One of the signs of a pretender is that they have no shame for their sin and even fight bitterly to justify it.
Jeremiah 6:15 ""Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done? They were not even ashamed at all; They did not even know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time that I punish them, They shall be cast down," says the LORD."
A believer would display shame when confronted about their sin. They may make excuses for it, but they will not aggressively fight against those that expose it. Eventually they will confess and turn from their sin.
1 John 3:9
"No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God."
Friday, August 15, 2014
Each Member is Accountable to each other Member
Each Member is Accountable to each other Member
For those who believe Christians do not sin after they are
born again, the fact is that we do sin, some sins are bigger than others, but
if someone calls themselves a brother, then we have an obligation to confront
them, call them to account with their welfare in mind. What do we care what a
brother goes through....except that we love them and want their standing with
God to be righteousness.
Hebrews 12:6
"FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE
SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES."
Matthew 18:15-17
15 “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."
The problem we have now is that fellow believers will not
chastise one another, challenging to greater holiness. We use the excuse that
it is up to God, what we forget is that we are God's hands and feet and He has
commanded us to do certain things among our brothers and sisters to help them.
After all, we are a family, families care about one another, it is not caring
to ignore sin in our siblings lives.
I understand the following verse has to do with the gifts,
however, it does demonstrate that we all have responsibilities to one another,
no one person is an island unto themselves, we all need one another.
1 Corinthians 12:14-18
"14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the
foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not
for this reason [k]any the less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says,
“Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this
reason [l]any the less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye,
where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of
smell be? 18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body,
just as He desired."
Do we love our siblings enough to correct them and even
discipline them, or do we only care about our own comfort, running from our
responsibility to correct.
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Christ is the Answer
The Answer to all of the Problems of Life are in the Bible
The Lord's Word, the Bible, should always be our guide, not
feelings, psychological humanistic tradition and not opinions. We must let the
Word of God and the Holy Spirit be our guide. We ought to be asking all the
time for everything, "What does God say about this."
The only way to know what God thinks is to read the Love
Letter He sent from Himself to those who wrote it down for Him, the Bible!
When we assert a concept we must always be ready to prove
that concept by Scripture.
Many times I have had to let go of things I was taught in
church, in favor of the truth of the Bible. Far too many things in church today
and even back in my early days, were based on psychology or other human
traditions.
If we are not willing to say to the Lord, "I want to
know only truth from you", then you are not seeking the Lord. Those who
will not seek the Lord for cleansing of wrong teachings, are cherry picking to
be able to justify much of what they do or want to believe.
When we have a dilemma, our first response is to go to God
in prayer, not another person for the answer. Then we should search the
Scriptures to find the answer. The answer to every situation is in that mighty
Word. The exact situation may not be there, but the principles are.
No one could give us a situation that does not have
principles in the Word that deal with that specific situation. We look for the
principles of living to discern the needed action or attitude.
All of the answers to life are in the Scriptures and all of
the answers to life are Christ because He is the Word.
John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word
was with God, and the Word was God."
Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active
and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of
soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and
intentions of the heart."
2 Timothy 3:16-17 "
16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is]
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished
unto all good works."
Psalms 119:105 - "Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet,
and a light unto my path."
1 John 1:1 - "That which was from the beginning, which
we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and
our hands have handled, of the Word of life;"
Matthew 4:4 - "But he answered and said, It is written,
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the
mouth of God."
Proverbs 30:5 - "Every word of God [is] pure: he [is] a
shield unto them that put their trust in him."
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Unconditional Love?
There are those who believe that God's love is unconditional, I see no scripture to support this. Yes, we do not earn it, but we do not receive it if we will not believe.
God's love is conditional on us desiring to be changed into a new creation, through believing. Those who do not want to believe and do not want to be changed will not be born again. They can go to church, pray and even do good works, but if they do not believe they will not receive eternal life.
Christ extended His love to the entire world, but most will not avail themselves to His love through belief in His finished work on the cross on their behalf.
Can anyone tell me, is it love to send someone to hell? All those who refuse to love Christ are going there.
Perhaps some of you can provide scripture to answer this questions.
God's love is conditional on us desiring to be changed into a new creation, through believing. Those who do not want to believe and do not want to be changed will not be born again. They can go to church, pray and even do good works, but if they do not believe they will not receive eternal life.
Christ extended His love to the entire world, but most will not avail themselves to His love through belief in His finished work on the cross on their behalf.
Can anyone tell me, is it love to send someone to hell? All those who refuse to love Christ are going there.
Perhaps some of you can provide scripture to answer this questions.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Talent Does Not Save Us!
I am pretty sure the subject of a popular actor who committed suicide yesterday, is going to come up today in the news feed, glorifying him for his accomplishments as an actor/director.
A very popular actor killed himself yesterday, in spite of this act, he is being glorified by the media, as a wonderful person because he made people laugh and his acting skills were celebrated by many.
His popularity is based on his acting, his wealth and that he made people laugh. Does this sound like sensible evaluation of a man's life?
Let's see what this man's life was really like! He was divorced twice and remarried a third time. This man who is the darling of the media, had an affair while still married to his first wife, after that there were two divorces and a third wife.
Notice that most movie stars down through the ages are divorced and remarried, often multiple times, because they are so completely self absorbed, they cannot be a good companions to anyone.
Most actors and actresses love this profession because they are narcissists who desire continual praise and attention, fame is their goal.
He was in and out of rehap for cocain and alcoholism, and he spent his entire life focused on himself.
This man was invited by the Democratic party to speak at one of their fund raisers for our current president. When the news media reported it, they were bleeping out so many filthy curse words that very little of his message could be heard, he was known for his gutter mouth.
Is this the kind of man that believers want their children to enjoy and love?
When we base our love for someone on their talents rather than their character we are glorifying them for things that are not only not important to God but even disgust Him. It does not please God when we sing the praises of someone who hates Him.
I am not impressed with any charity work he may have done, although the media has not been mentioning any yet, or his talents in the movie industry, none of these things honor God, when someone lives a lifestyle of debauchery, God is angry with them.
Psalm 7:11 "God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day."
This very popular actor/comedian pushed the political issue of same sex marriage forward before it was popular to do so. One of his movies depicted a nanny who was a cross dresser.
This man was asked this question on a popular talk show; "“If heaven exists, what do you want to hear God say when you arrive at the gates?”
His answer was this; "Is there seating at the front." His attitude toward God on many occasions was to mock Him. He had no reverence for anyone or anything. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, rejected every kind of authority and died defying God through the act of suicide.
He supported verbally and financially every liberal cause of our day.
NOW TELL ME WHAT SHOULD WE GLORIFY ABOUT THIS MAN?
When we evaluate someone on their talents, whether an actor or ball player we are sending the message that it doesn't matter how they live or who they hurt as long as they are talented and make people happy with that talent.
I don't know about you, but I intend to turn off the news every time this story comes up, I can't stand to hear any more accolades for someone who dishonored God in every way possible.
The best thing we can do now, is not to glorify him, but to pray for the salvation of his family and all the people who were influenced by his terrible example.
A very popular actor killed himself yesterday, in spite of this act, he is being glorified by the media, as a wonderful person because he made people laugh and his acting skills were celebrated by many.
His popularity is based on his acting, his wealth and that he made people laugh. Does this sound like sensible evaluation of a man's life?
Let's see what this man's life was really like! He was divorced twice and remarried a third time. This man who is the darling of the media, had an affair while still married to his first wife, after that there were two divorces and a third wife.
Notice that most movie stars down through the ages are divorced and remarried, often multiple times, because they are so completely self absorbed, they cannot be a good companions to anyone.
Most actors and actresses love this profession because they are narcissists who desire continual praise and attention, fame is their goal.
He was in and out of rehap for cocain and alcoholism, and he spent his entire life focused on himself.
This man was invited by the Democratic party to speak at one of their fund raisers for our current president. When the news media reported it, they were bleeping out so many filthy curse words that very little of his message could be heard, he was known for his gutter mouth.
Is this the kind of man that believers want their children to enjoy and love?
When we base our love for someone on their talents rather than their character we are glorifying them for things that are not only not important to God but even disgust Him. It does not please God when we sing the praises of someone who hates Him.
I am not impressed with any charity work he may have done, although the media has not been mentioning any yet, or his talents in the movie industry, none of these things honor God, when someone lives a lifestyle of debauchery, God is angry with them.
Psalm 7:11 "God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day."
This very popular actor/comedian pushed the political issue of same sex marriage forward before it was popular to do so. One of his movies depicted a nanny who was a cross dresser.
This man was asked this question on a popular talk show; "“If heaven exists, what do you want to hear God say when you arrive at the gates?”
His answer was this; "Is there seating at the front." His attitude toward God on many occasions was to mock Him. He had no reverence for anyone or anything. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, rejected every kind of authority and died defying God through the act of suicide.
He supported verbally and financially every liberal cause of our day.
NOW TELL ME WHAT SHOULD WE GLORIFY ABOUT THIS MAN?
When we evaluate someone on their talents, whether an actor or ball player we are sending the message that it doesn't matter how they live or who they hurt as long as they are talented and make people happy with that talent.
I don't know about you, but I intend to turn off the news every time this story comes up, I can't stand to hear any more accolades for someone who dishonored God in every way possible.
The best thing we can do now, is not to glorify him, but to pray for the salvation of his family and all the people who were influenced by his terrible example.
Monday, August 11, 2014
Terrorism Is Coming To America: Are You Ready?
Terrorism is coming to America, and perhaps soon. It might be a good time to evaluate whether or not we have been born again. Those who will be killed for their faith, will go to their heavenly home, a blessing to them.
However, those who have not trusted Christ will face terrible oppression and even hell if they convert to Islam to avoid torture and death.
We, in America, have been referred to as the "great satan", it makes sense that Islam would want to destroy us.
I am convinced that the open borders will be the conduit through which the terrorists are entering, the reason our president will not close the borders. They are coming in other ways too, but it seems that it would be easy to enter where many immigrants are entering with all kinds of illegal drugs, why would bringing in explosives be any more difficult?
We are in for some very hard times, life has been easy in recent years compared to what is coming. Far too many "seventies" children have been pampered, lacking nothing that they desired, they are not ready for hardship or extreme conditions.
May the Lord open the eyes of many to realize that the only way to escape insanity because of the horrors that are coming, is to submit to Christ. He will not necessarily take us out of them, but He will go through with us if we have trusted Him.
Those who do not know Christ will not have the strength or resolve to endure. It is only Christ Who can give us what we need when we need it.
May many turn to Christ in these last days before the Lord meets His bride in the air.
However, those who have not trusted Christ will face terrible oppression and even hell if they convert to Islam to avoid torture and death.
We, in America, have been referred to as the "great satan", it makes sense that Islam would want to destroy us.
I am convinced that the open borders will be the conduit through which the terrorists are entering, the reason our president will not close the borders. They are coming in other ways too, but it seems that it would be easy to enter where many immigrants are entering with all kinds of illegal drugs, why would bringing in explosives be any more difficult?
We are in for some very hard times, life has been easy in recent years compared to what is coming. Far too many "seventies" children have been pampered, lacking nothing that they desired, they are not ready for hardship or extreme conditions.
May the Lord open the eyes of many to realize that the only way to escape insanity because of the horrors that are coming, is to submit to Christ. He will not necessarily take us out of them, but He will go through with us if we have trusted Him.
Those who do not know Christ will not have the strength or resolve to endure. It is only Christ Who can give us what we need when we need it.
May many turn to Christ in these last days before the Lord meets His bride in the air.
Feelings Are Not The Focus
The devil will use feelings to make us think we are not forgiven. If we ignore them remember God's Word, soon the guilt will leave.
There is a difference between false guilt brought on by the devil's accusations against us and true conviction from the Holy Spirit, as we grow in wisdom we will learn which is which.
Feelings lie to us, they say things are good when they are bad and they will say things are bad when they are good. We must learn to ignore our feelings and think with the mind of Christ, then we will be able to discern whether the feelings are accurate or not.
There is a difference between false guilt brought on by the devil's accusations against us and true conviction from the Holy Spirit, as we grow in wisdom we will learn which is which.
Feelings lie to us, they say things are good when they are bad and they will say things are bad when they are good. We must learn to ignore our feelings and think with the mind of Christ, then we will be able to discern whether the feelings are accurate or not.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)