"Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken." -Jeremiah 6:16,17.
One thing that I see continually which leads people to destruction, is the incredible "business" of their lives. Being busy, staying busy, has become admirable to our generation. Satan has created activity upon activity, device after device, so that our time will be constantly full- with no time left to consider our eternal destination. In short, the devil is rushing us toward HELL.
The active part of this blog ends today, as I have been directed to do through the Holy Spirit. You may continue to read what is already here, and contact me for any cause which you deem necessary. So this message today is one of closing, and I can't help but seek to leave you with the best advice that God's wisdom can provide. Our first, best move is always to pull away from the world, and draw near unto God. We need to seek & find shelter beneath the "shadow of His wings." - Ruth 2:12, Matt. 23:37.
How is your time being spent? What do you give to your creator, savior, and Lord? Apart from Christ, we can do nothing (John 15:5). Take time to consider in prayer your priorities, knowing that you will give an account to God! Satan has also created mobile devices for us, so that we never have time to ourselves. When all is "quiet", do you find yourself turning on some electronic device? Perhaps at home it is the TV, internet, or stereo. Away from home, it can now be the same! Are you always checking messages, looking at the weather, sports, or whatever may be of interest?
By observation, what evidence is there to convince the world around you of your love for Christ? Or are you just like everyone else? We need ever more prayer, more Bible study, more "hungering and thirsting" after righteousness (Matt. 5:6) in our daily lives; even many times throughout the day. If we are told to crucify the flesh daily (Luke 9:23, Rom. 8:13, Col. 3:5), how is it that we can give up so little of what we find "convenient", moment-by-moment?
Nothing of this Earth will last, or matters. All that will remain are the works founded upon Christ (I Cor. 3:11-15, I John 2:15-17)! I implore you all from the depths of my being, for your own best spiritual health and welfare; do as much as you possibly can to SEPARATE YOURSELF FROM THIS WORLD, and its lying vanities (Jonah 2:8). This should especially include, potentially, even any secular means of "earning a living." So very many have compromised their professed faith in God for their jobs! How is this unlike Esau, selling his birthright for potted stew?
The Lord has changed my life through the following passage, Matthew 6:24-34; reprinted here in its entirety with bold, italicized, and underlining added for emphasis. See and embrace the truth of verse 33! I am not telling anyone to quit their job; don't quit, submit- to the direction of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lillies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore TAKE NO THOUGHT, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all thes things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
And yet there is a proof of these promises given in Matt. 15:32-38. Some 4,000 men, beside women & children, had the privelege of fellowship with their creator; for 3 whole days, nothing else mattered! Think of all they heard, and got to see- the temporal concerns of this life could not compare, so they stayed; until they had even run out of food. They probably didn't realize it, but they were living the instruction & promise of Matthew 6:33! True to His Word, Jesus fed them all. Where would our faith be, when we were hungry, and saw but 7 loaves and a few little fishes available to feed all those people? Would we have even stayed until our food ran out? Real faith, beloved brethren, is unseen (Heb. 11:1).
Maybe we need to lower our standards. I fear that in our culture today, many have lost their ability to distinguish between what is an actual need, and what is merely desireable.
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." -I Tim. 6:6-8.
"Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit." - Eccl. 4:6.
What really matters to you, brethren? Where are your priorities? Are you trusting in Christ to provide, or only upon your own "arm of flesh"? -Jer. 17:5-8, Psalm 147:10,11. What kind of love do you have for the temporary things of this world? -John 12:25, James 4:4.
Time is very, very short indeed, and we need to prepare. Let's get back to the simplicity of the Word of God, and unconditional obedience to its doctrines (I Tim. 4:16).
"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against your soul." - I Peter 2:11.
"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light." - Rom. 13:11,12.
"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" - Micah 6:8.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Rapture readiness: we need to get it right!
"And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law." - Genesis 19:14; bold type added for emphasis.
When I talk about the end times, warning others about our position in it, I get pretty much the same reaction- that I am "as one who mocks" to the professing body of Christ! Yet to warn others, especially God's people, is my clear duty in the body of Christ. Isn't all of God's Word true? We remember what happened to Sodom, and Lot's sons in law- don't we?
"Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed." - Luke 17:28-30; bold, italicized type added to ephasize.
Brethren, we could disagree on numerous issues of non-importance, but the timing of the rapture could have grave consequences if we get it wrong. To believe in an "any moment" rapture, a.k.a. pre-tribulation rapture, is simply NOT the message of scripture! You need to stop, and change course immediately if you have fallen for this lie. I also believed this for a long time, before God graciously revealed to me the plain teaching of His Word. This "pre-trib" rapture message is comforting fable for "itching ears (II Tim. 4:3,4).
Satan wants christians to believe that they will somehow be immune to the various crises coming, but such has never been the lot of God's people. If you fall for this comforting lie (pre-trib rapture), you will not be prepared for the deception of antichrist when he takes charge; you will simply fall in line with the rest of the deceived world, which will believe that the millenium has come.
"And then shall that Wicked be revealed... whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish..." - from II Thess. 2:8-10.
The Lord Jesus Christ showed us what to expect in His Word. While many believers are aware that we cannot know the exact day & hour of Christ's return, few have been shown scripturally the sequence of events which alert us to the time of the end. It amazes me how so many would quote verses like Matt. 24:36, which tells us that we will not know the day or hour of Christ's return; but somehow miss the preceeding verses 32-34, that tell us we will "know that it is near, even at the doors." I am convinced that the day & hour info is a protection for us, enabling us to more easily identify false prophets.
Jesus emphatically tells us to WATCH in these passages about the last days (Matt. 24:42-46, Mark 13:32-37, Luke 12:35-38, 21:34-36). Exactly what are we to look for, if we can have no clue as to the time of His return? One of the "bad fruits" (Matt. 7:16-20) of the pre-trib rapture teaching is that it tells us there is no need to watch! Please don't be offended- this message is not meant to pick on anyone, or to prove me right, and others wrong. The message of this blog is one of genuine concern for first your eternal welfare, and then for your earthly well-being, also.
The letters to the Thessalonians solidify God's message to us concerning the rapture, and the 2nd coming of Christ. I Thess. 4:15-18 is really the key passage from which we take the concept of the rapture. Unfortunately, most teaching stops right there! We need to remember that Thessalonians I & II are complete letters, with chapter and verse #'s added later. Let's look at the continuation of the "rapture" passage as it spills into chapter 5;
"But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of the light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of the darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others, but let us watch and be sober." - I Thess. 5:1-6; bold type added.
These verses make it clear that we will know the season of the end, and that the people of the earth will think they have achieved peace prior to the Lord's return!
Then when we get to II Thessalonians 2, the Holy Spirit prompts Paul to expound further on this topic; that the young believers may have confidence, and not fear (I John 4:18), concerning the end times.
"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ... That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled... as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, AND that man of sin be revealed... Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God... And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time." - from II Thess. 2:1-6; bold and italicized type, and the capitalized added.
So we see that christians will be here during the time of antichrist! Are we not plainly shown in places like Daniel 7:15-27, and Rev. 13:7 that the "beast" will make war with the saints, and overcome them? At the point when that "man of sin", a.k.a. "that Wicked" will be revealed, there will be approximately three and one half years until he is through, and Christ then returns. Therefore said "tribulation" period is about 3.5 years, as shown in Daniel 7:25, 12:11, Rev. 11:2, & 13:5. Daniel 12:13 identifies the 1,335th day as the one we should look toward (not that we will exactly have the count).
After this period, then comes the rapture; the "sign" of the Son of man appears in the heavens (see Matt. 24:30,31), and the elect are gathered to the marriage supper of the Lamb. During this time, those left on the Earth will mourn; finally all will be aware that they have been deceived! Some time later, on the same day, Christ leads the armies of heaven (assumed that we believers are among them) to the battle of Armageddon (Rev. 19:7-16). Next up, the millenial reign of Christ.
Parts of this message are not pleasant, and I know it! Martyrdom is the norm for the tribulation saints, but the Lord will help us with "a little help" (Dan. 11:34), and the eternal reward is beyond comparison. Brethren, the time is now fast coming upon us, that we needs live and die that faith which we profess (Luke 9:23). Throw yourselves upon Christ, and seek Him to strengthen you now. Please remember this warning, and carry it with you in your spirit...
"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." - I Peter 4:7.
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." - Rev. 12:11.
When I talk about the end times, warning others about our position in it, I get pretty much the same reaction- that I am "as one who mocks" to the professing body of Christ! Yet to warn others, especially God's people, is my clear duty in the body of Christ. Isn't all of God's Word true? We remember what happened to Sodom, and Lot's sons in law- don't we?
"Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed." - Luke 17:28-30; bold, italicized type added to ephasize.
Brethren, we could disagree on numerous issues of non-importance, but the timing of the rapture could have grave consequences if we get it wrong. To believe in an "any moment" rapture, a.k.a. pre-tribulation rapture, is simply NOT the message of scripture! You need to stop, and change course immediately if you have fallen for this lie. I also believed this for a long time, before God graciously revealed to me the plain teaching of His Word. This "pre-trib" rapture message is comforting fable for "itching ears (II Tim. 4:3,4).
Satan wants christians to believe that they will somehow be immune to the various crises coming, but such has never been the lot of God's people. If you fall for this comforting lie (pre-trib rapture), you will not be prepared for the deception of antichrist when he takes charge; you will simply fall in line with the rest of the deceived world, which will believe that the millenium has come.
"And then shall that Wicked be revealed... whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish..." - from II Thess. 2:8-10.
The Lord Jesus Christ showed us what to expect in His Word. While many believers are aware that we cannot know the exact day & hour of Christ's return, few have been shown scripturally the sequence of events which alert us to the time of the end. It amazes me how so many would quote verses like Matt. 24:36, which tells us that we will not know the day or hour of Christ's return; but somehow miss the preceeding verses 32-34, that tell us we will "know that it is near, even at the doors." I am convinced that the day & hour info is a protection for us, enabling us to more easily identify false prophets.
Jesus emphatically tells us to WATCH in these passages about the last days (Matt. 24:42-46, Mark 13:32-37, Luke 12:35-38, 21:34-36). Exactly what are we to look for, if we can have no clue as to the time of His return? One of the "bad fruits" (Matt. 7:16-20) of the pre-trib rapture teaching is that it tells us there is no need to watch! Please don't be offended- this message is not meant to pick on anyone, or to prove me right, and others wrong. The message of this blog is one of genuine concern for first your eternal welfare, and then for your earthly well-being, also.
The letters to the Thessalonians solidify God's message to us concerning the rapture, and the 2nd coming of Christ. I Thess. 4:15-18 is really the key passage from which we take the concept of the rapture. Unfortunately, most teaching stops right there! We need to remember that Thessalonians I & II are complete letters, with chapter and verse #'s added later. Let's look at the continuation of the "rapture" passage as it spills into chapter 5;
"But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of the light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of the darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others, but let us watch and be sober." - I Thess. 5:1-6; bold type added.
These verses make it clear that we will know the season of the end, and that the people of the earth will think they have achieved peace prior to the Lord's return!
Then when we get to II Thessalonians 2, the Holy Spirit prompts Paul to expound further on this topic; that the young believers may have confidence, and not fear (I John 4:18), concerning the end times.
"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ... That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled... as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, AND that man of sin be revealed... Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God... And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time." - from II Thess. 2:1-6; bold and italicized type, and the capitalized added.
So we see that christians will be here during the time of antichrist! Are we not plainly shown in places like Daniel 7:15-27, and Rev. 13:7 that the "beast" will make war with the saints, and overcome them? At the point when that "man of sin", a.k.a. "that Wicked" will be revealed, there will be approximately three and one half years until he is through, and Christ then returns. Therefore said "tribulation" period is about 3.5 years, as shown in Daniel 7:25, 12:11, Rev. 11:2, & 13:5. Daniel 12:13 identifies the 1,335th day as the one we should look toward (not that we will exactly have the count).
After this period, then comes the rapture; the "sign" of the Son of man appears in the heavens (see Matt. 24:30,31), and the elect are gathered to the marriage supper of the Lamb. During this time, those left on the Earth will mourn; finally all will be aware that they have been deceived! Some time later, on the same day, Christ leads the armies of heaven (assumed that we believers are among them) to the battle of Armageddon (Rev. 19:7-16). Next up, the millenial reign of Christ.
Parts of this message are not pleasant, and I know it! Martyrdom is the norm for the tribulation saints, but the Lord will help us with "a little help" (Dan. 11:34), and the eternal reward is beyond comparison. Brethren, the time is now fast coming upon us, that we needs live and die that faith which we profess (Luke 9:23). Throw yourselves upon Christ, and seek Him to strengthen you now. Please remember this warning, and carry it with you in your spirit...
"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." - I Peter 4:7.
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." - Rev. 12:11.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Ungodly traditions.
Every Friday is a good Friday, if you have received the salvation which Christ bought for us on the cross. Yet Easter itself is a lying, pagan tradition, that has no place in Christianity!
Check out this link to, "Why there is no Good Friday"; remember that God is not impressed with our sincerity; He wants obedience. Please see I Samuel 15:22. It didn't work for King Saul, and it still isn't working for any of us today!
Jesus said that if a person really loves Him, they will keep His Words. We need to focus on that, and stop trying to impress Him with a "form" of godliness which has denied Him!
Check out this link to, "Why there is no Good Friday"; remember that God is not impressed with our sincerity; He wants obedience. Please see I Samuel 15:22. It didn't work for King Saul, and it still isn't working for any of us today!
Jesus said that if a person really loves Him, they will keep His Words. We need to focus on that, and stop trying to impress Him with a "form" of godliness which has denied Him!
Monday, April 2, 2012
Regaining true love (agape)
"...I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love." - Rev. 2:4.
We live in a time of unparalled evil, and it is bound to have a polluting effect on us. I have a saying that goes like this, "When you live in a sewer, you don't mind the smell." Jesus foretold us of this time, but we who believe ought to take it as warning:
"And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." -Matt. 24:12.
Can you spot this hardness of heart within yourself? How do you react to news of tradgedies? Are you watching television, and movies which ought to be offensive to Christian faith?
Abraham's nephew, Lot, chose to live within the Sodom and Gomorrah area, as we see in Genesis 13:10. 13:13 tells us that this was an exceedingly wicked place! What Lot did, he did initially because of the geographic locale; it was a good place for his cattle. Yet he also came to greatly regret the move;
"For if God... turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow... And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)... The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations..." - See II Peter 2:4-9.
Is your soul vexed by the evil that you witness around you? Has "bad company" corrupted your good morals (I Cor. 15:33? Have you separated yourself for the Lord's sake (II Cor. 6:17), or have you yielded to walking in the counsel of the ungodly, standing in the way with sinners, and sitting in the seat of the scornful (Psalm 1:1,2)?
God warns us in His Word that in these last days, men will be lovers of their own selves (II Tim. 3:1,2). This is an apt description for today, for both within, and outside of the professing church of Christ. There are so many who seem to be loving in Christ, but their false expressions of genuine Godly CHARITY (I Cor. 13) never go beyond what is absolutely convenient for them! Our example ought to be that of Christ, in the Garden of Gethsemane; denying self, taking up our cross daily, and then following God's leading.
The Bible also gives prophecy of the period of salvation which would be wrought through Christ;
"Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleans you. And a new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." - Ezekiel 36:25-27. Are these verses describing you?
Revelation 2:1-5 addresses the church of Ephesus, and has many good things to say about them. Yet for this shortfall, the leaving of their first love, they needed repentance; without repenting, they would be LOST. I dare say that today, we are nowhere close to what the church of Ephesus had in righteousness. Instead, we have permissiveness.
"There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness." -Prov. 30:12.
Is your soul vexed for the evil you witness in this world? Do you hate your life in this world (John 12:25), and long to be with the Lord (II Cor. 5:6-8)? Pray for the Lord to open your eyes, and to remove the stony places of your heart. Stop trying so hard to "get along" with everyone, and start letting your light shine for Christ! If your heart is right with the Lord, you won't be getting popularity awards, anyhow!
"An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked." - Prov. 29:27.
In addition to spotting what is evil, you will also need the Holy Spirit's sensitivity to minister to the actual needs of others. I could give you abundant examples of the forthrightly proclaiming "Christian" who just absolutely could care less about helping those around them (Matt. 25:31-46)! I guess Christian service is what they pay others to do for them, when they place $ in the offering plate!
Brethren, time is fast running out. It is high time that we get serious about living the faith that we profess, or we will be counted amongst the goats separated out for judgment.
"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." - James 1:21,22.
We live in a time of unparalled evil, and it is bound to have a polluting effect on us. I have a saying that goes like this, "When you live in a sewer, you don't mind the smell." Jesus foretold us of this time, but we who believe ought to take it as warning:
"And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." -Matt. 24:12.
Can you spot this hardness of heart within yourself? How do you react to news of tradgedies? Are you watching television, and movies which ought to be offensive to Christian faith?
Abraham's nephew, Lot, chose to live within the Sodom and Gomorrah area, as we see in Genesis 13:10. 13:13 tells us that this was an exceedingly wicked place! What Lot did, he did initially because of the geographic locale; it was a good place for his cattle. Yet he also came to greatly regret the move;
"For if God... turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow... And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)... The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations..." - See II Peter 2:4-9.
Is your soul vexed by the evil that you witness around you? Has "bad company" corrupted your good morals (I Cor. 15:33? Have you separated yourself for the Lord's sake (II Cor. 6:17), or have you yielded to walking in the counsel of the ungodly, standing in the way with sinners, and sitting in the seat of the scornful (Psalm 1:1,2)?
God warns us in His Word that in these last days, men will be lovers of their own selves (II Tim. 3:1,2). This is an apt description for today, for both within, and outside of the professing church of Christ. There are so many who seem to be loving in Christ, but their false expressions of genuine Godly CHARITY (I Cor. 13) never go beyond what is absolutely convenient for them! Our example ought to be that of Christ, in the Garden of Gethsemane; denying self, taking up our cross daily, and then following God's leading.
The Bible also gives prophecy of the period of salvation which would be wrought through Christ;
"Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleans you. And a new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." - Ezekiel 36:25-27. Are these verses describing you?
Revelation 2:1-5 addresses the church of Ephesus, and has many good things to say about them. Yet for this shortfall, the leaving of their first love, they needed repentance; without repenting, they would be LOST. I dare say that today, we are nowhere close to what the church of Ephesus had in righteousness. Instead, we have permissiveness.
"There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness." -Prov. 30:12.
Is your soul vexed for the evil you witness in this world? Do you hate your life in this world (John 12:25), and long to be with the Lord (II Cor. 5:6-8)? Pray for the Lord to open your eyes, and to remove the stony places of your heart. Stop trying so hard to "get along" with everyone, and start letting your light shine for Christ! If your heart is right with the Lord, you won't be getting popularity awards, anyhow!
"An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked." - Prov. 29:27.
In addition to spotting what is evil, you will also need the Holy Spirit's sensitivity to minister to the actual needs of others. I could give you abundant examples of the forthrightly proclaiming "Christian" who just absolutely could care less about helping those around them (Matt. 25:31-46)! I guess Christian service is what they pay others to do for them, when they place $ in the offering plate!
Brethren, time is fast running out. It is high time that we get serious about living the faith that we profess, or we will be counted amongst the goats separated out for judgment.
"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." - James 1:21,22.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
A view toward eternity; a readiness to die
"For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." -Philippians 1:21.
In Matthew 7:16-20, Jesus tells us that, "By their fruits ye shall know them." Along this train of thought, I have observed a very bad spiritual fruit within the professed body of Christ today; it is a fear of death, an unwillingness to leave their temporal life in the flesh.
Two days ago, a 32 year old woman from our locale was on her way to nursing school in the morning; she was set to graduate with a B.A. just 48 days from now. Apparently, a vehicle coming from the other direction lost a tire (a big tire), and it struck her car in the windshield, and she was killed. No one knows yet where the tire came from, and it was apparently unknown to the person who lost it.
"And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" -Hebrews 9:27.
God appoints the time of our deaths, and for many it is sudden, unexpected. What if you had been this young woman? Are you ready to die, and face your maker? What is your attitude toward dying? These matters are important, for they reflect well the state of your spiritual standing with Christ.
"He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal." -John 12:25.
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." -I John 2:15.
And that is the real issue; professed believers in Christ loving their lives in this world. Never, never, never should such a thing be! You can hear it from their lips, see it in their actions- especially when confronting death. They don't want to die, don't see in this world the evil that prevails, don't see themselves as being mere "pilgrims" upon the Earth (Hebrews 11:13).
How many times have I seen and heard of it? Supposed Christians taking every treatment, having every operation, wasting enormous amounts of both time & money, just to spend a few more years (or less) here in utter corruption! Then I sometimes hear, "Oh, no- you don't understand. I am ready to die, but I want to 'be here' for my children." Such a statement indicates a severe lack of faith, and a lack of the LORDSHIP of Jesus Christ in a person's life. Trust in God to heal you physically, or to take you home as He sees fit. And the Lord is well able to take care of your family after you've gone. Your dependence should be upon Him right now, and then that trust will naturally continue through at the time of your departure.
If you struggle along these lines, please don't be ashamed- just take it to the Lord! Ask for Him to work the changes in your heart/mind through the blessed Holy Spirit which He has given to those who have received Him. Study the Word; through it, you will understand what God expects from His children, and how He will grow and perfect that work during the course of your life.
After reading the obituary of this young woman, I at least have hope that she was in right relationship with the Lord at the time of her death. Perhaps God took her home, before any worldly corruption could come into her, and turn her away (Is. 57:1,2). Someday, we will know...
These next verses are from II Corinthians 5:1-11, a section that I encourage you to read entirely. It gives us a great idea of what our sentiments should be, that are pleasing to God.
"For we know that if our earthly house is dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven... We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ..."
In Matthew 7:16-20, Jesus tells us that, "By their fruits ye shall know them." Along this train of thought, I have observed a very bad spiritual fruit within the professed body of Christ today; it is a fear of death, an unwillingness to leave their temporal life in the flesh.
Two days ago, a 32 year old woman from our locale was on her way to nursing school in the morning; she was set to graduate with a B.A. just 48 days from now. Apparently, a vehicle coming from the other direction lost a tire (a big tire), and it struck her car in the windshield, and she was killed. No one knows yet where the tire came from, and it was apparently unknown to the person who lost it.
"And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" -Hebrews 9:27.
God appoints the time of our deaths, and for many it is sudden, unexpected. What if you had been this young woman? Are you ready to die, and face your maker? What is your attitude toward dying? These matters are important, for they reflect well the state of your spiritual standing with Christ.
"He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal." -John 12:25.
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." -I John 2:15.
And that is the real issue; professed believers in Christ loving their lives in this world. Never, never, never should such a thing be! You can hear it from their lips, see it in their actions- especially when confronting death. They don't want to die, don't see in this world the evil that prevails, don't see themselves as being mere "pilgrims" upon the Earth (Hebrews 11:13).
How many times have I seen and heard of it? Supposed Christians taking every treatment, having every operation, wasting enormous amounts of both time & money, just to spend a few more years (or less) here in utter corruption! Then I sometimes hear, "Oh, no- you don't understand. I am ready to die, but I want to 'be here' for my children." Such a statement indicates a severe lack of faith, and a lack of the LORDSHIP of Jesus Christ in a person's life. Trust in God to heal you physically, or to take you home as He sees fit. And the Lord is well able to take care of your family after you've gone. Your dependence should be upon Him right now, and then that trust will naturally continue through at the time of your departure.
If you struggle along these lines, please don't be ashamed- just take it to the Lord! Ask for Him to work the changes in your heart/mind through the blessed Holy Spirit which He has given to those who have received Him. Study the Word; through it, you will understand what God expects from His children, and how He will grow and perfect that work during the course of your life.
After reading the obituary of this young woman, I at least have hope that she was in right relationship with the Lord at the time of her death. Perhaps God took her home, before any worldly corruption could come into her, and turn her away (Is. 57:1,2). Someday, we will know...
These next verses are from II Corinthians 5:1-11, a section that I encourage you to read entirely. It gives us a great idea of what our sentiments should be, that are pleasing to God.
"For we know that if our earthly house is dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven... We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ..."
Monday, March 19, 2012
Honesty with God
"The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth." -Psalm 145:18.
"Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight." -Prov. 12:22.
Dishonesty and lies seem to be everywhere these days; from the head of our nation on down through its judicial system, in virtualy every business, and in nearly every home. I'm sure that in our present day world, George Washington wouldn't be quite so forthright about that cherry tree! We are just seeing lies on every possible level, and in every relationship imaginable. It has become so deeply ingrained within us, that many times we are not even aware when we tell a lie, or hear one!
Brethren, honesty starts at home. "He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much." Please make sure that what proceeds from your lips is the truth, and is not meant to be deceptive in any way. The Bible is a terrific place to start, in developing a pattern of TRUTH.
"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." -John 17:17.
Above and beyond our honesty with others, is our honesty with God. Such is the reflected truth of this blog's opening verse. I have been guilty of this many times myself; though of course it was not a premeditated eventuality. Upon discovering this hidden duplicity, I was rightfully grieved at my own corruption. Have you ever pledged something to God, and not followed through? Does your Christian walk accurately portray Jesus our savior, whose brother you claim to be? Remember that nothing ever escapes the watchful eye of our Lord!
"Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight." - Prov. 12:22.
We do not intend to lie to God, and we are certainly aware that he already knows our every thought. Yet we are given strict warning about deceit, caused by our very own hearts;
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" -Jer. 17:9; with bold type, italicized, and underlining added by myself for emphasis.
Most of us realize that repentance is a vitally necessary part of salvation (Acts 2:38). But do we even know what genuine repentance is all about? To repent means not only a sorrow for sin (II Cor. 7:9,10), but also a change of behavior, or intent. When the Lord repented for the creation of mankind in Genesis 6:6, it wasn't because He had sinned! It expressed a regret, and the consequence of His repentance was the flood.
Perhaps someone you know is habitually running late, usually arriving with the apology, "Sorry that I'm late." Such an apology does not reflect a genuine repentance, because their behavior never changes! Still, only too many of us tend to "run through" prayers of supposed repentance, in order to quickly clear the slate, and get back into good standing with God. I know this, for I have also been very guilty of such behavior.
God HATES sin! The brutal beating and tortuous death our savior endured was for our sins. We need to take time during repentance, asking God to reveal yet even more sins, and the grief they bring to Him. Yes, He does love us, but the sin He hates; and so should we! We also need to take the time to seek the Lord's wisdom in how to avoid these areas of sin in the future. This is the type of self-denial, and daily cross bearing that Jesus told us about (Luke 9:23,24).
In short, is Jesus the LORD of every part of your life? Why do you call Him Lord, when you are not doing what He says? See Luke 6:46, Matt. 7:21, John 12:48, and John 14:23. Yes, it is also true that we will be growing in spiritual perfecting our whole lives; let us then pray with the Psalmist, "Unite my heart to fear thy name." -Ps. 86:11.
We need to stop compromising the instructions from God's Word; this is a form of denying Christ! Break those yokes you are sharing with spiritual unbelief; come out from among them, and be separate (II Cor. 6:14-18).
Please understand, that being honest with God means to live what you profess- which is obedience to the Bible! Remember that words count just as much as actions (Matt. 12:36,37; Eph. 5:3,4), and our time here is short.
Also remember that we are accountable for every instruction preserved for us in God's Word, which is a far greater sum than merely the 10 commandments. Think of the example with the "rich young ruler", as we discussed in an earlier blog. He knew those basic commandments and kept them, but was still found lacking (Matt. 19:16-22)! I John 3:22 shows that we should keep the commandments, but also do those things which are pleasing in God's sight.
Yet if we address the 10 commandments, we find that we are not to take the name of the Lord in vain (Ex. 20:7). Brethren, this means far, far more than merely swearing! If you claim to be a Christian, you had better be well committed to living like one at all times- nothing can be hidden from our God (I Cor. 4:5).
Jesus was also tested regarding which commandment was the greatest (Matt. 22:36-40), but He did not respond from the writings on the tablets He had given to Moses! His response came from Deuteronomy 6:5, and Leviticus 19:18 (the 10 commandments are in Exodus 20, and Deut. 5).
Are you being honest with God? Is He the Lord of your finances, your time, your thoughts? If you actually pray about any of those things, is it with a mind open to where the Holy Spirit will lead, or have you already determined your course of action in advance?
This life, brethren, is a real challenge! To see the results that are pleasing to God, we need to submit all of our ways to Him. It won't be popular or well-received by those around us, but it is road that follows Jesus.
"I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." -John 17:14.
"Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight." -Prov. 12:22.
Dishonesty and lies seem to be everywhere these days; from the head of our nation on down through its judicial system, in virtualy every business, and in nearly every home. I'm sure that in our present day world, George Washington wouldn't be quite so forthright about that cherry tree! We are just seeing lies on every possible level, and in every relationship imaginable. It has become so deeply ingrained within us, that many times we are not even aware when we tell a lie, or hear one!
Brethren, honesty starts at home. "He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much." Please make sure that what proceeds from your lips is the truth, and is not meant to be deceptive in any way. The Bible is a terrific place to start, in developing a pattern of TRUTH.
"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." -John 17:17.
Above and beyond our honesty with others, is our honesty with God. Such is the reflected truth of this blog's opening verse. I have been guilty of this many times myself; though of course it was not a premeditated eventuality. Upon discovering this hidden duplicity, I was rightfully grieved at my own corruption. Have you ever pledged something to God, and not followed through? Does your Christian walk accurately portray Jesus our savior, whose brother you claim to be? Remember that nothing ever escapes the watchful eye of our Lord!
"Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight." - Prov. 12:22.
We do not intend to lie to God, and we are certainly aware that he already knows our every thought. Yet we are given strict warning about deceit, caused by our very own hearts;
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" -Jer. 17:9; with bold type, italicized, and underlining added by myself for emphasis.
Most of us realize that repentance is a vitally necessary part of salvation (Acts 2:38). But do we even know what genuine repentance is all about? To repent means not only a sorrow for sin (II Cor. 7:9,10), but also a change of behavior, or intent. When the Lord repented for the creation of mankind in Genesis 6:6, it wasn't because He had sinned! It expressed a regret, and the consequence of His repentance was the flood.
Perhaps someone you know is habitually running late, usually arriving with the apology, "Sorry that I'm late." Such an apology does not reflect a genuine repentance, because their behavior never changes! Still, only too many of us tend to "run through" prayers of supposed repentance, in order to quickly clear the slate, and get back into good standing with God. I know this, for I have also been very guilty of such behavior.
God HATES sin! The brutal beating and tortuous death our savior endured was for our sins. We need to take time during repentance, asking God to reveal yet even more sins, and the grief they bring to Him. Yes, He does love us, but the sin He hates; and so should we! We also need to take the time to seek the Lord's wisdom in how to avoid these areas of sin in the future. This is the type of self-denial, and daily cross bearing that Jesus told us about (Luke 9:23,24).
In short, is Jesus the LORD of every part of your life? Why do you call Him Lord, when you are not doing what He says? See Luke 6:46, Matt. 7:21, John 12:48, and John 14:23. Yes, it is also true that we will be growing in spiritual perfecting our whole lives; let us then pray with the Psalmist, "Unite my heart to fear thy name." -Ps. 86:11.
We need to stop compromising the instructions from God's Word; this is a form of denying Christ! Break those yokes you are sharing with spiritual unbelief; come out from among them, and be separate (II Cor. 6:14-18).
Please understand, that being honest with God means to live what you profess- which is obedience to the Bible! Remember that words count just as much as actions (Matt. 12:36,37; Eph. 5:3,4), and our time here is short.
Also remember that we are accountable for every instruction preserved for us in God's Word, which is a far greater sum than merely the 10 commandments. Think of the example with the "rich young ruler", as we discussed in an earlier blog. He knew those basic commandments and kept them, but was still found lacking (Matt. 19:16-22)! I John 3:22 shows that we should keep the commandments, but also do those things which are pleasing in God's sight.
Yet if we address the 10 commandments, we find that we are not to take the name of the Lord in vain (Ex. 20:7). Brethren, this means far, far more than merely swearing! If you claim to be a Christian, you had better be well committed to living like one at all times- nothing can be hidden from our God (I Cor. 4:5).
Jesus was also tested regarding which commandment was the greatest (Matt. 22:36-40), but He did not respond from the writings on the tablets He had given to Moses! His response came from Deuteronomy 6:5, and Leviticus 19:18 (the 10 commandments are in Exodus 20, and Deut. 5).
Are you being honest with God? Is He the Lord of your finances, your time, your thoughts? If you actually pray about any of those things, is it with a mind open to where the Holy Spirit will lead, or have you already determined your course of action in advance?
This life, brethren, is a real challenge! To see the results that are pleasing to God, we need to submit all of our ways to Him. It won't be popular or well-received by those around us, but it is road that follows Jesus.
"I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." -John 17:14.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Christians and Government
With the incredible deterioration of constitutional law taking place in America today, we Christians need to look closely at God's Word for direction. This seems to be a fitting time to bring forward this topic on the blog. If your church pastor is teaching something contrary to the direction of the Bible- the ENTIRE Bible, you must separate yourself from him.
This blog is featuring the teachings of Pastor Chuck Baldwin, with the first being the article, Romans 13 revisited. It is a medium length article, and easy to understand.
Then there are 2 videos at http://www.infowars.com/, entitled American churches are being neutered.
The length of the 2 combined is about 30 minutes, yours to listen to if you desire.
Standing for Christ has always had a cost! We need to be encouraged in the true faith more today, than at any time previously in history.
This blog is featuring the teachings of Pastor Chuck Baldwin, with the first being the article, Romans 13 revisited. It is a medium length article, and easy to understand.
Then there are 2 videos at http://www.infowars.com/, entitled American churches are being neutered.
The length of the 2 combined is about 30 minutes, yours to listen to if you desire.
Standing for Christ has always had a cost! We need to be encouraged in the true faith more today, than at any time previously in history.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Don't be a Deer caught in the Headlights- run!
"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light." - Romans 13:11,12.
The sky is thick with dark, lowering clouds; lightning flashes down upon the not-so-distant hills on the horizon. Even the animals have grown silent, and taken cover! How can mankind, so much wiser than the lowly animals, refuse to acknowledge the pending storm? Is it really more desireable to go forth toward destruction, willingly ignorant (II Peter 3:3-7) of the impending calamity? Yet this is exactly what I have been witnessing amongst my fellow citizens; even those that would claim the name of Christ as their savior!
"For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged." - I Cor. 11:31.
It is time for true Christians to come apart from the world, and finally lived the lives that we attest to. When we see the wrath of God approaching, being consistently poured out, we can be certain that it is a reflection of His displeasure with SIN. The proper response is for the believer is to humble themselves, repent for their wickedness, and turn away from doing evil (II Chron. 7:14). Yet today, most simply think that God loves them so much, that they automatically have His approval.
If this message sounds similar to others brought forth by me, it is because these warnings are the primary duty of a watchman (Is. 62:6, Ezek. 33:7). But today, I wish to urge you into action- that you would actually begin taking the necessary steps of separation (Read II Cor. 6:14-17) in your deepening walk with Christ. I want you to stop playing church, and come into right relationship with God! Receive the truth (John 4:23) discovered and acknowledged by 19th century saint George Mueller; "The Word of God is our only standard (II Ttim. 3:16,17), and the Holy Spirit our only teacher." (I John 2:27). These false shepherds which lead organized churches are, the vast majority of times, feeding themselves; and thereby destroying and scattering the real "flock of Christ." Take these warnings with the utmost seriousness:
"For I know this, that after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." - Acts 20:29,30.
"...Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness..." - from II Cor. 11:14,15.
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." - II Tim. 4:3,4.
Just recently, it was Franklin Graham, the son of Billy Graham, that caught my attention (My wife actually told me!). Now, I have known that father Billy has some deep spiritual problems, by which I consider him to be an antichrist figure rather than a Christian. But for Franklin, I had more hope! Yet now I see that this "nut" has fallen close to the "tree" (i.e., Franklin is much like his father Billy), and is more concerned with status, than in stating the truth...
Apparently, Franklin was publically critical of President Obama's professed Christianity. That is a good thing, and though I don't know what he said, I readily applaud when someone will stand for the truth. Due to his criticism, however, he received a good bit of flak from the Obama camp. Unfortunately, Franklin then apologized for his remarks! How can a "man of God" repent for telling the truth?
God gives to His people the spirit of a sound mind (II Tim. 1:7). How could any believer actually think that the President is a Christian? What about the dozens, upon dozens of lies that he has told, and continues to do so? What about his relentless promotion of homosexuality, both in the U.S. and the world? What about his ruthless slaughter of alleged enemies? What about his Indonesian citizenship which lists him as a Muslim, and thus he is named? Did you know that he also prays with Muslims? How could such a thing be for a Christian, for whom Jesus is the ONLY way of salvation (John 14:6)?
Jesus told us that, "By their fruit, ye shall know them." If Franklin Graham is that blind to the truth, or has somehow prioritized people-pleasing above the truth of the Bible, he is clearly just another antichrist figure (I John 2:18) amongst the professing "church of Christ" (Matt. 15:7-9).
Instead of prioritizing "getting along", we need to put holiness first. The emphasis on unity is the main thrust for a coming world religion; one that will not tolerate the uniqueness of Christ! Please read (KJV) the following scriptures about the need for separation; Matt. 18:15-17, I Cor. 5:11-13, II Thess. 3:6,14, I Tim. 6:3-5, Titus 3:10,11. Will you have the courage to believe these words from God, or will you care too much for your own standing with men?
"If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple... So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." - Luke 14:26,27, 33.
Brethren, we are at the very end of the "last days." God's Word is always true, and this time was bound to come at some point. He said that we would know the season of the end, and for that we must WATCH. As much as is possible, put away all worldliness from you. Seek the Lord diligently. Fast, pray, take time off work to remove distraction. Nothing, but nothing will bear any relevance when compared with our eternal destination (Matt. 16:24-26).
The wrath of God is even now falling upon the earth, and mankind. We need to be assured of the blessed mercies of Christ, and His eternal protection. For that, we must turn away from all else, and serve the blessed Lord Jesus Christ with every bit of our strength.
"Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger." -Zeph. 2:3.
The sky is thick with dark, lowering clouds; lightning flashes down upon the not-so-distant hills on the horizon. Even the animals have grown silent, and taken cover! How can mankind, so much wiser than the lowly animals, refuse to acknowledge the pending storm? Is it really more desireable to go forth toward destruction, willingly ignorant (II Peter 3:3-7) of the impending calamity? Yet this is exactly what I have been witnessing amongst my fellow citizens; even those that would claim the name of Christ as their savior!
"For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged." - I Cor. 11:31.
It is time for true Christians to come apart from the world, and finally lived the lives that we attest to. When we see the wrath of God approaching, being consistently poured out, we can be certain that it is a reflection of His displeasure with SIN. The proper response is for the believer is to humble themselves, repent for their wickedness, and turn away from doing evil (II Chron. 7:14). Yet today, most simply think that God loves them so much, that they automatically have His approval.
If this message sounds similar to others brought forth by me, it is because these warnings are the primary duty of a watchman (Is. 62:6, Ezek. 33:7). But today, I wish to urge you into action- that you would actually begin taking the necessary steps of separation (Read II Cor. 6:14-17) in your deepening walk with Christ. I want you to stop playing church, and come into right relationship with God! Receive the truth (John 4:23) discovered and acknowledged by 19th century saint George Mueller; "The Word of God is our only standard (II Ttim. 3:16,17), and the Holy Spirit our only teacher." (I John 2:27). These false shepherds which lead organized churches are, the vast majority of times, feeding themselves; and thereby destroying and scattering the real "flock of Christ." Take these warnings with the utmost seriousness:
"For I know this, that after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." - Acts 20:29,30.
"...Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness..." - from II Cor. 11:14,15.
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." - II Tim. 4:3,4.
Just recently, it was Franklin Graham, the son of Billy Graham, that caught my attention (My wife actually told me!). Now, I have known that father Billy has some deep spiritual problems, by which I consider him to be an antichrist figure rather than a Christian. But for Franklin, I had more hope! Yet now I see that this "nut" has fallen close to the "tree" (i.e., Franklin is much like his father Billy), and is more concerned with status, than in stating the truth...
Apparently, Franklin was publically critical of President Obama's professed Christianity. That is a good thing, and though I don't know what he said, I readily applaud when someone will stand for the truth. Due to his criticism, however, he received a good bit of flak from the Obama camp. Unfortunately, Franklin then apologized for his remarks! How can a "man of God" repent for telling the truth?
God gives to His people the spirit of a sound mind (II Tim. 1:7). How could any believer actually think that the President is a Christian? What about the dozens, upon dozens of lies that he has told, and continues to do so? What about his relentless promotion of homosexuality, both in the U.S. and the world? What about his ruthless slaughter of alleged enemies? What about his Indonesian citizenship which lists him as a Muslim, and thus he is named? Did you know that he also prays with Muslims? How could such a thing be for a Christian, for whom Jesus is the ONLY way of salvation (John 14:6)?
Jesus told us that, "By their fruit, ye shall know them." If Franklin Graham is that blind to the truth, or has somehow prioritized people-pleasing above the truth of the Bible, he is clearly just another antichrist figure (I John 2:18) amongst the professing "church of Christ" (Matt. 15:7-9).
Instead of prioritizing "getting along", we need to put holiness first. The emphasis on unity is the main thrust for a coming world religion; one that will not tolerate the uniqueness of Christ! Please read (KJV) the following scriptures about the need for separation; Matt. 18:15-17, I Cor. 5:11-13, II Thess. 3:6,14, I Tim. 6:3-5, Titus 3:10,11. Will you have the courage to believe these words from God, or will you care too much for your own standing with men?
"If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple... So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." - Luke 14:26,27, 33.
Brethren, we are at the very end of the "last days." God's Word is always true, and this time was bound to come at some point. He said that we would know the season of the end, and for that we must WATCH. As much as is possible, put away all worldliness from you. Seek the Lord diligently. Fast, pray, take time off work to remove distraction. Nothing, but nothing will bear any relevance when compared with our eternal destination (Matt. 16:24-26).
The wrath of God is even now falling upon the earth, and mankind. We need to be assured of the blessed mercies of Christ, and His eternal protection. For that, we must turn away from all else, and serve the blessed Lord Jesus Christ with every bit of our strength.
"Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger." -Zeph. 2:3.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Learn from the Rich Young Ruler
"For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?" - Luke 14:28.
The story of the rich young ruler (r.y.r.) is faithfully recorded in Matt. 19:16-26, Mark 10:17-27, and Luke 18:18-27. Through this account, we gain insight into several profound truths, as well as warning and direction. We gain the composite description of this man from Matt. 19:20 (young), Luke 18:18 (ruler), and Luke 18:23 (rich); although all 3 accounts identify that he had great possessions.
In all 3 accounts, the r.y.r. addresses Jesus with the term, Good Master. When Jesus responds to this title with, "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.", He is not denying His deity, but rather affirming it. Yet at the same time, He is discouraging undue respect of persons; for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23).
But the ruler's approach is given even greater description in the book of Mark; it states that he came to Jesus running, and kneeled down. His manner of approach, and the question he asked of Jesus, reflect well on the concern which he had for his immortal soul; "Good master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" How many today ever take the time to consider this most important question?
Jesus then reaffirms to the r.y.r. the importance of the commandments, mentioning 5-6 of the more obvious external behaviour ones. The young man readily attested to the fact that he had long observed all of these things, but in Matthew 19:20 he adds the question, "What lack I yet?"This question is a great indicator that inwardly, he still knew that something was missing!
When Jesus responded, Mark 10:21 tells us that He (Jesus) loved him (r.y.r.). Here was a man honestly seeking after God, and righteousness, which evoked a response of love from the Good Master! Then Jesus verbally tells him, that if he would be perfect, he must sell what he has materially and give to the poor; assuring him that he will have treasure in heaven; then he must come, take up the cross, and follow Him (Jesus). In the story, you find these words in Matt. 19:21, Mark 10:21, Luke 18:22. Yet it is another reaffirmation of the cost of discipleship, as found in Matt. 16:24,25, & Luke 9:23,24.
It was too much; Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, had invited the r.y.r. to come and follow Him! What an invitation! But alas, he was unwilling to pay the price for this priceless gift. The Bible tells us that he then went away, being "sad, sorrowful, and grieved." Jesus' response to this circumstance is well known to most of us; "A rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven"; "Children, how hard it is for them that trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!"; and "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!" And of course in all 3, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." (composite).
The disciples' response at first might seem to be a bit perplexing. The Bible shows that they were "astonished", and "exceedingly amazed", as they asked, "Who then can be saved?" What were they thinking? The disciples were not rich men, nor was Christ, in the flesh (II Cor. 6:10, 8:9). The verses following this account, Matt. 19:27-30, Mark 10:28, and Luke 18:28 clearly show that indeed the disciples had left all to follow Jesus!
No, what the disciples were responding to was the upright character of the r.y.r. He was shown to be very God-fearing in behavior, loved by their Lord, and even invited to come along with them! There is also the chance that since he was a local rich ruler, that he was already well known to the disciples as a very righteous person. Don't we know those that are rich among us, and take note of their behavior?
Therefore the question posed by the disciples, and Jesus' response, are solidly applicable to all of us;
DISCIPLES: "Who then can be saved?"
JESUS: "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."
Many, many of us are in the exact same position as the r.y.r.; we have a strong desire to know God, and a fundamental form of godliness (II Tm. 3:5), yet still we are aware of a "lacking" within ourselves, and so we search for more. There is a general "good" behavior, and therefore a following of the externally visible commandments, for the most part. Yet we are missing that which is of utmost importance; that greatest commandment which is internal in nature, spoken of in Deut. 6:5 & Matt. 22:37;
"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."
So many times, I see those that approach closely to the cross of Christ, and turn away! The cost is simply too high. Someone has told them, likely a self-serving shepherd (Ezek. 34:2), that their lives are well- pleasing to God- and there is no need for further dedication.
Believe me when I say, that you do not have to be "rich" in your own eyes to be unduly possessed by the material things of this world! Jesus strongly warns us of this in the parable of the sower, found in Matt. 13:18-22, Mark 4:14-19, and Luke 8:11-14.
According to this parable, a number of things of general description can turn a believer away from Christ. That seed which falls in shallow soil, has no depth. Luke says that though they initially receive the word with joy, and for a while believe, that they fall away in time of temptation. Mark states that they fall when affliction or persecution arise for the word's sake. Matthew states that when tribulation or persecution arise because of the word, they are offended. This can be anything, brethren! At some points in your life you must choose to follow the Word of God, regardless of the discomfort it brings (II Tim. 3:12).
And then for those "seeds among thorns", these hinderances are called the "care of this world", "deceitfulness of riches", "lusts of other things entering in", as well as "cares and riches and pleasures of this life." These are all spoken of generally, but there are specific issues in each life that will fit them.
What is it in your life, that must be laid aside for Christ? Will you be as the rich young ruler, leaving sadly at the thought of losing your earthly goods, or status among men? Jesus requires us to make Him our LORD. Nothing, but nothing, is worth coming between you and Christ, and your eternal destination.
"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was." - James 1:21-24.
The story of the rich young ruler (r.y.r.) is faithfully recorded in Matt. 19:16-26, Mark 10:17-27, and Luke 18:18-27. Through this account, we gain insight into several profound truths, as well as warning and direction. We gain the composite description of this man from Matt. 19:20 (young), Luke 18:18 (ruler), and Luke 18:23 (rich); although all 3 accounts identify that he had great possessions.
In all 3 accounts, the r.y.r. addresses Jesus with the term, Good Master. When Jesus responds to this title with, "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.", He is not denying His deity, but rather affirming it. Yet at the same time, He is discouraging undue respect of persons; for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23).
But the ruler's approach is given even greater description in the book of Mark; it states that he came to Jesus running, and kneeled down. His manner of approach, and the question he asked of Jesus, reflect well on the concern which he had for his immortal soul; "Good master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" How many today ever take the time to consider this most important question?
Jesus then reaffirms to the r.y.r. the importance of the commandments, mentioning 5-6 of the more obvious external behaviour ones. The young man readily attested to the fact that he had long observed all of these things, but in Matthew 19:20 he adds the question, "What lack I yet?"This question is a great indicator that inwardly, he still knew that something was missing!
When Jesus responded, Mark 10:21 tells us that He (Jesus) loved him (r.y.r.). Here was a man honestly seeking after God, and righteousness, which evoked a response of love from the Good Master! Then Jesus verbally tells him, that if he would be perfect, he must sell what he has materially and give to the poor; assuring him that he will have treasure in heaven; then he must come, take up the cross, and follow Him (Jesus). In the story, you find these words in Matt. 19:21, Mark 10:21, Luke 18:22. Yet it is another reaffirmation of the cost of discipleship, as found in Matt. 16:24,25, & Luke 9:23,24.
It was too much; Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, had invited the r.y.r. to come and follow Him! What an invitation! But alas, he was unwilling to pay the price for this priceless gift. The Bible tells us that he then went away, being "sad, sorrowful, and grieved." Jesus' response to this circumstance is well known to most of us; "A rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven"; "Children, how hard it is for them that trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!"; and "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!" And of course in all 3, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." (composite).
The disciples' response at first might seem to be a bit perplexing. The Bible shows that they were "astonished", and "exceedingly amazed", as they asked, "Who then can be saved?" What were they thinking? The disciples were not rich men, nor was Christ, in the flesh (II Cor. 6:10, 8:9). The verses following this account, Matt. 19:27-30, Mark 10:28, and Luke 18:28 clearly show that indeed the disciples had left all to follow Jesus!
No, what the disciples were responding to was the upright character of the r.y.r. He was shown to be very God-fearing in behavior, loved by their Lord, and even invited to come along with them! There is also the chance that since he was a local rich ruler, that he was already well known to the disciples as a very righteous person. Don't we know those that are rich among us, and take note of their behavior?
Therefore the question posed by the disciples, and Jesus' response, are solidly applicable to all of us;
DISCIPLES: "Who then can be saved?"
JESUS: "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."
Many, many of us are in the exact same position as the r.y.r.; we have a strong desire to know God, and a fundamental form of godliness (II Tm. 3:5), yet still we are aware of a "lacking" within ourselves, and so we search for more. There is a general "good" behavior, and therefore a following of the externally visible commandments, for the most part. Yet we are missing that which is of utmost importance; that greatest commandment which is internal in nature, spoken of in Deut. 6:5 & Matt. 22:37;
"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."
So many times, I see those that approach closely to the cross of Christ, and turn away! The cost is simply too high. Someone has told them, likely a self-serving shepherd (Ezek. 34:2), that their lives are well- pleasing to God- and there is no need for further dedication.
Believe me when I say, that you do not have to be "rich" in your own eyes to be unduly possessed by the material things of this world! Jesus strongly warns us of this in the parable of the sower, found in Matt. 13:18-22, Mark 4:14-19, and Luke 8:11-14.
According to this parable, a number of things of general description can turn a believer away from Christ. That seed which falls in shallow soil, has no depth. Luke says that though they initially receive the word with joy, and for a while believe, that they fall away in time of temptation. Mark states that they fall when affliction or persecution arise for the word's sake. Matthew states that when tribulation or persecution arise because of the word, they are offended. This can be anything, brethren! At some points in your life you must choose to follow the Word of God, regardless of the discomfort it brings (II Tim. 3:12).
And then for those "seeds among thorns", these hinderances are called the "care of this world", "deceitfulness of riches", "lusts of other things entering in", as well as "cares and riches and pleasures of this life." These are all spoken of generally, but there are specific issues in each life that will fit them.
What is it in your life, that must be laid aside for Christ? Will you be as the rich young ruler, leaving sadly at the thought of losing your earthly goods, or status among men? Jesus requires us to make Him our LORD. Nothing, but nothing, is worth coming between you and Christ, and your eternal destination.
"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was." - James 1:21-24.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Distinguishing signs (part 2)
It needs to be understood that no one ever earns an answer to prayer. This is important to realize. And yet, Jesus has told us that, " everyone that asks, receives." (Matt. 7:8, Luke 11:10). What I share with you now, I share as encouragement, and in honesty.
I could not emphasize enough the importance of the principles in, The Conditions of Prevailing Prayer. Please read through this article with prayer. In brief, the 5 conditions are; 1) Dependance on the merits of Jesus Christ as the basis. 2) Separation from all known sin. 3) Faith in God's Word to be His oath. 4) Asking in God's will; i.e., right motives. 5) Persistence in asking.
My story begins with Godly chastening. I had taken much debt in what I believed to be the pursuit of service for Christ, when the Lord led me into the study of the 19th century saint, George Mueller. It was through this repeated study that I was eventually shown a truth that Mr. Mueller knew well; that the taking of debt is sin. I did not practically learn this lesson very well, or very quickly...
In the years which followed discovery of this truth, I was at times confused. It did in fact seem that at times it was truly needful to take debt, and I wasn't sure where to "draw the line." Yet the Lord brought answers to my questions through a necessity for us- home heating oil.
It had been seeming to me like the ordering of oil to heat our home, without actually having the $, was something that was okay- as long as it was actually a need. I had misread 2 previous times when I had done this, and the bill had been readily paid. I assumed what God's will was. In truth, for each of those 2 times, it could be seen that the finance would be soon met by anticipated income, though the actual money was not yet in hand.
So when this 3rd time came, I could tell that our furnace needed servicing, and our oil was pretty low. I know that I prayed about this, but it is clear that I did it with a predetermined answer already in mind! A simple call provided the service and the oil, and I was sure that God would soon provide for this bill...
Three months later, no relief had come. We managed to forward a $100 payment to the oil company, and this was a mercy from God. Had we not paid that month, our debt would have gone to a collection agency. There was a note on our next bill that we could continue to make payments, and we would be in acceptable standing. Our load was eased, yet the Lord did not see fit to supply full payment for this bill until recently; a full 11 months after the service was done. Ah, but I'm getting ahead of myself!
Since we were not meeting this bill as expected, I again took it to the Lord in prayer. He showed me the truth of the matter; when He had shown us that debt is a sin (James 4:17), we were not to take it- ever! He showed me the errors in my presumptions which had led us to this point. It did greive me to see that once again, I had not learned a lesson that should have been more obvious. Yet we hold the treasure of God's own Holy Spirit within these earthen vessels, that ultimately He will be glorified (II Co. 4:7)! I readily repented for what I had done, sharing these things with my wife. A part of true repentance is that we turn away from the evil behavior, and do it no more. By grace, I promised God that this would be so. What follows next is mostly from a letter previously written to share this blessing...
About 2 months later it hit; between 8-9 a.m. I noticed a large, growing puddle near the water heater cabinet. This was on a day that I had slated in advance to be one of prayer & fasting in regard to our debt! This issue was a direct challenge to the day and its focus, as well as to our commitment on debt.
Saturday was Labor Day weekend, and Jamie’s parents were away, camping. We were then able to access a shower at their place, while still not broadcasting our need. This may sound sneaky, but we knew that we would be welcomed by her parents to do so. Had we told them of our situation, they would have lent us the $ in a flat minute! We quickly saw that this could only be a one-time thing, due to the driving and the secrecy. We decided to make the best of it with our trickle of water at home, and wait for the Lord. I had committed Sunday & Monday in advance to prayer and fasting over this matter.
I could not emphasize enough the importance of the principles in, The Conditions of Prevailing Prayer. Please read through this article with prayer. In brief, the 5 conditions are; 1) Dependance on the merits of Jesus Christ as the basis. 2) Separation from all known sin. 3) Faith in God's Word to be His oath. 4) Asking in God's will; i.e., right motives. 5) Persistence in asking.
My story begins with Godly chastening. I had taken much debt in what I believed to be the pursuit of service for Christ, when the Lord led me into the study of the 19th century saint, George Mueller. It was through this repeated study that I was eventually shown a truth that Mr. Mueller knew well; that the taking of debt is sin. I did not practically learn this lesson very well, or very quickly...
In the years which followed discovery of this truth, I was at times confused. It did in fact seem that at times it was truly needful to take debt, and I wasn't sure where to "draw the line." Yet the Lord brought answers to my questions through a necessity for us- home heating oil.
It had been seeming to me like the ordering of oil to heat our home, without actually having the $, was something that was okay- as long as it was actually a need. I had misread 2 previous times when I had done this, and the bill had been readily paid. I assumed what God's will was. In truth, for each of those 2 times, it could be seen that the finance would be soon met by anticipated income, though the actual money was not yet in hand.
So when this 3rd time came, I could tell that our furnace needed servicing, and our oil was pretty low. I know that I prayed about this, but it is clear that I did it with a predetermined answer already in mind! A simple call provided the service and the oil, and I was sure that God would soon provide for this bill...
Three months later, no relief had come. We managed to forward a $100 payment to the oil company, and this was a mercy from God. Had we not paid that month, our debt would have gone to a collection agency. There was a note on our next bill that we could continue to make payments, and we would be in acceptable standing. Our load was eased, yet the Lord did not see fit to supply full payment for this bill until recently; a full 11 months after the service was done. Ah, but I'm getting ahead of myself!
Since we were not meeting this bill as expected, I again took it to the Lord in prayer. He showed me the truth of the matter; when He had shown us that debt is a sin (James 4:17), we were not to take it- ever! He showed me the errors in my presumptions which had led us to this point. It did greive me to see that once again, I had not learned a lesson that should have been more obvious. Yet we hold the treasure of God's own Holy Spirit within these earthen vessels, that ultimately He will be glorified (II Co. 4:7)! I readily repented for what I had done, sharing these things with my wife. A part of true repentance is that we turn away from the evil behavior, and do it no more. By grace, I promised God that this would be so. What follows next is mostly from a letter previously written to share this blessing...
About 2 months later it hit; between 8-9 a.m. I noticed a large, growing puddle near the water heater cabinet. This was on a day that I had slated in advance to be one of prayer & fasting in regard to our debt! This issue was a direct challenge to the day and its focus, as well as to our commitment on debt.
Because of prior lessons, I was determined to keep the fast- although now, most prayer emphasized the water heater (w.h.). We soaked up the water with towels, and turned off the circuit breaker, and the water. The water needed to be shut off from the softener system about 7’ away. Then, of course, we had no water! Both the hot & cold water are fully integrated into the unit, so there was no way to even just turn off the “hot” without calling a plumber. Did I mention that we couldn’t afford one?
Two significant Bible principles were coming into play here. First, the only way we had to fix this was to take more debt, of which there were 3-4 options. Internet research told me that this was a serious problem, with the consensus being that the unit should be replaced. At the very least it needed proper attention quickly, or a greater break would likely come; bringing with it extensive water damage to our home. The leak seemed only to be at the top, where the hot water pipe enters the unit. This condition was just as serious.
Secondly, secret prayer was the rightful remedy (Matt. 6:6). We couldn’t go broadcasting this need, but trust that our Father would hear and answer us in His own way. These things were very, very hard to do- this circumstance just seemed so urgent. We were determined to follow the Lord, but needed His help ASAP. This was a Wednesday (8/31), and Jamie had work that day. I was left alone to pray and consider, listening to the fan that we left running to dry things out.
The water we could turn on/off, but when on, it would leak at that top pipe on the w.h. We wrapped a towel around it, and replaced it occasionally. We left the heat turned off, not sure what effect that would have on the leak. Also, we sometimes drained the w.h.; hoping to lessen the pressure at the leaking point. Things were awkward through Thursday, and by Friday a.m. cold showers were the rule! Yet I had some bright ideas on Friday for how we could better cope, and was eager to share them with Jamie when she came home. But for some reason, when I went to turn the water back on that day, only a scant trickle would run out! This was still a little useful, but it dashed my plans altogether. And now, for any large need, we had to drain the w.h. into pans (like for doing dishes, flushing & refilling toilets). Things had gone from bad to worse.
Saturday was Labor Day weekend, and Jamie’s parents were away, camping. We were then able to access a shower at their place, while still not broadcasting our need. This may sound sneaky, but we knew that we would be welcomed by her parents to do so. Had we told them of our situation, they would have lent us the $ in a flat minute! We quickly saw that this could only be a one-time thing, due to the driving and the secrecy. We decided to make the best of it with our trickle of water at home, and wait for the Lord. I had committed Sunday & Monday in advance to prayer and fasting over this matter.
NOTE: we later came to see that even going to Jamie’s parents’ home for a shower was wrong. Not because her parents would mind, but because it was depending upon our own arm of flesh to cope (Jer. 17:5-8); taking the help of men in our own rationale, instead of waiting for the Lord. We still prayed, waiting for the right circumstance to reveal all of this to her parents; the Lord led us to do this 2 months afterward.
We went through our routine on Saturday night, determined to make the best of things; even if that meant draining water for baths (slowly!), or sponge baths. God had indeed made a way for us to endure in this trial (I Cor. 10:13), and we were committed to “revenge” our disobedience by not taking more debt this time, no matter how bad things might become. Having drained significant water for various uses before bed time, and with the water still flowing at a scant trickle, we decided to leave it turned on during the night. There was little fear of overflow, but the towel was still there, anyway!
It is usual for me to be up first during the a.m. At one point on this Sunday morning, I went to the kitchen sink for a “trickle rinse” of my coffee mug; the water came out full blast! Being yet weary, I was thankful, but a bit stunned. After 5 minutes it sunk in, and I thought to turn on the w.h. for Jamie- she would have a warm shower after all! At this point, I was only considering the w.h. to be more useable, and still in need of attention. I had been praying for the unit’s replacement, and also that God would “heal the infirmity” in our home (and continued praying throughout the week); but much of the time my prayers were in the Spirit (Rom. 8:26,27). This of course means that although I was praying, it was God’s Spirit offering the prayers; I had no way to know what those words were (I Cor. 14:2,4).
Over the next couple days, it was clear that the towel was no longer becoming wet. An inner wall of the w.h. cabinet had been initially wet up to a 4” height on the wall, and using the fan to dry it was a nearly all-day, every-day event; but now that was remaining dry, as well! By Wednesday or Thursday, Jamie told me that she believed God had healed the water heater; she later told me that she had believed it was healed for at least 2 days before she vocalized it to me. The evidence was on her side, but I was more cautious, however; still believing God, but uncertain of exactly what He would do (I thought He might move someone on our behalf, either with money or service). By Saturday, we left both the water and the breaker turned on all day. Sunday we resumed doing our wash at home.
The water heater is about 17 years old, a typical time that you might need to replace it; so I was believing in prayer that it should be replaced; God chose not to do that at this time. He later showed me that He has in fact healed our water heater! Better still, He showed me that He will keep it, until we are otherwise provided for another one. This is just like the provision made for the widow in I Kings 17; whose cruse of oil did not fail, nor the barrel of meal wasted, until God had sent relief by rain upon the earth.
There is no credit that I can take for myself in this. God has put up with me, and so many failed promises of mine that it is beyond comprehension. He led us this way, and His strength upheld us to see it through. All apparent means may fail, but when we trust in provision from God alone, we are beyond disappointment; His treasury is fantastically unlimited!
God enabled us to “revenge” our disobedience (II Cor. 10:6), but it came at a cost. The Lord’s way will naturally lead into trial, but the proving of faith will bring us strength, and hope- and glory to the Almighty God, who alone is worthy of all praise and honor! Please read I Peter 1:3-9.
Remember that God has promised to supply all of our need (Philip. 4:19); yet He will do that in His time, and in His way. He will indeed work all things for our good (Rom. 8:28), so we must learn to "glory" in our tribulations (Rom. 5:3; James 1:2-4). No one knows better exactly what we need, or when it is actually needed.
Trust in the Lord; lean not to your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He will direct your path! See Proverbs 3:5,6. Be grounded in the Lord Jesus Christ according to His Word (Matt. 7:24-27), and then through His Spirit (I John 2:27) you will readily be enabled to distinguish the signs which are before you.
P.S.- At the time the Lord healed our water heater, He also healed our water softener system. It had not been functioning for a good many months, when it previously had run through its cycle about once per week. How our hearts were filled with joy to hear it start up again!
"Now unto him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think..." -Eph. 3:20.
P.S.- At the time the Lord healed our water heater, He also healed our water softener system. It had not been functioning for a good many months, when it previously had run through its cycle about once per week. How our hearts were filled with joy to hear it start up again!
"Now unto him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think..." -Eph. 3:20.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Distinguishing signs (part 1)
"If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or wonder, and the sign or wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams; for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him." -Deut. 13:1-4.
Yet the differences of what is true, and what is a lie, can be subtle. Today, it seems like you can get away with just about anything that the Bible calls sin, and still be accepted as a Christian! This is our foundation, and it is absolute- the Word of God. Contradictions to what the written Word of God espouses are how the nature of a "sign" will be distinguished.
Why don't we see more signs and wonders within the professed body of Christ? This I have found to be troubling. Just look at Jesus' words from Mark 16:17-20 (abbreviated);
"And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover... And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen."
The positive, "plus" signs among those saved ought to be happening in the body of Christ. Thankfully, they still are! True faith has nearly vanished from the Earth, but God yet has a remnant, praise the Lord! Getting into the positive signs of gifts will be left for the next blog. This one is about warning God's people of Satan's powers to deceive; the signs and wonders that the enemy will perform!
Whenever you pray, please know that not only does God the Father hear you, but so does the devil! It is a profound thing to understand, but vitally important: Satan answers prayers, too. He seduces, deceives, and will convince people to continue on their destructive path by producing miracles. The Bible shows us that in these last of the "last days", that Satan's power will be at its peak.
"And then shall that Wicked be revealed... Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish..." -from II Thess. 2:8-10 (please read all of chapter 2). I encourage you to read the following scriptures which also support the theme of this blog; Matthew 7:21-23, 13:24-30, 36-40, Rev. 13:11-15.
Satan need not possess a person to perform lying signs and wonders in their lives. My wife and I have witnessed both God's power and the devil's in different situations. One of the most profound was attested to in church...
The church we were attending had a bishop, who in turn oversees a number of churches within a district. He doesn't often preach at any one church, but on this particular Sunday morning he took time to share an apparent "miracle" of God in his life. I thought little about this episode at the time, but as I grew stronger in the Lord, years later I came to think of this as the working of Satan...
He claimed that he was wanting to grow in faith (admirable!), and to see God's hand for divine miracles. Somehow, he was convinced to choose a prayer request in which he could "really believe." His prayer was that God would change his ordinary teeth fillings into gold! Apparently it worked. Obviously, I didn't view it happening, but I don't have a reason to doubt it; he does have a wife and several children who were likely witnesses. So what could be wrong with this? The real question should be, is this a Godly request? Would the Lord prompt this prayer, and answer it? The scriptures certainly can direct us in this assessment...
As the bishop of a church district, and with young adult children, this man is no novice believer. I know that the Lord reaches out to His children compassionately, but expects more from us as we mature in Him. If there is one thing that I have learned regarding God's power for miracles, it is that they are done to supply a NEED (Philip. 4:19). Where was the need in changing this man's fillings to gold? Listen to this commissioning that Jesus gives His disciples;
"And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." -Matt. 10:7,8; what was the bishop giving? Just look at what comes next...
"Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey...the workman is worthy of his meat." -Matt. 10:9 & 10. And yet, he wanted gold!
There was simply no need for the request that was made; it helped no one! What happened was "asking amiss" according to his own lusts (James 4:3). You see, this man is quite rich, and likes being that way. This is a truth that we unfortunately know very well (But I don't want to dwell on negative examples). Had he wanted gold fillings, he could have afforded the $ needed to remove the old fillings, and purchase the new gold ones. Not only did this request help no one else, but it was also unnecessary for him.
Think of all the requests that could have been made; all the different people he could have helped, according to the gifts of the Holy Spirit! His thoughts went to gold fillings for his teeth? The scriptures show us that the wealth of the world is in Satan's hands (Luke 4:5,6). Considering all the various warnings that the Bible, especially in the New Testament, gives us about riches, how is this man's life & "miracle" justified? Knowing him quite well, and the "other" gospel which he preaches and lives, I have little doubt but that this man's wealth came straight from Satan; who was also readily available to perform the "miracle" which helped further his delusion (II Thess. 2:11,12). And not only did this further his delusion, but that of the various congregations, which hold him in high esteem.
Such an example is minor, I think, in relative scope. But I fear that professing believers will be all too readily enthralled with the displays of power that Satan will be bringing forth through antichrist. Even now, many miracles are being credited to Maitreya, the new age christ. Will you be ready for other incredible deceptions, like that of NASA's Project Blue Beam? It is high time that we get back to the holy Word of God, and trust in the Lord for what He has shown us.
Please know that the Lord Jesus Christ is the living God, and just as able to do needful miracles in our lives today, as He ever was! But Satan is powerful, too; and his power is growing. Please use diligent, prayerful searching when distinguishing what type of spirit you are dealing with.
"A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." -Matt. 7:18,19.
Yet the differences of what is true, and what is a lie, can be subtle. Today, it seems like you can get away with just about anything that the Bible calls sin, and still be accepted as a Christian! This is our foundation, and it is absolute- the Word of God. Contradictions to what the written Word of God espouses are how the nature of a "sign" will be distinguished.
Why don't we see more signs and wonders within the professed body of Christ? This I have found to be troubling. Just look at Jesus' words from Mark 16:17-20 (abbreviated);
"And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover... And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen."
The positive, "plus" signs among those saved ought to be happening in the body of Christ. Thankfully, they still are! True faith has nearly vanished from the Earth, but God yet has a remnant, praise the Lord! Getting into the positive signs of gifts will be left for the next blog. This one is about warning God's people of Satan's powers to deceive; the signs and wonders that the enemy will perform!
Whenever you pray, please know that not only does God the Father hear you, but so does the devil! It is a profound thing to understand, but vitally important: Satan answers prayers, too. He seduces, deceives, and will convince people to continue on their destructive path by producing miracles. The Bible shows us that in these last of the "last days", that Satan's power will be at its peak.
"And then shall that Wicked be revealed... Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish..." -from II Thess. 2:8-10 (please read all of chapter 2). I encourage you to read the following scriptures which also support the theme of this blog; Matthew 7:21-23, 13:24-30, 36-40, Rev. 13:11-15.
Satan need not possess a person to perform lying signs and wonders in their lives. My wife and I have witnessed both God's power and the devil's in different situations. One of the most profound was attested to in church...
The church we were attending had a bishop, who in turn oversees a number of churches within a district. He doesn't often preach at any one church, but on this particular Sunday morning he took time to share an apparent "miracle" of God in his life. I thought little about this episode at the time, but as I grew stronger in the Lord, years later I came to think of this as the working of Satan...
He claimed that he was wanting to grow in faith (admirable!), and to see God's hand for divine miracles. Somehow, he was convinced to choose a prayer request in which he could "really believe." His prayer was that God would change his ordinary teeth fillings into gold! Apparently it worked. Obviously, I didn't view it happening, but I don't have a reason to doubt it; he does have a wife and several children who were likely witnesses. So what could be wrong with this? The real question should be, is this a Godly request? Would the Lord prompt this prayer, and answer it? The scriptures certainly can direct us in this assessment...
As the bishop of a church district, and with young adult children, this man is no novice believer. I know that the Lord reaches out to His children compassionately, but expects more from us as we mature in Him. If there is one thing that I have learned regarding God's power for miracles, it is that they are done to supply a NEED (Philip. 4:19). Where was the need in changing this man's fillings to gold? Listen to this commissioning that Jesus gives His disciples;
"And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." -Matt. 10:7,8; what was the bishop giving? Just look at what comes next...
"Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey...the workman is worthy of his meat." -Matt. 10:9 & 10. And yet, he wanted gold!
There was simply no need for the request that was made; it helped no one! What happened was "asking amiss" according to his own lusts (James 4:3). You see, this man is quite rich, and likes being that way. This is a truth that we unfortunately know very well (But I don't want to dwell on negative examples). Had he wanted gold fillings, he could have afforded the $ needed to remove the old fillings, and purchase the new gold ones. Not only did this request help no one else, but it was also unnecessary for him.
Think of all the requests that could have been made; all the different people he could have helped, according to the gifts of the Holy Spirit! His thoughts went to gold fillings for his teeth? The scriptures show us that the wealth of the world is in Satan's hands (Luke 4:5,6). Considering all the various warnings that the Bible, especially in the New Testament, gives us about riches, how is this man's life & "miracle" justified? Knowing him quite well, and the "other" gospel which he preaches and lives, I have little doubt but that this man's wealth came straight from Satan; who was also readily available to perform the "miracle" which helped further his delusion (II Thess. 2:11,12). And not only did this further his delusion, but that of the various congregations, which hold him in high esteem.
Such an example is minor, I think, in relative scope. But I fear that professing believers will be all too readily enthralled with the displays of power that Satan will be bringing forth through antichrist. Even now, many miracles are being credited to Maitreya, the new age christ. Will you be ready for other incredible deceptions, like that of NASA's Project Blue Beam? It is high time that we get back to the holy Word of God, and trust in the Lord for what He has shown us.
Please know that the Lord Jesus Christ is the living God, and just as able to do needful miracles in our lives today, as He ever was! But Satan is powerful, too; and his power is growing. Please use diligent, prayerful searching when distinguishing what type of spirit you are dealing with.
"A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." -Matt. 7:18,19.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Looking out for evil
"...Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good." -Romans 12:9b.
Do you recognize evil when it presents itself? Can you see it in yourself? What are your feelings about it when you do? If there is anything that our enemy (Eph. 6:12) will attempt to do, it is to blur the lines between good and evil. This is where the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit are so vitally important. In our natural state, we tend rather to cling onto the evil, and despise good- even long after the work of regeneration has been done within us. Thus, we have the need to crucify the flesh on a daily basis; the Bible reminds us of this (Luke 9:23; Rom. 8:13; Col. 3:5).
Spotting evil within ourselves, however, does not come easily or naturally. We are inclined to justify what we do (Prov. 1:21; I Cor. 11:31), even as King Saul did in I Samuel 15 regarding the Amalekites. The Bible specifically takes time to mention evils which may not be directly spoken against;
"Abstain from all appearance of evil." - I Thess. 5:22.
How does your life appear to others? There are many, many unsavory things that we do in ignorance. Leviticus chapters 4 & 5 talk about this phenomenon; John 9:41 also briefly mentions it. The conclusion of this matter, is that when we sin ignorantly, we are not accountable for the deed. And yet it is still a SIN; God hates it! When we can see that what we have done is a sin, or at least is not pleasing in God's sight, we must repent before Him (I John 1:8-10). God loves us, but He never approves of our sin, and will not allow us to continue in it; He will attempt to correct us (Heb. 12:5-11).
The Lord gave me greater light concerning this topic (I still have much to see!) through Psalm 19:12 & 13;
"Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression."
Verse 12 calls for cleansing from secret faults. The very fact that they are secret, i.e., not known of, shows that they are not yet considered blatant sin. Yet they must still be dealt with, for they displease God.
Verse 13 speaks of presumptuous sins. These I think of as sins which we ought to acknowledge as such, but have somehow been deceived into justifying them. In my life, 2 distinct examples arose...
First, we occasionally received 2 sets of very good coupons to a local grocer; one at our residence, and one at a P.O. box. Typically, we availed ourselves of getting double bargains; we did so by having two orders rung up separately, when in fact we were together! Even this may not have been so bad, but the coupons specified; "One coupon per household." Yes, almost everyone does it, so that I was not even thinking of it as sin. We repented of this secret fault, which had become sin for us (James 4:17), and do it no longer.
Second, I was routinely breaking the posted speed limit. There were many ways to rationalize this behavior! I Peter 2:13 tells us to submit to the ordinances of man, and the posted speed limit is certainly one of those. What I was doing was presumptuous sin, believing that for some reason my behavior was justifiable.
This past Sunday was the Super Bowl, and many professing Christians watched it (as I once did). There is a great evil in professional sports, and you may view this linked article, Sports Deception, at your leisure. It was through an alternative media source that I became aware of the "Halftime Show" put on by Madonna.
I really hope that if you saw this thing, that it was offensive enough for you to give up the Super Bowl altogether. Whether you watched the show or not, you support it by watching the game.
Please take time to watch this video link, though the title is about Bill Gates. The whole thing is just under 15 minutes, but what you need to see is in the last 5 minutes. I apologize for the extra time it takes, but I have seen no other way to separate the analysis of Madonna's performance. Brethren, we are in the spiritual fight of our lives, and we must take our steps carefully.
We need to take offense at what our Father finds offensive! To see the iniquity around us, and within, should cause us distress when we become aware of it. Ask the Lord to "search your heart", along with the Psalmist in 139:23,24. He will!
"But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." -I Cor. 9:27.
Do you recognize evil when it presents itself? Can you see it in yourself? What are your feelings about it when you do? If there is anything that our enemy (Eph. 6:12) will attempt to do, it is to blur the lines between good and evil. This is where the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit are so vitally important. In our natural state, we tend rather to cling onto the evil, and despise good- even long after the work of regeneration has been done within us. Thus, we have the need to crucify the flesh on a daily basis; the Bible reminds us of this (Luke 9:23; Rom. 8:13; Col. 3:5).
Spotting evil within ourselves, however, does not come easily or naturally. We are inclined to justify what we do (Prov. 1:21; I Cor. 11:31), even as King Saul did in I Samuel 15 regarding the Amalekites. The Bible specifically takes time to mention evils which may not be directly spoken against;
"Abstain from all appearance of evil." - I Thess. 5:22.
How does your life appear to others? There are many, many unsavory things that we do in ignorance. Leviticus chapters 4 & 5 talk about this phenomenon; John 9:41 also briefly mentions it. The conclusion of this matter, is that when we sin ignorantly, we are not accountable for the deed. And yet it is still a SIN; God hates it! When we can see that what we have done is a sin, or at least is not pleasing in God's sight, we must repent before Him (I John 1:8-10). God loves us, but He never approves of our sin, and will not allow us to continue in it; He will attempt to correct us (Heb. 12:5-11).
The Lord gave me greater light concerning this topic (I still have much to see!) through Psalm 19:12 & 13;
"Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression."
Verse 12 calls for cleansing from secret faults. The very fact that they are secret, i.e., not known of, shows that they are not yet considered blatant sin. Yet they must still be dealt with, for they displease God.
Verse 13 speaks of presumptuous sins. These I think of as sins which we ought to acknowledge as such, but have somehow been deceived into justifying them. In my life, 2 distinct examples arose...
First, we occasionally received 2 sets of very good coupons to a local grocer; one at our residence, and one at a P.O. box. Typically, we availed ourselves of getting double bargains; we did so by having two orders rung up separately, when in fact we were together! Even this may not have been so bad, but the coupons specified; "One coupon per household." Yes, almost everyone does it, so that I was not even thinking of it as sin. We repented of this secret fault, which had become sin for us (James 4:17), and do it no longer.
Second, I was routinely breaking the posted speed limit. There were many ways to rationalize this behavior! I Peter 2:13 tells us to submit to the ordinances of man, and the posted speed limit is certainly one of those. What I was doing was presumptuous sin, believing that for some reason my behavior was justifiable.
This past Sunday was the Super Bowl, and many professing Christians watched it (as I once did). There is a great evil in professional sports, and you may view this linked article, Sports Deception, at your leisure. It was through an alternative media source that I became aware of the "Halftime Show" put on by Madonna.
I really hope that if you saw this thing, that it was offensive enough for you to give up the Super Bowl altogether. Whether you watched the show or not, you support it by watching the game.
Please take time to watch this video link, though the title is about Bill Gates. The whole thing is just under 15 minutes, but what you need to see is in the last 5 minutes. I apologize for the extra time it takes, but I have seen no other way to separate the analysis of Madonna's performance. Brethren, we are in the spiritual fight of our lives, and we must take our steps carefully.
We need to take offense at what our Father finds offensive! To see the iniquity around us, and within, should cause us distress when we become aware of it. Ask the Lord to "search your heart", along with the Psalmist in 139:23,24. He will!
"But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." -I Cor. 9:27.
Monday, February 6, 2012
The Spirit of Whoredom: Christianity in America
"They feared the Lord, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations..." -II Kings 17:33.
The great, great majority of people still believe in God; "the devils also believe, and tremble." -James 2:19.
It is also apparent that a majority believe in Jesus, but so very few receive Him for who He is;
"...his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." -Is. 9:6.
This last of the last days' Christianity could be called many things; it is certainly Laodicean in nature (Rev. 3:14-19). Sometimes I refer to it as "anything goes" Christianity, for it seems that the professing Christian Church has few boundaries in what is considered right, or wrong. The Bible is treated as opinion, or suggestion, and is a far cry from what it claims itself to be; God's perfectly preserved Word (Ps. 12:6,7), and the believer's final authority in all matters of faith and practice (II Tim. 3:16,17).
"...for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." -Ps. 138:2.
In my current devotions, I am reading in Hosea, and came across a very relevant verse for our time;
"They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the Lord." -Hos. 5:4.
The Bible often refers to spiritual whoredom; having more than one committed affection to things that basically supercede Christ's Lordship in our lives; varieties of idolatry. Biblical instruction has been written off, and all manners of compromise have entered in. Professing Christian churches embrace homosexuality, rock music, women leaders, Catholicism, pro sports, TV and movies, New Age teachers, and preemptive wars which kill tens of thousands who hadn't hurt us in the least. Does anyone remember to "love your enemies"? Probably a year ago now, we even saw that a church was having a huge prize-winning giveaway, including a new car! Do you really think that those drawn to church by the chance of enhancing their material possessions will come to know Christ that way? "Ye can not serve God and mammon."
"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." -I Tim. 6:10.
When it comes to money, heed (and read) the warnings given in the Bible, such as to the Laodiceans in Rev. 3:17,18; or in the account of the rich man and the beggar Lazarus in Luke 16:19-25. Brethren, we need to separate from this world and its lusts as much as is possible! Let's look at an example or two, for "by their fruits, ye shall know them." -see Matt. 7:16-20.
Orel Hershiser was a great pitcher for the L.A. Dodgers back in the 1980s & 90s, and often touted to be a Christian. Whether or not he ever was, I do not know. Nor do I know where he is at spiritually today, or if he will die in right relationship with Christ. But I was witness to behavior that told me otherwise; he was the Baseball Player's Union representative, which was revealed during the 1994 strike! To say that this union is greedy, is highly understated- their demands showed as much. When a local pro player, Len Dykstra, expressed his frustration with the strike, saying that they ought to keep playimg for the fans' sake, Orel H. was extremely critical of him! Orel H. was just another money-grubbing pro athlete at this time; his god was mammon, and not Jesus Christ (Matt. 6:24).
Back in the summer of 2010, I worked unloading trucks at a dept. store. Music was played to work to, the greatest part of which I found offensive. Yet there was a song that caught my attention, and touched me deeply; we still occasionaly play Jesus Take the Wheel, performed by Carrie Underwood.
From the start, I never thought that the singer of such a song had to be Christian. No matter what she may claim about herself, the "fruit" in her life says that she is not! Without any initial study of this young woman, and about at the time I was hearing this song, I saw her picture on the cover of a Cosmopolitan magazine. She was in a tight, revealing red dress, with her face directly across from the title article, "Sixteen ways to touch a naked man." No, I needn't look into it any more deeply! She also got her start in fame from the show, American Idol, which is another ungodly source. Why would a Christian want to be on such a show?
A co-worker at this store said that Ms. Underwood claimed to be a Christian, and also that she was sexually "saving herself" for the right man in marriage. I never looked into it, but I take his word for it, not thinking he would deliberately lie about it. But with the claim of being "chaste", and then the cover & article of the magazine, it made me think of Carrie U. as a Pharisee referred to in Matt. 23:4; "For they (Pharisees; verse 1) bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers." This is what C.U. was doing in Cosmopolitan; she was making herself an object of lust, and causing many to sin sexually, all the while touting that she was sexually pure!
In what research I did, in the video for the song, she wasn't as bad as many. But still, there was abundant makeup, expensive jewelry, and close-fitting jeans. I looked up her magazine photo shoot, just to see if she perhaps got herself into a bad thing ignorantly; only to find out that it was her third photo shoot with them! A corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit!
Remember what the Bible says, and lay it to heart:
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?...or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?...Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate, touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you," - from II Cor. 6:14-18.
"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be the friend of the world is the enemy of God." -James 4:4.
"Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth." -Col. 3:2.
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." -I John 2:15,16.
"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ." -Philip. 3:7.
Stop being your own Lord, and binding Jesus' name to it- that's what we used to do! Seek the Lord. Seek His righteousness, and stop giving undue respect to supposedly Godly men. Be led by the Lord directly, to please the one who bought you.
"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you." -Hos. 10:12.
The great, great majority of people still believe in God; "the devils also believe, and tremble." -James 2:19.
It is also apparent that a majority believe in Jesus, but so very few receive Him for who He is;
"...his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." -Is. 9:6.
This last of the last days' Christianity could be called many things; it is certainly Laodicean in nature (Rev. 3:14-19). Sometimes I refer to it as "anything goes" Christianity, for it seems that the professing Christian Church has few boundaries in what is considered right, or wrong. The Bible is treated as opinion, or suggestion, and is a far cry from what it claims itself to be; God's perfectly preserved Word (Ps. 12:6,7), and the believer's final authority in all matters of faith and practice (II Tim. 3:16,17).
"...for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." -Ps. 138:2.
In my current devotions, I am reading in Hosea, and came across a very relevant verse for our time;
"They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the Lord." -Hos. 5:4.
The Bible often refers to spiritual whoredom; having more than one committed affection to things that basically supercede Christ's Lordship in our lives; varieties of idolatry. Biblical instruction has been written off, and all manners of compromise have entered in. Professing Christian churches embrace homosexuality, rock music, women leaders, Catholicism, pro sports, TV and movies, New Age teachers, and preemptive wars which kill tens of thousands who hadn't hurt us in the least. Does anyone remember to "love your enemies"? Probably a year ago now, we even saw that a church was having a huge prize-winning giveaway, including a new car! Do you really think that those drawn to church by the chance of enhancing their material possessions will come to know Christ that way? "Ye can not serve God and mammon."
"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." -I Tim. 6:10.
When it comes to money, heed (and read) the warnings given in the Bible, such as to the Laodiceans in Rev. 3:17,18; or in the account of the rich man and the beggar Lazarus in Luke 16:19-25. Brethren, we need to separate from this world and its lusts as much as is possible! Let's look at an example or two, for "by their fruits, ye shall know them." -see Matt. 7:16-20.
Orel Hershiser was a great pitcher for the L.A. Dodgers back in the 1980s & 90s, and often touted to be a Christian. Whether or not he ever was, I do not know. Nor do I know where he is at spiritually today, or if he will die in right relationship with Christ. But I was witness to behavior that told me otherwise; he was the Baseball Player's Union representative, which was revealed during the 1994 strike! To say that this union is greedy, is highly understated- their demands showed as much. When a local pro player, Len Dykstra, expressed his frustration with the strike, saying that they ought to keep playimg for the fans' sake, Orel H. was extremely critical of him! Orel H. was just another money-grubbing pro athlete at this time; his god was mammon, and not Jesus Christ (Matt. 6:24).
Back in the summer of 2010, I worked unloading trucks at a dept. store. Music was played to work to, the greatest part of which I found offensive. Yet there was a song that caught my attention, and touched me deeply; we still occasionaly play Jesus Take the Wheel, performed by Carrie Underwood.
From the start, I never thought that the singer of such a song had to be Christian. No matter what she may claim about herself, the "fruit" in her life says that she is not! Without any initial study of this young woman, and about at the time I was hearing this song, I saw her picture on the cover of a Cosmopolitan magazine. She was in a tight, revealing red dress, with her face directly across from the title article, "Sixteen ways to touch a naked man." No, I needn't look into it any more deeply! She also got her start in fame from the show, American Idol, which is another ungodly source. Why would a Christian want to be on such a show?
A co-worker at this store said that Ms. Underwood claimed to be a Christian, and also that she was sexually "saving herself" for the right man in marriage. I never looked into it, but I take his word for it, not thinking he would deliberately lie about it. But with the claim of being "chaste", and then the cover & article of the magazine, it made me think of Carrie U. as a Pharisee referred to in Matt. 23:4; "For they (Pharisees; verse 1) bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers." This is what C.U. was doing in Cosmopolitan; she was making herself an object of lust, and causing many to sin sexually, all the while touting that she was sexually pure!
In what research I did, in the video for the song, she wasn't as bad as many. But still, there was abundant makeup, expensive jewelry, and close-fitting jeans. I looked up her magazine photo shoot, just to see if she perhaps got herself into a bad thing ignorantly; only to find out that it was her third photo shoot with them! A corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit!
Remember what the Bible says, and lay it to heart:
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?...or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?...Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate, touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you," - from II Cor. 6:14-18.
"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be the friend of the world is the enemy of God." -James 4:4.
"Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth." -Col. 3:2.
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." -I John 2:15,16.
"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ." -Philip. 3:7.
Stop being your own Lord, and binding Jesus' name to it- that's what we used to do! Seek the Lord. Seek His righteousness, and stop giving undue respect to supposedly Godly men. Be led by the Lord directly, to please the one who bought you.
"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you." -Hos. 10:12.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
God and Government
"...Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye...we ought to obey God rather than men." -from Acts 4:19, 5:29.
Yesterday in my devotions, I was reading again the well-beloved story of Daniel in the lions' den; Daniel, chapter 6. Not only is our God the creator of all, but He maintains power over His creation at all times; He is indeed, the Living God.
Daniel was the victim of those that "frame mischief by a law" (Ps. 94:20); but how would this effect the relationship he had with God? Let's look at the highlights of this account;
"Then this Daniel was preferred...and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion or fault...Then said these men, we shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God...All the presidents of the kingdom, and princes...consulted together to establish a royal statute...that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions...Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree." -Daniel 6:3-9, abridged.
"Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and...he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime." -from Daniel 6:10, abridged; bold type added for emphasis.
We all have heard this story, and probably many times over. No one really ever thinks that Daniel may have done the wrong thing, do they? Yet to hear some people spout references to Romans chapter 13, you'd think that Daniel had likely "missed the memo" from God! For that matter, if he did, then so did the apostles in the passage quoted at the beginning of this article. Throughout scripture, prophets and disciples of the Lord have defied the authorities of their time. As it is written;
"Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men." -I Cor. 7:23.
When it comes to Romans 13, I really like the summary that I found through Chuck Baldwin entitled, Romans 13 revisited; please take the time to read this vital account. Suffice it to say, those who take Romans 13:1-7 to mean, "do whatever your authorities tell you", are ignoring the testimony of the scriptures; and common sense. I personally like the opening of I Peter 2:13, which says;
"Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake."
As this phrase implies, there are ordinances of man, and ordinances of God. You pay your taxes, obey traffic laws, etc. Many of the ten commandments have been adopted as laws. But if the rule of man's law tells you to be silent about Jesus Christ, you cannot obey it! God's law is contrary to this, and must come first.
What concerns me the most, is this compromising age in which we live. I think many who profess Christ, if Daniel's circumstance were somehow transferred to them, would be agreeable with it. After all, it's only for 30 days, right? Or maybe they would be very secretive with prayer, unlike Daniel- who prayed with his windows open, and facing Jerusalem.
Those compromises of which I speak take place on ordinary levels, in situations that are faced daily. The workplace is often the culprit for denials of Christ. Years ago, an attendant at a service station approached me; informing me that I am not to leave gospel tracts at the pumps. He had seen me place one there, as indeed I had done many times. This man said he was a Christian; but "company policy" dictated that I not leave them.
I thanked him for doing his duty (I can understand if he felt obliged to tell me; it was his job), but told him that I must do mine, as well. Unfortunately, he seemed to think that his position on the matter was alright; the gospel could be shared in other places, but not there!
We cannot accept such proclaimations, brethren- EVER! If we listened to all of those "regulating" the message of the gospel, few would even hear it, let alone be saved. When we hold a workplace rule above God's directions in His Word, we are serving mammon, not Christ! And, NO! We cannot do both (Matt. 6:24). How do you rationalize that only some will be able to hear the gospel, based solely upon their physical location? What about eternity? This temporal world will soon dissolve, and then all that will last will be what we have done with the Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of our heavenly Father.
It can never be said in defense to God, that the "commandments of men" prevented you from fulfilling the directives of God! If you seek employment, but the place you've applied forthrightly forbids you from carrying out Biblical instruction, you need to look elsewhere. If the place in which you already work adopts policies that are in conflict with your faith, you can, (A) Continue on in your job, upholding the Word of Truth as you have before, or (B) Quit.
Jesus promised that when we "Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness", that our needs will be provided for (Matt. 6:33; read passage, v.24-34). God is the supplier of all our need (Philipp. 4:19), and the provider of "every good gift, and every perfect gift (James 1:17); we need to learn trust in our God, far beyong what we see (Heb. 11:1).God, by His mercy and grace, has done this for us; one particular incident I will share...
Through an employment agency, I landed a job in a large warehouse, doing inventory. After about a month of work, I was offered full-time with the company directly; it was a good-paying job, and I accepted. But things really began to change, once this happened; I felt like I had sold my soul.
To get in, a regular application had to be made; one that required lies to be told for acceptance. My 1st app. was rejected, but after consulting others about it, my 2nd was accepted. "Please, Lord, forgive me!" was the cry I lifted up. Then, upon orientation day, posters in our room encouraged lying about who you are, and also greatly put down belief in God! I couldn't believe it! Outwardly, the company would say that they were for respect, and fair treatment for all; the message during orientation didn't support that false pretense, at all!
Lastly, the "straw" that broke it apart, was the scheduling. As a temp, we worked 5 days, with weekends off. Now, our schedule was being continually changed; even hourly at times, so that one could never make any plans. One imperative of my working any job, was that I would have adequate time with my wife, and would be able to continue with our website, writing articles. Now, this job was trying to steal that which had been prioritized for God. When my schedule got changed for the last time, I noted that by this change, I would have gone 3 consecutive weeks with only one day off each week! I pointed this out to my supervisor, hoping that he would rectify this situation. Needless to say, he didn't even try to.
At this point I had to make a decision, but inwardly, I already knew where the Lord's will lay. The next day, I submitted my resignation, but only with one week notice (I knew the temp agency would re-supply another worker). God made a way for me to witness greatly in departing, and I thank Him for that; I was officially with the company 6 weeks, though there were 5 additional weeks through the agency.
It was mid-month when I quit, and we couldn't see how the bills would be met. The Lord gave me the faith to step out, and trust Him, though any actual relief was unseen! Well, within those 2 weeks, we received two unforeseen gifts, of $500, and $200; a total of $700 was supplied, more than enough to carry us forward! By the time we needed more, both my wife & I had new jobs.
Brethren, there is a price to pay when following Christ. We are simply not always going to be comfortable, as is promised in John 16:33, Acts 14:22, and II Tim. 3:12. Yet it is absolutely imperative that we stand for Him that we call Lord (Luke 6:46), and not live like we are ashamed of His words (Mark 8:38).
"...So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God." -Dan. 6:23.
Yesterday in my devotions, I was reading again the well-beloved story of Daniel in the lions' den; Daniel, chapter 6. Not only is our God the creator of all, but He maintains power over His creation at all times; He is indeed, the Living God.
Daniel was the victim of those that "frame mischief by a law" (Ps. 94:20); but how would this effect the relationship he had with God? Let's look at the highlights of this account;
"Then this Daniel was preferred...and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion or fault...Then said these men, we shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God...All the presidents of the kingdom, and princes...consulted together to establish a royal statute...that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions...Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree." -Daniel 6:3-9, abridged.
"Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and...he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime." -from Daniel 6:10, abridged; bold type added for emphasis.
We all have heard this story, and probably many times over. No one really ever thinks that Daniel may have done the wrong thing, do they? Yet to hear some people spout references to Romans chapter 13, you'd think that Daniel had likely "missed the memo" from God! For that matter, if he did, then so did the apostles in the passage quoted at the beginning of this article. Throughout scripture, prophets and disciples of the Lord have defied the authorities of their time. As it is written;
"Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men." -I Cor. 7:23.
When it comes to Romans 13, I really like the summary that I found through Chuck Baldwin entitled, Romans 13 revisited; please take the time to read this vital account. Suffice it to say, those who take Romans 13:1-7 to mean, "do whatever your authorities tell you", are ignoring the testimony of the scriptures; and common sense. I personally like the opening of I Peter 2:13, which says;
"Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake."
As this phrase implies, there are ordinances of man, and ordinances of God. You pay your taxes, obey traffic laws, etc. Many of the ten commandments have been adopted as laws. But if the rule of man's law tells you to be silent about Jesus Christ, you cannot obey it! God's law is contrary to this, and must come first.
What concerns me the most, is this compromising age in which we live. I think many who profess Christ, if Daniel's circumstance were somehow transferred to them, would be agreeable with it. After all, it's only for 30 days, right? Or maybe they would be very secretive with prayer, unlike Daniel- who prayed with his windows open, and facing Jerusalem.
Those compromises of which I speak take place on ordinary levels, in situations that are faced daily. The workplace is often the culprit for denials of Christ. Years ago, an attendant at a service station approached me; informing me that I am not to leave gospel tracts at the pumps. He had seen me place one there, as indeed I had done many times. This man said he was a Christian; but "company policy" dictated that I not leave them.
I thanked him for doing his duty (I can understand if he felt obliged to tell me; it was his job), but told him that I must do mine, as well. Unfortunately, he seemed to think that his position on the matter was alright; the gospel could be shared in other places, but not there!
We cannot accept such proclaimations, brethren- EVER! If we listened to all of those "regulating" the message of the gospel, few would even hear it, let alone be saved. When we hold a workplace rule above God's directions in His Word, we are serving mammon, not Christ! And, NO! We cannot do both (Matt. 6:24). How do you rationalize that only some will be able to hear the gospel, based solely upon their physical location? What about eternity? This temporal world will soon dissolve, and then all that will last will be what we have done with the Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of our heavenly Father.
It can never be said in defense to God, that the "commandments of men" prevented you from fulfilling the directives of God! If you seek employment, but the place you've applied forthrightly forbids you from carrying out Biblical instruction, you need to look elsewhere. If the place in which you already work adopts policies that are in conflict with your faith, you can, (A) Continue on in your job, upholding the Word of Truth as you have before, or (B) Quit.
Jesus promised that when we "Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness", that our needs will be provided for (Matt. 6:33; read passage, v.24-34). God is the supplier of all our need (Philipp. 4:19), and the provider of "every good gift, and every perfect gift (James 1:17); we need to learn trust in our God, far beyong what we see (Heb. 11:1).God, by His mercy and grace, has done this for us; one particular incident I will share...
Through an employment agency, I landed a job in a large warehouse, doing inventory. After about a month of work, I was offered full-time with the company directly; it was a good-paying job, and I accepted. But things really began to change, once this happened; I felt like I had sold my soul.
To get in, a regular application had to be made; one that required lies to be told for acceptance. My 1st app. was rejected, but after consulting others about it, my 2nd was accepted. "Please, Lord, forgive me!" was the cry I lifted up. Then, upon orientation day, posters in our room encouraged lying about who you are, and also greatly put down belief in God! I couldn't believe it! Outwardly, the company would say that they were for respect, and fair treatment for all; the message during orientation didn't support that false pretense, at all!
Lastly, the "straw" that broke it apart, was the scheduling. As a temp, we worked 5 days, with weekends off. Now, our schedule was being continually changed; even hourly at times, so that one could never make any plans. One imperative of my working any job, was that I would have adequate time with my wife, and would be able to continue with our website, writing articles. Now, this job was trying to steal that which had been prioritized for God. When my schedule got changed for the last time, I noted that by this change, I would have gone 3 consecutive weeks with only one day off each week! I pointed this out to my supervisor, hoping that he would rectify this situation. Needless to say, he didn't even try to.
At this point I had to make a decision, but inwardly, I already knew where the Lord's will lay. The next day, I submitted my resignation, but only with one week notice (I knew the temp agency would re-supply another worker). God made a way for me to witness greatly in departing, and I thank Him for that; I was officially with the company 6 weeks, though there were 5 additional weeks through the agency.
It was mid-month when I quit, and we couldn't see how the bills would be met. The Lord gave me the faith to step out, and trust Him, though any actual relief was unseen! Well, within those 2 weeks, we received two unforeseen gifts, of $500, and $200; a total of $700 was supplied, more than enough to carry us forward! By the time we needed more, both my wife & I had new jobs.
Brethren, there is a price to pay when following Christ. We are simply not always going to be comfortable, as is promised in John 16:33, Acts 14:22, and II Tim. 3:12. Yet it is absolutely imperative that we stand for Him that we call Lord (Luke 6:46), and not live like we are ashamed of His words (Mark 8:38).
"...So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God." -Dan. 6:23.
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