When I began facebook I expected to be treated the way my family treated me. That is to be ignored, mocked and rejected continually. However, I promised God that I would continue anyway even if no one payed attention or validated me. BECAUSE He was the One Who was telling me to do it, it didn't matter whether anyone would like it. He said "use it for Me."
Then something happened that I did not expect! People began liking and requesting friendship, it was a shock to me. Well, having been treated as I was all of my life by family I expected over time eventually these people would dislike me too.
The shock was that those who have requested friendships with me chose me because they were like minded with me. They enjoyed hearing Biblical principles and scriptures as much as I do. These people have been a great blessing to me.
God allowed the medium of facebook for believers who were like minded to connect during these end times when so many are alone without support for their walk with Christ.
I have many brothers and sisters now that I have never met but value as much as if we had met them.
Having been mocked for being on facebook by "Christians" or those I might call pretenders, I realize that they do not know even remotely what we do here. Because they have no inclination to connect with born again believers who are on fire for the Lord, they think our friends are not real friends. Most people are using their facebook to boast about their lives, even though they only present the "good" things as though they live in a utopia in their own minds. Impressing people is more important to them than speaking about Christ.
I expect to see my born again facebook friends at the marriage supper of the Lamb soon. They are my forever family, who bless me as I am allowed to freely share my heart about the things of the Lord. We do not always completely agree but we love one another, accept one another as our conversation is around Christ. There is a love and respect that we do not see in our families or the communities in which we live. It blesses me greatly. I praise the Lord for all my brothers and sisters who are authentically born again and moving forward in their walk all the time.
Proverbs 18:24
"24 A man of too many friends comes to [a]ruin,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
Proverbs 13:20
"20 He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will suffer harm."
John 15:13
"13 Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends."
Proverbs 27:17
"17 Iron sharpens iron,
So one man sharpens another."
Ecclesiastes 4:12
"12 And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart."
Hallelujah!!!!
Friday, January 24, 2020
God's People Do Not Defend Sin
A born again child of God never defends sin, they are ashamed when confronted with it. Many prideful pretenders today have no shame, justifying their sinful attitudes and actions, even becoming enraged and vengeful when they are told their need to repent.
So many people today will sin against others having no conscience over their actions expecting to return to the one they harmed and resume as though nothing ever happened. When they are told what they have done they become angry, gossip and vengeful against the one they harmed as though the victim is responsible to resume the relationship.
This mentality is called the "sweet mean cycle" used by those who are not sorry for their actions but want to resume the relationship. This cycle is one in which the one who sins continually harms someone, comes back as though nothing happened never confessing their sin, not even sorry for what they did. In fact if confronted with what they did they lash out for further abuse.
Our relationships must be based on love and truth. When someone operates from lack of remorse and continual disrespect then it is time to exit leaving them to God.
Loving someone from afar can be much more valuable than remaining to be on an emotional roller coaster ride in which we never know what the next harmful thing will happen and are unable to believe the kindness that is phony. Without confession of sin there is no evidence that anything will change permanently in the way we are treated.
Matthew 18: 15=18 “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. 16 But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed.
17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
18 Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven."
In our day this is an impossible task because there are no churches to turn to who will support the victims. Church discipline is not only rare it is discouraged by most churches. The "just love them in their sin" mantra is in the mouths of most church goers and leaders today.
Sin grows because it is not dealt with and victims are left alone, often even discouraged or mistreated for their desire to handle things Biblically through church discipline.
Those who practice the sweet/mean cycle can never be trusted, since there is no indication of sorrow over their deeds.
It has been my experience that the born again believer hates ever hurting anyone. They take a lot from rude people and rarely return rudeness in defense of themselves. If they do on rare occasion slip and return anger they feel terrible about it and will apologize to correct it. The narcissist never apologizes, is never genuinely sorry and continues the same path of the cycle they have always done.
1 John 3:8-10 "…8 The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil. 9 Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother.…'
I know several if not lots of people who do harm to others, if only in the form of gossip against them who feel justified and without remorse for their mean spirited machinations. Often they concoct an idea of the one for whom they have contempt and say it so often they actually begin to believe their own lies. Then they pass these lies onto others for support.
A born again believer hates gossip, they hate contention, mocking and demeaning, they do not do it to anyone because the Holy Spirit in them would immediately convict them of their sin.
Sometimes the narcissist will not like that we have withdrawn so they will enter the sweet cycle to stave off any bad feelings about themselves while fooling their target that they still like them. But it is calculated, temporary and will be repeated only as needed to draw the target back into to be further abused.
Proverbs 22:24-25 "24 Do not make friends with an angry man, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man, 25 or you may learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.…'
We love everyone even those who abuse us, but it is foolish to become constant companions with them when there is no sincere confession of sin in the relationship. We can love everyone, but we must love the narcissist from afar through prayer.
It has been my experience that remaining in company with those who are bent on taring you down will not cause them to repent, it only further enables them. God must deal with them his way without you.
Isaiah 26:10 "10 Though grace is shown to the wicked man, he does not learn righteousness. In the land of righteousness he acts unjustly and fails to see the majesty of the LORD. "
God said to pray for those who persecute you. If you have to be in their presence show them kindness but if you do not have to be around them it is wise and prudent to avoid them if possible.
Titus 3:9-11 "9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless. 10 Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a man is corrupt and sinful; he is self-condemned.…"
God never expected us to accept all people as our friends who cross our paths. We are to be wise in the choice of our constant companions. We are stronger when we have companions who love God and follow His principles. These are our support system and we are theirs.
Proverbs 13:19-20 "…19 Desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but turning from evil is detestable to fools. 20 He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed. "
So many people today will sin against others having no conscience over their actions expecting to return to the one they harmed and resume as though nothing ever happened. When they are told what they have done they become angry, gossip and vengeful against the one they harmed as though the victim is responsible to resume the relationship.
This mentality is called the "sweet mean cycle" used by those who are not sorry for their actions but want to resume the relationship. This cycle is one in which the one who sins continually harms someone, comes back as though nothing happened never confessing their sin, not even sorry for what they did. In fact if confronted with what they did they lash out for further abuse.
Our relationships must be based on love and truth. When someone operates from lack of remorse and continual disrespect then it is time to exit leaving them to God.
Loving someone from afar can be much more valuable than remaining to be on an emotional roller coaster ride in which we never know what the next harmful thing will happen and are unable to believe the kindness that is phony. Without confession of sin there is no evidence that anything will change permanently in the way we are treated.
Matthew 18: 15=18 “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. 16 But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed.
17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
18 Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven."
In our day this is an impossible task because there are no churches to turn to who will support the victims. Church discipline is not only rare it is discouraged by most churches. The "just love them in their sin" mantra is in the mouths of most church goers and leaders today.
Sin grows because it is not dealt with and victims are left alone, often even discouraged or mistreated for their desire to handle things Biblically through church discipline.
Those who practice the sweet/mean cycle can never be trusted, since there is no indication of sorrow over their deeds.
It has been my experience that the born again believer hates ever hurting anyone. They take a lot from rude people and rarely return rudeness in defense of themselves. If they do on rare occasion slip and return anger they feel terrible about it and will apologize to correct it. The narcissist never apologizes, is never genuinely sorry and continues the same path of the cycle they have always done.
1 John 3:8-10 "…8 The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil. 9 Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother.…'
I know several if not lots of people who do harm to others, if only in the form of gossip against them who feel justified and without remorse for their mean spirited machinations. Often they concoct an idea of the one for whom they have contempt and say it so often they actually begin to believe their own lies. Then they pass these lies onto others for support.
A born again believer hates gossip, they hate contention, mocking and demeaning, they do not do it to anyone because the Holy Spirit in them would immediately convict them of their sin.
Sometimes the narcissist will not like that we have withdrawn so they will enter the sweet cycle to stave off any bad feelings about themselves while fooling their target that they still like them. But it is calculated, temporary and will be repeated only as needed to draw the target back into to be further abused.
Proverbs 22:24-25 "24 Do not make friends with an angry man, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man, 25 or you may learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.…'
We love everyone even those who abuse us, but it is foolish to become constant companions with them when there is no sincere confession of sin in the relationship. We can love everyone, but we must love the narcissist from afar through prayer.
It has been my experience that remaining in company with those who are bent on taring you down will not cause them to repent, it only further enables them. God must deal with them his way without you.
Isaiah 26:10 "10 Though grace is shown to the wicked man, he does not learn righteousness. In the land of righteousness he acts unjustly and fails to see the majesty of the LORD. "
God said to pray for those who persecute you. If you have to be in their presence show them kindness but if you do not have to be around them it is wise and prudent to avoid them if possible.
Titus 3:9-11 "9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless. 10 Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a man is corrupt and sinful; he is self-condemned.…"
God never expected us to accept all people as our friends who cross our paths. We are to be wise in the choice of our constant companions. We are stronger when we have companions who love God and follow His principles. These are our support system and we are theirs.
Proverbs 13:19-20 "…19 Desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but turning from evil is detestable to fools. 20 He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed. "
Defying God is Evidence of No Salvation
I am convinced that those who are divorced and remarried without conscience over it have never been born again. If they had been born again they would be convicted by the Holy Spirit and stop the sinning.
1 John 3:8-10 "…8 The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil. 9 Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother.…"
Anyone who becomes angry when we tell them they are in sin are not born of God. A child of God indwelt by Christ does not become angry they become ashamed and eventually confess to be cleansed. 1 John 1:9 was written to the church it comes with a promise.
1 John 1:9 "9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
As I sought God for truth on the matter of divorce and remarriage God presented a book to me by Joseph Webb many years ago. I disagree than a born again believer can lose their salvation over any sin, however, many people who refuse to repent were never born again. The Holy Spirit convicts of sin. No born again child of God defends their sin, rather they are ashamed of it.
1 John 3:8-10 "…8 The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil. 9 Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother.…"
Anyone who becomes angry when we tell them they are in sin are not born of God. A child of God indwelt by Christ does not become angry they become ashamed and eventually confess to be cleansed. 1 John 1:9 was written to the church it comes with a promise.
1 John 1:9 "9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
As I sought God for truth on the matter of divorce and remarriage God presented a book to me by Joseph Webb many years ago. I disagree than a born again believer can lose their salvation over any sin, however, many people who refuse to repent were never born again. The Holy Spirit convicts of sin. No born again child of God defends their sin, rather they are ashamed of it.
Thursday, January 23, 2020
Instruction and Accountability are our Friends
There is a term these days that was developed by rebellious people to deflect any form of instruction or accountability that they refuse.
That phrase is "unsolicited advice." This is the new mantra designed to keep people from expressing concern about our actions.
Just because someone doesn't like the advice given to them does not mean it was wrong to express the advice.
"Unsolicited advice" the term came from a cultural mentality that we should never give our opinions or advice unless we are asked.
In the case of the prophet Jeremiah, God told him to go and warn the people saying they would not listen but he was to do it anyway. The people were going to be responsible for their response but Jeremiah would be pleasing God because He obeyed.
God never mentions anything remotely akin to "unsolicited advice" as being wrong. In fact He tells us to speak truth to people so they can consider some other way of thinking that might help them.
We live in a rebellious culture that wants no input or correction unless it sound like its what they want.
Proverbs 12:15
"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice."
Proverbs 11:14
"Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety."
It is normal natural and good to listen to advice even when we have not asked for it. Becoming offended because someone offered us advice is exposing the pride within ourselves that says, "you have attacked me by telling me I might need to think another way."
It is not a personal attack for someone to suggest something to help. It only seems like it to people who are full of pride. When we are humble we listen to advice, evaluate it and carry on to do what God tells us to do. After all, it might be God Who is using someone to help us.
I recall the story about a man who was caught in a flood. The water was rising within his house, it filled the first floor so he went to the second floor. Along came a man in a boat to save him but the man's response was, "no thank you God is going to save me." Then as the waters rose to the second floor the man crawled out on the roof. A man in a helicopter came along and offered to pull him up to save him. The man declined this help saying that he didn't need the help, God would save him.
The waters rose above the roof, the man who could not swim died. When the man got to heaven he asked God, "why didn't you save me from the flood." God replied, "what do you mean, I sent you a boat and then a helicopter why didn't you use what I sent you."
Those who think they are an entity unto themselves and need no input from others are often those who make very bad decisions. No one person can know all there is to know. Those who listen to ideas and advice from others while evaluating them after praying for God to show them more, will be those who make good decisions because they know they are not all knowing, that God is the only One Who is and that He can also send others.
Those who will only listen to the advice of those who praise and honor them will likely be receiving only what they like to hear, further delaying their emotional and spiritual growth. The favorite friends of the "all knowing" narcissists are those who almost never advise and who say what the narcissist likes to hear.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.…"
That phrase is "unsolicited advice." This is the new mantra designed to keep people from expressing concern about our actions.
Just because someone doesn't like the advice given to them does not mean it was wrong to express the advice.
"Unsolicited advice" the term came from a cultural mentality that we should never give our opinions or advice unless we are asked.
In the case of the prophet Jeremiah, God told him to go and warn the people saying they would not listen but he was to do it anyway. The people were going to be responsible for their response but Jeremiah would be pleasing God because He obeyed.
God never mentions anything remotely akin to "unsolicited advice" as being wrong. In fact He tells us to speak truth to people so they can consider some other way of thinking that might help them.
We live in a rebellious culture that wants no input or correction unless it sound like its what they want.
Proverbs 12:15
"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice."
Proverbs 11:14
"Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety."
It is normal natural and good to listen to advice even when we have not asked for it. Becoming offended because someone offered us advice is exposing the pride within ourselves that says, "you have attacked me by telling me I might need to think another way."
It is not a personal attack for someone to suggest something to help. It only seems like it to people who are full of pride. When we are humble we listen to advice, evaluate it and carry on to do what God tells us to do. After all, it might be God Who is using someone to help us.
I recall the story about a man who was caught in a flood. The water was rising within his house, it filled the first floor so he went to the second floor. Along came a man in a boat to save him but the man's response was, "no thank you God is going to save me." Then as the waters rose to the second floor the man crawled out on the roof. A man in a helicopter came along and offered to pull him up to save him. The man declined this help saying that he didn't need the help, God would save him.
The waters rose above the roof, the man who could not swim died. When the man got to heaven he asked God, "why didn't you save me from the flood." God replied, "what do you mean, I sent you a boat and then a helicopter why didn't you use what I sent you."
Those who think they are an entity unto themselves and need no input from others are often those who make very bad decisions. No one person can know all there is to know. Those who listen to ideas and advice from others while evaluating them after praying for God to show them more, will be those who make good decisions because they know they are not all knowing, that God is the only One Who is and that He can also send others.
Those who will only listen to the advice of those who praise and honor them will likely be receiving only what they like to hear, further delaying their emotional and spiritual growth. The favorite friends of the "all knowing" narcissists are those who almost never advise and who say what the narcissist likes to hear.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.…"
The Authentically Born Again Believer Never Walks Away from Christ
All who remain in Christ are those who were born again. Those who do not remain were never born again.
1 John 2:19
"19 They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us."
1 John 2:19
"19 They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us."
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
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