DECEMBER 31, 2015
(my last post of the year)
Friday, January 1, 2016
DECEMBER 31, 2015 (my last post of the year)
Thursday, December 31, 2015
ATTENTION! For those who want to start 2016 in the right direction:
ATTENTION!
For those who want to start 2016 in the right direction:
Leave your garbage in 2015,
Trade in your bad attitude for a Christ attitude,
Put off the Old Man for the New Man,
Forgive those who have wronged you,
Recognize that you have wrongly accused folks of wronging you.
This list could go on and on and on...
But it all comes down to this...
Romans 8:1-10 (LITV)
(1) There is therefore now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to flesh, but according to Spirit.
(2) For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus set me free from the law of sin and of death.
(3) For the Law being powerless, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and concerning sin, condemned sin in the flesh,
(4) so that the righteous demand of the Law might be fulfilled in us, those not walking according to flesh, but according to Spirit.
(5) For the ones that are according to flesh mind the things of the flesh. And the ones according to Spirit mind the things of the Spirit.
(6) For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace;
(7) because the mind of the flesh is enmity towards God; for it is not being subjected to the Law of God, for neither can it be.
(8) And those being in the flesh are not able to please God.
(9) But you are not in flesh, but in Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone has not the Spirit of Christ, this one is not His.
(10) But if Christ is in you, the body indeed is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
IF YOU DO THIS, YOU WILL BE MORE THAN A CONQUEROR (Ro. 8:37).
If you don't do this, you will be part of the destructive work of the prince of darkness.
Leave your garbage in 2015,
Trade in your bad attitude for a Christ attitude,
Put off the Old Man for the New Man,
Forgive those who have wronged you,
Recognize that you have wrongly accused folks of wronging you.
This list could go on and on and on...
But it all comes down to this...
Romans 8:1-10 (LITV)
(1) There is therefore now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to flesh, but according to Spirit.
(2) For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus set me free from the law of sin and of death.
(3) For the Law being powerless, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and concerning sin, condemned sin in the flesh,
(4) so that the righteous demand of the Law might be fulfilled in us, those not walking according to flesh, but according to Spirit.
(5) For the ones that are according to flesh mind the things of the flesh. And the ones according to Spirit mind the things of the Spirit.
(6) For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace;
(7) because the mind of the flesh is enmity towards God; for it is not being subjected to the Law of God, for neither can it be.
(8) And those being in the flesh are not able to please God.
(9) But you are not in flesh, but in Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone has not the Spirit of Christ, this one is not His.
(10) But if Christ is in you, the body indeed is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
IF YOU DO THIS, YOU WILL BE MORE THAN A CONQUEROR (Ro. 8:37).
If you don't do this, you will be part of the destructive work of the prince of darkness.
START THE YEAR RIGHT
START THE YEAR RIGHT
As we QUICKLY approach 2016 it might be a good idea to make a personal list of do's and don'ts for yourself.
It is not a bad idea to review the basic principles of life, as well as envision new and higher realms.
A good place to start is in the word of God, and listening to the Holy Spirit. And don't forget, God sends good counsel through His servants, so don't be afraid to ask for their input as well.
I am not just referring to dreams and visions for your life and family and your ministry, I am also talking about adding the positives and eliminating the negative aspects of your life. This can include habits, and patterns, such as consistent tardiness or rudeness when other people are talking. These are things that are supposed to be learned as children. Until we have these principles in line, we will never reach our full potential and we will never have a mindset to achieve real success.
It is the little foxes that spoil the vines. The small, seemingly insignificant, mundane things weaken our foundation until the framework of our lives cannot support the super structure of maturity and success.
START THE YEAR RIGHT
As we QUICKLY approach 2016 it might be a good idea to make a personal list of do's and don'ts for yourself.
It is not a bad idea to review the basic principles of life, as well as envision new and higher realms.
A good place to start is in the word of God, and listening to the Holy Spirit. And don't forget, God sends good counsel through His servants, so don't be afraid to ask for their input as well.
I am not just referring to dreams and visions for your life and family and your ministry, I am also talking about adding the positives and eliminating the negative aspects of your life. This can include habits, and patterns, such as consistent tardiness or rudeness when other people are talking. These are things that are supposed to be learned as children. Until we have these principles in line, we will never reach our full potential and we will never have a mindset to achieve real success.
It is the little foxes that spoil the vines. The small, seemingly insignificant, mundane things weaken our foundation until the framework of our lives cannot support the super structure of maturity and success.
START THE YEAR RIGHT
DILIGENCE, AGAIN
DILIGENCE, AGAIN
As I was working on some things, I came across this article I wrote almost three years ago, concerning DILIGENCE. It is something to think about as we enter a new year. I will include passages in a couple of comments boxes.
God calls His people to DILIGENCE, but many never fulfill their calling because they are gripped by negligence or have chosen the way of indolence. Even diligence, when misguided, can lead to greatness in evil. Just ask Herod the Great (Mt. 2:7, 8, 16). It is often diligence that separates between success and failure, greatness and mediocrity.
Some people are diligent concerning money, academics, business, sports, the arts or governing. Those who are diligent may rise to either meager success or exceptionalism. How sad that some people (especially Christians) are either Enveloped by Negligence or Ensnared by Indolence, rather than Enabled by Diligence. It is not that they always fall to the depths of failure, it is that they never rise above mediocrity; but the outcome is the same.
Negligence and indolence in the spiritual life is not faith in God, it is presumption on the grace of God. Workless faith is worthless faith. Biblical faith is active, diligent.
It is never too early to See Your Desire, Set Your Course or Strive For Success; and though it can become too late to accomplish all your dreams, it is never too late to abandon negligence and indolence, and embrace diligence.
Diligence should be in every area of our lives. We should be diligent in personal development, interpersonal relationships, academic/intellectual accomplishment, vocational pursuits, and our SPIRITUAL GROWTH. (see Passages below).
CONSIDER THESE PASSAGES (1 OF 2)...
Exodus 15:26
(26) And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
Deuteronomy 4:9
(9) Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
(4) Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
(5) And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
(6) And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
(7) And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
(8) And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
(9) And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
Deuteronomy 6:17-19
(17) Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.
(18) And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers,
(19) To cast out all thine enemies from before thee, as the LORD hath spoken.
Deuteronomy 11:13-28
(13) And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,
(14) That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.
(15) And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full.
(16) Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;
(17) And then the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you.
(18) Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.
(19) And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
(20) And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:
(21) That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.
(22) For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;
(23) Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.
(24) Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be.
(25) There shall no man be able to stand before you: for the LORD your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as he hath said unto you.
(26) Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;
(27) A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day:
(28) And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.
Deuteronomy 28:1-6
(1) And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
(2) And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
(3) Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
(4) Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
(5) Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
(6) Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
Joshua 22:5
(5) But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.
CONSIDER THESE PASSAGES (2 OF 2)...
Psalms 119:4
(4) Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
Proverbs 4:20-27
(20) My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
(21) Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
(22) For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
(23) Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
(24) Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
(25) Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
(26) Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
(27) Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
Proverbs 13:4
(4) The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
Hebrews 6:10-12
(10) For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
(11) And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
(12) That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 11:6
(6) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 12:14-15
(14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
(15) Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
2 Peter 1:3-11
(3) According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
(4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
(5) And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
(6) And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
(7) And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
(8) For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(9) But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
(10) Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
(11) For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 3:13-14
(13) Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
(14) Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
As I was working on some things, I came across this article I wrote almost three years ago, concerning DILIGENCE. It is something to think about as we enter a new year. I will include passages in a couple of comments boxes.
God calls His people to DILIGENCE, but many never fulfill their calling because they are gripped by negligence or have chosen the way of indolence. Even diligence, when misguided, can lead to greatness in evil. Just ask Herod the Great (Mt. 2:7, 8, 16). It is often diligence that separates between success and failure, greatness and mediocrity.
Some people are diligent concerning money, academics, business, sports, the arts or governing. Those who are diligent may rise to either meager success or exceptionalism. How sad that some people (especially Christians) are either Enveloped by Negligence or Ensnared by Indolence, rather than Enabled by Diligence. It is not that they always fall to the depths of failure, it is that they never rise above mediocrity; but the outcome is the same.
Negligence and indolence in the spiritual life is not faith in God, it is presumption on the grace of God. Workless faith is worthless faith. Biblical faith is active, diligent.
It is never too early to See Your Desire, Set Your Course or Strive For Success; and though it can become too late to accomplish all your dreams, it is never too late to abandon negligence and indolence, and embrace diligence.
Diligence should be in every area of our lives. We should be diligent in personal development, interpersonal relationships, academic/intellectual accomplishment, vocational pursuits, and our SPIRITUAL GROWTH. (see Passages below).
CONSIDER THESE PASSAGES (1 OF 2)...
Exodus 15:26
(26) And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
Deuteronomy 4:9
(9) Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
(4) Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
(5) And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
(6) And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
(7) And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
(8) And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
(9) And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
Deuteronomy 6:17-19
(17) Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.
(18) And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers,
(19) To cast out all thine enemies from before thee, as the LORD hath spoken.
Deuteronomy 11:13-28
(13) And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,
(14) That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.
(15) And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full.
(16) Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;
(17) And then the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you.
(18) Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.
(19) And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
(20) And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:
(21) That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.
(22) For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;
(23) Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.
(24) Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be.
(25) There shall no man be able to stand before you: for the LORD your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as he hath said unto you.
(26) Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;
(27) A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day:
(28) And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.
Deuteronomy 28:1-6
(1) And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
(2) And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
(3) Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
(4) Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
(5) Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
(6) Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
Joshua 22:5
(5) But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.
CONSIDER THESE PASSAGES (2 OF 2)...
Psalms 119:4
(4) Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
Proverbs 4:20-27
(20) My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
(21) Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
(22) For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
(23) Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
(24) Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
(25) Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
(26) Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
(27) Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
Proverbs 13:4
(4) The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
Hebrews 6:10-12
(10) For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
(11) And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
(12) That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 11:6
(6) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 12:14-15
(14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
(15) Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
2 Peter 1:3-11
(3) According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
(4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
(5) And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
(6) And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
(7) And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
(8) For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(9) But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
(10) Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
(11) For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 3:13-14
(13) Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
(14) Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
THE CHASM IS GOING TO WIDEN
THE CHASM IS GOING TO WIDEN
The division between Bible believing Christ followers and those who are buying into the dark doctrines of a world in chaos, due to its rebellion against the God of the universe, is going to get greater at an ever increasing rate.
Jesus warned that the end times would be like it was during the days of Noah and the days of Sodom and Gomorrah. This means that there will be great rebellion against God and great violence and corruption in society. It also means that those who choose to follow Christ will be hated more than ever, even by the "decent" society.
I know, it is terrible. But this is where sin takes people and nations. The love and patience of God (by allowing people to take their time in making their choice) is misunderstood as Divine disinterest or the idea that there is no God and no accountability. At the same time, the faithful submission of Christians to Biblical standards is misunderstood as hatred for the non-believer. Satan will use these lies to turn loose an unprecedented attack on Christians around the world.
TWO THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
1. When you hear or see a loving Christian take a stand for Biblical righteousness and against sin, do not think the Christian is being hateful to those who are entangled in those sins or that the Christian is being judgmental. Remember, they are simply rescued people, offering other drowning victims a lifeline.
2. If you are a Christian, do not be surprised at the coming persecution. You must make up your mind to be Biblical regardless of how others see it. You must decide to follow Jesus, regardless of the cost.
Even at this present time, when people see or hear me speak against practices that are contrary to the Bible (drunkenness, addiction, perverseness, licentiousness, greed, idolatry, murder of the unborn, followers of Islam), they mistakenly think I hate the people.
The division between Bible believing Christ followers and those who are buying into the dark doctrines of a world in chaos, due to its rebellion against the God of the universe, is going to get greater at an ever increasing rate.
Jesus warned that the end times would be like it was during the days of Noah and the days of Sodom and Gomorrah. This means that there will be great rebellion against God and great violence and corruption in society. It also means that those who choose to follow Christ will be hated more than ever, even by the "decent" society.
I know, it is terrible. But this is where sin takes people and nations. The love and patience of God (by allowing people to take their time in making their choice) is misunderstood as Divine disinterest or the idea that there is no God and no accountability. At the same time, the faithful submission of Christians to Biblical standards is misunderstood as hatred for the non-believer. Satan will use these lies to turn loose an unprecedented attack on Christians around the world.
TWO THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
1. When you hear or see a loving Christian take a stand for Biblical righteousness and against sin, do not think the Christian is being hateful to those who are entangled in those sins or that the Christian is being judgmental. Remember, they are simply rescued people, offering other drowning victims a lifeline.
2. If you are a Christian, do not be surprised at the coming persecution. You must make up your mind to be Biblical regardless of how others see it. You must decide to follow Jesus, regardless of the cost.
Even at this present time, when people see or hear me speak against practices that are contrary to the Bible (drunkenness, addiction, perverseness, licentiousness, greed, idolatry, murder of the unborn, followers of Islam), they mistakenly think I hate the people.
I DON'T HATE THEM.
In fact,
I LOVE THEM SO MUCH I AM WILLING TO BE HATED BY THEM FOR REACHING OUT IN LOVE TO HELP THEM.
A LITTLE HELP CAN GO A LONG WAY
A LITTLE HELP CAN GO A LONG WAY
I was talking to a friend about Windows 10. When I told him that I had downloaded the free version, he offered his help, if I ran into problems. As we talked about some of the new features he pointed out that a ten minute training session would go a long way in helping most people move into the new system.
How true. Not just for a computer operating system, but for most challenges in life. If a person, who is knowledgeable about a subject, and is passionate, and has people skills, instructs the unskilled, untrained person, then amazing things can happen.
This is what I think about so often. The fact that most people have very definite ideas about God, eternal life, the Bible does not mean that they necessarily have a correct view of those subjects. I often think how much of a change someone could experience, from a short session of introduction to the revealed word and will of God.
Of course, a person needs to be willing to learn. In fact, they should have a desire to learn. I think this is probably the main problem with most people today. They do not see a need for understanding what the Bible says.
How sad. There is a universe of reality waiting to be discovered by the person who will allow God to open his eyes, his mind, to the revelation of God.
I was talking to a friend about Windows 10. When I told him that I had downloaded the free version, he offered his help, if I ran into problems. As we talked about some of the new features he pointed out that a ten minute training session would go a long way in helping most people move into the new system.
How true. Not just for a computer operating system, but for most challenges in life. If a person, who is knowledgeable about a subject, and is passionate, and has people skills, instructs the unskilled, untrained person, then amazing things can happen.
This is what I think about so often. The fact that most people have very definite ideas about God, eternal life, the Bible does not mean that they necessarily have a correct view of those subjects. I often think how much of a change someone could experience, from a short session of introduction to the revealed word and will of God.
Of course, a person needs to be willing to learn. In fact, they should have a desire to learn. I think this is probably the main problem with most people today. They do not see a need for understanding what the Bible says.
How sad. There is a universe of reality waiting to be discovered by the person who will allow God to open his eyes, his mind, to the revelation of God.
SILENCE IS NOT ALWAYS APPROVAL
SILENCE IS NOT ALWAYS APPROVAL
You do know, of course, that those who continue to refuse to humble themselves and refuse to accept correction from God, God's word, God's Spirit, God's spiritual leaders, will be left to themselves and their false comforters.
Therefore, don't take silence as approval, or as a sign of your success in winning an argument, or as an indication that you have proved your point. It could be that you are about to be cut off from God, and this is His way of warning you, for the last time.
You do know, of course, that those who continue to refuse to humble themselves and refuse to accept correction from God, God's word, God's Spirit, God's spiritual leaders, will be left to themselves and their false comforters.
Therefore, don't take silence as approval, or as a sign of your success in winning an argument, or as an indication that you have proved your point. It could be that you are about to be cut off from God, and this is His way of warning you, for the last time.
God Deals With Sin
2 Chronicles 36:15-169 (LITV)
(15) And Jehovah, the God of their fathers, sent to them by the hand of His messengers, rising early and sending, for He had pity on his people and on His dwelling place.
(16) But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised His Words, and scoffed at His prophets until the wrath of Jehovah went up against His people, until there was no healing.
Proverbs 6:12-19 (LITV)
(12) A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth,
(13) winking with his eyes, speaking with his feet, teaching with his fingers.
(14) Perversity is in his heart; he is plotting evil at every time, he sends out strife.
(15) On account of this, calamity shall come suddenly; he is broken quickly and there is no healing.
(16) These six things Jehovah hates; yea, seven are hateful to his soul;
(17) a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
(18) a heart that plots evil plans, feet hurrying to run to mischief,
(19) a false witness who breathes lies, and he who causes strife among brothers.
Proverbs 29:1 (LITV)
(1) A man who hardens his neck when reproved shall be suddenly broken, and there will be no healing.
Beware The Vengeance Of God
Romans 12:17-19
(17) Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
(18) If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
(19) Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
2 Thessalonians 1:6-10
(6) Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
(7) And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
(8) In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
(9) Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
(10) When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
Hebrews 10:29-31
(29) Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
(30) For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
(31) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)