"Do not call conspiracy everything these people regard as a conspiracy. Do not fear what they fear; do not live in dread.
Perhaps this would be something to ponder in these days of viruses and disasters in the earth.
Thursday, March 5, 2020
Repeating Worldly Mantras
So many Christians today are repeating mantra's that did not come from God's word. One of them is "God wouldn't want me to suffer."
The same God who placed His only Son on the cross to die for the Sins of others wouldn't want anyone else to suffer.
No where does God ever say He does not want His children to suffer.
2 Timothy 3:12-13 "12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil men and impostors go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.…"
Jesus Christ was put on a cross by His own Father for the sake of the world. That was more suffering than anyone else in this world will endure and it was for others.
The apostles were all martyred for their faith. Missionaries are martyred for their faith.
2 Corinthians 12:10
"10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong."
Mark 10:29-30
29 Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, 30 but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, ALONG WITH PERSECUTIONS; and in the age to come, eternal life."
"ALONG WITH PERSECUTIONS", This ought to tell us everything. God never promised an easy life but He did promise persecution and rejection from everyone around us including family. He never tells us to bail out, but He does promise to go through with us.
Hebrews 13:5 "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'"
Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
The same God who placed His only Son on the cross to die for the Sins of others wouldn't want anyone else to suffer.
No where does God ever say He does not want His children to suffer.
2 Timothy 3:12-13 "12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil men and impostors go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.…"
Jesus Christ was put on a cross by His own Father for the sake of the world. That was more suffering than anyone else in this world will endure and it was for others.
The apostles were all martyred for their faith. Missionaries are martyred for their faith.
2 Corinthians 12:10
"10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong."
Mark 10:29-30
29 Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, 30 but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, ALONG WITH PERSECUTIONS; and in the age to come, eternal life."
"ALONG WITH PERSECUTIONS", This ought to tell us everything. God never promised an easy life but He did promise persecution and rejection from everyone around us including family. He never tells us to bail out, but He does promise to go through with us.
Hebrews 13:5 "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'"
Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Simply, They Just Don't Believe God
People reject God's Word because they don't like what He says so they make up their own rules and pretend God thinks the way they think.
God Says This About Himself:
Isaiah 55:8-9
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts."
Those who make up their own rules, or twist God's rules to make them more acceptable to their own way, are in rebellion against God. How can someone say they believe the Bible and love God when they become enraged at the suggestion that they are not following the Bible as they say?
When we are confronted with a question or told we are in error, there is no need to be angry, just say, "I don't know" or give the scriptures that support what you believe. It's not hard, but it does take humility.
James 4:10
"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
James 4:6
"But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
We must evaluate ourselves, when a question comes up we must go to the Word of God to make sure of what God said. Those who do not want to do this will depend on the preachers who will say what they want 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.…"
Our response to the encounters we have in which someone rages at us is to disengage with love and kindness, walking away to leave them to God. One cannot reason with those who become angry in a discussion or with those who are bent on defending sin.
God Says This About Himself:
Isaiah 55:8-9
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts."
Those who make up their own rules, or twist God's rules to make them more acceptable to their own way, are in rebellion against God. How can someone say they believe the Bible and love God when they become enraged at the suggestion that they are not following the Bible as they say?
When we are confronted with a question or told we are in error, there is no need to be angry, just say, "I don't know" or give the scriptures that support what you believe. It's not hard, but it does take humility.
James 4:10
"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
James 4:6
"But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
We must evaluate ourselves, when a question comes up we must go to the Word of God to make sure of what God said. Those who do not want to do this will depend on the preachers who will say what they want 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.…"
Our response to the encounters we have in which someone rages at us is to disengage with love and kindness, walking away to leave them to God. One cannot reason with those who become angry in a discussion or with those who are bent on defending sin.
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
A Worthwhile Discussion Between Two Sisters
I had a lovely discussion with another Sister here on Facebook and would like to share it with others who may have questions too. I will refer to the Sister who asked the questions as "Sister" since I didn't know if she wanted her name mentioned.
Sister:
I have a question since you brought up something that was written to Gentiles. I've been approached with teachings from rightly dividing, dispensationalists. This is causing me problems because it leaves me with the question, what book was written for who???? I know this is kinda off the subject you were originally posting about, but I thought I would ask. Can you help?
Gwendolyn Wehage:
The Old Testament was written to the Jews, the New Testament was written to all born again believers. However, the old testament has principles for the gentiles to learn from as well as prophesy that tells us the future.
The New Testament if for the dispensation of born again believers, the church and for any Jews that trust in Christ. In Christ there is no Jew or Gentile, male or female, we are all equal in God's eyes if we are born again.
The customs of the Jews teach us things but are not for us to follow as Gentiles. IF someone wishes to follow them as a way of honoring God that is their choice but they are not required.
Also, I do not appreciate Gentiles following the Pass Over, here's why. The Pass Over was a specific event in the lives of the Jews and was a picture of future events, which is the crucifixion of Christ for the payment of sin of the whole world.
We no longer follow a picture of the coming Christ because He has already come, we celebrate His victory over sin on the cross now in the Lord's Supper.
Sister:
Gwendolyn Wehage , my understanding is that the 4 gospels are actually old Testament. Also that the Jews are the ones taught to be born again, Gentiles are not born again, but are under grace and are to not follow any Jewish laws, teachings. If they do, they are then combining law with grace, and doing so condemns them.
Sister:
Gwendolyn Wehage , this teaching declares Paul as the apostle to the Gentiles, and teaching grace. In reading and listening to it, I did see that it sounded like a gospel for the Jews and a gospel for the Gentiles. Albeit both require believing in the death, burial and resurrection of JESUS CHRIST.
Sister:
Gwendolyn Wehage , so from what I gather, repenting is not required of us( as far as asking forgiveness from GOD) .
Sister:
We simply just believe. Anything we do ( is considered works).. so while some of this makes sense to me, I am not fully persuaded.
Gwendolyn Wehage:
Sister, There is a false doctrine now that says that no one needs to evangelize to the Jews, this is not true. God called for us to bring the gospel to "all nations" which includes Israel. He also told us to protect that nation and that someday the nation will trust in Christ during the tribulation.
Gwendolyn Wehage:
Sister, Yes, we do works because we have been born again, changed into a new creation by Christ. The works come after we have been born again not to become born again. We know this because the thief on the cross had no time to do anything, all He did was defend Christ as being Who He said He was.
Gwendolyn Wehage: Sister, We repent to become born again, that is changing our mind toward our sin and toward Christ, then He changes us into the new creation. After we have been born again we do not "repent" we confess our sin to be cleansed as God said in 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."
It is through confession of sin that reveals our heart desire to be cleansed of the sin we confess.
It takes a deep desire to be changed further by Christ when we are willing and motivated to confess to be cleansed.
Gwendolyn Wehage:
Sister, The Old Testament has application for us but were commands given for the Jews to follow. Once the Jews become born again they maintain some of their traditions but no longer follow the law.
Christ is the Law, He is the very essence of the Law and He comes to live in the born again believer. We do not follow something if it becomes a part of us. The Law was given to show us our sin so we would repent. No one could follow it.
Since we have been changed into a new creation we do not have to try to follow that which is a part of our being. Now we convict others of sin merely by having the Law-Giver living in us.
To we have to try to follow eating every day? No, because it comes naturally and even without thinking. When we are working really hard to be good then we are doing it in our own flesh. When we obey God because it comes naturally to those who have been changed into the likeness of Christ, we gravitate naturally toward obedience, but it is beyond obedience to more than that, that is love and devotion to our new nature.
Gwendolyn Wehage: Sister, I am going to copy and paste these questions and answers because I think they will be valuable to others. I will leave your name off but the discussion might be helpful to others with questions. I hope you don't mind, you ask great questions that many have probably had too.
Sister:
I have a question since you brought up something that was written to Gentiles. I've been approached with teachings from rightly dividing, dispensationalists. This is causing me problems because it leaves me with the question, what book was written for who???? I know this is kinda off the subject you were originally posting about, but I thought I would ask. Can you help?
Gwendolyn Wehage:
The Old Testament was written to the Jews, the New Testament was written to all born again believers. However, the old testament has principles for the gentiles to learn from as well as prophesy that tells us the future.
The New Testament if for the dispensation of born again believers, the church and for any Jews that trust in Christ. In Christ there is no Jew or Gentile, male or female, we are all equal in God's eyes if we are born again.
The customs of the Jews teach us things but are not for us to follow as Gentiles. IF someone wishes to follow them as a way of honoring God that is their choice but they are not required.
Also, I do not appreciate Gentiles following the Pass Over, here's why. The Pass Over was a specific event in the lives of the Jews and was a picture of future events, which is the crucifixion of Christ for the payment of sin of the whole world.
We no longer follow a picture of the coming Christ because He has already come, we celebrate His victory over sin on the cross now in the Lord's Supper.
Sister:
Gwendolyn Wehage , my understanding is that the 4 gospels are actually old Testament. Also that the Jews are the ones taught to be born again, Gentiles are not born again, but are under grace and are to not follow any Jewish laws, teachings. If they do, they are then combining law with grace, and doing so condemns them.
Sister:
Gwendolyn Wehage , this teaching declares Paul as the apostle to the Gentiles, and teaching grace. In reading and listening to it, I did see that it sounded like a gospel for the Jews and a gospel for the Gentiles. Albeit both require believing in the death, burial and resurrection of JESUS CHRIST.
Sister:
Gwendolyn Wehage , so from what I gather, repenting is not required of us( as far as asking forgiveness from GOD) .
Sister:
We simply just believe. Anything we do ( is considered works).. so while some of this makes sense to me, I am not fully persuaded.
Gwendolyn Wehage:
Sister, There is a false doctrine now that says that no one needs to evangelize to the Jews, this is not true. God called for us to bring the gospel to "all nations" which includes Israel. He also told us to protect that nation and that someday the nation will trust in Christ during the tribulation.
Gwendolyn Wehage:
Sister, Yes, we do works because we have been born again, changed into a new creation by Christ. The works come after we have been born again not to become born again. We know this because the thief on the cross had no time to do anything, all He did was defend Christ as being Who He said He was.
Gwendolyn Wehage: Sister, We repent to become born again, that is changing our mind toward our sin and toward Christ, then He changes us into the new creation. After we have been born again we do not "repent" we confess our sin to be cleansed as God said in 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."
It is through confession of sin that reveals our heart desire to be cleansed of the sin we confess.
It takes a deep desire to be changed further by Christ when we are willing and motivated to confess to be cleansed.
Gwendolyn Wehage:
Sister, The Old Testament has application for us but were commands given for the Jews to follow. Once the Jews become born again they maintain some of their traditions but no longer follow the law.
Christ is the Law, He is the very essence of the Law and He comes to live in the born again believer. We do not follow something if it becomes a part of us. The Law was given to show us our sin so we would repent. No one could follow it.
Since we have been changed into a new creation we do not have to try to follow that which is a part of our being. Now we convict others of sin merely by having the Law-Giver living in us.
To we have to try to follow eating every day? No, because it comes naturally and even without thinking. When we are working really hard to be good then we are doing it in our own flesh. When we obey God because it comes naturally to those who have been changed into the likeness of Christ, we gravitate naturally toward obedience, but it is beyond obedience to more than that, that is love and devotion to our new nature.
Gwendolyn Wehage: Sister, I am going to copy and paste these questions and answers because I think they will be valuable to others. I will leave your name off but the discussion might be helpful to others with questions. I hope you don't mind, you ask great questions that many have probably had too.
There Need Not Be Confusion!
Many people are confused about divorce and remarriage today because they have been taught the false doctrine that allows for it.
Here is what God says:
Adultery is not grounds for divorce or remarriage. The exception clause for adultery does not exist in the Bible. In the passage in Matthew that says "except for fornication" is not speaking about marriage. "Fornication" is before marriage in the engagement period. The Jews had a custom of having to divorce from a betrothal, that is engagement if one of the parties had been unfaithful. This was not for marriage. Also, the other gospels do not have this exception clause because they were written to Gentiles who didn't have this custom of divorcing from engagement.
When God makes two people one in marriage at the promise in the ceremony, they are glued together in a spiritual bond that cannot be broken by man. Divorce by the law of the land does not dissolve this bonding. Christ said all remarriage after divorce is adultery. Even though the people are not living together they are considered bonded as one until their death.
If a woman or man has a living first spouse she is commanded by God not to remarry, all marriages after that first divorce are adultery and remain so until she separates from them.
Luke 16:18 "18 Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. "
This commandment was for believers and unbelievers alike.
1 Corinthians 7:10
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.
1 Corinthians 7:11
But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.
Here is what God says:
Adultery is not grounds for divorce or remarriage. The exception clause for adultery does not exist in the Bible. In the passage in Matthew that says "except for fornication" is not speaking about marriage. "Fornication" is before marriage in the engagement period. The Jews had a custom of having to divorce from a betrothal, that is engagement if one of the parties had been unfaithful. This was not for marriage. Also, the other gospels do not have this exception clause because they were written to Gentiles who didn't have this custom of divorcing from engagement.
When God makes two people one in marriage at the promise in the ceremony, they are glued together in a spiritual bond that cannot be broken by man. Divorce by the law of the land does not dissolve this bonding. Christ said all remarriage after divorce is adultery. Even though the people are not living together they are considered bonded as one until their death.
If a woman or man has a living first spouse she is commanded by God not to remarry, all marriages after that first divorce are adultery and remain so until she separates from them.
Luke 16:18 "18 Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. "
This commandment was for believers and unbelievers alike.
1 Corinthians 7:10
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.
1 Corinthians 7:11
But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.
God's Way of Forgiveness
Psychology strikes again. So many people have been taught to believe in unconditional forgiveness but God never taught that.
Luke 17:3-4 "…3 Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” "
God says in these passages that "if he repents forgive him."
The idea that we should forgive before someone is repentant, comes from psychology, not the Bible.
God said, "if he returns to say "I repent" You must forgive him."
This concept is not hard unless the culture has been indoctrinated by the world to believe the opposite of what God teaches.
Luke 17:3-4 "…3 Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” "
God says in these passages that "if he repents forgive him."
The idea that we should forgive before someone is repentant, comes from psychology, not the Bible.
God said, "if he returns to say "I repent" You must forgive him."
This concept is not hard unless the culture has been indoctrinated by the world to believe the opposite of what God teaches.
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