinists believe that God is the author of sin and if someone sins it was His will that they sin for His purposes therefore sin is tolerated as the will of God.
To obey a man who is our authority, even at a job when they ask us to sin flies in the face of God's commands to obey Him.
When anyone places their authority, husband or work place boss, above the authority of God they are engaging in idolatry.
God used the evil choices of men to accomplish His will but He never commands us to sin in obedience to any man.
When a woman stands before the Lord on judgment day she alone will be accountable for her own choices. God is not going to ask her if her husband made her sin. No one makes anyone else sin not even God. Anyone who sins chooses that sin to avoid the conflict that will come if the wicked husband or boss is unhappy that we did not sin with him.
Ananias and Sapphira were good examples of this principle. Sapphira went along with her husband in lying to the Holy Spirit. She did not protest her husbands decision to sin, even embracing it for self glory.
Acts 5:1-11 "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."
Ananias and Sappira were not killed by God for selling the land for a particular price. They had a choice how much to sell it for and how much to give to God. They were killed for lying in their attempt to impress others with their giving.
Sappira was held accountable for her own choice to follow her husband's deception.
A man who demands unthinking obedience to him is not a godly man. He is a narcissist who loves his power over others even if that power destroys the spiritual well being of his wife.
There is no strength of character in having the power to control others. True spiritual strength is the ability to teach the truth in love while allowing others to make their own decision. To force others through intimidation, mocking and even physical abuse is bullying and condemned by God.
Any woman who chooses to obey a wicked husband over the commands of God has a weak faith as well as a desire to be loved of man more than a desire to please God.
Avoidance of the consequences of doing what is right is weakness and lacks the faith to obey God even when one is hated or persecuted for doing so.
The Mormons, Islam and Calvinism all teach coercion rather than the personal choice to obey God. These are cults, false religions that do not teach leading by example as the Bible teaches, rather these cults teach absolute obedience to man without regard to God.
It is wicked for any man to place his wife in a position of violating her conscience in regard to sin. Any man who would do this is deeply sinful himself.
Ephesians 5:25-33
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,
26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.
28 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself;
29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church,
30 because we are members of His body.
31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.
33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband."
Using a wife to be able to have everything they want is not the love God speaks of in Ephesians. Loving a wife is dedication to her well being spiritually as well as physically. Dominating her to do things she does not want to do is not love. Each one must make their own choice.
If a wife does not want to obey truth then the man is to pray, no where does the Bible teach he is to coerce, mock, demean or manipulate his wife to do anything. This is wickedness of the worst sort. Let it be clear too that a spouse who does not show respect to the wife's parents is showing disrespect to the wife.
And, a wife who does not show respect to a husband's family is also showing disrespect to the husband.
Honor and respect is for everyone, not just those we like because they elevate us personally. Treating everyone with respect is godly, choosing who to treat with respect based on personal preferences is sin.
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