Santa isn't even real, he has no gifts, he has no body nor does he have miracles to know everyone on earth as children are led to believe. He is nothing, nothing at all, except a figment of the imagination of those who don't know Christ.
If anyone is teaching their children to love Santa, they are playing into the devil's hands.
When children place their trust in a non-existent being, who purports to do all that God can do, they love an idol.
Proverbs 28:26 "Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered."
1 John 5:20-21 "…20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols."
Colossians 3:2 "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Ephesians 1:17-18 "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,"
When Christ and an idol are taught side by side for the sake of pleasure, then this reduces Christ to just another ferry tale. No child has ever come to Christ in repentance and brokenness over sin because they believed in Santa.
Just the opposite, every child who place their trust in Santa cannot retain him in their heart when they come to Christ in spite of the lies they have been told.
Please believers!!! Please do not pretend Santa to your children, sadly, you will be held accountable for the deception you trained them in, not only in the myth of Santa but their idea that all they have to do is make up anything they want and pretend it is true.
Proverbs 21:2-3 " 2 Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts. 3 To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice.…"
We cannot say that "God knows my heart" when we disobey Him. This is merely saying that God knows my heart disobeys and rejects His ways and teachings.
Let's stop using the excuse that "God knows my heart." One cannot have a good heart when his actions are evil.
Thursday, December 15, 2016
In a Box Under the Bed
I guess today will be old people story day.
Funny how we can look back at the way we used to think based on how we were raised.
My husband having been raised in a family of fifteen children, had very different ideas about how a household was run than I did having been raised as the youngest in a household of only three children.
Our first home was a 19 foot travel trailer loaned to us by Rodger's Father. After we got married I moved into the trailer with Rodger ready and excited about starting our new home. It was very small but to me that didn't matter, I was ready to become the manager of our little space.
Upon moving in, I began to move things around to make room for my personal items, which were not much. Rodger had the habit of putting his socks under the bed in a box, all through his growing years that's how it was done because the family was too poor to have dressers for everyone.
Rodger never thought of his family as poor, he just thought this was normal life for everyone since they had all their needs met and a little more.
There were four drawers in the hallway of this tiny trailer, I chose one of them to be the drawer for the socks and underwear. As I was taking the socks from the dust bunny filled box that Rodger had been keeping them in, he approached me and asked why I was putting socks in a drawer. I told him that in my house growing up that's where socks went.
He was shocked at that, he said; "we can't put them there", I asked why. He said; "socks go in a box under the bed." I would have been alright with that except it didn't make sense, when there was a free empty drawer available. I asked him if it would be alright since the drawer would be empty anyway, why not use it and leave space under the bed for something else. He agreed, the socks went into the drawer and have been in a drawer ever since and nothing ever goes under the bed in our house. LOL
Marriage takes compromise and understanding. When we fail to understand and an argument ensues, then we must be ready to ask forgiveness, move on to do things differently from what caused the argument in the first place. Every conflict can be a growing spurt that changes our character into what God would want.
Divorces happen because someone refuses to bend a little, work to understand or are unable to admit when they are wrong. All relationships that are broken have failed in these areas, mending means admitting! In other words, humility is required, as long as pride is present there can be no reconciliation nor can there be growth.
It did help for both of us to be raised in families where the parents stayed together all their lives, no divorce and no remarriage. It set an example for us, though not perfect, the sense of remaining together as one was deeply embedded in our thinking. After becoming born again that thinking grew even more a part of who we are today.
2 Peter 3:18 "18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."
Don't let the devil win in his quest to destroy your family. Fight for your family, do it in prayer, do it by words of truth and do it by refusing to allow emotions dictate your actions.
Funny how we can look back at the way we used to think based on how we were raised.
My husband having been raised in a family of fifteen children, had very different ideas about how a household was run than I did having been raised as the youngest in a household of only three children.
Our first home was a 19 foot travel trailer loaned to us by Rodger's Father. After we got married I moved into the trailer with Rodger ready and excited about starting our new home. It was very small but to me that didn't matter, I was ready to become the manager of our little space.
Upon moving in, I began to move things around to make room for my personal items, which were not much. Rodger had the habit of putting his socks under the bed in a box, all through his growing years that's how it was done because the family was too poor to have dressers for everyone.
Rodger never thought of his family as poor, he just thought this was normal life for everyone since they had all their needs met and a little more.
There were four drawers in the hallway of this tiny trailer, I chose one of them to be the drawer for the socks and underwear. As I was taking the socks from the dust bunny filled box that Rodger had been keeping them in, he approached me and asked why I was putting socks in a drawer. I told him that in my house growing up that's where socks went.
He was shocked at that, he said; "we can't put them there", I asked why. He said; "socks go in a box under the bed." I would have been alright with that except it didn't make sense, when there was a free empty drawer available. I asked him if it would be alright since the drawer would be empty anyway, why not use it and leave space under the bed for something else. He agreed, the socks went into the drawer and have been in a drawer ever since and nothing ever goes under the bed in our house. LOL
Marriage takes compromise and understanding. When we fail to understand and an argument ensues, then we must be ready to ask forgiveness, move on to do things differently from what caused the argument in the first place. Every conflict can be a growing spurt that changes our character into what God would want.
Divorces happen because someone refuses to bend a little, work to understand or are unable to admit when they are wrong. All relationships that are broken have failed in these areas, mending means admitting! In other words, humility is required, as long as pride is present there can be no reconciliation nor can there be growth.
It did help for both of us to be raised in families where the parents stayed together all their lives, no divorce and no remarriage. It set an example for us, though not perfect, the sense of remaining together as one was deeply embedded in our thinking. After becoming born again that thinking grew even more a part of who we are today.
2 Peter 3:18 "18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."
Don't let the devil win in his quest to destroy your family. Fight for your family, do it in prayer, do it by words of truth and do it by refusing to allow emotions dictate your actions.
This is What Old People Do
We forget why we came into a room. We walk back out hoping the thought we had, would return, and it usually does, we go back into the room and it leaves us again. "Rats", we say, then we stand in that room a few seconds and the absent thought returns. Yay, we do what we came to do and feel a sense of glee and accomplishment that we got it done.
We forget how to express ourselves, our language actually becomes more colorful. All those words we used to use, seem to just leave us, we know they are there but we can't make them come out our mouth.
Last night my husband wanted to go and measure the snow, as he was walking out the door he asked me to get my "inch stick." I asked him if "he wanted the ruler." Yep, that was it, being good for a new expression for us.
Then he went to put away the "inch stick" and I found it in my pencil box.
I told him that he put his inch stick in my pencil box. He retorted that that's where it belongs now, my reply was "no" pencils and pens go in the pencil box.
I informed him that it won't remain there, it stands too high above all the pens and pencils, asking him if he would like to know where I keep it for next time he needs it. His answer was, "no, when I need it I will ask you for it."
Yep.....a day in the life of the old folks!!! I don't know what he will do when I die and he doesn't know how to turn on the washing machine or the dryer. He just recently learned to operate the vacuum. He also informed me that I keep his underwear drawer filled with enough for two weeks. When I die, he will not have to learn to use the appliances for at least that long. Hard to believe that a man trained in nuclear engineering would have difficulty operating any household appliance, but then again I have had more than 50 years in the field of homemaking. LOL
I made a new rule, since he's retired, he'll now have to help a little on the days he is not working part time. When I cut his hair and beard, he will have to suck up all that hair from the carpet using the vacuum. He said, "I don't know how to turn it on, after which I showed him where the "ON" switch was and how to bend the arm of the vacuum, then push forward to suck up whatever the mess. One more old people hurdle in the new phase of our life called retirement.
Proverbs 16:31 " 31 A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness. 32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.…"
Keeping our focus on the Lord diminishes the day to day inconveniences and brings a new perspective even laughter.
We forget how to express ourselves, our language actually becomes more colorful. All those words we used to use, seem to just leave us, we know they are there but we can't make them come out our mouth.
Last night my husband wanted to go and measure the snow, as he was walking out the door he asked me to get my "inch stick." I asked him if "he wanted the ruler." Yep, that was it, being good for a new expression for us.
Then he went to put away the "inch stick" and I found it in my pencil box.
I told him that he put his inch stick in my pencil box. He retorted that that's where it belongs now, my reply was "no" pencils and pens go in the pencil box.
I informed him that it won't remain there, it stands too high above all the pens and pencils, asking him if he would like to know where I keep it for next time he needs it. His answer was, "no, when I need it I will ask you for it."
Yep.....a day in the life of the old folks!!! I don't know what he will do when I die and he doesn't know how to turn on the washing machine or the dryer. He just recently learned to operate the vacuum. He also informed me that I keep his underwear drawer filled with enough for two weeks. When I die, he will not have to learn to use the appliances for at least that long. Hard to believe that a man trained in nuclear engineering would have difficulty operating any household appliance, but then again I have had more than 50 years in the field of homemaking. LOL
I made a new rule, since he's retired, he'll now have to help a little on the days he is not working part time. When I cut his hair and beard, he will have to suck up all that hair from the carpet using the vacuum. He said, "I don't know how to turn it on, after which I showed him where the "ON" switch was and how to bend the arm of the vacuum, then push forward to suck up whatever the mess. One more old people hurdle in the new phase of our life called retirement.
Proverbs 16:31 " 31 A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness. 32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.…"
Keeping our focus on the Lord diminishes the day to day inconveniences and brings a new perspective even laughter.
Washed in the Word!
When we are washing our minds in the Word of God, the answers to specific principles for life will come up. It's really not hard, there is also the leading of the Holy Spirit. I have heard Him many times warning me about not doing this or that when there was no specific principles except discernment that guided my decision. God knows everything, when we ask Him and wait, He will answer us for each particular situation.
Romans 10:8
But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:"
Christ is the Word, He lives in us!
John 1:14
"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." Christ is the WORD!!!
James 1:4-6 "…4 Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.…"
Romans 10:8
But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:"
Christ is the Word, He lives in us!
John 1:14
"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." Christ is the WORD!!!
James 1:4-6 "…4 Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.…"
Trusting Christ Brings Authentic Change
Repentance is a change of mind, not behavior. When we change our mind, being broken over our sin, then Christ comes to clean us up, it is His work not ours. Our heart has to change first then the actions will follow.
The lack of proper understanding of the purpose of forgiveness and the effects of using it God's way has caused society as a whole to plunge deeper into wickedness.
Psychology asserts that man is basically good and there are no bad people, just hurting people. This is clearly wrong thinking, we know this because Adam and Eve had the perfect Father and still disobeyed, bringing sin into the world through that disobedience.
God said that the heart of man is wicked while the only solution to it was to trust Christ and be cleansed.
Ephesians 2:9-10 "…9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life. "
If we try to change ourselves from the outside first we will fail, it doesn't last and not only do we regress in our behavior we become worse as we get older.
That's why we see so many old people who seemed to be steady about morals when they were younger but are affirming of sin now in the younger generations because they have given up the fight, they were never changed, it was just easy to go with the flow in the culture, when that culture changed, then the behavior and thoughts of the old people change with it.
When we have been changed by Christ, we continue in His Word because He is the One Who did the changing in us.
I remember over the years meeting the "old timers" who are dead now, seeming to be so strong about morals, condemning shacking up, abortion and many other things that the culture as a whole were against. Even non-believers were against these things.
However, as the culture changed to accept these sins, so did the older folks, their belief system was rooted in the culture not in the Bible or by the Holy Spirit. Since they never read their Bibles, except rarely to gain comfort for their lives, they had no rock or "The Rock" for which to have a good footing.
It was more important to be accepted by their adult children and grandchildren than it was to stand firm for Christ.
There are many aging parents and Grandparents who are mystified by the lack of support, empathy and kindness on the part of children and grandchildren. Believers who understand the end times, know that this is prophesy being fulfilled, but those who do not know Christ don't understand or they believe what is happening is normal.
The lack of proper understanding of the purpose of forgiveness and the effects of using it God's way has caused society as a whole to plunge deeper into wickedness.
Psychology asserts that man is basically good and there are no bad people, just hurting people. This is clearly wrong thinking, we know this because Adam and Eve had the perfect Father and still disobeyed, bringing sin into the world through that disobedience.
God said that the heart of man is wicked while the only solution to it was to trust Christ and be cleansed.
Ephesians 2:9-10 "…9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life. "
If we try to change ourselves from the outside first we will fail, it doesn't last and not only do we regress in our behavior we become worse as we get older.
That's why we see so many old people who seemed to be steady about morals when they were younger but are affirming of sin now in the younger generations because they have given up the fight, they were never changed, it was just easy to go with the flow in the culture, when that culture changed, then the behavior and thoughts of the old people change with it.
When we have been changed by Christ, we continue in His Word because He is the One Who did the changing in us.
I remember over the years meeting the "old timers" who are dead now, seeming to be so strong about morals, condemning shacking up, abortion and many other things that the culture as a whole were against. Even non-believers were against these things.
However, as the culture changed to accept these sins, so did the older folks, their belief system was rooted in the culture not in the Bible or by the Holy Spirit. Since they never read their Bibles, except rarely to gain comfort for their lives, they had no rock or "The Rock" for which to have a good footing.
It was more important to be accepted by their adult children and grandchildren than it was to stand firm for Christ.
There are many aging parents and Grandparents who are mystified by the lack of support, empathy and kindness on the part of children and grandchildren. Believers who understand the end times, know that this is prophesy being fulfilled, but those who do not know Christ don't understand or they believe what is happening is normal.
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
There the Seculars Go Again
The idea that we are to forgive before repentance is false, misleading and has it's origins is secular psychology.
Psychology says that it is "closure" for the victim, to prevent bitterness toward the offender. There are also no scriptures that indicate that we automatically bitter because others will not repent and cannot be forgiven.
When we remove the consequences of evil behavior we solidify the attitude of entitlement. To obey God and wait to forgive when someone is broken over their sin, is to help in the process of a changed heart. When there is no changed heart there will not be changed behavior.
We are to forgive as God did, that is when someone has confessed that they have sinned and want to be forgiven.
Christ never forgives when there is lack of repentance.
The modern book "The Shack" brings the false doctrine that everyone is saved no matter their attitude, that repentance is not required, even sorrow over sin is not important.
We have been steeped in the modern psychology so long, many cannot wrap their minds around the truth. Because we believe we should forgive without repentance, the culture is soft on sin, understanding toward those who need punishment, while minimizing justice for victims. The softer on sin we are, the more disrespect for a holy God is seen. Even the slightest sin is an offense deserving of hell in the eyes of God.
When we are more concerned about being loved and appreciated than we are in the welfare and changed lives of the sinner, we thwart their progress and the blessing of a new life free from the sin that at one time dominated and controlled them.
When we do not address sin and do as God would do, we assign to the sinner an ongoing life struggle with something they could be freed from through repentance.
John 8:32
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 8:36
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
James 5:20 "19 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20 consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins."
Each time we confess our sin in brokenness we are more aware of sin as a whole while building up a strong desire in our own soul to avoid that which causes pain in our own lives and the lives of others, even offending the very heart of God.
Let's do the hard work of keeping others and ourselves accountable according to the Scriptures and not the secular way of the world.
God's way is always best, the devil's way sounds good and happy but leads to destruction and continual bondage.
Proverbs 14:11-13 "…11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, But the tent of the upright will flourish. 12 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. 13 Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief.…"
Psychology says that it is "closure" for the victim, to prevent bitterness toward the offender. There are also no scriptures that indicate that we automatically bitter because others will not repent and cannot be forgiven.
When we remove the consequences of evil behavior we solidify the attitude of entitlement. To obey God and wait to forgive when someone is broken over their sin, is to help in the process of a changed heart. When there is no changed heart there will not be changed behavior.
We are to forgive as God did, that is when someone has confessed that they have sinned and want to be forgiven.
Christ never forgives when there is lack of repentance.
The modern book "The Shack" brings the false doctrine that everyone is saved no matter their attitude, that repentance is not required, even sorrow over sin is not important.
We have been steeped in the modern psychology so long, many cannot wrap their minds around the truth. Because we believe we should forgive without repentance, the culture is soft on sin, understanding toward those who need punishment, while minimizing justice for victims. The softer on sin we are, the more disrespect for a holy God is seen. Even the slightest sin is an offense deserving of hell in the eyes of God.
When we are more concerned about being loved and appreciated than we are in the welfare and changed lives of the sinner, we thwart their progress and the blessing of a new life free from the sin that at one time dominated and controlled them.
When we do not address sin and do as God would do, we assign to the sinner an ongoing life struggle with something they could be freed from through repentance.
John 8:32
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 8:36
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
James 5:20 "19 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20 consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins."
Each time we confess our sin in brokenness we are more aware of sin as a whole while building up a strong desire in our own soul to avoid that which causes pain in our own lives and the lives of others, even offending the very heart of God.
Let's do the hard work of keeping others and ourselves accountable according to the Scriptures and not the secular way of the world.
God's way is always best, the devil's way sounds good and happy but leads to destruction and continual bondage.
Proverbs 14:11-13 "…11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, But the tent of the upright will flourish. 12 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. 13 Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief.…"
Berean Research, The Shack
For anyone who is confused or unaware of the book "The Shack" or the movie by the same name, you might want to consider the ways in which the story demeans and mocks the truth of God's Word. Here is a excerpt from an article which critiques the story.
From the Berean Research:
"You may also want to check out the Thirteen Heresies in The Shack, written by Michael Youssef. Here is what he wrote about those 13 concerns along with what the Bible says about them:
1. God the Father was crucified with Jesus.
Because God’s eyes are pure and cannot look upon sin, the Bible says that God would not look upon His own beloved Son as He hung on the Cross, carrying our sins (Habakkuk 1:13; Matthew 27:45).
2. God is limited by His love and cannot practice justice.
The Bible declares that God’s love and His justice are two sides of the same coin — equally a part of the personality and the character of God (Isaiah 61:8; Hosea 2:19).
3. On the Cross, God forgave all of humanity, whether they repent or not. Some choose a relationship with Him, but He forgives them all regardless.
Jesus explained that only those who come to Him will be saved (John 14:6).
4. Hierarchical structures, whether they are in the Church or in the government, are evil.
Our God is a God of order (Job 25:2).
5. God will never judge people for their sins.
The Word of God repeatedly invites people to escape from the judgment of God by believing in Jesus Christ, His Son (Romans 2:16; 2 Timothy 4:1-3).
6. There is not a hierarchical structure in the Godhead, just a circle of unity.
The Bible says that Jesus submitted to the will of the Father. This doesn’t mean that one Person is higher or better than the other; just unique. Jesus said, “I came to do the will of Him who sent me. I am here to obey my Father.” Jesus also said, “I will send you the Holy Spirit” (John 4:34, 6:44, 14:26, 15:26).
7. God submits to human wishes and choices.
Far from God submitting to us, Jesus said, “Narrow is the way that leads to eternal life.” We are to submit to Him in all things, for His glory and because of what He has accomplished for us (Matthew 7:13-15).
8. Justice will never take place because of love.
The Bible teaches that when God’s love is rejected, and when the offer of salvation and forgiveness is rejected, justice must take place or God has sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross for nothing (Matthew 12:20; Romans 3:25-26).
9. There is no such a thing as eternal judgment or torment in hell.
Jesus’ own description of hell is vivid … it cannot be denied (Luke 12:5, 16:23).
10. Jesus is walking with all people in their different journeys to God, and it doesn’t matter which way you get to Him.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no one will come to the Father but by me” (John 14:6).
11. Jesus is constantly being transformed along with us.
Jesus, who dwells in the splendor of heaven, sits at the right hand of God, reigning and ruling the universe. The Bible says, “In Him there is no change, for He is yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 11:12, 13:8; James 1:17).
12. There is no need for faith or reconciliation with God because everyone will make it to heaven.
Jesus said, “Only those who believe in me will have eternal life” (John 3:15, 3:36, 5:24, 6:40).
13. The Bible is not true because it reduces God to paper.
The Bible is God-breathed. Sure, there were many men through 1,800 years who put pen to paper (so to speak), each from different professions and different backgrounds, but the Holy Spirit infused their work with God’s words. These men were writing the same message from Genesis to Revelation. If you want to read more about the place of Christ in the Scripture, read “We Preach Christ” (2 Timothy 3:16)."
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