God will not answer the prayer to heal our land, until every man, woman and child realizes they are filthy rags before God and need to trust Christ for payment for their sin. Our people are far too entrenched in the self esteem thinking that very few have the ability to feel ashamed about anything they do. If anyone comes along to dare to tell them of their mess, they rage in narcissistic injury.
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."
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Dagon was Dumped Over!
Dagon fell on his face before the ark of God, Heehee hee hee!!!!
I love the way the Lord demonstrated His hatred for evil by breaking up the idol.
1 Samuel 5:1-5
"1 Now the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.
2 Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it to the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon.
3 When the Ashdodites arose early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and set him in his place again.
4 But when they arose early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. And the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold; [a]only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. 5 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor all who enter Dagon’s house tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day."
Ephesians 5:11 "Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;"
Galatians 6:7-9 "
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
From these passages it is clear that God cannot bless us if we continually walk with unbelievers as constant companions. When we desire the fellowship with unbelievers we are placing human companionship above Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:33 "Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."
I love the way the Lord demonstrated His hatred for evil by breaking up the idol.
1 Samuel 5:1-5
"1 Now the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.
2 Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it to the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon.
3 When the Ashdodites arose early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and set him in his place again.
4 But when they arose early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. And the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold; [a]only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. 5 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor all who enter Dagon’s house tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day."
Ephesians 5:11 "Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;"
Galatians 6:7-9 "
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
From these passages it is clear that God cannot bless us if we continually walk with unbelievers as constant companions. When we desire the fellowship with unbelievers we are placing human companionship above Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:33 "Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."
Alone With Christ Is A Blessing!
It does get lonely at times, when we are resolved to follow Christ and His principles. However my experience has been to have greater joy alone with Christ in my heart, than in the company of a room full of people who don't love Him. The agony I feel in the company of these people causes me to want to flee to aloneness with Christ.
I am quite sure many other tried and true believers are having the same experience. Being with Christ alone is everything we need, being with those who don't love Him, no matter what they may say, their life does not meet their words, is an agony for those who walk moment by moment with Christ.
1 Peter 2:21 "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps."
Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
1 John 2:3-6 "And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked."
Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
The joy we feel walking with Christ is beyond explanation! It is consistent no matter the circumstances. We are able to ignore our fleshly feelings, pray for strength and the joy never leaves us.
I am quite sure many other tried and true believers are having the same experience. Being with Christ alone is everything we need, being with those who don't love Him, no matter what they may say, their life does not meet their words, is an agony for those who walk moment by moment with Christ.
1 Peter 2:21 "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps."
Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
1 John 2:3-6 "And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked."
Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
The joy we feel walking with Christ is beyond explanation! It is consistent no matter the circumstances. We are able to ignore our fleshly feelings, pray for strength and the joy never leaves us.
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Obey God Rather Than Man
In our culture today we experience much manipulation, those who attempt to make us feel guilty about doing what is right.
1 Peter 3:16 "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."
There are those who have reviled us for keeping to the highest standard for marriage according to God's principles in His Word.
There are those who revile us for preaching modesty in clothing.
There are those who revile us for standing against various wicked movies, false preachers, attitudes that don't honor God and much more.
We live in a world, within the apostate church, that loves their sin and will come against anyone who teaches the truth about God's judgement on these things.
The excuse these revilers use is that we are to "love" everyone, meaning in their mind, that we never challenge anyone to greater holiness, nor do we withdraw from those who refuse to obey God.
1 John 1:6 "If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;"
Love never means to help believers enjoy their sin. God's love warns those who are in sin to bring them back to full fellowship with Him.
Titus 3:10 "Reject a factious man after a first and second warning,"
Hebrews 12:25 "See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven."
James 1:12 "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."
Isaiah 57:15 "For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, "I dwell on a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly And to revive the heart of the contrite."
Contrite: Having or show deep sorrow
Lowly: Humble and Meek
Meek: Patient and Mild
Love: Strong affecton
When we have a strong affection for someone, as we should for our brothers and sisters in Christ, we care deeply concerned about their spiritual well being much more than their temporary happiness or pleasure.
How do we love God's way?
1 Peter 1:22 "Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,"
1 John 3:14 "We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death,"
1 John 5:2 "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments."
Wow, did we see that? We love the brethren by obeying God. God never says that we love the brethren by ignoring their sin and just making them happy. He never says love the brethren by giving them what they want. Our love for the brethren must be based on our much greater love for God.
Luke 14:26 ""If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple."
Our love for God ought to be so great that the desires of any human being would never take precedence over God's desires. In most families today relatives dominate our actions much more than God's principles. We base almost all we do on what the family wants, negating God's desires to remain close with unsaved and disobedient family members.
Ephesians 6: 12 -- "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places [from on high]."
Our love should be greater and deeper than any form of human love. We love as God did, dying to self for the sake of others, even being willing to be rejected by them to be sure they had the warning that Christ is coming soon and their eternal soul is at stake.
Those who are believers must challenge one another constantly to greater holiness to be a blessing to God.
1 Peter 1:14-16 "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Ephesians 4:30 "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
Those who are unsaved must be warned of the wrath to come, giving them the opportunity to trust Christ and be cleansed by Him, knowing that if they place their trust in Christ He will make them a new creation while snatching them from the fires of hell.
Romans 2:5 "But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,"
Jude 1:23 "And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."
Hebrews 9:27 "And just as people are appointed to die once, and then to face judgment,"
It's almost over now, not much time is left before Christ will return to take out His Bride. As believers our desire is that many more will place their trust in Christ before it is too late.
1 Peter 3:16 "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."
There are those who have reviled us for keeping to the highest standard for marriage according to God's principles in His Word.
There are those who revile us for preaching modesty in clothing.
There are those who revile us for standing against various wicked movies, false preachers, attitudes that don't honor God and much more.
We live in a world, within the apostate church, that loves their sin and will come against anyone who teaches the truth about God's judgement on these things.
The excuse these revilers use is that we are to "love" everyone, meaning in their mind, that we never challenge anyone to greater holiness, nor do we withdraw from those who refuse to obey God.
1 John 1:6 "If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;"
Love never means to help believers enjoy their sin. God's love warns those who are in sin to bring them back to full fellowship with Him.
Titus 3:10 "Reject a factious man after a first and second warning,"
Hebrews 12:25 "See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven."
James 1:12 "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."
Isaiah 57:15 "For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, "I dwell on a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly And to revive the heart of the contrite."
Contrite: Having or show deep sorrow
Lowly: Humble and Meek
Meek: Patient and Mild
Love: Strong affecton
When we have a strong affection for someone, as we should for our brothers and sisters in Christ, we care deeply concerned about their spiritual well being much more than their temporary happiness or pleasure.
How do we love God's way?
1 Peter 1:22 "Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,"
1 John 3:14 "We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death,"
1 John 5:2 "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments."
Wow, did we see that? We love the brethren by obeying God. God never says that we love the brethren by ignoring their sin and just making them happy. He never says love the brethren by giving them what they want. Our love for the brethren must be based on our much greater love for God.
Luke 14:26 ""If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple."
Our love for God ought to be so great that the desires of any human being would never take precedence over God's desires. In most families today relatives dominate our actions much more than God's principles. We base almost all we do on what the family wants, negating God's desires to remain close with unsaved and disobedient family members.
Ephesians 6: 12 -- "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places [from on high]."
Our love should be greater and deeper than any form of human love. We love as God did, dying to self for the sake of others, even being willing to be rejected by them to be sure they had the warning that Christ is coming soon and their eternal soul is at stake.
Those who are believers must challenge one another constantly to greater holiness to be a blessing to God.
1 Peter 1:14-16 "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Ephesians 4:30 "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
Those who are unsaved must be warned of the wrath to come, giving them the opportunity to trust Christ and be cleansed by Him, knowing that if they place their trust in Christ He will make them a new creation while snatching them from the fires of hell.
Romans 2:5 "But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,"
Jude 1:23 "And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."
Hebrews 9:27 "And just as people are appointed to die once, and then to face judgment,"
It's almost over now, not much time is left before Christ will return to take out His Bride. As believers our desire is that many more will place their trust in Christ before it is too late.
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Don't Lie To The Holy Spirit
It's a bad idea to lie to the Holy Spirit. We may not end up like Ananias and Sapphira, but we can know there will be consequences of some kind in this life and definitely in the next.
If you think God does not operate this way anymore, keep in mind that this happened after Christ left this earth, the church age, the age we live in right now.
It is best to make a practice of always telling the truth, as one preacher once said to me, "if we tell the truth we never have to remember what we said."
"5:1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,
2 and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land?
4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
5 And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it.
6 The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.
7 Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
8 And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.”
9 Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.”
10 And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband." Acts 5:1-10
If you think God does not operate this way anymore, keep in mind that this happened after Christ left this earth, the church age, the age we live in right now.
It is best to make a practice of always telling the truth, as one preacher once said to me, "if we tell the truth we never have to remember what we said."
"5:1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,
2 and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land?
4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
5 And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it.
6 The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.
7 Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
8 And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.”
9 Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.”
10 And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband." Acts 5:1-10
God Uses the Nothing Things and People!
When we have been with Jesus it shows.
Acts 4:13 "13 Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them [a]as having been with Jesus."
Notice too that God didn't use men who were educated in Bible Schools, He used men who had nothing to offer, to show that their wisdom came from God not men.
Acts 4:13 "13 Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them [a]as having been with Jesus."
Notice too that God didn't use men who were educated in Bible Schools, He used men who had nothing to offer, to show that their wisdom came from God not men.
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