Wednesday, September 4, 2019
Love is Helping to Improve not Helping to Remain the Same
Love has more to do with helping someone get on the right path than it does about their feelings.
The feelings may be bad at first but the success later from learning will bring a lifetime of joy.
Romans 5:3-5 "…3 Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.…"
Proverbs 27:5-6
"5 Better is open rebuke Than love that is concealed.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy."
The feelings may be bad at first but the success later from learning will bring a lifetime of joy.
Romans 5:3-5 "…3 Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.…"
Proverbs 27:5-6
"5 Better is open rebuke Than love that is concealed.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy."
Violence is not Always Wrong
Did you know that God told men to go to war and helped them win the wars. Read the Bible, you will see it there!
David was given the task of killing Goliath, so God empowered David to be able to do so.
David did not stand by and ask God to do it by Himself, David obeyed God and God gave him what he needed to obey.
Those who are completely non-violent do not understand that punishment from God often comes from the hand of those whom He has empowered to do so.
God has placed in authority over us the police departments. Do the non-violent people think we should not have a police department?
Romans 13: 3-5…3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. 4 For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience.…"
Is it possible that non-violent Christians live in such a cloistered group that they do not see or feel the brunt of the wicked culture out there that has no conscience?
I have met those with no conscience, reasoning with them is an exercise in futility. First God has to kick them in the head a few times before they realize they are wicked, then we might be able to reason with them.
Are these non-violent people against spanking children? It is a command of God, if violence is always bad then they would have to disobey God in the training of their children.
Proverbs 13:24
"Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him."
Sometimes we have to take our children to the woodshed to teach them to obey, just as sometimes we have to take criminals to the woodshed to show them how evil their acts are against others.
Evil grows when there are no consequences.
Proverbs 26:3 "3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools! "
I admit that believers do not go around beating people up all the time, however if we love God and we have compassion for the victim who is being beaten we will do something to stop it.
Luke 22:36 "36 He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one."
David was given the task of killing Goliath, so God empowered David to be able to do so.
David did not stand by and ask God to do it by Himself, David obeyed God and God gave him what he needed to obey.
Those who are completely non-violent do not understand that punishment from God often comes from the hand of those whom He has empowered to do so.
God has placed in authority over us the police departments. Do the non-violent people think we should not have a police department?
Romans 13: 3-5…3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. 4 For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience.…"
Is it possible that non-violent Christians live in such a cloistered group that they do not see or feel the brunt of the wicked culture out there that has no conscience?
I have met those with no conscience, reasoning with them is an exercise in futility. First God has to kick them in the head a few times before they realize they are wicked, then we might be able to reason with them.
Are these non-violent people against spanking children? It is a command of God, if violence is always bad then they would have to disobey God in the training of their children.
Proverbs 13:24
"Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him."
Sometimes we have to take our children to the woodshed to teach them to obey, just as sometimes we have to take criminals to the woodshed to show them how evil their acts are against others.
Evil grows when there are no consequences.
Proverbs 26:3 "3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools! "
I admit that believers do not go around beating people up all the time, however if we love God and we have compassion for the victim who is being beaten we will do something to stop it.
Luke 22:36 "36 He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one."
The Legalists Are At It Again
I grow weary of the legalists who claim to step in and save people who are being attacked is not trusting God.
It is quite possible that stepping in to help the victim is not only the will of God but empowered by Him.
Isaiah 1:17
"Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause."
This verse in Isaiah is a command from God that we should step up when someone is being attacked or oppressed.
Those who would stand by and watch someone being beaten and do nothing to stop it are using piety as an excuse to protect themselves. It is even more wicked to stand by and watch a loved one being murdered and raped while doing nothing at all to help. I know if I were the victim I would feel unloved by anyone watching who would do nothing to help.
David was empowered by God to throw that stone at Goliath.
Psalm 72:4
"May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!"
Would those who claim to be completely non-violent, depending on the Lord also sit at the dinner table and expect the Lord to bring their hand to the mouth to eat?
Would these same people not try to save themselves if they fell in the lake and were drowning, would they just sink to the bottom without trying at all to save themselves claiming they are waiting on the Lord to do it for them.
God has given us jobs and good deeds to do, we do not sit on our couches and say; "I will let the Lord mow the lawn, after all if I mow it then I am not trusting God to do it for me." I don't think so, they would do the work God has given them to do.
Perhaps the excuse of "non-violence" at all costs, even the cost of another man's life, is merely to protect themselves. I would hope I would be willing to die for someone else. That if I had to die saving someone else, there would be no better way to go out of here. I call that noble, I do not call that defying God's will.
Forgive me if I have no patience with those who use non-violence as an excuse to protect self over helping someone else.
John 15:13
"13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
It is quite possible that stepping in to help the victim is not only the will of God but empowered by Him.
Isaiah 1:17
"Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause."
This verse in Isaiah is a command from God that we should step up when someone is being attacked or oppressed.
Those who would stand by and watch someone being beaten and do nothing to stop it are using piety as an excuse to protect themselves. It is even more wicked to stand by and watch a loved one being murdered and raped while doing nothing at all to help. I know if I were the victim I would feel unloved by anyone watching who would do nothing to help.
David was empowered by God to throw that stone at Goliath.
Psalm 72:4
"May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!"
Would those who claim to be completely non-violent, depending on the Lord also sit at the dinner table and expect the Lord to bring their hand to the mouth to eat?
Would these same people not try to save themselves if they fell in the lake and were drowning, would they just sink to the bottom without trying at all to save themselves claiming they are waiting on the Lord to do it for them.
God has given us jobs and good deeds to do, we do not sit on our couches and say; "I will let the Lord mow the lawn, after all if I mow it then I am not trusting God to do it for me." I don't think so, they would do the work God has given them to do.
Perhaps the excuse of "non-violence" at all costs, even the cost of another man's life, is merely to protect themselves. I would hope I would be willing to die for someone else. That if I had to die saving someone else, there would be no better way to go out of here. I call that noble, I do not call that defying God's will.
Forgive me if I have no patience with those who use non-violence as an excuse to protect self over helping someone else.
John 15:13
"13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Reject Foolishness and Embrace Wisdom
We cannot be helpful to those who don't want our help. When we offer an opinion in a discussion and the hearer sends the strong message through rage that they refuse to hear it, then is when we politely excuse ourselves and leave the conversation.
The narcissist will not stop until they have made you angry. If you do not remove yourself they will verbally batter you until you become worn down and end up being angry just like them.
This is a favored tactic of the narcissist. The best way to handle them is Biblically, here are some scripture to help.
1 Corinthians 15:33-34 " 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 34 Sober up as you ought, and stop sinning; for some of you are ignorant of God. I say this to your shame.…"
Proverbs 23:9 "9 Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words."
Proverbs 22:10 "10 Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart; even quarreling and insults will cease. "
Not only is it unpleasant to be in the presence of a fool it is impossible to have a civil and friendly conversation with them. They never listen to discern truth, but they fight bitterly to gain power over those in any discussion. They hate to admit someone else has a good point, in their mind it means they are "less than."
A wise and loving person does not have to win, however they will seek after truth. When a self righteous fool wants to argue to win then the wise man shows great power and control through leaving the presence of one who brings no good to the relationship.
Proverbs 14:6-8 "…6 A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. 7 Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. 8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them."
If we are smart and wise we will seek God's word for our answers. Never allow a person to convince you to remain with a fool just to be friendly or because they are family, this is also foolish.
Proverbs 13:20
"Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm."
Romans 12:2
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
The scoffer, the argumentative person is not searching for truth with us, they are working to undermine truth so they can feel good about their foolishness. Superiority is the only goal of the foolish man who loves to appear wise without actually being wise.
Proverbs 22:24-25
"Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare."
For years I was entrenched in extended family in which everyone was "one upping" everyone else to see who could act more superior. This is ungodly and worthless wrangling. When there is a room full of Christians who act like this there is the question that arises, "did these people ever become broken over their sin, or did they join the ranks of the church to feel superior about themselves. Just asking!!!!!
When we have encountered a gaggle of narcissists it is unlikely that we will ever fit in, since the quest for wisdom is rarely present. They love to gain knowledge to feign superiority but that knowledge is for information only, wisdom is not very important to them.
1 Corinthians 8:1-2 "1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.…"
Proverbs 1:7
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
We don't want to be a fool merely looking for accolades, as born again believers we ought to be seeking God for truth all the time in everything.
The narcissist will not stop until they have made you angry. If you do not remove yourself they will verbally batter you until you become worn down and end up being angry just like them.
This is a favored tactic of the narcissist. The best way to handle them is Biblically, here are some scripture to help.
1 Corinthians 15:33-34 " 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 34 Sober up as you ought, and stop sinning; for some of you are ignorant of God. I say this to your shame.…"
Proverbs 23:9 "9 Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words."
Proverbs 22:10 "10 Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart; even quarreling and insults will cease. "
Not only is it unpleasant to be in the presence of a fool it is impossible to have a civil and friendly conversation with them. They never listen to discern truth, but they fight bitterly to gain power over those in any discussion. They hate to admit someone else has a good point, in their mind it means they are "less than."
A wise and loving person does not have to win, however they will seek after truth. When a self righteous fool wants to argue to win then the wise man shows great power and control through leaving the presence of one who brings no good to the relationship.
Proverbs 14:6-8 "…6 A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. 7 Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech. 8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them."
If we are smart and wise we will seek God's word for our answers. Never allow a person to convince you to remain with a fool just to be friendly or because they are family, this is also foolish.
Proverbs 13:20
"Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm."
Romans 12:2
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
The scoffer, the argumentative person is not searching for truth with us, they are working to undermine truth so they can feel good about their foolishness. Superiority is the only goal of the foolish man who loves to appear wise without actually being wise.
Proverbs 22:24-25
"Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare."
For years I was entrenched in extended family in which everyone was "one upping" everyone else to see who could act more superior. This is ungodly and worthless wrangling. When there is a room full of Christians who act like this there is the question that arises, "did these people ever become broken over their sin, or did they join the ranks of the church to feel superior about themselves. Just asking!!!!!
When we have encountered a gaggle of narcissists it is unlikely that we will ever fit in, since the quest for wisdom is rarely present. They love to gain knowledge to feign superiority but that knowledge is for information only, wisdom is not very important to them.
1 Corinthians 8:1-2 "1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.…"
Proverbs 1:7
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
We don't want to be a fool merely looking for accolades, as born again believers we ought to be seeking God for truth all the time in everything.
Monday, September 2, 2019
What is a Relationship with God
Some people are married many years and never have a relationship with one another because their cohabitation is based on each one going their own separate ways. One or both use each other for their own purposes while ignoring the needs and desires of the other.
Relationships are based on mutual conversation and seeking to please one another. In the case of a believer we love to please God and seek His approval to remain close to Him. When we love someone we do not USE them, we experience them and love them.
Dawn Martin Said this:
What does it mean to have a relationship with God? Is having a RELATIONSHIP with God only about serving Him or is it much more than this? Serving God and sharing His word is essential as a believer but having a relationship is also about spending time with Him, praising Him, listening to His still small voice, thanking Him, repenting of sins, obeying Him, meditating on Him and His word, and on His goodness to us, staying as far away from sin as we possibly can. Studying His word is important so that we can know who God is and avoid deception but we can study God's word and still NOT be born again! We can be proud and hide behind our knowlege and understanding of the scriptures and sometimes show our good side to people while all the time not being fully surrendered to Christ, not being born again. God is seeking a REAL relationship with us.
Relationships are based on mutual conversation and seeking to please one another. In the case of a believer we love to please God and seek His approval to remain close to Him. When we love someone we do not USE them, we experience them and love them.
Dawn Martin Said this:
What does it mean to have a relationship with God? Is having a RELATIONSHIP with God only about serving Him or is it much more than this? Serving God and sharing His word is essential as a believer but having a relationship is also about spending time with Him, praising Him, listening to His still small voice, thanking Him, repenting of sins, obeying Him, meditating on Him and His word, and on His goodness to us, staying as far away from sin as we possibly can. Studying His word is important so that we can know who God is and avoid deception but we can study God's word and still NOT be born again! We can be proud and hide behind our knowlege and understanding of the scriptures and sometimes show our good side to people while all the time not being fully surrendered to Christ, not being born again. God is seeking a REAL relationship with us.
Was the Old Really Changed or Just Hidden Better
Some people get out of drugs, they clean up their life but the old residue of pride and rebellion becomes modified into a Christianized form. The resistance of obedience to God's Word in much more subtle ways continues. In short the sinful nature seems to have remained even though the crime ends.
Some people exchange their crime for a better life and a form of religion that keeps them out of trouble and makes them LOOK better to those around them, but the rebellion against God remains.
I have seen people who didn't commit crime anymore but continued to be mean spirited and arrogant as though the only thing they no longer did was the crime, they still act angry and superior.
Narcissistic people can learn what works in a culture. They learn to be more sneaky in their attacks, their covert acts allow them plausible deniability as they pretend they didn't do anything when they deliberately hurt others.
The bottom line here is this; if the only thing that has changed is outer behavior while the inner man remains spiteful and mean, then there needs to be some self reflection to see if they were actually born again or just pretending to have a better life.
Matthew 7:21-23
"21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
Some people exchange their crime for a better life and a form of religion that keeps them out of trouble and makes them LOOK better to those around them, but the rebellion against God remains.
I have seen people who didn't commit crime anymore but continued to be mean spirited and arrogant as though the only thing they no longer did was the crime, they still act angry and superior.
Narcissistic people can learn what works in a culture. They learn to be more sneaky in their attacks, their covert acts allow them plausible deniability as they pretend they didn't do anything when they deliberately hurt others.
The bottom line here is this; if the only thing that has changed is outer behavior while the inner man remains spiteful and mean, then there needs to be some self reflection to see if they were actually born again or just pretending to have a better life.
Matthew 7:21-23
"21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
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