John 16:7-9
…7 But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate (Holy Spirit) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me;"
How does the Holy Spirit convict the world of sin?
Christ in us convicts others who come in contact with us. Even when we say nothing they sense the judgment of God on them.
They know subconsciously that something is making them feel unclean but they think it is the person standing in front of them.
The most hypersensitive people are those who know in their soul that they do not measure up but want to believe they do. Instead of turning to Christ, believing in Him for salvation, they concoct ways to feel better about themselves or blame others for their bad feelings.
It is common for a narcissist to feel guilt about the ways they treat people but instead of repenting to be cleansed, they make up a reason why those who make them feel guilty are at fault.
A little boy was treating a little girl badly on the playground. The little boy was confronted by the parent of the little girl to stop bullying the little girl. The little boy said to the parent, "you made my feelings cry." Instead of being sorry for bad behavior the child attempted to make the parent feel bad for doing what was right and corrective.
Notice the focus of the child who was chastised? Rather than being sorry for acting badly, the little boy blamed the parent for his bad feelings. This was a fictional story to show how the narcissist thinks and the tricks they use to make their sinful actions about the person who pointed it out rather than facing his own bad behavior. In other words, a narcissist operates from the level of a bratty six-year-old.
We are living in a world today that is full of the tactics of the narcissists. If we do not recognize it we might end up apologizing for telling the truth while the narcissist walks away having a sense of victory that their bad behavior was alright, because they managed to make the one who disciplines them feel bad about doing what was right.
When we have developed in our confidence we do not feel shame or frustration when these narcissistic tactics are played on us, we simply shrug our shoulders (an attitude of "oh well") and continue to do what is right.
James 4:17
"So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."
The world works to make righteous people feel shame and guilt over our stands for righteousness. When we are strong and confident we have no need to fight back, win an argument or make someone understand what they are refusing to hear.
Galatians 6:7-16
"7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have an opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."
I like to save my discussions for those who are interested and who will listen. If we depend on the Holy Spirit for our actions and reactions we will be saying things the right way at the right time.
Luke 21:15
"15 for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute."
Luke 12:11-12 "…11 When you are brought before synagogues, rulers, and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say. 12 For at that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say.”
Friday, April 3, 2020
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Conversations with Appliances
We know we have been inside a long time when we begin to speak to our appliances.
Brenda Zaleski-Lopez is feeling silly.
·
"We All Need To Laugh
Just be careful because people are going crazy from being in lockdown! Actually, I've just been talking about this with the microwave and toaster while drinking coffee and we all agreed that things are getting worse. I didn't mention anything to the washing machine as she puts a different spin on everything. Certainly not to the fridge as he is acting cold and distant. In the end, the iron straightened me out as she said everything will be fine, no situation is too pressing. The vacuum was very unsympathetic... told me to just suck it up, but the fan was more optimistic and hoped it would all soon blow over! The toilet looked a bit flushed when I asked its opinion and didn’t say anything but the doorknob told me to get a grip. The front door said I was unhinged and so the curtains told me to ........yes, you guessed it .....pull myself together"
Brenda Zaleski-Lopez is feeling silly.
·
"We All Need To Laugh
Just be careful because people are going crazy from being in lockdown! Actually, I've just been talking about this with the microwave and toaster while drinking coffee and we all agreed that things are getting worse. I didn't mention anything to the washing machine as she puts a different spin on everything. Certainly not to the fridge as he is acting cold and distant. In the end, the iron straightened me out as she said everything will be fine, no situation is too pressing. The vacuum was very unsympathetic... told me to just suck it up, but the fan was more optimistic and hoped it would all soon blow over! The toilet looked a bit flushed when I asked its opinion and didn’t say anything but the doorknob told me to get a grip. The front door said I was unhinged and so the curtains told me to ........yes, you guessed it .....pull myself together"
Examples of a Drunken Sailor?
The use of profanity on the part of "Christians" is a clue that they are either not born again or they have been watching too much television that is influencing their speech.
1 Corinthians 15:33 ” 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
Bad company does not have to be people, it can be television shows, movies, and plays.
Also, remember that the more we remain with unbelievers as our close friends the more we begin to think the way they think. We are not just affected by their speech, our heart draws closer to their WAY of processing information.
If we are with unbelievers and are faithful to Christ in our speech then the unbelievers will become annoyed at us. Their discomfort with us increases merely because we don't express ourselves the way they express themselves. This will be enough to bring them to a place of uneasiness.
We can discern when someone is spending more time with unbelievers than with godly born again people by the things they enjoy and the expressions that come from their mouths.
Ephesians 4:29-32
29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
And, look at that passage, our unsavory speech grieves the Holy Spirit Who lives in us. When we express ourselves like drunken sailors we are sending a message to the world that we don't even respect our own God.
Think about it!!!!
After all, shouldn't we be the example others would follow instead of following unbelievers?
1 Corinthians 15:33 ” 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
Bad company does not have to be people, it can be television shows, movies, and plays.
Also, remember that the more we remain with unbelievers as our close friends the more we begin to think the way they think. We are not just affected by their speech, our heart draws closer to their WAY of processing information.
If we are with unbelievers and are faithful to Christ in our speech then the unbelievers will become annoyed at us. Their discomfort with us increases merely because we don't express ourselves the way they express themselves. This will be enough to bring them to a place of uneasiness.
We can discern when someone is spending more time with unbelievers than with godly born again people by the things they enjoy and the expressions that come from their mouths.
Ephesians 4:29-32
29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
And, look at that passage, our unsavory speech grieves the Holy Spirit Who lives in us. When we express ourselves like drunken sailors we are sending a message to the world that we don't even respect our own God.
Think about it!!!!
After all, shouldn't we be the example others would follow instead of following unbelievers?
Jesus Christ the Only Way
Acts 4:12
"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Galatians 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Galatians 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Headline: "Texas Governor Deems Religious Services Essential"
This was a recent headline I saw in an article, it left a pit in the bottom of my stomach as I read it. NO, it was not because I was warmed or comforted by it but because the verbiage smacks of that "cultural Christianity" I was raised with that left me flat.
It is not "religious services" that this country needs it is Christ. We have "religion" going on all the time in every denomination and cult. It is Christ we need not religion.
The phrase used by the governor shows the lack of understanding that a relationship with Christ defies "religion."
Mark 7:13 "13Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so in many such matters.” "
Many "Christians" in our culture will see a headline like the one above and think it sounds so good when really it ignores and negates God. For cultural Christianity "religion" is what we need, Christ is not very important as long as you seek some kind of god.
It matters whether or not we use the name of Jesus Christ. To be embarrassed about Him is the same as denying Him.
Matthew 10:33
"33 But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven."
A lot of people will be fooled and wowed by verbiage such as the headline above. Superficial language without the name of Christ is going to give people false hope in the verbiage alone instead of in Christ.
It is not "religious services" that this country needs it is Christ. We have "religion" going on all the time in every denomination and cult. It is Christ we need not religion.
The phrase used by the governor shows the lack of understanding that a relationship with Christ defies "religion."
Mark 7:13 "13Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so in many such matters.” "
Many "Christians" in our culture will see a headline like the one above and think it sounds so good when really it ignores and negates God. For cultural Christianity "religion" is what we need, Christ is not very important as long as you seek some kind of god.
It matters whether or not we use the name of Jesus Christ. To be embarrassed about Him is the same as denying Him.
Matthew 10:33
"33 But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven."
A lot of people will be fooled and wowed by verbiage such as the headline above. Superficial language without the name of Christ is going to give people false hope in the verbiage alone instead of in Christ.
Seek Christ Not Man
I did that many years ago and have never looked back. God changed my thinking completely. So completely that I no longer thought the way many Christians today think. In fact, I thought they would be my friends because of the new me. But the most astonishing thing happened, it was the Christians who were more hostile than ever toward me.
Each believer I met wanted me to embrace their particular brand of Christianity. But when I was told things that were "specialized Christianity" but didn't seem to match with what I was reading in the Bible, I would address it openly, this was a threat to those who loved their special doctrines concocted in the minds of those they saw as the experts or those specially trained in Bible schools.
It was as though I had changed from being born again but those who had been Christians most of their lives or so they thought had never been born again. They didn't understand me or like me. What's wrong with this picture?
I wonder how many believers have experienced this. They were better appreciated when they were heathens without God, by those who claimed to be Christian.
Perhaps this explains it, the Pharisees were the educated men of God who knew the scriptures well and they were the ones who rejected Christ.
Often educated men are pompous and superior, they love their "knowledge" but are not led by the Holy Spirit. One who cannot trust Christ to lead them is trusting in men rather than the Holy Spirit.
Education and men of education are the gods of our age. Many people will not listen to someone who has not been trained in these formal schools that claim to have all the answers. Those who are led by the Holy Spirit are leaning on Christ, they need no other teachers.
Teachers can be helpful if they are led by Christ, but those who are not will be angered that Christs takes priority over them.
It was the religious leaders, the Pharisees who fought with Christ about truth. This is similar to what happens today with authentic believers, they speak the truth of God's word and those who consider themselves teachers will argue with God's Word.
Matthew 22:15-22
Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. "Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?" read more.
Why would we think the Pharisee types would not try to do the same to us?
John 16:13-14 "13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you.…"
In our day we have more false teachers than we do Holy Spirit led ones. That does not mean we never listen to them, but what we must do is evaluate everything they say with the Scripture.
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.…"
Bottom Line: Seek Christ not man!
Each believer I met wanted me to embrace their particular brand of Christianity. But when I was told things that were "specialized Christianity" but didn't seem to match with what I was reading in the Bible, I would address it openly, this was a threat to those who loved their special doctrines concocted in the minds of those they saw as the experts or those specially trained in Bible schools.
It was as though I had changed from being born again but those who had been Christians most of their lives or so they thought had never been born again. They didn't understand me or like me. What's wrong with this picture?
I wonder how many believers have experienced this. They were better appreciated when they were heathens without God, by those who claimed to be Christian.
Perhaps this explains it, the Pharisees were the educated men of God who knew the scriptures well and they were the ones who rejected Christ.
Often educated men are pompous and superior, they love their "knowledge" but are not led by the Holy Spirit. One who cannot trust Christ to lead them is trusting in men rather than the Holy Spirit.
Education and men of education are the gods of our age. Many people will not listen to someone who has not been trained in these formal schools that claim to have all the answers. Those who are led by the Holy Spirit are leaning on Christ, they need no other teachers.
Teachers can be helpful if they are led by Christ, but those who are not will be angered that Christs takes priority over them.
It was the religious leaders, the Pharisees who fought with Christ about truth. This is similar to what happens today with authentic believers, they speak the truth of God's word and those who consider themselves teachers will argue with God's Word.
Matthew 22:15-22
Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. "Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?" read more.
Why would we think the Pharisee types would not try to do the same to us?
John 16:13-14 "13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you.…"
In our day we have more false teachers than we do Holy Spirit led ones. That does not mean we never listen to them, but what we must do is evaluate everything they say with the Scripture.
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.…"
Bottom Line: Seek Christ not man!
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Demonic Activity on the Rise
I am convinced that there is a lot more demonic activity going on than we know about. The things people call "mental illness" are without a doubt the influence of demons if not possession.
Even those who are not mentally ill are experiencing irrational feelings, feelings that make them dislike someone for no reason at all.
Even those who are not mentally ill are experiencing irrational feelings, feelings that make them dislike someone for no reason at all.
The devil did it in the garden with Eve. His thoughts to her mind made her doubt God. He made her believe God withheld information and didn't have her best in mind.
There is what we might call "drama" going on in relationships that make no sense. People are easily angered over the smallest matters.
John 10:10
""The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
Satan is the destroyer of everything and everyone God loves. When we see these things happening we must pray, resist the thoughts placed in our minds and operate according to truth rather than feelings. The devil uses feelings more than anything else to cause people to react to things that are not even there.
There is what we might call "drama" going on in relationships that make no sense. People are easily angered over the smallest matters.
John 10:10
""The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
Satan is the destroyer of everything and everyone God loves. When we see these things happening we must pray, resist the thoughts placed in our minds and operate according to truth rather than feelings. The devil uses feelings more than anything else to cause people to react to things that are not even there.
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