“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of hosts, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.” “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.”
Sunday, September 6, 2020
Malachi 4:1-2
“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of hosts, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.” “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.”
God Cares For Us!
God's laws and principles for living are not to withhold anything good from us as the devil tried to convince Eve in the garden.
God's laws and principles are there to protect us from devastating heartbreak due to a lack of wisdom.
When we know where the violation of God's word leads we will not want to disobey Him. He knows the best for all of us and He also knows that emotions that lead to sin are the shallowest part of our being, they can be easily manipulated and justified even when they will lead to death.
If anyone tells you to follow your heart, rebuke them in the name of Jesus Christ, they do not have your best interest in mind.
It is only through obedience over time that we learn the reasons God has rules and standards and it is always for our own good.
Romans 8:27-28 "27 And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. "
God's laws and principles are there to protect us from devastating heartbreak due to a lack of wisdom.
When we know where the violation of God's word leads we will not want to disobey Him. He knows the best for all of us and He also knows that emotions that lead to sin are the shallowest part of our being, they can be easily manipulated and justified even when they will lead to death.
If anyone tells you to follow your heart, rebuke them in the name of Jesus Christ, they do not have your best interest in mind.
It is only through obedience over time that we learn the reasons God has rules and standards and it is always for our own good.
Romans 8:27-28 "27 And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. "
Our Choices Tell on Us!
Our choices tell on us and will have consequences!
In the case of a woman who calls herself a Christian and is allowing her unmarried daughter to fornicate in her home with a boyfriend, God has this to say.
In the case of a parent endorsing immorality in her own home, she is counted as a partner in her daughter's sin. She will have consequences she never thought she would have for helping others sin.
Also, even worse this mother is placing her daughter above God. She loves her daughter more than she loves God.
Luke 14:25-27 "
25Large crowds were now traveling with Jesus, and He turned and said to them, 26“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters— yes, even his own life— he cannot be My disciple. 27And whoever does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple.…"
When a person's children mean more to them than Christ does then it might be strong evidence that they are not born again and never have been.
I understand the mentality that allows sin in their own home when the chances of losing the daughter may be the result of standing for Christ.
However, if we love God with our whole heart we can never allow anything in our homes that defile God and endorses sin. We must take a strong stand against evil no matter where it is but especially in our own homes. Our home is our sanctuary away from the world.
Personally, I cannot understand a believer who allows the sin in her home, watching it go on every day and is not disturbed by it.
John 14:21
"Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him."
In the case of a woman who calls herself a Christian and is allowing her unmarried daughter to fornicate in her home with a boyfriend, God has this to say.
In the case of a parent endorsing immorality in her own home, she is counted as a partner in her daughter's sin. She will have consequences she never thought she would have for helping others sin.
Also, even worse this mother is placing her daughter above God. She loves her daughter more than she loves God.
Luke 14:25-27 "
25Large crowds were now traveling with Jesus, and He turned and said to them, 26“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters— yes, even his own life— he cannot be My disciple. 27And whoever does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple.…"
When a person's children mean more to them than Christ does then it might be strong evidence that they are not born again and never have been.
I understand the mentality that allows sin in their own home when the chances of losing the daughter may be the result of standing for Christ.
However, if we love God with our whole heart we can never allow anything in our homes that defile God and endorses sin. We must take a strong stand against evil no matter where it is but especially in our own homes. Our home is our sanctuary away from the world.
Personally, I cannot understand a believer who allows the sin in her home, watching it go on every day and is not disturbed by it.
John 14:21
"Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him."
Saturday, September 5, 2020
God will not save a Pharisee!
Luke 18:9-17
"The Pharisee and the Publican
9 And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:
10“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’
13 But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’
14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
15 And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them.
16 But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
17 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”
Notice the Pharisee was not praying to God, he was praying to himself. Vs.11
"The Pharisee and the Publican
9 And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:
10“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’
13 But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’
14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
15 And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them.
16 But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
17 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”
Notice the Pharisee was not praying to God, he was praying to himself. Vs.11
All the Commands and Guidelines for Life are in the Bible: You Choose
All the rules and guidelines for the born again believer are in the Bible and the Bible is accessible to every believer with rare exceptions.
Leaders in the church preach, teach, and guide by example. Nowhere will you find commands to control, intimidate, or demean others into doing what they think is right. And, the leaders are sinning when they add anything to scripture to make sure those they lead do exactly what they say.
One example of this might be a special style of clothing everyone is required to wear. Yes, we want to promote respect for God's houses and maybe even preach on modesty because it is in the Bible, however, intimidating people who are modest but have a different style from others is sin.
When a leader approaches a brother or sister he is to do so in a spirit of love to show him the way using the Bible as the measure of truth.
1 Corinthians 11:1
"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."
1 Peter 5:1-5 "1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,
2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
1 Timothy 4:12
"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."
Hebrews 13:7
"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith."
Imitate the leaders only in so far as they imitate and follow Christ. We are not to follow leaders who bring their own agenda or human rules to bear.
There are those in the church who have their perfect idea of holiness not proven by Scripture but foster an attitude of superiority just as the Pharisees demonstrated.
Luke 18:9-17
"The Pharisee and the Publican
9 And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:
10“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’
13 But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’
14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
15 And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them.
16 But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
17 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”
Notice the Pharisee was not praying to God, he was praying to himself. Vs.11
Rejecting, intimidating, mocking, or demeaning someone into doing what you think is right is not God's way. Also, it is foolish to think YOU can change the heart of anyone by treating them disrespectfully. We are to speak the truth in love with a desire to help people understand what God says in His Word, we are NOT responsible to make sure the person we speak to obeys us. We are to trust God for His outcome in anyone's life. We speak and God works.
Intimidation does nothing to change a heart. If someone does comply because of your intimidation they still remain the same person only now they will hide their heart to be accepted by you.
Intimidation shows the heart of one doing it, there is an attitude of; "I am superior to you and if you want me to love you then you must do what I do."
Those who intimidate others because they don't think the same way are also those who have no love in their heart.
Yes, discipline is sometimes necessary, but it ought to come with a heavy heart at having to do it. It ought to show empathy for those who must endure it. One who finds glee in melting anyone into a puddle on the floor through their withholding of love is an evil person wanting only to maintain a stance of superiority.
Galatians 6:1-2 "1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.…"
In verse 1 of this passage, God says "watch yourself or you also may be tempted", there is a temptation to be Pharisaical in acting superior when dealing with someone who has sinned. This too would be a great sin.
Our goal as born again believers is to help one another see the truth of Scripture with the attitude of obeying it because we love God so much we desire to please Him.
Hebrews 3:12-13 "12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. "
Our great love for one another is shown in our desire to see a sinner repent and become restored. Forgiving someone who is not sorry about their sin is not loving as much as beating up emotionally on a repentant sinner is, both are evil.
Leaders in the church preach, teach, and guide by example. Nowhere will you find commands to control, intimidate, or demean others into doing what they think is right. And, the leaders are sinning when they add anything to scripture to make sure those they lead do exactly what they say.
One example of this might be a special style of clothing everyone is required to wear. Yes, we want to promote respect for God's houses and maybe even preach on modesty because it is in the Bible, however, intimidating people who are modest but have a different style from others is sin.
When a leader approaches a brother or sister he is to do so in a spirit of love to show him the way using the Bible as the measure of truth.
1 Corinthians 11:1
"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."
1 Peter 5:1-5 "1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,
2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
1 Timothy 4:12
"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."
Hebrews 13:7
"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith."
Imitate the leaders only in so far as they imitate and follow Christ. We are not to follow leaders who bring their own agenda or human rules to bear.
There are those in the church who have their perfect idea of holiness not proven by Scripture but foster an attitude of superiority just as the Pharisees demonstrated.
Luke 18:9-17
"The Pharisee and the Publican
9 And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:
10“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’
13 But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’
14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
15 And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them.
16 But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
17 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”
Notice the Pharisee was not praying to God, he was praying to himself. Vs.11
Rejecting, intimidating, mocking, or demeaning someone into doing what you think is right is not God's way. Also, it is foolish to think YOU can change the heart of anyone by treating them disrespectfully. We are to speak the truth in love with a desire to help people understand what God says in His Word, we are NOT responsible to make sure the person we speak to obeys us. We are to trust God for His outcome in anyone's life. We speak and God works.
Intimidation does nothing to change a heart. If someone does comply because of your intimidation they still remain the same person only now they will hide their heart to be accepted by you.
Intimidation shows the heart of one doing it, there is an attitude of; "I am superior to you and if you want me to love you then you must do what I do."
Those who intimidate others because they don't think the same way are also those who have no love in their heart.
Yes, discipline is sometimes necessary, but it ought to come with a heavy heart at having to do it. It ought to show empathy for those who must endure it. One who finds glee in melting anyone into a puddle on the floor through their withholding of love is an evil person wanting only to maintain a stance of superiority.
Galatians 6:1-2 "1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.…"
In verse 1 of this passage, God says "watch yourself or you also may be tempted", there is a temptation to be Pharisaical in acting superior when dealing with someone who has sinned. This too would be a great sin.
Our goal as born again believers is to help one another see the truth of Scripture with the attitude of obeying it because we love God so much we desire to please Him.
Hebrews 3:12-13 "12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. "
Our great love for one another is shown in our desire to see a sinner repent and become restored. Forgiving someone who is not sorry about their sin is not loving as much as beating up emotionally on a repentant sinner is, both are evil.
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