God will not hear the prayers of disobedient believers.
Those who say they are born again but walk in continual rebellion to the commands of God will be disciplined.
1 Thessalonians 5:18-19 "…18 Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not extinguish the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt,…"
Hebrews 12:6 "…5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, or lose heart when He rebukes you. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.” 7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"
One is not in obedience simply by saying they like the principles of God. One must actually be practicing what they say, this is what proves a person's words to be true.
James 2:17-19 "…17 So too, faith by itself, if it is not complemented by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons know that—and shudder.…"
Far too many people in our culture think just speaking something makes it truth, they fail to understand that speaking and not obeying is the same as lying.
When someone says things just to get others to accept them, they are manipulating with lies to keep someone else happy. Its never a good idea to pretend in this way as though God can't see what they are doing. God sees these lies, He sees the deception and the disobedience, nothing escapes God's notice.
Hebrews 4:12-14 "12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. 14 Therefore, since we have such a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess.…"
Friday, August 17, 2018
The Pew Dweller
Amen, this is why it is so difficult for me to reconcile that some people go to church, never speak of God, even act embarrassed at the mention of His name, rage when challenged mildly to think more scripturally, and even punish those who expect Biblical responses to things.
I meet more of these kind of Christians than I do authentic. I have to believe the pew people who act as described above never really became born again, they simply decided to join the Christian club without any love for Christ. But that's just me!
When I became born again my entire "WAY" of thinking was changed. I was ultra sensitive to any sin in my heart even before it became an action. Which prevented me from committing the outward sin. I confessed much in those beginning years and was cleansed of it. The sins I find in myself now are more attitudes that are more like temptations.
When someone is angry at correction then they are probably not seeking the Holy Spirit for cleansing.
False Humility or Authentic Humility
So many people have superiority complexes that they fail to see their sinfulness. I don't think these people can be saved.
I came to Christ because God opened my eyes to my sinfulness. It caused me to be broken and ready to be cleansed by Christ.
How can someone be cleansed by Christ while still remaining confident about their own goodness? Sadly this is in the church!
I see also much false humility, the shuffling of feet while looking downward toward their shoes, their eyes shifted away from those they speak to as though they are not worthy. Never any mention of their past sinfulness and that Christ cleansed them. They do not see that they ever needed cleansing. In the next moment they are raging because someone told them they were wrong about something.
False humility is a sin, its a cover up for anger that remains inside. Authentic humility does not hang its head, turn away its eyes or shuffle its feet. Authentic humility looks straight at someone while telling the truth.
Philippians 2:3-11
"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men."
James 4:6
"But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Those who demonstrate false humility are false in every area of their lives. Pretense is a character flaw through and through, not only in one area.
Colossians 3:12
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,"
False meekness is the pretense that one must appear weak. True meekness is as someone once said; "power under control." Meek people are not mousy, they just know that Christ is their leader and they have nothing of themselves to offer. They are not sad or whimpy, they are confident and powerful while knowing what they are and what Christ is.
Romans 12:3
"For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned."
False humility is proud of the humility they pretend to have in themselves. Their brand of humility is human concocted not God driven.
An authentically humble person does not have to "try" to be humble or "appear" to be so, they just operate this way naturally because they are walking in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 11:2
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom."
I came to Christ because God opened my eyes to my sinfulness. It caused me to be broken and ready to be cleansed by Christ.
How can someone be cleansed by Christ while still remaining confident about their own goodness? Sadly this is in the church!
I see also much false humility, the shuffling of feet while looking downward toward their shoes, their eyes shifted away from those they speak to as though they are not worthy. Never any mention of their past sinfulness and that Christ cleansed them. They do not see that they ever needed cleansing. In the next moment they are raging because someone told them they were wrong about something.
False humility is a sin, its a cover up for anger that remains inside. Authentic humility does not hang its head, turn away its eyes or shuffle its feet. Authentic humility looks straight at someone while telling the truth.
Philippians 2:3-11
"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men."
James 4:6
"But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Those who demonstrate false humility are false in every area of their lives. Pretense is a character flaw through and through, not only in one area.
Colossians 3:12
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,"
False meekness is the pretense that one must appear weak. True meekness is as someone once said; "power under control." Meek people are not mousy, they just know that Christ is their leader and they have nothing of themselves to offer. They are not sad or whimpy, they are confident and powerful while knowing what they are and what Christ is.
Romans 12:3
"For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned."
False humility is proud of the humility they pretend to have in themselves. Their brand of humility is human concocted not God driven.
An authentically humble person does not have to "try" to be humble or "appear" to be so, they just operate this way naturally because they are walking in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 11:2
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom."
Thursday, August 16, 2018
Fornication is a Real Word God Uses
If you are not married and sleeping with someone you are sinning, its called "fornication." God hates it!!!
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
"Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
Galatians 5:19-21
"Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
"Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
Galatians 5:19-21
"Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."
The Culture Has Gone Stark Raving Mad
The culture has gone stark raving mad! Those that do not do the sins that are offensive to God will approve of those who do them. This is equally offensive, perhaps because the acceptance of these sins there is created a lazy attitude in the entire culture.
Ephesians 5:6-8 "…6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,…"
The more sin abounds in a culture the less justice there is and the more injustice rules every area of life.
Isaiah 59:2-4 "…2 But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. 3 For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice. 4 No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case honestly. They rely on empty pleas; they tell lies; they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity.…"
The more sin is ignored or accepted the more it grows. Those whose heart is inclined toward sin but are restrained in practicing it, will have less influence in the culture for fear of rejection.
The law is made for the law breaker. Those who have good hearts do not need laws they simply don't want to do bad things. Those with pretend goodness will do the sins as soon as they can get away with it without any rejection for it.
1 Timothy 1:8-10 "…8 Now we know that the Law is good, if one uses it legitimately. 9 We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching…"
In our county we have around 70% of the babies born out of wedlock. Since everyone is throwing baby showers and giggling over their extended bellies, there is no sense of shame for engaging in sin that produced those babies.
Shame is nearly a thing of the past now. Parents are coddling their adult children by not chastising them for their sinful behavior. The fear of being abandoned by their children for correcting them drives the weak minded parents to protect sin and engage with their children no matter what sin they live.
If I am weary of watching this nonsense imagine how God must feel!!!!!
To ignore God's principles is the same as ignoring Him. To pretend He never gave any rules is to mock Him.
Dismissiveness of God's principles is dismissiveness of God.
1 John 1:9
"9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
But we have to want to be cleansed, God will not force anyone, but He will bring mighty big consequences, spankings that help us see our stubborn hearts.
Ephesians 5:6-8 "…6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,…"
The more sin abounds in a culture the less justice there is and the more injustice rules every area of life.
Isaiah 59:2-4 "…2 But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. 3 For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice. 4 No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case honestly. They rely on empty pleas; they tell lies; they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity.…"
The more sin is ignored or accepted the more it grows. Those whose heart is inclined toward sin but are restrained in practicing it, will have less influence in the culture for fear of rejection.
The law is made for the law breaker. Those who have good hearts do not need laws they simply don't want to do bad things. Those with pretend goodness will do the sins as soon as they can get away with it without any rejection for it.
1 Timothy 1:8-10 "…8 Now we know that the Law is good, if one uses it legitimately. 9 We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching…"
In our county we have around 70% of the babies born out of wedlock. Since everyone is throwing baby showers and giggling over their extended bellies, there is no sense of shame for engaging in sin that produced those babies.
Shame is nearly a thing of the past now. Parents are coddling their adult children by not chastising them for their sinful behavior. The fear of being abandoned by their children for correcting them drives the weak minded parents to protect sin and engage with their children no matter what sin they live.
If I am weary of watching this nonsense imagine how God must feel!!!!!
To ignore God's principles is the same as ignoring Him. To pretend He never gave any rules is to mock Him.
Dismissiveness of God's principles is dismissiveness of God.
1 John 1:9
"9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
But we have to want to be cleansed, God will not force anyone, but He will bring mighty big consequences, spankings that help us see our stubborn hearts.
Gluttony: Asking God
Gluttony, what does God say:
Below I have listed verses that speak of gluttony. Gluttony is sometimes hard to discern when we see the size of someone who seem to be out of control.
There are those who eat far more than they should and are obese because of it. Then again there are those who eat what might be considered reasonable and have extra weight in spite of their meal sizes.
In the past kings were said to over eat, leave the meal table to vomit and come back to eat more, this of course is sinful. Snacking just for the taste can be sinful if one is not hungry and does it on a regular basis. We all have shacks at time, the problem is when those snacks are not really snacks but meals in between meals.
I am convinced that it is better to teach about gluttony with compassion in our hearts. There are those who have diabetes from their genetics and others who have it because of their eating habits. Each person must pray and decide for themselves whether or not they are moderate in their eating habits or out of control.
Those who love God will want to know, they are the ones who will pray and be given power to obey God.
There are those with heart trouble and thyroid conditions that do not allow them to lose enough weight to be considered thin. There are also studies that show older people are healthier a few pounds heavier than they were when they were young.
This matter of gluttony must be approached honestly and prayerfully by each individual. We can preach against excess and over indulgence to encourage believers to be self disciplined, not only in their eating but also in every area of their life. However it is not a good idea to judge others based on their size.
We can promote healthy eating and responsible spending when it comes to eating fast food, and then leave the judgments to God for individuals.
Not everyone is going to be thin, we all have different bone structures and metabolisms. This is all coming from a person who was thin all my life until I hit menopause and when my thyroid took a turn. Struggling for the past five years with these health issues I know that the greatest diet in the world will not make thin those who have some of these health problems.
The key is to choose healthy foods, snack when hungry and never eat just for the taste. Its amazing how little food we actually need, if the food is the right kind and in the right proportions.
The implications of the passages below seem to say that gluttony is often associated with those who are lazy and given to pleasure more than self restraint.
Proverbs 23:20-21
"20 Do not be with heavy drinkers of wine,
Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;
21 For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty,
And drowsiness will clothe one with rags."
Proverbs 28:7
"7 He who keeps the law is a discerning son,
But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father."
Proverbs 23:2
"2 And put a knife to your throat
If you are a man of great appetite."
Below I have listed verses that speak of gluttony. Gluttony is sometimes hard to discern when we see the size of someone who seem to be out of control.
There are those who eat far more than they should and are obese because of it. Then again there are those who eat what might be considered reasonable and have extra weight in spite of their meal sizes.
In the past kings were said to over eat, leave the meal table to vomit and come back to eat more, this of course is sinful. Snacking just for the taste can be sinful if one is not hungry and does it on a regular basis. We all have shacks at time, the problem is when those snacks are not really snacks but meals in between meals.
I am convinced that it is better to teach about gluttony with compassion in our hearts. There are those who have diabetes from their genetics and others who have it because of their eating habits. Each person must pray and decide for themselves whether or not they are moderate in their eating habits or out of control.
Those who love God will want to know, they are the ones who will pray and be given power to obey God.
There are those with heart trouble and thyroid conditions that do not allow them to lose enough weight to be considered thin. There are also studies that show older people are healthier a few pounds heavier than they were when they were young.
This matter of gluttony must be approached honestly and prayerfully by each individual. We can preach against excess and over indulgence to encourage believers to be self disciplined, not only in their eating but also in every area of their life. However it is not a good idea to judge others based on their size.
We can promote healthy eating and responsible spending when it comes to eating fast food, and then leave the judgments to God for individuals.
Not everyone is going to be thin, we all have different bone structures and metabolisms. This is all coming from a person who was thin all my life until I hit menopause and when my thyroid took a turn. Struggling for the past five years with these health issues I know that the greatest diet in the world will not make thin those who have some of these health problems.
The key is to choose healthy foods, snack when hungry and never eat just for the taste. Its amazing how little food we actually need, if the food is the right kind and in the right proportions.
The implications of the passages below seem to say that gluttony is often associated with those who are lazy and given to pleasure more than self restraint.
Proverbs 23:20-21
"20 Do not be with heavy drinkers of wine,
Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;
21 For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty,
And drowsiness will clothe one with rags."
Proverbs 28:7
"7 He who keeps the law is a discerning son,
But he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father."
Proverbs 23:2
"2 And put a knife to your throat
If you are a man of great appetite."
Ignoring God is Dangerous
Anyone who says they are a Christian but ignores the Bible and the commands of God to embrace the culture of sin, need to repent or become born again if they are not .
God clearly states that we are not to support others in their sin, nor are we to ignore their sin to gain their love and acceptance.
If we are held in contempt by those who say they are Christians because we did not endorse their sin, then those people who disdained the truth were not our friends to begin with.
Friends are those who agree with our stand for truth and will challenge and be challenged to obey Christ.
When Christ is our everything we will not compromise His principles to be accepted by someone else. We are willing to let go of those who will work against our resolve to follow hard after Christ.
May the Lord work great strength in the believers no matter where they are in the world. In these last days we are going to have to be completely trusting Christ as we walk this difficult path while doing it with joy and expectation that He will guide us.
There have been many times in our lives that God has directed and redirected our steps. We made our plans and God intervened when we were going a way that was not best for us.
Are we happy when God changes our plans to redirect us? We ought to be because He sees what we cannot see and knows what we cannot know!
Hallelujah!!!!
Proverbs 16:9 " 9 A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."
God clearly states that we are not to support others in their sin, nor are we to ignore their sin to gain their love and acceptance.
If we are held in contempt by those who say they are Christians because we did not endorse their sin, then those people who disdained the truth were not our friends to begin with.
Friends are those who agree with our stand for truth and will challenge and be challenged to obey Christ.
When Christ is our everything we will not compromise His principles to be accepted by someone else. We are willing to let go of those who will work against our resolve to follow hard after Christ.
May the Lord work great strength in the believers no matter where they are in the world. In these last days we are going to have to be completely trusting Christ as we walk this difficult path while doing it with joy and expectation that He will guide us.
There have been many times in our lives that God has directed and redirected our steps. We made our plans and God intervened when we were going a way that was not best for us.
Are we happy when God changes our plans to redirect us? We ought to be because He sees what we cannot see and knows what we cannot know!
Hallelujah!!!!
Proverbs 16:9 " 9 A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."
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