If someone in your household, who is old enough to get a job, (not a spouse) will not obey the Lord, then they need to leave and make their own way in the world. Never let anyone into your home or on your property to live, if they have had a life of rebellion without repentance for it. They will destroy your peace, ruin your reputation and cause nothing but trouble all the time.
"As for me and my house we will serve the Lord."
Monday, May 18, 2015
Only Christ Is "Reverend"
"He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and Reverend is his name." —Psalm 111:9
No man should be called "Reverend", it is a title reserved only for Christ.
No man should be called "Reverend", it is a title reserved only for Christ.
Do It God's Way!!!
One of the hardest things for me when raising children, was the rolling of the eyes in contempt when attempting to discipline our children. Even into adult years I still see the rolling of the eyes, through covert actions and dead pan faces. When there is not solidarity in the home, one parent will not discipline and the other wants to obey God, the one who will not obey God's standard is often, if not always the favored one.
The one who loves the Lord and desires to discipline God's way and consistently is continually met with anger on the part of the disobedient parent, causing contemptuous attitudes on the part of the children toward the parent who does discipline. Children watch how the disobedient parent treats the obedient one and emulates them, after all there is that natural bent toward rebellion, the one who is disobedient to God, will be the one the children will follow.
There is no solution to this problem, when a parent is lenient and inconsistent toward bad behavior, it is nearly impossible for the disciplinarian to have an impact. Little progress can be made in the heart of the rebellious child when one parent disobeys God, even when the other does obey Him.
The admonition here, is to be sure before one marries that both people agree on God's standard for raising children.
The consequences of a disobedient parent toward God's standard, who will not discipline, have lifelong consequences not only for the rebellious child but also a ruination of the relationship between the parent who obeys God and their children.
Everything the disciplinarian does will be held in contempt by the children no matter how much that parent did for the children, they will maintain their stance of rebellion and contempt for the one who obeyed God in matters of discipline.
It is natural for an unregenerate heart to bend toward the parent who has little or no standard in the home. Sadly, this propensity to bend toward the disobedient parent remains in the mind and heart, even after the children are grown. They don't remember why they despised the parent who obeyed God, only that they didn't like them.
The instruction of the obedient parent toward God, is spurned continually by the children. After they are grown they continue to be contemptuous and dismissive of the obedient parent's counsel.
There is no solution to this mess after all is said and done, except to pray for the children to eventually confess their sin and become born again.
The moral of the story is this: Young people, study the Bible deeply and pray before choosing a mate and be sure that you both agree on God's standard, talk about it, read the Word together and discuss the plan of action that will be taken with children even before you begin to have them.
If one cannot discuss with their potential mate the important matters of the Word and raising children, then there should be no marriage. 80% of the battle in raising children is agreement on the methods, that it be done God's way.
The one who loves the Lord and desires to discipline God's way and consistently is continually met with anger on the part of the disobedient parent, causing contemptuous attitudes on the part of the children toward the parent who does discipline. Children watch how the disobedient parent treats the obedient one and emulates them, after all there is that natural bent toward rebellion, the one who is disobedient to God, will be the one the children will follow.
There is no solution to this problem, when a parent is lenient and inconsistent toward bad behavior, it is nearly impossible for the disciplinarian to have an impact. Little progress can be made in the heart of the rebellious child when one parent disobeys God, even when the other does obey Him.
The admonition here, is to be sure before one marries that both people agree on God's standard for raising children.
The consequences of a disobedient parent toward God's standard, who will not discipline, have lifelong consequences not only for the rebellious child but also a ruination of the relationship between the parent who obeys God and their children.
Everything the disciplinarian does will be held in contempt by the children no matter how much that parent did for the children, they will maintain their stance of rebellion and contempt for the one who obeyed God in matters of discipline.
It is natural for an unregenerate heart to bend toward the parent who has little or no standard in the home. Sadly, this propensity to bend toward the disobedient parent remains in the mind and heart, even after the children are grown. They don't remember why they despised the parent who obeyed God, only that they didn't like them.
The instruction of the obedient parent toward God, is spurned continually by the children. After they are grown they continue to be contemptuous and dismissive of the obedient parent's counsel.
There is no solution to this mess after all is said and done, except to pray for the children to eventually confess their sin and become born again.
The moral of the story is this: Young people, study the Bible deeply and pray before choosing a mate and be sure that you both agree on God's standard, talk about it, read the Word together and discuss the plan of action that will be taken with children even before you begin to have them.
If one cannot discuss with their potential mate the important matters of the Word and raising children, then there should be no marriage. 80% of the battle in raising children is agreement on the methods, that it be done God's way.
Israel Soon to be Saved
Romans 11:26
"and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, "THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB."
"and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, "THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB."
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Kent Hovind to be Released
Kent Hovind may be released, I am glad to hear this possibility. However, let us remember that he was guilty of a crime, even if the sentence was excessive for this sort of offense.
Many believers are defending him, as though it was all injustice that he went to jail. We can be sure there was some religious prejudice involved in the final decision in his sentencing, but the courts were not ultimately in control.
Let's not forget that God was still in control of all that happens to believer even if administered by unsaved people. We are told to follow the laws of our land, that is clear in the Word of God.
Romans 13:1-7 "1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.
6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.
7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor."
God is likely to bring a greater discipline on those who belong to Him, when they are a public figure and have the ability to influence others to do as they do. I am sorry that he broke the law, I am not sorry about his sentence, that too was in God's hands.
I am however pleased that Hovind seemed repentant, said he would not repeat it again, that it was bad judgement and that he may be released soon.
I remember when the Bakers were doing their foolishness with the theme parks, believers were up in arms at the length of Jim Bakers sentence when he was arrested, declaring that it was excessive because he was a Christian, as though God was not in control of that either.
When an influential Christian defies the principles of God in a public way, then God deals very harshly with them for their negative influence in the church body.
James 3:1 "Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment."
Instead of whining about the sentence leveled against believers who have done wrong, we ought to be ashamed at the nasty taste it leaves in the mouths of unbelievers when those who call themselves by Christ's name smudge that name.
Remember too, if any of us go to jail unjustly, then we will know that it was God and that He had a purpose. Nothing escapes His notice or is out of His control. Even the Apostles went to jail unjustly, they sang praises in jail. We are free wherever we are if we are in Christ.
1 Peter 3:12-14 "12“FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS,
AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER,
BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL.”
13Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?
14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED,
15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.
17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.
18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
19 in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison,
20 who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.
21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
22who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him."
Many believers are defending him, as though it was all injustice that he went to jail. We can be sure there was some religious prejudice involved in the final decision in his sentencing, but the courts were not ultimately in control.
Let's not forget that God was still in control of all that happens to believer even if administered by unsaved people. We are told to follow the laws of our land, that is clear in the Word of God.
Romans 13:1-7 "1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.
6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.
7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor."
God is likely to bring a greater discipline on those who belong to Him, when they are a public figure and have the ability to influence others to do as they do. I am sorry that he broke the law, I am not sorry about his sentence, that too was in God's hands.
I am however pleased that Hovind seemed repentant, said he would not repeat it again, that it was bad judgement and that he may be released soon.
I remember when the Bakers were doing their foolishness with the theme parks, believers were up in arms at the length of Jim Bakers sentence when he was arrested, declaring that it was excessive because he was a Christian, as though God was not in control of that either.
When an influential Christian defies the principles of God in a public way, then God deals very harshly with them for their negative influence in the church body.
James 3:1 "Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment."
Instead of whining about the sentence leveled against believers who have done wrong, we ought to be ashamed at the nasty taste it leaves in the mouths of unbelievers when those who call themselves by Christ's name smudge that name.
Remember too, if any of us go to jail unjustly, then we will know that it was God and that He had a purpose. Nothing escapes His notice or is out of His control. Even the Apostles went to jail unjustly, they sang praises in jail. We are free wherever we are if we are in Christ.
1 Peter 3:12-14 "12“FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS,
AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER,
BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL.”
13Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?
14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED,
15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.
17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.
18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
19 in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison,
20 who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.
21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
22who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him."
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Religious People
"Religious" people are very stubborn because they feel safe being religious and in control of their own destiny, or so they think. Even people who claim to be "Christian", are often "religious", they love their ritual and traditions refusing to let go of what is familiar to them even if the Bible says it is offensive to God.
The definition of "religion" is a system of rules, dos and don'ts that have little to do with true Christianity.
Those who have been born again are in love with the Savior, they care deeply what God wants.
The definition of "religion" is a system of rules, dos and don'ts that have little to do with true Christianity.
Those who have been born again are in love with the Savior, they care deeply what God wants.
Christ is the Door to All Things
When we say we believe Christ but negate much of what is in His word, not bothering to ask Him to show us truth, then we should admit that we really don't believe Christ, we merely mouth the words without an inkling of trust in our souls.
Trust will be evidenced in a desire to know the mind of Christ, to know His principles His way.
I remember those women's Bible studies I have attended many years ago as a new believer, something about them made me sick at my stomach. As I began to grow Spiritually and deeply seek the Word, I realized what made me so ill about those gatherings.
The leaders were telling their students to go home and read a passage of the Bible and come back next week to share "what that passage meant to them." I argued with the leader, adamantly, that we should be asking God to tell us what He meant by the passage, not read to make it fit our particular desires and hopes.
Of course in every case the teacher negated me, ignored me and one even asked me not to return to the study. Why was I so disliked? The answer was clear, most of the ladies were not interested in seeking God for His wisdom and truth, they wanted to make the Bible say what they liked, searching feverishly for the ooy-gooy feelings oriented message they wanted to hear.
I noticed that when I would tell them what God said and what He meant, they were not happy with that, they loved to share their own thoughts, it made them feel elevated, special and profound, when in fact they were sounding silly to anyone who knew what God was saying.
When we read the Word, our goal ought to be to seek God in prayer for the meaning, forgetting what the culture is teaching to find God's truth. Our culture is very wrong about many things in the Bible, we have been raised on a cultural Christianity for the past 70 years now. Once a culture gets something in their head, becomes comfortable with it, it is mighty hard to convince them of anything else no matter what the clear evidence.
If we are to understand God's Word, it is vital and necessary to pray before we read, desiring in our heart for God to give us the understanding. When we neglect this important step of seeking God, all we have to help us is our own mind that is full of the wrong that we were taught.
If we want to know truth we must be willing to let go of anything and everything we were taught to find God's truth. Telling God that we want only pure truth from His heart, only then will He open the doors of his mind to us.
John 10:9 ""I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture."
Christ is the only way to heaven and the door to everything else too.
Trust will be evidenced in a desire to know the mind of Christ, to know His principles His way.
I remember those women's Bible studies I have attended many years ago as a new believer, something about them made me sick at my stomach. As I began to grow Spiritually and deeply seek the Word, I realized what made me so ill about those gatherings.
The leaders were telling their students to go home and read a passage of the Bible and come back next week to share "what that passage meant to them." I argued with the leader, adamantly, that we should be asking God to tell us what He meant by the passage, not read to make it fit our particular desires and hopes.
Of course in every case the teacher negated me, ignored me and one even asked me not to return to the study. Why was I so disliked? The answer was clear, most of the ladies were not interested in seeking God for His wisdom and truth, they wanted to make the Bible say what they liked, searching feverishly for the ooy-gooy feelings oriented message they wanted to hear.
I noticed that when I would tell them what God said and what He meant, they were not happy with that, they loved to share their own thoughts, it made them feel elevated, special and profound, when in fact they were sounding silly to anyone who knew what God was saying.
When we read the Word, our goal ought to be to seek God in prayer for the meaning, forgetting what the culture is teaching to find God's truth. Our culture is very wrong about many things in the Bible, we have been raised on a cultural Christianity for the past 70 years now. Once a culture gets something in their head, becomes comfortable with it, it is mighty hard to convince them of anything else no matter what the clear evidence.
If we are to understand God's Word, it is vital and necessary to pray before we read, desiring in our heart for God to give us the understanding. When we neglect this important step of seeking God, all we have to help us is our own mind that is full of the wrong that we were taught.
If we want to know truth we must be willing to let go of anything and everything we were taught to find God's truth. Telling God that we want only pure truth from His heart, only then will He open the doors of his mind to us.
John 10:9 ""I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture."
Christ is the only way to heaven and the door to everything else too.
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