Many organizations began as Christian and went bad.
The major ivy league colleges were built to train men for the ministry, Harvard, Yale, Princeton and others. Now they are secular and godless.
The YMCA and the YWCA all were begun to be a blessing to God and man, but have left their first love, accepting the ways of the world to win people. Only to have their organizations become God hating and liberal.
This is what happens we we become more concerned about pleasing people, building numbers and getting financial backing.
Those who are willing to compromise all of God's principles to gain these things are most likely pretenders rather than possessors.
All factions of organized religion, claiming to be Christian are going this way. They have lost their first love to become worldly prosperous for the sake of their pride.
May God have mercy on many and bring them out from among these godless organizations that once did a good work, but now are apostate.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
We Are Accountable For Not Speaking
If we do not warn others of the wrath to come, or their sinful behavior then we are accountable to God for not speaking.
World Vision Betrays God
World Vision, Exposed
When World Vision decreed that they were going to allow the hiring of homosexual married couples in their organization, there was, apparently an out cry from some of their donors, so they recanted. Unfortunately they showed an attitude of sticking their finger into the wind, to see which way it was blowing. They were not concerned about pleasing God but making sure their people were happy so the donations would continue to come.
Any organization that basis their policy on the prevailing wind of cultural change, cannot be trusted to uphold the Word of God. God did not call us to feed the poor as much as he called us to spread the gospel message of repentance. IF world vision feeds people without giving them the gospel then they are nothing more than a secular social service agency. If we feed people but they do not become born again then we have done nothing of value.
All food and worldly provision must be accompanied by the Gospel. God condemned as an abomination the act of homosexuality. Part of preaching the "good news" is first showing the people their sin that they might desire to be changed by Christ into a new creation. How can we preach a true gospel, when we endorse by example a blatant sin against God?
When World Vision decreed that they were going to allow the hiring of homosexual married couples in their organization, there was, apparently an out cry from some of their donors, so they recanted. Unfortunately they showed an attitude of sticking their finger into the wind, to see which way it was blowing. They were not concerned about pleasing God but making sure their people were happy so the donations would continue to come.
Any organization that basis their policy on the prevailing wind of cultural change, cannot be trusted to uphold the Word of God. God did not call us to feed the poor as much as he called us to spread the gospel message of repentance. IF world vision feeds people without giving them the gospel then they are nothing more than a secular social service agency. If we feed people but they do not become born again then we have done nothing of value.
All food and worldly provision must be accompanied by the Gospel. God condemned as an abomination the act of homosexuality. Part of preaching the "good news" is first showing the people their sin that they might desire to be changed by Christ into a new creation. How can we preach a true gospel, when we endorse by example a blatant sin against God?
Jewelry and Pictures Cannot Help Us
Acts 17:29 "Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device."
Sometimes what we think is so innocent is actually displeasing to Christ.
When I lived in Kentucky a young man approached me, excited about the new bracelet he had. The bracelet was a "What Would Jesus Do" bracelet. These objects were being given out in a Baptist church in our town, nearly every teenager who attended church had one. It was the new symbol of righteousness.
The young man of whom I speak, began to tell me all the things about the bracelet that were helpful to him in his Christian walk.
As he talked, my mind began to wonder back to my Catholic days when we used "rosery beads" to communicate with Mary and the Father. Of course we were not communicating with the real Mary or the real Father, but idols in our own minds.
After listening to the young man I began to ask him questions. The first question was "What exactly does that bracelet do for you." His response was that it reminded him of how he should act as a Christian. I said "what else does it do for you?" He began to list the things that this little thin bracelet made our of string did for him.
He said it helped him focus on Christ, it was a tool to help him witness to others, reminds him of what Christ did for him, helps him remember what to say to people, and some other things I can't remember.
When he was finished I told him that all the things he was attributing to the bracelet, were what he should be trusting the Holy Spirit for.
I told him that you are trusting that bracelet instead of the Holy Spirit that lives in you, that makes that pile of string more important than the Holy Spirit and that it was an idol.
I explained to him that when I became born again I threw away all objects that "helped me do anything", and began trusting Christ alone.
So often we, as human beings, have trouble trusting Christ, we feel a need to see something with our eyes, touch something with our hands, even taste things, this is not faith.
Idols are anything that we place our trust in, on any level, or use to remind us of Christ. Objects have no value except to addict us to them.
2 Corinthians 5:7 "(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)"
Christ wants our full attention on Him. His Word, the Bible is our instruction book, other than that we have need of no other objects to help us, as though they can be more helpful than the Holy Spirit.
Jewelry used as a Holy Spirit substitute, does not help us, it hinders us, destroys our trust in Christ, as do pictures of Christ or any other art object that we love.
Those who truly walk by faith, and speak with the Holy Spirit often, have no need of these things.
How could we compare the living, powerful and personal Holy Spirit to a dead lifeless object? How very sill we are!
Sometimes what we think is so innocent is actually displeasing to Christ.
When I lived in Kentucky a young man approached me, excited about the new bracelet he had. The bracelet was a "What Would Jesus Do" bracelet. These objects were being given out in a Baptist church in our town, nearly every teenager who attended church had one. It was the new symbol of righteousness.
The young man of whom I speak, began to tell me all the things about the bracelet that were helpful to him in his Christian walk.
As he talked, my mind began to wonder back to my Catholic days when we used "rosery beads" to communicate with Mary and the Father. Of course we were not communicating with the real Mary or the real Father, but idols in our own minds.
After listening to the young man I began to ask him questions. The first question was "What exactly does that bracelet do for you." His response was that it reminded him of how he should act as a Christian. I said "what else does it do for you?" He began to list the things that this little thin bracelet made our of string did for him.
He said it helped him focus on Christ, it was a tool to help him witness to others, reminds him of what Christ did for him, helps him remember what to say to people, and some other things I can't remember.
When he was finished I told him that all the things he was attributing to the bracelet, were what he should be trusting the Holy Spirit for.
I told him that you are trusting that bracelet instead of the Holy Spirit that lives in you, that makes that pile of string more important than the Holy Spirit and that it was an idol.
I explained to him that when I became born again I threw away all objects that "helped me do anything", and began trusting Christ alone.
So often we, as human beings, have trouble trusting Christ, we feel a need to see something with our eyes, touch something with our hands, even taste things, this is not faith.
Idols are anything that we place our trust in, on any level, or use to remind us of Christ. Objects have no value except to addict us to them.
2 Corinthians 5:7 "(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)"
Christ wants our full attention on Him. His Word, the Bible is our instruction book, other than that we have need of no other objects to help us, as though they can be more helpful than the Holy Spirit.
Jewelry used as a Holy Spirit substitute, does not help us, it hinders us, destroys our trust in Christ, as do pictures of Christ or any other art object that we love.
Those who truly walk by faith, and speak with the Holy Spirit often, have no need of these things.
How could we compare the living, powerful and personal Holy Spirit to a dead lifeless object? How very sill we are!
Friday, March 28, 2014
What is in a Name!
Every once in a while we are confronted with those who feel a need to indulge in what they think is special and rare knowledge. One of the movements promoting this is the Hebrew Roots movement. There are others too.
One of the ways that division is being foster is through the names of Christ.
They think that Yeshua is the "required" word to be used for Jesus. I become very agitated when I see this happening.
Yeshua is nothing more than the Hebrew rendering of the English word Jesus. It is a human name, Christ was the designation that He is God.
In Spanish the name George is "Jorge" with the 'J' and 'G', sounding like an 'H' in English. In Spanish the Word Peter is translated "Pedro." And, the name Luke is translated "Lucas." In Spanish the title "Jesus Christ" is translated "Jesucristo."
There is nothing wrong with the name Jesus in English, and nothing more special about the Hebrew "Yeshua", it is merely the translation of His human name to another language.
All this falderah about names, is the devils way of causing believers to fight over that which is silly rather than focusing on the salvation message.
There are actually those who are weak enough to be intimidated by the movement, that declares there is only one way to say the name of Christ, but it is interesting to me that they choose His human name, that which many other people of that time had.
Jesus was Jewish, at that time there were other little boys named Jesus. Christ is the title that designated our Jesus as the Savior. So many do not know this, they think there is special power associated with the name of Jesus.
When God said there is power in His name, it did not mean that the name was special but the name for whom it was assigned was the Messiah.
I love my Lord Jesus Christ, if someone wants to judge me because I don't use the Hebrew form of Yeshua, then they cause division and heartache. May those who love to feel special, repent and foster love and understanding among fellow believers.
If someone wants to use the Hebrew version of "Jesus", then wonderful, may they enjoy it, but it is sin to judge others who were born and raised in an English speaking country, when they choose to use their own language to refer to Christ.
One of the ways that division is being foster is through the names of Christ.
They think that Yeshua is the "required" word to be used for Jesus. I become very agitated when I see this happening.
Yeshua is nothing more than the Hebrew rendering of the English word Jesus. It is a human name, Christ was the designation that He is God.
In Spanish the name George is "Jorge" with the 'J' and 'G', sounding like an 'H' in English. In Spanish the Word Peter is translated "Pedro." And, the name Luke is translated "Lucas." In Spanish the title "Jesus Christ" is translated "Jesucristo."
There is nothing wrong with the name Jesus in English, and nothing more special about the Hebrew "Yeshua", it is merely the translation of His human name to another language.
All this falderah about names, is the devils way of causing believers to fight over that which is silly rather than focusing on the salvation message.
There are actually those who are weak enough to be intimidated by the movement, that declares there is only one way to say the name of Christ, but it is interesting to me that they choose His human name, that which many other people of that time had.
Jesus was Jewish, at that time there were other little boys named Jesus. Christ is the title that designated our Jesus as the Savior. So many do not know this, they think there is special power associated with the name of Jesus.
When God said there is power in His name, it did not mean that the name was special but the name for whom it was assigned was the Messiah.
I love my Lord Jesus Christ, if someone wants to judge me because I don't use the Hebrew form of Yeshua, then they cause division and heartache. May those who love to feel special, repent and foster love and understanding among fellow believers.
If someone wants to use the Hebrew version of "Jesus", then wonderful, may they enjoy it, but it is sin to judge others who were born and raised in an English speaking country, when they choose to use their own language to refer to Christ.
User Friendly People
Although I am not a fan of psychology as a whole, there are some elements that are truth as with any secular ideas. The list below does not cover everything in a relationship., there are probably more elements and warning signs that a relationship is in jeopardy, these are only main signs that can be seen more clearly. There are signs that are very subtle, but nonetheless damaging to relationships.
This is not an endorsement of the writer in other works, just agreement on this list.
The Ten Stingers for Friendship: by Karyl McBride
"Is there reciprocity in the relationship? Is there give and take? Or is one person always the giver and the other the taker?"
"Are you able to be yourself in this relationship? Do you find you have to play down your talents to make the friend feel less threatened? Or does this friend celebrate you and allow you to shine in your own right?"
"Is there a sharing of vulnerability on both sides and can you both discuss your real feelings?"
"Do you trust this person with your feelings or do you find yourself on guard most of the time? Have your feelings been used against you?"
"Can your friend give you empathy on a peer level or is it more like sympathy making you feel less than?"
"Does this friend bring out the best in you? Are you aware that you feel wonderful in the presence of this person? You get to be your real self in good times or bad?"
"When issues come up that need to be discussed, can this friend be accountable for their own behavior?"
"Do you find it acceptable to have boundaries with this friend? When setting boundaries, does it cause problems? Or is this understood and easily worked through between you?"
"Do you care about each other for who you are as humans, rather than what you do in your accomplishments?"
"Does the friend exploit you for his or her own ends, or just cherish what you bring to the relationship?"
Unquote
Often believers are led to believe that they must maintain close friendships with ALL other believers. This is not true according to the Bible. We are called to be kind, blessing those who curse us and never returning evil for evil, however that does not translate into close personal friend relationships necessarily.
When we find we have a friend who is a taker, almost never showing concern for us and angry when we cannot give to them, then there is no real relationship. You might say the relationships is "user friendly." One party uses and other is used.
This relationship of "user friendly" is based on one thing only, and that is one of disrespect, unkindness and unconcern. When there is almost never a show of real concern about another human being, the contact can only be agonizing rather than a blessing.
God has called ALL of us to be a blessing, when one person shirks their responsibility to God in this, then there is heartache and discouragement.
Takers very often are angry when others are not giving them something, they forget all about what has already been given to them and whine and complain that those who gave, will not give more.
John 15:12-15
"12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you."
Proverbs 13:20
"20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed."
Proverbs 14:6-7
This is not an endorsement of the writer in other works, just agreement on this list.
The Ten Stingers for Friendship: by Karyl McBride
"Is there reciprocity in the relationship? Is there give and take? Or is one person always the giver and the other the taker?"
"Are you able to be yourself in this relationship? Do you find you have to play down your talents to make the friend feel less threatened? Or does this friend celebrate you and allow you to shine in your own right?"
"Is there a sharing of vulnerability on both sides and can you both discuss your real feelings?"
"Do you trust this person with your feelings or do you find yourself on guard most of the time? Have your feelings been used against you?"
"Can your friend give you empathy on a peer level or is it more like sympathy making you feel less than?"
"Does this friend bring out the best in you? Are you aware that you feel wonderful in the presence of this person? You get to be your real self in good times or bad?"
"When issues come up that need to be discussed, can this friend be accountable for their own behavior?"
"Do you find it acceptable to have boundaries with this friend? When setting boundaries, does it cause problems? Or is this understood and easily worked through between you?"
"Do you care about each other for who you are as humans, rather than what you do in your accomplishments?"
"Does the friend exploit you for his or her own ends, or just cherish what you bring to the relationship?"
Unquote
Often believers are led to believe that they must maintain close friendships with ALL other believers. This is not true according to the Bible. We are called to be kind, blessing those who curse us and never returning evil for evil, however that does not translate into close personal friend relationships necessarily.
When we find we have a friend who is a taker, almost never showing concern for us and angry when we cannot give to them, then there is no real relationship. You might say the relationships is "user friendly." One party uses and other is used.
This relationship of "user friendly" is based on one thing only, and that is one of disrespect, unkindness and unconcern. When there is almost never a show of real concern about another human being, the contact can only be agonizing rather than a blessing.
God has called ALL of us to be a blessing, when one person shirks their responsibility to God in this, then there is heartache and discouragement.
Takers very often are angry when others are not giving them something, they forget all about what has already been given to them and whine and complain that those who gave, will not give more.
John 15:12-15
"12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you."
Proverbs 13:20
"20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed."
Proverbs 14:6-7
"A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding. Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge."
Proverbs 22:22-25
22 "Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate;
23 For the Lord will plead their cause, And plunder the soul of those who plunder them.
24 Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go,
25 Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul."
1 Corinthians 15:33
"33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”"
Luke 6:31
"31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise."
Romans 12:10
"10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;"
Ephesians 4:29-32
"29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."
Proverbs 22:22-25
22 "Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate;
23 For the Lord will plead their cause, And plunder the soul of those who plunder them.
24 Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go,
25 Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul."
1 Corinthians 15:33
"33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”"
Luke 6:31
"31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise."
Romans 12:10
"10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;"
Ephesians 4:29-32
"29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."
Colossians 3:12-14
"12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection."
When we see that many of God's principles are being violated in a relationship continually, we have tried to discuss the violations with our friend, and it is met with resistance and anger, then we must choose whether to remain, endure or walk away.
"12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection."
When we see that many of God's principles are being violated in a relationship continually, we have tried to discuss the violations with our friend, and it is met with resistance and anger, then we must choose whether to remain, endure or walk away.
Those who will not listen to reason, showing that they have no interest in the relationship being one of true friendship, then perhaps it is time to move on.
We must let the Lord be our guide in this, not our culture. Our culture believes in tolerance to the nth degree, disregarding God's commands to be Holy as He is Holy.
Pray for those who spitefully use you, that God will bless them with repentance.
Love seeks to honor God, when someone refuses to do that then we must choose it for ourselves, continual conflict or ill feelings are present because of disobedient brothers and sisters. We must leave them to the Lord, remain innocent in our responses to them, but determine to separate from them for the sake of peace.
We must let the Lord be our guide in this, not our culture. Our culture believes in tolerance to the nth degree, disregarding God's commands to be Holy as He is Holy.
Pray for those who spitefully use you, that God will bless them with repentance.
Love seeks to honor God, when someone refuses to do that then we must choose it for ourselves, continual conflict or ill feelings are present because of disobedient brothers and sisters. We must leave them to the Lord, remain innocent in our responses to them, but determine to separate from them for the sake of peace.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Salvation and Marriage are Permanent
Marriage, just like our born again experience with Christ, was meant to be a relationship, not a contract.
If our marriage relationship is to reflect the relationship between Christ and the church, then we know that it has been sealed by Christ.
Ephesians 4:16 "from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."
Matthew 19:5-6
"5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
"Cleave" means to adhere firmly and closely, loyalty, unwavering devotion. To leave all others to cling as glue to the intended love. Not only in our marriage should this be the case, but also in our walk with Christ.
Ephesians 1:13-14
"13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory."
When we were in Israel, I remember the sheep and goats of a shepherd we met. I wanted to pet the animals, the Jewish man saw this but the sheep were paying no attention to me at all when I called them.
When the Jewish man spoke a couple of words in Hebrew the goats came running immediately to his side, where I could pet them. The goats and sheep did not recognize my voice, but knew his immediately. They clung to him with amazing devotion.
I loved this real life picture of God's principle of the born again believers knowing the voice of the Savior. It also made me think that marriage is a picture of the relationship that should be between Christ and believers.
When we violate the marriage, by adultery or divorce, then we wound the witness to unbelievers of Christ's love for us, and the permanency of our relationship with Him.
John 10:27-30 "Matthew 19:5-6
"5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
When we are married we become one with our spouse, just as we become one with Christ when we become born again. There is a spiritual union in both matters. A union that cannot be severed by man, and God will not sever it because God never breaks a promise to us.
As He expects us to keep our promise to Him and our spouse.
2 Peter 1:3-4
"3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."
You see now that marriage and our born again relationship with Christ are permanent!
If our marriage relationship is to reflect the relationship between Christ and the church, then we know that it has been sealed by Christ.
Ephesians 4:16 "from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."
Matthew 19:5-6
"5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
"Cleave" means to adhere firmly and closely, loyalty, unwavering devotion. To leave all others to cling as glue to the intended love. Not only in our marriage should this be the case, but also in our walk with Christ.
Ephesians 1:13-14
"13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory."
When we were in Israel, I remember the sheep and goats of a shepherd we met. I wanted to pet the animals, the Jewish man saw this but the sheep were paying no attention to me at all when I called them.
When the Jewish man spoke a couple of words in Hebrew the goats came running immediately to his side, where I could pet them. The goats and sheep did not recognize my voice, but knew his immediately. They clung to him with amazing devotion.
I loved this real life picture of God's principle of the born again believers knowing the voice of the Savior. It also made me think that marriage is a picture of the relationship that should be between Christ and believers.
When we violate the marriage, by adultery or divorce, then we wound the witness to unbelievers of Christ's love for us, and the permanency of our relationship with Him.
John 10:27-30 "Matthew 19:5-6
"5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
When we are married we become one with our spouse, just as we become one with Christ when we become born again. There is a spiritual union in both matters. A union that cannot be severed by man, and God will not sever it because God never breaks a promise to us.
As He expects us to keep our promise to Him and our spouse.
2 Peter 1:3-4
"3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."
You see now that marriage and our born again relationship with Christ are permanent!
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