Appearances are of No Value, Only Substance Matters

Hollywoods focus is opposite of the focus of those who fear God and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 7:16-20
"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 

"Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. "So then, you will know them by their fruits.

Luke 12:22-23 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.”

Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

1 Peter 3:3-4 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

Colossians 3:12-14 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Salvation Without Works is Dead

Follow the Link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yP0IXV7CPhg&feature=share

Actors and Politicians Have a Lot in Common

Actors and actresses for the most part enjoy center stage in life as well as the stage where they pretend to be something they are not.

The acting profession is all about being special, noticed and more popular as they work through life clamoring to achieve fame and glory.

Grandiosity is a way of life for performers. We are entertained by the characters they play even crying or laughing as though these people on the screen are actually going through the scene in real life.

I have heard it said that our subconscious doesn't know the difference between reality and fiction. I think this may be true, otherwise why would we cry at a sad movie when the events on the screen are not really happening nor are the actors the people they are portraying.

Actors and actresses lie for a living as they pretend to be people in plays that are not really them, through events that are not really happening. Telling stories for a living seems akin to telling stories in life. Perhaps after awhile they can't tell the difference between acting a part and experiencing real life.

I am beginning to think this about candidates running for office. There has to be a sense of grandiosity in those who think they can make such a great difference that they clamor to become powerful. Once in power their achievements go to their head swelling it beyond all semblance of reality.

The candidates and the actors in life for the most part are all about fame and fortune. This is why almost all actors are narcissists having tantrums when they don't get their way, while candidates will say just about anything to get the voters to give them their vote.

I guess I see actors and candidates nearly equal to one another in the pursuit of power, fame and notoriety.

Yes, there are some actors, actresses and politicians that are not as I have described, but I confess I believe they are few and far between.

Next time we are tempted to say that we just love that actor, actress or political contestant, we might want to hold our tongue until we have researched their intimate lifestyles. We might find to aggrandize these people without vetting them would only serve to leave us with egg on our faces.

Perhaps it is best to stay in the Word of God while focusing on His principles, then we can accurately assess the actions and attitudes of people we encounter, even if only on the screen or in the news.

Politicians and actors alike seek to manipulate our perceptions of them, they have no vested interest in our needs or desires. When they leave the screen or the office, they have one thing in mind, that is spending the money they acquired through their fame and glory and living the high life they aspired to live all along!

When we focus on Christ we are not the least bit interested in winning the world into our fan club of idol worshipers. Our desire is to please Christ, lives with which He would be pleased. That is where the only real fulfillment in life abides, in the will of Christ.

Colossians 3:15 "15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."

1 Peter 5:7 "7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

James 3:18 "18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness."

Philippians 4:7 "7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Proverbs 12:20 "20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy."

Psalm 29:11 "11 The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace."

Romans 14:19 "19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification."

1 Peter 3:9-11 "9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it."

Politicians and actors for the most part stir up strife more than anything else, each one seeking their own vain glory rather than the well being of anyone else.

Philippians 2:3-4 " 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.…"

May we seek to discern right from wrong in our assessment of matters, not walking after the elevated feelings of fools, such as the Pollyanna's of the world, who desire only to "feel good" about herself, but able to discern a good character from a bad one in those who rule us and those who tell stories for a living.

The Face of a Covert Narcissist

If you encounter a narcissist you will feel unnerved confused about what is going on. When you know them, realize what they are about, then your eyes will be opened to see what they are doing and why.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 describes them vividly. We live in a world that can't imagine that our closest friends and relatives might be infected with this germ of narcissism, we often assume it is us, since they try to make us feel as though we did something wrong when we made an innocent statement or exposed the truth.

Our churches are full of these people whose ears are being tickled to believe they are wonderful and in no need of change. In fact the continual praising and flattery that goes on in most churches today, even if only in the cliques, causes a hyper-sensitivity to correction, criticism and instruction. Those looking on who do not know the dynanmics of narcissism will believe the narcissist who works to discredit us.

Attempting to explain to a narcissist that something is wrong that needs to change is nearly as impossible as trying to move a brick wall by banging our head into it.

Watch the video in the link to hear more about covert narcissists.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vi6GT8TMm8

Listen Only to Christ in Us

Narcissists will attempt to make others feel guilty for telling the truth or keeping someone accountable. One of the things the narc hates the most is accountability. They are alright with it if they are doing it to someone else, while expecting obedience to them, but are enraged when anyone else tries to keep them accountable. I cannot count the number of times a narcissist judged me on something wrongly, but were incensed when anyone called them to account about something.

One of the clues about a prideful person is their outrageous reaction to correction even over the smallest matters, while feeling completely comfortable with instructing others.

I once had a young woman who had been married a whole year, come to me and instruct me that I was not a good enough wife to my husband because I wanted to discuss things with him. In her mind I should never question him nor disagree with him on anything. I was just to obey. She lacked the understanding of a mature woman, having been indoctrinated early on by others that she would be the perfect wife if she said nothing and only did whatever her husband told her to do.

I asked this young woman if her husband brought her a gun and told her to kill the neighbor because he didn't like him, would she do that? She refused to answer me because she knew I was right that we are to obey God instead of man when our husbands do not obey God. Remaining silent instead of discussing it with me, told me that she was so full of pride she could not even respond unless she knew she could win. Winning is what these types are all about. Discovering truth is not important to a narcissist, only winning is always the end goal.

I instructed her that if we love our husbands we speak the truth to help them when they are about to make a very important mistake. We are to help our husbands, if they are resistant then we are to go over their head to God.

I was once told by a narcissist about an encounter they had with a new Christian in the neighborhood. This new Christian lady was distraught because her unsaved husband wanted her to watch filthy XXX rated pornographic videos. The counsel this narcissist gave was that she should do it to obey her husband. When I heard this I quickly rebuked it with the Scripture Paul wrote after he was told to no longer preach by the authorities, he said this, "I must obey God rather than man."

So much damage has been done because prideful believers took passages out of scripture and used them to promote their own agenda.

I am not a feminist, however, I do believe in the "helpmeet" position of the wife to counsel her husband when I see a problem coming. I also believe a woman should encourage her husband to pray and read the word when he is neglecting this. If the husband refuses then the only recourse and the best one, is to pray and let God do His work.

Narcissists always think they know everything, even about things they have little or no experience in. If it comes to their mind and it impresses someone else then they must not be wrong.

May we look to Christ for all things as the world become more narcissistic and demeaning to God and man. Our safety is not in the advice of others but in the counsel of Christ Who lives in us. There are far too many false doctrines going around to trust someone just because they say they are a Christian.

Psalm 62:1-8 "I am at rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from Him.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I will never be shaken.
3 How long will you threaten a man?
Will all of you attack[a]
as if he were a leaning wall
or a tottering stone fence?
4 They only plan to bring him down
from his high position.
They take pleasure in lying;
they bless with their mouths,
but they curse inwardly.Selah
5 Rest in God alone, my soul,
for my hope comes from Him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock.
My refuge is in God.
8 Trust in Him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts before Him.
God is our refuge.Selah"

Do We Walk in the Spirit or in the Flesh?

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit our lives will be filled with the character qualities of Christ. When we walk in the flesh our character will be fleshly, easily moved and dependent on the reactions of our bodies that come naturally.

"Wisdom that comes from Heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."....James 3

Saved by Grace Alone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yP0IXV7CPhg&sns=fb