There are those I have met who claim to be "Christian", who have mixed their form of Christianity with other cultic doctrines. I notice that these pretenders, who don't know themselves, that they are not born again, do not remain stable in their walk. They cannot maintain growth because the Holy Spirit does not live in them. Rather they regress, not realizing that those who are discerning can see the progression backward in their walk. When a persons walk is based on their own human effort, it can not be maintained. It is only the cleansing that Christ offers that makes permanent growth that never regresses.
The warning to these people is ominous, declaring that there will be those who think they are saved, but will find out their frightening fate when they get before God when He says to them, "I never knew you."
Matthew 7:21-23
"21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
When we see someone veering off the path that God has set for us, returning to their old ways, losing all vigor for the Word of God and spiritual growth, we may be looking at an unsaved individual who only thinks they are on their way to heaven. I feel very bad for these people, they are living securely in their confidence when their end is a devastating trip into the lake of fire at the end of all the pretense.
May each one reading this examine themselves through the Scriptures, while asking God to show them if they have been changed into a new creation by Christ, and sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Outer Beauty Counts For Nothing
Has anyone noticed that prosperity preachers look physically beautiful? They are all put together like well dressed china dolls.
I believe all this focus on physical beauty is another way of disarming people. Many people are manipulated by outer beauty and tend to believe those who "look good."
People are also easily manipulated by flattery and happy words. Every person I have met who go to seers, fortune tellers at fairs and in town, always get a wonderful report for their future. NO one ever gets a bad or frightening report and those reports are so general that anyone would fit them. After all, the seer wants them to come back.
2 Corinthians 11:14 "And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light."
Prosperity preachers are like this too, they want their listeners to come back and they want them to donate to their cause, which is always their own bank account.
2 Timothy 4:1-4 "1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables"
The prosperity glad happy preachers are this way. They always have only positive things to say, which brings them into question immediately.
Christ and the apostles spent more time warning and rebuking than anythings else, after all, they were dealing with unsaved wicked hearts, that needed cleansing.
Personal accomplishments for talents, job experience and outer beauty, can be a good thing, but in the vast scheme of God's plan they are nothing. It is the spiritual inner character that Christ looks at and whether or not there is a desire to be holy.
Many people excel in business, surrounding themselves with people who admire them, but have never been born again. They are headed for hell, while reveling in their earthly successes.
I know church goers who love to surround themselves with outwardly "beautiful people", and will have nothing to do with those who are not physically appealing. I think these people would not have liked John the Baptist. He spoke words of warning and looked and smelled like an animal.
Matthew 3:4 "Now John himself had a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey."
Mark 1:4 "John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins."
John 1:19-25 "And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”
1 Samuel 16:7 "7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
The more I walk with Christ, the less I notice outer appearance. I am fixated on the heart of the people I love. I love them because they love Christ, enjoy conversation about Him, never shrinking from learning more or accepting a challenge. Their heart is so completely enveloped with Christ, that they take no offense when challenged, but rather embrace it. They challenge and are challenged and their response it to seek the Lord, they do not fight or argue to appear superior, their focus is Christ. Whether they are elevated is of no consequence to them, their mission is spiritual growth and holiness.
Those who love the Lord may notice our appearance, but they don't care about it, they desire to know the heart of a man rather than enjoy their outer appearance.
I don't know about you, but I have met people who were physically beautiful that took on an ugly appearance because of their arrogance and selfishness. They didn't seem outwardly beautiful after learning their heart.
I have also met people who would not be considered beautiful, but had hearts of gold when it comes to spiritual matters. After getting to know these people, they seemed outwardly beautiful too.
Those who interpret life in terms of Christ see the spirit of a man much more than the shell in which that spirit lives.
1 Peter 3:3-4 "3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God."
Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God."
2 Corinthians 4:16 "16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day."
Proverbs 31:25 "Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come."
Speaking of Wisdom God says:
Proverbs 3:15-18
"15 She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her"
Galatians 5:25 "25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."
Romans 8:6 "6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."
1 Timothy 2:99-10 "9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works."
John 13:35 "35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Matthew 22:36-40
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
I believe all this focus on physical beauty is another way of disarming people. Many people are manipulated by outer beauty and tend to believe those who "look good."
People are also easily manipulated by flattery and happy words. Every person I have met who go to seers, fortune tellers at fairs and in town, always get a wonderful report for their future. NO one ever gets a bad or frightening report and those reports are so general that anyone would fit them. After all, the seer wants them to come back.
2 Corinthians 11:14 "And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light."
Prosperity preachers are like this too, they want their listeners to come back and they want them to donate to their cause, which is always their own bank account.
2 Timothy 4:1-4 "1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables"
The prosperity glad happy preachers are this way. They always have only positive things to say, which brings them into question immediately.
Christ and the apostles spent more time warning and rebuking than anythings else, after all, they were dealing with unsaved wicked hearts, that needed cleansing.
Personal accomplishments for talents, job experience and outer beauty, can be a good thing, but in the vast scheme of God's plan they are nothing. It is the spiritual inner character that Christ looks at and whether or not there is a desire to be holy.
Many people excel in business, surrounding themselves with people who admire them, but have never been born again. They are headed for hell, while reveling in their earthly successes.
I know church goers who love to surround themselves with outwardly "beautiful people", and will have nothing to do with those who are not physically appealing. I think these people would not have liked John the Baptist. He spoke words of warning and looked and smelled like an animal.
Matthew 3:4 "Now John himself had a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey."
Mark 1:4 "John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins."
John 1:19-25 "And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”
1 Samuel 16:7 "7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
The more I walk with Christ, the less I notice outer appearance. I am fixated on the heart of the people I love. I love them because they love Christ, enjoy conversation about Him, never shrinking from learning more or accepting a challenge. Their heart is so completely enveloped with Christ, that they take no offense when challenged, but rather embrace it. They challenge and are challenged and their response it to seek the Lord, they do not fight or argue to appear superior, their focus is Christ. Whether they are elevated is of no consequence to them, their mission is spiritual growth and holiness.
Those who love the Lord may notice our appearance, but they don't care about it, they desire to know the heart of a man rather than enjoy their outer appearance.
I don't know about you, but I have met people who were physically beautiful that took on an ugly appearance because of their arrogance and selfishness. They didn't seem outwardly beautiful after learning their heart.
I have also met people who would not be considered beautiful, but had hearts of gold when it comes to spiritual matters. After getting to know these people, they seemed outwardly beautiful too.
Those who interpret life in terms of Christ see the spirit of a man much more than the shell in which that spirit lives.
1 Peter 3:3-4 "3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God."
Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God."
2 Corinthians 4:16 "16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day."
Proverbs 31:25 "Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come."
Speaking of Wisdom God says:
Proverbs 3:15-18
"15 She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her"
Galatians 5:25 "25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."
Romans 8:6 "6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."
1 Timothy 2:99-10 "9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works."
John 13:35 "35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Matthew 22:36-40
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Sunday, November 9, 2014
To Know God We Must Know His Word
Many believers don't know their Bible they get their theology from a book of quotes written by men, rather than God's Word.
Psalm 119:11 "Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You."
We cannot obey God if we don't know what He says!
Psalm 119:11 "Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You."
We cannot obey God if we don't know what He says!
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Did You Wake Up In Your Right Mind Today?
How many of you feel this way, I am blessed every day that I wake up in my right mind, and other things too.
Our blessings most of the time are simple every day provision. Most of us have all our needs and a little more. When we are satisfied with that then we are blessed.
When the Lord speaks of blessing it is my humble opinion that He is not speaking or thinking of piles of material wealth, but rather He is wanting to heap upon us His wisdom and grace among other character qualities that glorify Him.
Ephesians 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:"
We have got to retrain our minds to think in spiritual terms rather than material. Our human tendency is to equate everything to the physical world, but God wants us to grow more and more in the spiritual. It is of much greater value for eternity. All our physical wealth will burn up one day and all that will be left is our character in Christ.
Our blessings most of the time are simple every day provision. Most of us have all our needs and a little more. When we are satisfied with that then we are blessed.
When the Lord speaks of blessing it is my humble opinion that He is not speaking or thinking of piles of material wealth, but rather He is wanting to heap upon us His wisdom and grace among other character qualities that glorify Him.
Ephesians 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:"
We have got to retrain our minds to think in spiritual terms rather than material. Our human tendency is to equate everything to the physical world, but God wants us to grow more and more in the spiritual. It is of much greater value for eternity. All our physical wealth will burn up one day and all that will be left is our character in Christ.
Going Home Soon I Hope!
Looking forward to going home soon, to meet all the brothers and sisters I have met on facebook, but have never seen. I never had a bio sister, but WOW, has God blessed me with a whole lot of Sisters in the Lord. And Brothers too!!!!
Bless you all as we wait for the time when we will all be together at the marriage supper of the Lamb.
My prayer is that those who are not yet saved but think they are, will evaluate themselves according to Scripture, and become a part of the family of Christ.
My other prayer is that those who are born again, will become more bold in these last days, increasing in everything especially love...God's kind of love that yearns for the unsaved to find Christ and seeks holiness in their own walk.
Have a blessed weekend family of God!!!!!!
Bless you all as we wait for the time when we will all be together at the marriage supper of the Lamb.
My prayer is that those who are not yet saved but think they are, will evaluate themselves according to Scripture, and become a part of the family of Christ.
My other prayer is that those who are born again, will become more bold in these last days, increasing in everything especially love...God's kind of love that yearns for the unsaved to find Christ and seeks holiness in their own walk.
Have a blessed weekend family of God!!!!!!
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Seeing Things As They Really Are
The more we know Christ, the greater our discernment, we will notice more evil than ever before because our eyes will be open. With that knowledge and wisdom comes sorrow but also strength to endue it.
Ecc. 1:18 "For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow."
Philippians 1:9-10 "9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,"
Hebrews 5:14 "But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."
Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Proverbs 2:5-1 "My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God."
Those who only want to enjoy life, ignoring or denying everything that is evil around them, will feel content, but they are not useful for the kingdom of God.
We cannot be truthful and honest while denying truth simply to feel good. We are strong when we can admit truth no matter how ugly, feeling a sense of sorrow over evil while at the same time retaining that deep down sense of joy because Christ knows all about it.
Denying evil does not change the evil and it is lying. Prayer over the evil can bring change, but if we deny that it exists then we won't pray. Who is the focus when we deny evil? It is a selfish person who prefers positive friendly encounters all the time, there is no sense of helping anyone or glorifying God when our focus is our self.
We all love to feel good, but as believers, our positive outlook has nothing to do with avoiding the truth. Our sense of well being comes from knowing Who is in control and that all things have a purpose.
Pretending everything is alright, no matter what the sin people are involved in, is lying and unproductive. When safety is the goal of a believer, then narcissism has taken over.
IF we want to be useful for the kingdom, then we take things as they come, calling them what they are, handling them God's way while carrying on for Christ. His joy surpasses anything we have to endure.
Ecc. 1:18 "For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow."
Philippians 1:9-10 "9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,"
Hebrews 5:14 "But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."
Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Proverbs 2:5-1 "My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God."
Those who only want to enjoy life, ignoring or denying everything that is evil around them, will feel content, but they are not useful for the kingdom of God.
We cannot be truthful and honest while denying truth simply to feel good. We are strong when we can admit truth no matter how ugly, feeling a sense of sorrow over evil while at the same time retaining that deep down sense of joy because Christ knows all about it.
Denying evil does not change the evil and it is lying. Prayer over the evil can bring change, but if we deny that it exists then we won't pray. Who is the focus when we deny evil? It is a selfish person who prefers positive friendly encounters all the time, there is no sense of helping anyone or glorifying God when our focus is our self.
We all love to feel good, but as believers, our positive outlook has nothing to do with avoiding the truth. Our sense of well being comes from knowing Who is in control and that all things have a purpose.
Pretending everything is alright, no matter what the sin people are involved in, is lying and unproductive. When safety is the goal of a believer, then narcissism has taken over.
IF we want to be useful for the kingdom, then we take things as they come, calling them what they are, handling them God's way while carrying on for Christ. His joy surpasses anything we have to endure.
Seek God For His Will
God's creation is a testimony to His work of salvation and purpose to glorify Himself.
As I was pondering the apple tree that is rooted in the neighbors yard across the fence, I was reminded how that tree testifies to God's work of salvation in believers.
In order for an apple tree to grow, the seed that falls to the ground must die, before it can be changed into something else. When that seed dies, and is no more, then a tree grows producing a trunk, leaves, and eventually apples. The original seed will never come back, but the new tree that produces apples will have within that fruit other seeds that will fall to the ground and die too, producing an orchard.
This is very much a picture of the Christian life, when we confess our sinfulness desiring to be changed by Christ, HE comes and changes us making us into a new creation, the old cannot return. When the new comes, it will keep producing fruit, and that fruit will produce seeds for new trees, I believe this is a picture of the believer spreading the gospel and others will become saved and grow their own fruit and spread more seed.
All believers will have the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 "22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."
The fruit of the Spirit is not works, they are spiritual character qualities.
The gifts of the Spirit are talents,for lack of a better word, that allow us to more fully spread the Gospel and serve other believers.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 "4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.
As I was pondering the apple tree that is rooted in the neighbors yard across the fence, I was reminded how that tree testifies to God's work of salvation in believers.
In order for an apple tree to grow, the seed that falls to the ground must die, before it can be changed into something else. When that seed dies, and is no more, then a tree grows producing a trunk, leaves, and eventually apples. The original seed will never come back, but the new tree that produces apples will have within that fruit other seeds that will fall to the ground and die too, producing an orchard.
This is very much a picture of the Christian life, when we confess our sinfulness desiring to be changed by Christ, HE comes and changes us making us into a new creation, the old cannot return. When the new comes, it will keep producing fruit, and that fruit will produce seeds for new trees, I believe this is a picture of the believer spreading the gospel and others will become saved and grow their own fruit and spread more seed.
All believers will have the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 "22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."
The fruit of the Spirit is not works, they are spiritual character qualities.
The gifts of the Spirit are talents,for lack of a better word, that allow us to more fully spread the Gospel and serve other believers.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 "4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,
9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,
8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,
9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,
10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."
When one becomes born again, they will never lose any of these fruits, they were integrated into our being and will never leave us. The gifts will come and go as God sees a need for them.
The gifts of the Spirit are given to each of us, as God sees fit, we are not to ask for them, we are to walk and pray in God's will and He will give us gifts as are needed for whatever task He gives us to do. Begging for gifts is a way of telling God what He must do. We are to desire Spiritual gifts, but not our own idea of what we want. We are to ask for God's will for us, for His purposes.
Luke 1:38 "And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her."
Notice in the account of Mary's encounter with the messenger from God, the messenger told her what was to be the will of God and she submitted. No where in the Word will you find someone who commands God as to what He will do in them. We seek the Lord for His will and He will do it in us.
Bottom Line: Seek the Lord for His will and obey when you hear Him.
11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."
When one becomes born again, they will never lose any of these fruits, they were integrated into our being and will never leave us. The gifts will come and go as God sees a need for them.
The gifts of the Spirit are given to each of us, as God sees fit, we are not to ask for them, we are to walk and pray in God's will and He will give us gifts as are needed for whatever task He gives us to do. Begging for gifts is a way of telling God what He must do. We are to desire Spiritual gifts, but not our own idea of what we want. We are to ask for God's will for us, for His purposes.
Luke 1:38 "And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her."
Notice in the account of Mary's encounter with the messenger from God, the messenger told her what was to be the will of God and she submitted. No where in the Word will you find someone who commands God as to what He will do in them. We seek the Lord for His will and He will do it in us.
Bottom Line: Seek the Lord for His will and obey when you hear Him.
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