Perhaps we ought to focus on our spiritual growth, our obedience to Christ and loving Him and others more as we wade through this strange time of apostasy.
We should not be surprised, discouraged or frightened as we see prophecy unfold. God said it would be this way.
How about this, should we try to fight what is coming?
I say no, to think we can thwart the prophecy of God is like taking a teaspoon and a bucket with the intent on emptying the ocean. It cannot be stopped so what should our response be?
2 Timothy 4:1-3 "1I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom: 2Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears, they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires.…"
The answer for the born again believer? Speak more of the Lord than ever before, instructed one another, encourage one another and rejoice that our home going is very soon.
Hallelujah!!!
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
Search the Word and Pray for Truth
What we believe is irrelevant, its what we can prove. When evaluating what someone is saying we must have evidence. All that evidence presented must line up with scripture.
When speaking of God and the things of the Bible we must use the scripture as our evidence. After all its God's word and final authority on truth. However, when evaluating political statements and events we must have proof, not merely beliefs.
As soon as someone says "I believe" about a "theory" they have lost me for sure. It's all about the evidence. Anyone can throw out all kinds of ideas they want to get others to believe, this does not make those assertions true.
The word "theory" means an idea not a fact. "Whose idea", is always my question?
Anytime I am faced with cryptic codes and numerology I know it cannot be from God. When God speaks His message is clear without doubt. The message comes as "Thus saith the Lord", and then the thing happens. Numerology is from the devil, God does not use cryptic numerology to convey messages to His people.
Those who wish to believe things that have not been proven will often accuse others of ignorance for not believing what has not been proven. They will challenge their friends to do the research distracting them from what really matters to endless searches to find out about someone who is a possible deceiver.
So my next question is what do we do with these theories, do we change anything that is happening? Does it bring us closer to God or does it deter us toward politics and away from God's calling for us?
Be careful, if the devil cannot get us to believe liberal lies then he will bring a conservative one to cause chaos, suspicion, and diversion from what really matters, that is faithfulness to Christ.
Matthew 24:24 "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect."
Notice the final phrase of this passage; "even the elect", there will be lies in these last days that will entice the born again believers, to deter them from thoughts of Christ and plunge them into fear as well as a sense of hopelessness to be able to stop what is happening.
It is not those who bring reason from the Bible to any question who are divisive, it is those who choose to believe things that they themselves cannot prove, merely believing what others are saying, who insist that others hop on board with their belief.
I have no doubt that there are conspiracies afoot, but what they are exactly I cannot waste my time researching since there are far more important things to attend to that I know for sure are my calling.
I fear that many Christians are getting entangled in half-truths and lies that they think are true based on the testimonies of strangers and even non-believers.
I prefer to see believers wearing T-shirts that say "I am a follower of Jesus Christ" than one that says "Q" on it. We do not follow Q we follow Jesus Christ.
Following a fantom anonymous Q seems irrational to me, since the people who wear his shirts have never met him.
Just an admonition to evaluate what we are reading and hearing. I had been enticed for a couple of minutes to learn about this Q, then the Lord sent a clear message that I should not waste my time. It was a sort of warning that something was amiss.
Sadly too, many of these "Q" followers have almost become a cult of sorts, defending this unknown person whom they have never met as though he were a prophet from God. Of course, not everyone who is interested in this is acting this way, so the admonition is to be aware of the dangers and the possible deception and avoid making it a life's work.
Blessings to all those who will pray diligently about this matter.
When speaking of God and the things of the Bible we must use the scripture as our evidence. After all its God's word and final authority on truth. However, when evaluating political statements and events we must have proof, not merely beliefs.
As soon as someone says "I believe" about a "theory" they have lost me for sure. It's all about the evidence. Anyone can throw out all kinds of ideas they want to get others to believe, this does not make those assertions true.
The word "theory" means an idea not a fact. "Whose idea", is always my question?
Anytime I am faced with cryptic codes and numerology I know it cannot be from God. When God speaks His message is clear without doubt. The message comes as "Thus saith the Lord", and then the thing happens. Numerology is from the devil, God does not use cryptic numerology to convey messages to His people.
Those who wish to believe things that have not been proven will often accuse others of ignorance for not believing what has not been proven. They will challenge their friends to do the research distracting them from what really matters to endless searches to find out about someone who is a possible deceiver.
So my next question is what do we do with these theories, do we change anything that is happening? Does it bring us closer to God or does it deter us toward politics and away from God's calling for us?
Be careful, if the devil cannot get us to believe liberal lies then he will bring a conservative one to cause chaos, suspicion, and diversion from what really matters, that is faithfulness to Christ.
Matthew 24:24 "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect."
Notice the final phrase of this passage; "even the elect", there will be lies in these last days that will entice the born again believers, to deter them from thoughts of Christ and plunge them into fear as well as a sense of hopelessness to be able to stop what is happening.
It is not those who bring reason from the Bible to any question who are divisive, it is those who choose to believe things that they themselves cannot prove, merely believing what others are saying, who insist that others hop on board with their belief.
I have no doubt that there are conspiracies afoot, but what they are exactly I cannot waste my time researching since there are far more important things to attend to that I know for sure are my calling.
I fear that many Christians are getting entangled in half-truths and lies that they think are true based on the testimonies of strangers and even non-believers.
I prefer to see believers wearing T-shirts that say "I am a follower of Jesus Christ" than one that says "Q" on it. We do not follow Q we follow Jesus Christ.
Following a fantom anonymous Q seems irrational to me, since the people who wear his shirts have never met him.
Just an admonition to evaluate what we are reading and hearing. I had been enticed for a couple of minutes to learn about this Q, then the Lord sent a clear message that I should not waste my time. It was a sort of warning that something was amiss.
Sadly too, many of these "Q" followers have almost become a cult of sorts, defending this unknown person whom they have never met as though he were a prophet from God. Of course, not everyone who is interested in this is acting this way, so the admonition is to be aware of the dangers and the possible deception and avoid making it a life's work.
Blessings to all those who will pray diligently about this matter.
What or Who Do We Think About The Most?
Philippians 2:5-8
"5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
If we are to be like Christ our main concern will not be to dominate others, to force others to be what we think they should be, but rather to present the truth in calmness and love and allow others to make their own choice which way they will go.
Sometimes there is a Holy Spirit led rebuke, correction or discipline, all done with a spirit of desiring restoration. Any of these actions must always be for the purpose of restoring someone to obedience as well as learning.
We are all learning all the time, may that learning consists mostly of the principles of Christ, a moving forward in holiness and never looking back. Let our continual mindset not be the things of this world but Christ. When we see the world going the way it is, may our mind return directly to God, His principles, His promises and our future in heaven.
Proverbs 23:17 – "Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day."
Isaiah 26:3 – You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You."
Psalm 119:2 – "Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with their whole heart."
"5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
If we are to be like Christ our main concern will not be to dominate others, to force others to be what we think they should be, but rather to present the truth in calmness and love and allow others to make their own choice which way they will go.
Sometimes there is a Holy Spirit led rebuke, correction or discipline, all done with a spirit of desiring restoration. Any of these actions must always be for the purpose of restoring someone to obedience as well as learning.
We are all learning all the time, may that learning consists mostly of the principles of Christ, a moving forward in holiness and never looking back. Let our continual mindset not be the things of this world but Christ. When we see the world going the way it is, may our mind return directly to God, His principles, His promises and our future in heaven.
Proverbs 23:17 – "Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day."
Isaiah 26:3 – You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You."
Psalm 119:2 – "Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with their whole heart."
Monday, April 6, 2020
Cannot Imagine!
Yes, and I cannot imagine a born again believer who wept over their own sinfulness ever holding a forgiven sin against another believer.
Dawn Martin said:
"I cannot imagine a single believer not weeping over their sins when they are saved. It is very likely that the Holy Spirit has never convicted them and never shown them their sinfulness and the depths of their depravity. (Jeremiah 17:9) When the weight of one's sin is lifted from one's shoulders at conversion, it is like a 1,000-pound weight lifted from one's shoulders! I confess I do not understand so-called believers when they cannot shed a tear over what Jesus Christ has done for this wicked, sinful, sin-cursed world. Let us remember the cross every day of our lives and be thankful!"
Dawn Martin said:
"I cannot imagine a single believer not weeping over their sins when they are saved. It is very likely that the Holy Spirit has never convicted them and never shown them their sinfulness and the depths of their depravity. (Jeremiah 17:9) When the weight of one's sin is lifted from one's shoulders at conversion, it is like a 1,000-pound weight lifted from one's shoulders! I confess I do not understand so-called believers when they cannot shed a tear over what Jesus Christ has done for this wicked, sinful, sin-cursed world. Let us remember the cross every day of our lives and be thankful!"
The Faith of the Born Again Believer
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
'2 For by it the men of old gained approval.
3 By faith, we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death, and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.
6 And without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.
9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;
10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
11 By faith, even Sarah herself received the ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.
13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.
15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had an opportunity to return.
16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son;
18 it was he to whom it was said, “In Isaac, your descendants shall be called.”
19 He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,
26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.
27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.
28 By faith, he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.
31 By faith Rahab, the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient after she had welcomed the spies in peace.
32 And what more shall I say? For the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,
33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,
34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
35 Women received back their dead by resurrection, and others were tortured, not accepting their release so that they might obtain a better resurrection;
36 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 38 (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.
39 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised,
40 because God had provided something better for us so that apart from us they would not be made perfect."
'2 For by it the men of old gained approval.
3 By faith, we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death, and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.
6 And without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.
9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;
10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
11 By faith, even Sarah herself received the ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.
13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.
15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had an opportunity to return.
16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son;
18 it was he to whom it was said, “In Isaac, your descendants shall be called.”
19 He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,
26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.
27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.
28 By faith, he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.
31 By faith Rahab, the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient after she had welcomed the spies in peace.
32 And what more shall I say? For the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,
33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,
34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
35 Women received back their dead by resurrection, and others were tortured, not accepting their release so that they might obtain a better resurrection;
36 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 38 (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.
39 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised,
40 because God had provided something better for us so that apart from us they would not be made perfect."
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