Mar 6:52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened
The miracle of loaves. This miracle produce enough food to feed 5000 people from five loaves of bread and two fish. Imagine it for a moment. You were there you witness the miracle first hand you see the food coming and coming and coming and you know that it's an impossibility yet it's happening. Truly it was a miracle of loaves. And yet the disciples weren't considering the miracle they'd just seen when they were being tossed about by the wind out at sea in the middle of the night and they saw something coming towards them. Why? Why didn't they realize they'd just witness one miracle and this could be yet another? Why were they afraid if they believed their lives were being lived under the loving care of the Messiah? Their hearts were hardened. What does it mean to have a hardened heart? When we tell someone that so and so has hardened their heart we mean they aren't receptive to whatever it is we're talking about. They are dead set against something. A soft, open heart is a heart willing to entertain ideas, a person with a hardened heart won't entertain any ideas. But here the disciples were having not long before partaken in a miracle, for they passed out those miracle loaves and fish themselves and yet the very idea that this strange happening that night was another such miracle was incomprehensible to them. They shut off that part of themselves that was open and receptive to miracles. We might say that's to be expected, Jesus wasn't in the ship with them He'd stayed behind to pray in solitude. As long as Jesus was right there running things so they could see and hear Him as the miracles were done it'd be fine and yet isn't it true that we need to have that faith in Jesus that miracles can happen even thousands of years later after He's long since gone to heaven to minister there? We do need that faith and we need to recognize the miracles of Jesus, the big ones and the small ones.
Just a week ago my husband was sent to the ICU with a sepsis infection which weakened his already weak heart, shut down his kidneys and affected His already surgery compromised lungs and damaged his colon. The doctors were talking about the possibility of never regaining kidney function, about having to intubate him with the possibility of that compromising him for life and maybe not ever coming off intubation, on top of that they mentioned surgery on his colon which would most likely have left him with a colostomy bag- if he lived through the surgery which because of his condition was unlikely. They painted a very, very grim picture for us and needless to say we were shocked by it all and heartsick. Today my husband, a week later, has recovered full use of his kidneys without any lasting problems, he never had to be intubated the special Bi-pap mask he had to wear was able to do the necessary job for his lungs (though he's still on oxygen through a nose tube), his blood pressure has returned to normal, and the surgeon just today told him that his colon is fine and they wouldn't need to see him again. MIRACLES!
Sure, I'll get people telling me that it's not a miracle but I know it is.
Life throws many faith trying obstacles at us. We suspected my husband had lung cancer and then after a biopsy that was negative we were thrilled that it wasn't and claimed it a miracle and yet it still turned out to be lung cancer. The testing and trying of faith is a real thing. It would be easy to blame God for not *really* performing a miracle and it not be cancer, but that's succumbing to doubt in God and maybe it wasn't the miracle we thought it would be, but the lung cancer has been removed along with two lobes of his right lung and He's a good candidate for not needing further treatment. That's another blessing- originally we were told he would probably need a course of chemotherapy as well, but now they are saying that he most likely won't need even that. Blessings. Miracles.
God is amazing and while again it would be so easy to blame Him, especially when people die instead of get well, we have to know that God is with us no matter what. We don't have to like how things turn out, we just have to have faith that no matter what happens it's in His hands. My daughter said to me as it was all going on, 'God's will be done.' She's right, in all-- God's will be done and by the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may we not harden our hearts. May we consider all the miracles Jesus has performed and expect more miracles, loving Him no matter what comes our way.
Amen.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
The smallest drop in the bucket of eternity
2Co 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Everything thing we see is temporary. Some might argue that certain landmarks are forever but they'd be wrong. The earth itself is constantly changing, shifting, moving, altering. Natural disasters can alter the entire landscape of a mountain we might think untouchable. Temporary. Everything is temporary. Even we are here right now on earth only temporary.
temporary (tèm´pe-rèr´ê) adjective
Abbr. temp.
Lasting, used, serving, or enjoyed for a limited time.
...for a limited time.
We are all only here for a limited time and there is no telling how long that time might be. Do we really live like our lives are temporary or do we make plans that would have us fooling ourselves that we are going to be around forever? I'd like to think most people are aware of their temporary existence and understand that eventually their time will be up. People don't really like to talk about death and dying though, especially not their own. It's considered morbid to dwell on death and yet we only have hope for eternal life by thinking about death- the death of Jesus Christ. Accepting His sacrifice and believing in His resurrection to eternal life is our only real hope at all in life.
2Co 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Things that are not seen.
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
1Jn 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
Faith isn't seen.
God isn't seen.
The things God has prepared for us are not seen.
Those are eternal things and yet we cannot see them. People want to shun God because He's not seen. They'd rather believe this temporary life is all there is.
Our lives here and now are but the smallest drop in the bucket of eternity.
If we could TRULY understand that all that happens now is supposed to be preparation of our spirits for a life of eternity in love with God, we'd live differently wouldn't we? We'd live as if this life here and now on earth was truly temporary and NOTHING on this earth, NOTHING in this life right now is worth losing life eternal in Christ Jesus.
Cultivating the love God gives to us, sharing the love God gives to us with others, this is what we need to do. Share the good news of the gospel, share the love eternal found in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, this is our duty.
Love God. Love each other.
Love.
May God bless and keep us as we seek to live the temporary existence we have here on earth right now in Him now and one day may we share His eternity.
By the mercy and grace, the love of Jesus Christ our Lord now and forever.
Amen.
Everything thing we see is temporary. Some might argue that certain landmarks are forever but they'd be wrong. The earth itself is constantly changing, shifting, moving, altering. Natural disasters can alter the entire landscape of a mountain we might think untouchable. Temporary. Everything is temporary. Even we are here right now on earth only temporary.
temporary (tèm´pe-rèr´ê) adjective
Abbr. temp.
Lasting, used, serving, or enjoyed for a limited time.
...for a limited time.
We are all only here for a limited time and there is no telling how long that time might be. Do we really live like our lives are temporary or do we make plans that would have us fooling ourselves that we are going to be around forever? I'd like to think most people are aware of their temporary existence and understand that eventually their time will be up. People don't really like to talk about death and dying though, especially not their own. It's considered morbid to dwell on death and yet we only have hope for eternal life by thinking about death- the death of Jesus Christ. Accepting His sacrifice and believing in His resurrection to eternal life is our only real hope at all in life.
2Co 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Things that are not seen.
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
1Jn 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
Faith isn't seen.
God isn't seen.
The things God has prepared for us are not seen.
Those are eternal things and yet we cannot see them. People want to shun God because He's not seen. They'd rather believe this temporary life is all there is.
Our lives here and now are but the smallest drop in the bucket of eternity.
If we could TRULY understand that all that happens now is supposed to be preparation of our spirits for a life of eternity in love with God, we'd live differently wouldn't we? We'd live as if this life here and now on earth was truly temporary and NOTHING on this earth, NOTHING in this life right now is worth losing life eternal in Christ Jesus.
Cultivating the love God gives to us, sharing the love God gives to us with others, this is what we need to do. Share the good news of the gospel, share the love eternal found in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, this is our duty.
Love God. Love each other.
Love.
May God bless and keep us as we seek to live the temporary existence we have here on earth right now in Him now and one day may we share His eternity.
By the mercy and grace, the love of Jesus Christ our Lord now and forever.
Amen.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
The gospel is hid to them that are lost
2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
*******
The gospel is HID to them that are lost. That makes sense doesn't it? To truly understand the gospel, to have the gospel be a reality to us is to have it reveal Christ and Him crucified to save us from our sins. Understanding the magnitude of that magnificent sacrfice can't help but affect a person's life. When the gospel doesn't have any affect on a person it truly is hidden. The gospel like so much in life can be known but not understood and applied. You can know of something but never experience that something. I can know what it is to drive a car but until I'm behind the wheel driving it I'm not experiencing driving. You can know that Christ died for you, that His blood was shed to cover your sins so that you might one day reunite with Him upon His return, but until you confess with a sincere heart and repent of your sins- accepting Christ's sacrifice- the gospel is hidden to you.
The gospel is hid to them that are lost.
The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not.
The god of this world...
Joh 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
Joh 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
Php 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Php 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Joh 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Joh 17:14 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
Joh 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
The gospel is hid to them that are lost.
The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not.
The god of this world- Jesus said that He is not of the world just as we are not to be of the world. The god of this world is Satan, make no mistake about it, Satan tempted Jesus this way--
Mat 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Mat 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Worldly things are of Satan. Our treasure should be in heaven not earth. So when we read the god of this world has blinded the minds of them that believe not we have to realize that Satan is blinding the minds of people who choose not to believe. If we do not believe in God there is only one other recourse though many think there are a lot of different gods, religions, and what not to believe in there aren't, not in truth.
There is God and Satan. Satan in all his deceptive power is able to blind the minds of those who choose not to believe in God and those people believe something other than the one true God, our Creator and Redeemer, are deceived. They can dress that *other* up any way they choose but if it's not God ... it's Satan wearing a grand disguise. And yes, even possibly a disguise so deceptive people can't help but believe that it is a good thing believing as they do.
May the gospel be reveal in our lives to the fullest and not be hidden from us.
May 'the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God,... shine' upon us!
May the Holy Spirit guide us fully into the fulness of Christ.
By the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, now and forever.
Amen.
2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
*******
The gospel is HID to them that are lost. That makes sense doesn't it? To truly understand the gospel, to have the gospel be a reality to us is to have it reveal Christ and Him crucified to save us from our sins. Understanding the magnitude of that magnificent sacrfice can't help but affect a person's life. When the gospel doesn't have any affect on a person it truly is hidden. The gospel like so much in life can be known but not understood and applied. You can know of something but never experience that something. I can know what it is to drive a car but until I'm behind the wheel driving it I'm not experiencing driving. You can know that Christ died for you, that His blood was shed to cover your sins so that you might one day reunite with Him upon His return, but until you confess with a sincere heart and repent of your sins- accepting Christ's sacrifice- the gospel is hidden to you.
The gospel is hid to them that are lost.
The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not.
The god of this world...
Joh 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
Joh 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
Php 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Php 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Joh 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Joh 17:14 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
Joh 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
The gospel is hid to them that are lost.
The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not.
The god of this world- Jesus said that He is not of the world just as we are not to be of the world. The god of this world is Satan, make no mistake about it, Satan tempted Jesus this way--
Mat 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Mat 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Worldly things are of Satan. Our treasure should be in heaven not earth. So when we read the god of this world has blinded the minds of them that believe not we have to realize that Satan is blinding the minds of people who choose not to believe. If we do not believe in God there is only one other recourse though many think there are a lot of different gods, religions, and what not to believe in there aren't, not in truth.
There is God and Satan. Satan in all his deceptive power is able to blind the minds of those who choose not to believe in God and those people believe something other than the one true God, our Creator and Redeemer, are deceived. They can dress that *other* up any way they choose but if it's not God ... it's Satan wearing a grand disguise. And yes, even possibly a disguise so deceptive people can't help but believe that it is a good thing believing as they do.
May the gospel be reveal in our lives to the fullest and not be hidden from us.
May 'the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God,... shine' upon us!
May the Holy Spirit guide us fully into the fulness of Christ.
By the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, now and forever.
Amen.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Unspotted From the World
Jas 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Pure religion.
Undefiled before God and the Father.
Pure. We all know what pure is, it's being untainted, spotless, clean perfectly. Pure is something we like to hear, it has a positive note it doesn't it?
100% Pure.
It sounds authentic, it sounds desirable because we know that 100% pure means there are no additives, no contaminants.
Pure.
A pure religion is a religion undefiled. A religion untainted. There is nothing corrupt in something pure. When something is defiled it is no longer pure. You defile something by contaminating it with other things. Defilement is something no one wants. Who would willingly desire to be defiled? Only those who are corrupted already. Those who are impure, those who do not long to be God's. Yes, there are a lot of people who are impure and defiled and because of Satan and his urgings they often desire to spread their impurities, to defile others as they are defiled.
The pure and undefiled will know it is their duty to visit the fatherless. Children who no longer have a father need a guiding hand, they need a friend to help fill the void the father being gone has left. The widow who has lost her husband likewise needs to be visited by those among God's people so that they aren't suffering alone.
Godly people know they have a duty to their fellow man, to their neighbors.
Remember--
'Love thy neighbor as thyself.' Mat 22:39
Just as you would want people to be there for you, help you out in your time of need, others too who are your neighbors (in a worldwide sense not just your next door neighbors or those across the street from you) need people to care for them.
Pure religion an undefiled before God and the Father -- are to keep UNSPOTTED from the world.
Unspotted. If you are spotted by the world what does that mean? Tainted, defiled, impure-- the world has corrupted you.
To be unspotted from the world means to remain pure in God.
We have all sinned and that sin marks us. When we pray for forgiveness and repent of our sins then Jesus' blood covers the stains of our sins. We know we must... 'resist unto blood, striving against sin.' Heb 12:4
Trusting in God, placing all our hopes and our lives in His hands, we can be unspotted from the world. Only in Jesus Christ, covered by His blood, clothed in His righteousness, in His purity are we saved.
May God keep us pure and undefiled. May our hearts yearn to love our neighbors and out of that love act accordingly. By the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ now and forever may we stand before Him unspotted from the world.
In His Love.
Amen.
Pure religion.
Undefiled before God and the Father.
Pure. We all know what pure is, it's being untainted, spotless, clean perfectly. Pure is something we like to hear, it has a positive note it doesn't it?
100% Pure.
It sounds authentic, it sounds desirable because we know that 100% pure means there are no additives, no contaminants.
Pure.
A pure religion is a religion undefiled. A religion untainted. There is nothing corrupt in something pure. When something is defiled it is no longer pure. You defile something by contaminating it with other things. Defilement is something no one wants. Who would willingly desire to be defiled? Only those who are corrupted already. Those who are impure, those who do not long to be God's. Yes, there are a lot of people who are impure and defiled and because of Satan and his urgings they often desire to spread their impurities, to defile others as they are defiled.
The pure and undefiled will know it is their duty to visit the fatherless. Children who no longer have a father need a guiding hand, they need a friend to help fill the void the father being gone has left. The widow who has lost her husband likewise needs to be visited by those among God's people so that they aren't suffering alone.
Godly people know they have a duty to their fellow man, to their neighbors.
Remember--
'Love thy neighbor as thyself.' Mat 22:39
Just as you would want people to be there for you, help you out in your time of need, others too who are your neighbors (in a worldwide sense not just your next door neighbors or those across the street from you) need people to care for them.
Pure religion an undefiled before God and the Father -- are to keep UNSPOTTED from the world.
Unspotted. If you are spotted by the world what does that mean? Tainted, defiled, impure-- the world has corrupted you.
To be unspotted from the world means to remain pure in God.
We have all sinned and that sin marks us. When we pray for forgiveness and repent of our sins then Jesus' blood covers the stains of our sins. We know we must... 'resist unto blood, striving against sin.' Heb 12:4
Trusting in God, placing all our hopes and our lives in His hands, we can be unspotted from the world. Only in Jesus Christ, covered by His blood, clothed in His righteousness, in His purity are we saved.
May God keep us pure and undefiled. May our hearts yearn to love our neighbors and out of that love act accordingly. By the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ now and forever may we stand before Him unspotted from the world.
In His Love.
Amen.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Judging Ourselves
Jud 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
Jud 1:15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
Jud 1:16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
Jud 1:17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Jud 1:18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
Jud 1:19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
Jud 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Jud 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jud 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
Jud 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Jud 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Jud 1:25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Murmurers
Complainers
Walking after their own lusts
Mouths speaking great swelling words
Admiring others for advantage
Mockers
Sensual
No Spirit
Ungodly sinners
Ungodly deeds
There is no doubt whatsoever that the ungodly are among the majority of people. Our lives, our lifestyles, society as a whole is ungodly. We want to shout no it's not, but it is, it really is. The ungodly are the norm. If you had to examine your own life how would you classify yourself- ungodly or godly? What makes a person ungodly or godly?
ungodly
1. Not revering God; impious.
2. Sinful; wicked
godly
1. Having great reverence for God; pious.
2. Divine.
reverence
1. A feeling of profound awe and respect and often love; veneration.
2. An act showing respect, especially a bow or curtsy.
irreverence
1. Lack of reverence or due respect.
2. A disrespectful act or remark.
The ungodly do not revere God.
The ungodly are sinful.
The ungodly are wicked.
The ungodly are disrespectful of God in their words and actions.
The godly revere God.
The godly are not purposefully sinful.
The godly are not purposefully wicked.
The godly respect God in their words and actions.
When we think of being sinful we have to know what sin means and the word of God tells us this--
1Jn 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
The law of God is the ten commandments and they are summed up here by Christ--
Mar 12:28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?
Mar 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
Mar 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
Mar 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
Mar 12:32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
Mar 12:33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
Mar 12:34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
Love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.
Love thy neighbor as thyself.
Being sinful is not loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and not loving thy neighbor as you would be loved.
What does it mean to love God that way? The rest of the commandments give us a big clue. Having no other Gods before God. Not taking God's name in vain. Not worshipping any idols. Worshipping on the seventh day Sabbath.
We can stop here and contemplate just this bit of what it means to revere God, to not sin. We have to ask ourselves simply what place God holds in our lives. Starting there we can begin to determine our own place in the grand scheme of things. Do we put God first? If we answer no then we are truly in danger of being among those who will not be among the saints of God at Jesus' return. Think about it... it's a simply way to judge ourselves. Perhaps a person can say it doesn't matter, but the Bible says otherwise, God says otherwise.
By the grace of God, by the mercy and forgiveness we find in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior may we discern where we stand, either among the godly or ungodly. By the Holy Spirit may we be among the godly, through the righteousness of Jesus, in His love.
Amen.
Jud 1:15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
Jud 1:16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
Jud 1:17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Jud 1:18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
Jud 1:19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
Jud 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Jud 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jud 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
Jud 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Jud 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Jud 1:25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Murmurers
Complainers
Walking after their own lusts
Mouths speaking great swelling words
Admiring others for advantage
Mockers
Sensual
No Spirit
Ungodly sinners
Ungodly deeds
There is no doubt whatsoever that the ungodly are among the majority of people. Our lives, our lifestyles, society as a whole is ungodly. We want to shout no it's not, but it is, it really is. The ungodly are the norm. If you had to examine your own life how would you classify yourself- ungodly or godly? What makes a person ungodly or godly?
ungodly
1. Not revering God; impious.
2. Sinful; wicked
godly
1. Having great reverence for God; pious.
2. Divine.
reverence
1. A feeling of profound awe and respect and often love; veneration.
2. An act showing respect, especially a bow or curtsy.
irreverence
1. Lack of reverence or due respect.
2. A disrespectful act or remark.
The ungodly do not revere God.
The ungodly are sinful.
The ungodly are wicked.
The ungodly are disrespectful of God in their words and actions.
The godly revere God.
The godly are not purposefully sinful.
The godly are not purposefully wicked.
The godly respect God in their words and actions.
When we think of being sinful we have to know what sin means and the word of God tells us this--
1Jn 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
The law of God is the ten commandments and they are summed up here by Christ--
Mar 12:28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?
Mar 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
Mar 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
Mar 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
Mar 12:32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
Mar 12:33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
Mar 12:34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
Love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.
Love thy neighbor as thyself.
Being sinful is not loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and not loving thy neighbor as you would be loved.
What does it mean to love God that way? The rest of the commandments give us a big clue. Having no other Gods before God. Not taking God's name in vain. Not worshipping any idols. Worshipping on the seventh day Sabbath.
We can stop here and contemplate just this bit of what it means to revere God, to not sin. We have to ask ourselves simply what place God holds in our lives. Starting there we can begin to determine our own place in the grand scheme of things. Do we put God first? If we answer no then we are truly in danger of being among those who will not be among the saints of God at Jesus' return. Think about it... it's a simply way to judge ourselves. Perhaps a person can say it doesn't matter, but the Bible says otherwise, God says otherwise.
By the grace of God, by the mercy and forgiveness we find in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior may we discern where we stand, either among the godly or ungodly. By the Holy Spirit may we be among the godly, through the righteousness of Jesus, in His love.
Amen.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Our Joy - Jesus!
Deu 33:29 Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.
Job 5:17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:
Psa 128:1 A Song of degrees. Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.
Psa 128:2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
Psa 144:15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.
Psa 146:5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:
Psa 146:6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:
Pro 3:13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Speaking of wisdom-- Pro 3:18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
Pro 14:21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
Pro 16:20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
Pro 28:14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
Pro 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Joh 13:16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
Joh 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
Jas 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
1Pe 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled
1Pe 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
*******
Happy - corrected of God
Happy - feareth the Lord
Happy - whose God is the LORD
Happy - finding wisdom, has understanding
Happy - retaining wisdom
Happy - wisdom
Happy - help the poor
Happy - trusts in the Lord
Happy - feareth (awe) of the Lord
Happy - keep the law
Happy - being a servant
Happy - enduring
Happy - suffer for righteousness' sake
Happy - reproached for the name of Christ
What we deem happiness is not what God deems happiness. Our sense of happiness has become warped. We consider happiness selfish pleasure. We are happy when we get things, happy when we can give things that endear others to us, happy when we don't have any problems. If someone asks you if you're happy what do you think you'd answer? Our usual answer is 'I don't know.' Seriously, we all have various things that bring us happiness. If you're in the middle of one of those things you will probably answer 'yes' to being happy. If you're not then you could say 'no'. But most people don't even know if they're happy, or aren't happy. They might answer they're content, or rather... and you know this is true... they're okay. Most people are OKAY. Just okay. Neither happy, nor sad, but just okay. Isn't okay where most people live the majority of their lives? Is that a good thing?
Another word for happy is joyful, joy.
Psa 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
Psa 35:9 And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
Ecc 7:13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
Ecc 7:14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
Isa 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels
Psa 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
Pro 12:20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
Pro 21:15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
Isa 51:11 Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
Luk 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Joh 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Joh 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Joh 16:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
Joh 16:21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
Joh 16:22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you
Joh 17:13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves
Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Rom 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Php 1:25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jas 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptation
1Pe 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1Pe 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Jud 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Jud 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jud 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
Jud 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Jud 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Jud 1:25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Our happiness, our joy is to be found in one place only-- in Jesus. We can't expect joy and happiness in earthly things even though being the creatures that we are it is natural for us to seek happy things, happy times, happiness and joy. Our hearts and lives feel lighter when we are happy and we holdfast to it for as long as we can but inevitably it dissipates and we're back to being okay, or even sad. All temporal pleasures are fleeting and nothing compared to the joy we will find in Christ Jesus. If we place our hope and happiness in Him, not to receive ANY temporal pleasures or happiness, but to keep the faith, keep His commandments, to keep Him ever before us as our Lord God Creator of heaven and earth and all that is in them- then one day we will know a joy incomparable to any temporal pleasure or joy we could ever receive here and now on earth.
Does this mean we should be sad or depressed, unhappy here and now? No. But the joy we seek is the joy that is everlasting. All other joy that comes our way is all well and good to be appreciated and grateful for, thankful for, but not something we should place our hope in. Temporal happiness's aren't what we should strive for and count our lives as success or failure, our joy should be in the surety of Jesus Christ and the salvation we find in Him now and forever. May God help us truly find our real joy in Him and only Him through His mercy and His grace.
Amen.
Job 5:17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:
Psa 128:1 A Song of degrees. Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.
Psa 128:2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
Psa 144:15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.
Psa 146:5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:
Psa 146:6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:
Pro 3:13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Speaking of wisdom-- Pro 3:18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
Pro 14:21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
Pro 16:20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
Pro 28:14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
Pro 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Joh 13:16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
Joh 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
Jas 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
1Pe 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled
1Pe 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
*******
Happy - corrected of God
Happy - feareth the Lord
Happy - whose God is the LORD
Happy - finding wisdom, has understanding
Happy - retaining wisdom
Happy - wisdom
Happy - help the poor
Happy - trusts in the Lord
Happy - feareth (awe) of the Lord
Happy - keep the law
Happy - being a servant
Happy - enduring
Happy - suffer for righteousness' sake
Happy - reproached for the name of Christ
What we deem happiness is not what God deems happiness. Our sense of happiness has become warped. We consider happiness selfish pleasure. We are happy when we get things, happy when we can give things that endear others to us, happy when we don't have any problems. If someone asks you if you're happy what do you think you'd answer? Our usual answer is 'I don't know.' Seriously, we all have various things that bring us happiness. If you're in the middle of one of those things you will probably answer 'yes' to being happy. If you're not then you could say 'no'. But most people don't even know if they're happy, or aren't happy. They might answer they're content, or rather... and you know this is true... they're okay. Most people are OKAY. Just okay. Neither happy, nor sad, but just okay. Isn't okay where most people live the majority of their lives? Is that a good thing?
Another word for happy is joyful, joy.
Psa 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
Psa 35:9 And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
Ecc 7:13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
Ecc 7:14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
Isa 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels
Psa 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
Pro 12:20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
Pro 21:15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
Isa 51:11 Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
Luk 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Joh 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Joh 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Joh 16:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
Joh 16:21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
Joh 16:22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you
Joh 17:13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves
Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Rom 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Php 1:25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jas 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptation
1Pe 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1Pe 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Jud 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Jud 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jud 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
Jud 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Jud 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Jud 1:25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Our happiness, our joy is to be found in one place only-- in Jesus. We can't expect joy and happiness in earthly things even though being the creatures that we are it is natural for us to seek happy things, happy times, happiness and joy. Our hearts and lives feel lighter when we are happy and we holdfast to it for as long as we can but inevitably it dissipates and we're back to being okay, or even sad. All temporal pleasures are fleeting and nothing compared to the joy we will find in Christ Jesus. If we place our hope and happiness in Him, not to receive ANY temporal pleasures or happiness, but to keep the faith, keep His commandments, to keep Him ever before us as our Lord God Creator of heaven and earth and all that is in them- then one day we will know a joy incomparable to any temporal pleasure or joy we could ever receive here and now on earth.
Does this mean we should be sad or depressed, unhappy here and now? No. But the joy we seek is the joy that is everlasting. All other joy that comes our way is all well and good to be appreciated and grateful for, thankful for, but not something we should place our hope in. Temporal happiness's aren't what we should strive for and count our lives as success or failure, our joy should be in the surety of Jesus Christ and the salvation we find in Him now and forever. May God help us truly find our real joy in Him and only Him through His mercy and His grace.
Amen.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Counterfeit Religion
Today the mysteries of heathen worship are replaced by the secret association and seances, the obscurities and wonders, of spiritistic mediums. The disclosures of these mediums are eagerly received by thousands who refuse to accept light from God's word or through His Spirit. Believers in spiritism may speak with scorn of the magicians of old, but the great deceiver laughs in triumph as they yield to
his arts under a different form.
There are many who shrink with horror from the thought of consulting spirit mediums, but who are attracted by more pleasing forms of spiritism. Others are led astray by the teachings of Christian Science, and by the mysticism of Theosophy and other Oriental religions.
The apostles of nearly all forms of spiritism claim to have power to heal. They attribute this power to electricity, magnetism, the so-called "sympathetic remedies," or to latent forces within the mind of man. And there are not a few, even in this Christian age, who go to these healers, instead of trusting in the power of the living God and the skill of well-qualified physicians. The mother, watching by the
sickbed of her child, exclaims, "I can do no more. Is there no physician who has power to restore my child?" She is told of the wonderful cures performed by some clairvoyant or magnetic healer, and she trusts her dear one to his charge, placing it as verily in the hand of Satan as if he were standing by her side. In many instances the future life of the child is controlled by a satanic power which it seems
impossible to break.
Prophets & Kings pg 211, 212
We laugh at this sort of thing don't we? We scoff at it and shake our heads. This sort of thing doesn't happen. But it does. We are supposedly more enlightened today, that book was written back in the early 1900's so it's very out of date. Surely it is out of date in some respects but think about it. Today we have the NEW AGE religion. Today we have ENLIGHTENMENT. Today we have SELF ACTUALIZATION. We have SCIENTOLOGY. We have ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES. We have YOGA Cults. We have Spiritism in such abundance we can't turn tv on or watch movies without finding a show or two involved in Spiritism.
spiritism (spîr´î-tîz´em) noun
1. The belief that the dead communicate with the living; spiritualism.
2. The practices or doctrines of those holding such a belief.
We have so much to lure our minds from God, the ONE True God, a God who wants us to worship Him, our creator and redeemer. We don't want to say the name of the one in charge of other religions and practices because that's just us being short-sighted and narrow-minded. We are fools and crazy if we dare name the one who leads the others under the guise of supposed goodness. Besides, how could Satan do so much good? Because surely a lot of those religions and practices do much good there is no question there, but at what price is eternal life bought? Even those television/movies shows mostly seem to use spiritism itself as something good. The great lie Satan told from the beginning to Eve- 'Thou shalt not surely die.' If we just pass over to a different life upon dying there is no death, but that's not what death is. Death is a sleep until Christ returns and raises those that are His from the grave.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
If Satan can lure and seduce us with good deeds then he will. All that matters to Him is the end result. Have you ever heard the words- I don't care how you do it, just do it? Satan doesn't care how people are lured away from the ONE true God, just so long as they are. All those *other* religions with other Gods, with practices that are not Godly, with deeds that underneath the shiny coat of purity are corrupt, Satan exalt himself in them fooling so many. Remember the counterfeit has to look exactly like the original or it fools no one. Only an expert in detection can spot a counterfeits ways and then they tell others what makes the thing counterfeit and then they are wise to the false thing. There will be many false religions, many will say to Christ in that day-
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Why would those people say that if they didn't truly believe they were working for Christ? They believed they were. They believed they were doing good and doing it for the Lord.
So how do we know we worship the One true God especially when other religions claim they have the One true God? There is no other God than the God revealed in His word, the Bible. The Bible which is supported by thousands of years of history, prophecies in the Bible that have come unerringly true over and over. There is no other God like our God. We need to read the word of God constantly, we need to study His truths. We need to look at what others believe and weigh them against the Word of God and the Word of God only.
We do know outright that God gave us His ten commandments and Jesus reaffirmed them with His life. God doesn't make mistakes, when He gave those ten commandments they were all true until the end of time not one of them would be scratched out or rewritten, not one of those law for God and Man would be changed by God.
He even wrote this--
Dan 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
The power that would dare to speak great words against the most High, against God will think to change TIMES and LAWS.
We are warned. We are told that evil would think to change times and laws, not God. No where does it tell us God would change His law. Jesus even said this--
Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
And Jesus did fulfil every single commandment of God, breaking not a single one of them. The Pharisees didn't get Jesus crucified over breaking any laws, but rather they took Him to the civil authorities and claimed He was a king, when the civil authorities only allowed for one king- Caesar. The High Priests of the temple didn't have Jesus stoned under their own laws because He didn't break their laws and knew the multitude of people would know that, they couldn't have the multitudes turning against them.
When we think about God's law we have to realize that it is something we all have to believe in as followers of God. The One True God gave us His laws and we can look to that law and know that all who do not follow that law are not of God, no matter how wonderful, sweet, good-hearted, loyal, kind, generous, they may seem. When we have an enemy who will stop at nothing to deceive us and we have Jesus' own words telling us that there will be people thinking they are doing His will when they're not, we really have to study and pray for discernment to understand the truth from the counterfeit.
One of God's laws was changed by man- the Sabbath was changed from the seventh day to the first day of the week without a single bit of authority to do so from God. God's law was unchangeable, Jesus kept that law completely. God did not make a mistake when He wrote those laws forever they would point to the One True God. The counterfeit is in place and the majority will be fooled by it completely under the guise of goodness they don't believe Satan is capable of using.
May God bless us all and keep us in His truth now and forever knowing His will, His truth, His laws and may the Holy Spirit keep our eyes opened to all truth able to discern between right and wrong so that Satan cannot fool us. By the mercy and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ now and forever... in His love.
Amen.
his arts under a different form.
There are many who shrink with horror from the thought of consulting spirit mediums, but who are attracted by more pleasing forms of spiritism. Others are led astray by the teachings of Christian Science, and by the mysticism of Theosophy and other Oriental religions.
The apostles of nearly all forms of spiritism claim to have power to heal. They attribute this power to electricity, magnetism, the so-called "sympathetic remedies," or to latent forces within the mind of man. And there are not a few, even in this Christian age, who go to these healers, instead of trusting in the power of the living God and the skill of well-qualified physicians. The mother, watching by the
sickbed of her child, exclaims, "I can do no more. Is there no physician who has power to restore my child?" She is told of the wonderful cures performed by some clairvoyant or magnetic healer, and she trusts her dear one to his charge, placing it as verily in the hand of Satan as if he were standing by her side. In many instances the future life of the child is controlled by a satanic power which it seems
impossible to break.
Prophets & Kings pg 211, 212
We laugh at this sort of thing don't we? We scoff at it and shake our heads. This sort of thing doesn't happen. But it does. We are supposedly more enlightened today, that book was written back in the early 1900's so it's very out of date. Surely it is out of date in some respects but think about it. Today we have the NEW AGE religion. Today we have ENLIGHTENMENT. Today we have SELF ACTUALIZATION. We have SCIENTOLOGY. We have ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES. We have YOGA Cults. We have Spiritism in such abundance we can't turn tv on or watch movies without finding a show or two involved in Spiritism.
spiritism (spîr´î-tîz´em) noun
1. The belief that the dead communicate with the living; spiritualism.
2. The practices or doctrines of those holding such a belief.
We have so much to lure our minds from God, the ONE True God, a God who wants us to worship Him, our creator and redeemer. We don't want to say the name of the one in charge of other religions and practices because that's just us being short-sighted and narrow-minded. We are fools and crazy if we dare name the one who leads the others under the guise of supposed goodness. Besides, how could Satan do so much good? Because surely a lot of those religions and practices do much good there is no question there, but at what price is eternal life bought? Even those television/movies shows mostly seem to use spiritism itself as something good. The great lie Satan told from the beginning to Eve- 'Thou shalt not surely die.' If we just pass over to a different life upon dying there is no death, but that's not what death is. Death is a sleep until Christ returns and raises those that are His from the grave.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
If Satan can lure and seduce us with good deeds then he will. All that matters to Him is the end result. Have you ever heard the words- I don't care how you do it, just do it? Satan doesn't care how people are lured away from the ONE true God, just so long as they are. All those *other* religions with other Gods, with practices that are not Godly, with deeds that underneath the shiny coat of purity are corrupt, Satan exalt himself in them fooling so many. Remember the counterfeit has to look exactly like the original or it fools no one. Only an expert in detection can spot a counterfeits ways and then they tell others what makes the thing counterfeit and then they are wise to the false thing. There will be many false religions, many will say to Christ in that day-
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Why would those people say that if they didn't truly believe they were working for Christ? They believed they were. They believed they were doing good and doing it for the Lord.
So how do we know we worship the One true God especially when other religions claim they have the One true God? There is no other God than the God revealed in His word, the Bible. The Bible which is supported by thousands of years of history, prophecies in the Bible that have come unerringly true over and over. There is no other God like our God. We need to read the word of God constantly, we need to study His truths. We need to look at what others believe and weigh them against the Word of God and the Word of God only.
We do know outright that God gave us His ten commandments and Jesus reaffirmed them with His life. God doesn't make mistakes, when He gave those ten commandments they were all true until the end of time not one of them would be scratched out or rewritten, not one of those law for God and Man would be changed by God.
He even wrote this--
Dan 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
The power that would dare to speak great words against the most High, against God will think to change TIMES and LAWS.
We are warned. We are told that evil would think to change times and laws, not God. No where does it tell us God would change His law. Jesus even said this--
Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
And Jesus did fulfil every single commandment of God, breaking not a single one of them. The Pharisees didn't get Jesus crucified over breaking any laws, but rather they took Him to the civil authorities and claimed He was a king, when the civil authorities only allowed for one king- Caesar. The High Priests of the temple didn't have Jesus stoned under their own laws because He didn't break their laws and knew the multitude of people would know that, they couldn't have the multitudes turning against them.
When we think about God's law we have to realize that it is something we all have to believe in as followers of God. The One True God gave us His laws and we can look to that law and know that all who do not follow that law are not of God, no matter how wonderful, sweet, good-hearted, loyal, kind, generous, they may seem. When we have an enemy who will stop at nothing to deceive us and we have Jesus' own words telling us that there will be people thinking they are doing His will when they're not, we really have to study and pray for discernment to understand the truth from the counterfeit.
One of God's laws was changed by man- the Sabbath was changed from the seventh day to the first day of the week without a single bit of authority to do so from God. God's law was unchangeable, Jesus kept that law completely. God did not make a mistake when He wrote those laws forever they would point to the One True God. The counterfeit is in place and the majority will be fooled by it completely under the guise of goodness they don't believe Satan is capable of using.
May God bless us all and keep us in His truth now and forever knowing His will, His truth, His laws and may the Holy Spirit keep our eyes opened to all truth able to discern between right and wrong so that Satan cannot fool us. By the mercy and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ now and forever... in His love.
Amen.
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