2Pe 3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2Pe 3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour
The words of the holy prophets- the words of the apostles of the LORD and SAVIOR.
We are given these words for a reason. We are to be MINDFUL of the words spoken to us by those called of God to give them to us. Much is made over who wrote what, who used a scribe and who wrote their own words but ultimately we have to ask ourselves if we have faith in God. If we have faith in God then we have to have faith that He has given to us His holy word, all that we need to be mindful of.
Some followers of Christ have a cherished passage of the Bible, a snippet they've managed to obtain that they cling to. Some have only had the opportunity to hear- not to read the word of God for themselves. And yet God has given them ALL they need in what He offers to them and what they cherish of His word.
All too often we are given the book we call the Bible, a collection of the works of the Prophets and the Apostles- and it sits unopened, not cherished at all. Is it a complete collection of all the prophets and everything the Apostles ever wrote? No. But what we have is what God gives to us and we should cherish what we've been allowed to have. We should be MINDFUL of the words we are privileged to have, the words spoken by prophets, by apostles, my holy men of God who wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
2Pe 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
2Pe 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts
Scoffers.
Def-
From G1702; a derider, that is, (by implication) a false teacher: - mocker, scoffer.
An unbeliever, right? A scoffer is one who doesn't believe. If I scoff at your beliefs, I'm not believing them, right?
Unbelievers.
Walking after their own lusts.
We have so many lusts in our lives. You mention the word lust and people tend to instantly think things of a sexual nature, but lusts do not pertain only to sexual aspects of our lives. You can lust after power, after money, after food, etcetera. When we walk after our own lusts we are living to our flesh nature, not our spiritual nature.
In the last days scoffers will live for their own lusts- unconcerned with others, unconcerned with being selfless but rather growing more and more selfish.
How much of our happiness is dependent upon things going our way? How much of our happiness is conditioned upon our selfish desires being met? How often we perceive our happiness being contingent upon selfish gain even going so far as to trick ourselves into believing our selfish desires are not really selfish at all but rather normal expectations from life. When we convinced ourselves that our desires are natural, normal, expected, common to all then we set ourselves up, trapping ourselves in a corner because then we've conditioned our happiness upon those accepted expectations. So naturally when we don't obtain those things we believe we are unlucky, unblessed, failures at even the most basic expectations out of life.
Jesus had it so right when He said this--
Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
We have to set aside EVERY single expectation of the offerings in this world! Because those expectations can so easily become selfish lusts that we seek instead of seeking heavenly things. Instead of putting our treasures in heaven we've placed them on earth and they are ALL corruptible, they are ALL in danger of being taken from us. Only our heavenly treasures are secure.
We cannot be scoffers, walking after our own lusts, we simply cannot be those who are scoffing because they will NOT be saved, because they are NOT truly Gods.
More tomorrow by the grace of our Lord and Savior.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Allure to the lusts of the flesh
2Pe 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
2Pe 2:16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
The story of Balaam-
Num 22:20 And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.
Num 22:21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.
Num 22:22 And GOD'S ANGER WAS KINDLED BECAUSE HE WENTand the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.
Num 22:23 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
Num 22:24 But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
Num 22:25 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
Num 22:26 And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
Num 22:27 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
Num 22:28 And the LORD OPENED THE MOUTH OF THE ASS, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
Num 22:29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
Num 22:30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.
Num 22:31 Then the LORD OPENED THE EYES OF BALAAM AND HE SAW THE ANGEL OF THE LORD STANDING IN THE WAY and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
Num 22:32 And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because THY WAY IS PERVERSE BEFORE ME
Num 22:33 And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.
Num 22:34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.
Num 22:35 And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
Num 22:36 And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast.
Num 22:37 And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour?
Num 22:38 And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.
Num 22:39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjathhuzoth.
Num 22:40 And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.
Num 22:41 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people.
2Pe 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
2Pe 2:16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
The way of Balaam- rebellion against God.
Balaam REBUKED for his SIN.
The MADNESS of the prophet- the dumb ass PROTECTED Balaam, God put an ANGEL with a sword in the way of Balaam as Balaam disobeyed. Balaam was REBUKED for his iniquity! So many disobey! WE all disobey! It is only by the grace of God that we have any hope at all.
2Pe 2:17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
Wells- holding NO WATER.
Clouds- carried with a TEMPEST.
Empty, weightless beings, mindless, thoughtless, GODLESS people!
2Pe 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
There IS AN ESCAPE!
JESUS CHRIST our Lord and Savior is and always has been our ESCAPE!
2Pe 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
Those who CHOOSE God are God's and saved by God, promised freedom IN GOD.
Those who do not choose God serve Satan- they are servants of corruption.
2Pe 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
AND IF after people escape the corruption they return to it and are overcome by it- they lose all hope, all faith and in their lost state they are worse off than ever having known salvation and then rejected it!
2Pe 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
Better NOT to have known the ways of God, the ways of HIS righteousness.
Once we know the ways of Christ's righteousness we are completely lost if we do NOT follow those ways. We CANNOT turn from the HOLY COMMANDMENTS delivered to us! If we turn from them we are lost, lost, lost!
2Pe 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
The dog, the sow… they are mindless animals and we too are like mindless animals when we refuse the ways of our LORD, the spiritual ways and go instead after the flesh.
We CANNOT live for the flesh!
We must live for GOD!
Please LORD help us to LIVE for YOU and not ourselves, not for our flesh natures, not for our flesh lusts!
Help us Lord! Please!
2Pe 2:16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
The story of Balaam-
Num 22:20 And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.
Num 22:21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.
Num 22:22 And GOD'S ANGER WAS KINDLED BECAUSE HE WENTand the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.
Num 22:23 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
Num 22:24 But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
Num 22:25 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
Num 22:26 And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
Num 22:27 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
Num 22:28 And the LORD OPENED THE MOUTH OF THE ASS, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
Num 22:29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
Num 22:30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.
Num 22:31 Then the LORD OPENED THE EYES OF BALAAM AND HE SAW THE ANGEL OF THE LORD STANDING IN THE WAY and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
Num 22:32 And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because THY WAY IS PERVERSE BEFORE ME
Num 22:33 And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.
Num 22:34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.
Num 22:35 And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
Num 22:36 And when Balak heard that Balaam was come, he went out to meet him unto a city of Moab, which is in the border of Arnon, which is in the utmost coast.
Num 22:37 And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? wherefore camest thou not unto me? am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour?
Num 22:38 And Balaam said unto Balak, Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.
Num 22:39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came unto Kirjathhuzoth.
Num 22:40 And Balak offered oxen and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes that were with him.
Num 22:41 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people.
2Pe 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
2Pe 2:16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
The way of Balaam- rebellion against God.
Balaam REBUKED for his SIN.
The MADNESS of the prophet- the dumb ass PROTECTED Balaam, God put an ANGEL with a sword in the way of Balaam as Balaam disobeyed. Balaam was REBUKED for his iniquity! So many disobey! WE all disobey! It is only by the grace of God that we have any hope at all.
2Pe 2:17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
Wells- holding NO WATER.
Clouds- carried with a TEMPEST.
Empty, weightless beings, mindless, thoughtless, GODLESS people!
2Pe 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
There IS AN ESCAPE!
JESUS CHRIST our Lord and Savior is and always has been our ESCAPE!
2Pe 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
Those who CHOOSE God are God's and saved by God, promised freedom IN GOD.
Those who do not choose God serve Satan- they are servants of corruption.
2Pe 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
AND IF after people escape the corruption they return to it and are overcome by it- they lose all hope, all faith and in their lost state they are worse off than ever having known salvation and then rejected it!
2Pe 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
Better NOT to have known the ways of God, the ways of HIS righteousness.
Once we know the ways of Christ's righteousness we are completely lost if we do NOT follow those ways. We CANNOT turn from the HOLY COMMANDMENTS delivered to us! If we turn from them we are lost, lost, lost!
2Pe 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
The dog, the sow… they are mindless animals and we too are like mindless animals when we refuse the ways of our LORD, the spiritual ways and go instead after the flesh.
We CANNOT live for the flesh!
We must live for GOD!
Please LORD help us to LIVE for YOU and not ourselves, not for our flesh natures, not for our flesh lusts!
Help us Lord! Please!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Walking after the flesh
2Pe 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
2Pe 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
Those who WALK - those who LIVE after the flesh. These are the people who are NOT living for their spiritual life, the life that Jesus lived for. Jesus did NOT live for the flesh. Jesus preached the coming of the kingdom of heaven- His gift of salvation to mankind. Jesus taught WE are to live for the kingdom of heaven just as He lived. We are NOT to live to our flesh even though we are prone to do so, even though the natural man has to fight against what is natural to him. We are to CHOOSE our Savior over all.
Those who choose the flesh will live to their lusts that are unclean- filthy with sin. They will despise any control over themselves thinking they have to answer to NO ONE, not even the common laws of the land. They presume much, they are guided only by themselves, they are NOT afraid to speak evil of glory, of goodness, of honor, of praise, of worship. They WILL speak evil of all that is Godly and they fear NO retribution.
There are many, many people who do this, so very, very many. It's a tragedy, it's heartbreaking, it's appalling. So very many people are living only to the flesh without any thought at all of things Godly, of things spiritual.
2Pe 2:11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
Angels- GREATER IN POWER.
Angels-GREATER IN MIGHT.
Angels don't bring railing accusations why?
God knows all that we do, every last action we commit, every last thought we think, God KNOWS.
2Pe 2:12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
These evil ones only deserve to be taken and kill, yet they are allowed to live and they speak EVIL of things they can't even understand. The evil will UTTERLY perish in their OWN CORRUPTION! The evil are NOT kill without reason. Their own corruption will kill them. Those who CHOOSE self over GOD will die because they are choosing flesh over spirit.
2Pe 2:13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
They think it pleasing to riot.
They are filled with their own deception even as they feast with us!
2Pe 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
They are filled with betrayal.
They cannot stop sinning!
They trick those who are weak.
They are overflowing with covetousness, selfishness in all they do!
2Pe 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness
They are LOST!
They have gone astray!
They follow EVIL ways.
They LOVE the results of their unrighteousness!
Balaam-
Balaam (Hebrew: בִּלְעָם, Standard Bilʻam Tiberian Bilʻām) is a diviner in the Torah, his story occurring towards the end of the Book of Numbers. The etymology of his name is uncertain, and discussed below. Every ancient reference to Balaam considers him a non-Israelite, a prophet, and the son of Beor, though Beor is not so clearly identified. Though other sources describe the apparently positive blessings he delivers upon the Israelites, he is reviled as a "wicked man" [1] in the major story concerning him. Balaam attempted to curse God's people. He failed all three tries, each time producing blessings, not curses (Numbers 22-24). Balaam's error and the source of his wickedness came not from the curses he never delivered on, but from sabotaging the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land. According to Numbers 31:16 and St. John (Revelation 2:14), Balaam returned to King Balak and informed the king on how to get the Israelites to curse themselves by enticing them with prostitutes and unclean food sacrificed to idols. The Israelites fell into transgression due to these traps and YHVH sent a deadly plague to them as a result (Numbers 31:16).
Pasted from
Following after the way of Balaam- WHO LOVE UNRIGHTEOUSNESS!
More on this tomorrow…. all by the grace of God.
2Pe 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
Those who WALK - those who LIVE after the flesh. These are the people who are NOT living for their spiritual life, the life that Jesus lived for. Jesus did NOT live for the flesh. Jesus preached the coming of the kingdom of heaven- His gift of salvation to mankind. Jesus taught WE are to live for the kingdom of heaven just as He lived. We are NOT to live to our flesh even though we are prone to do so, even though the natural man has to fight against what is natural to him. We are to CHOOSE our Savior over all.
Those who choose the flesh will live to their lusts that are unclean- filthy with sin. They will despise any control over themselves thinking they have to answer to NO ONE, not even the common laws of the land. They presume much, they are guided only by themselves, they are NOT afraid to speak evil of glory, of goodness, of honor, of praise, of worship. They WILL speak evil of all that is Godly and they fear NO retribution.
There are many, many people who do this, so very, very many. It's a tragedy, it's heartbreaking, it's appalling. So very many people are living only to the flesh without any thought at all of things Godly, of things spiritual.
2Pe 2:11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
Angels- GREATER IN POWER.
Angels-GREATER IN MIGHT.
Angels don't bring railing accusations why?
God knows all that we do, every last action we commit, every last thought we think, God KNOWS.
2Pe 2:12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
These evil ones only deserve to be taken and kill, yet they are allowed to live and they speak EVIL of things they can't even understand. The evil will UTTERLY perish in their OWN CORRUPTION! The evil are NOT kill without reason. Their own corruption will kill them. Those who CHOOSE self over GOD will die because they are choosing flesh over spirit.
2Pe 2:13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
They think it pleasing to riot.
They are filled with their own deception even as they feast with us!
2Pe 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
They are filled with betrayal.
They cannot stop sinning!
They trick those who are weak.
They are overflowing with covetousness, selfishness in all they do!
2Pe 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness
They are LOST!
They have gone astray!
They follow EVIL ways.
They LOVE the results of their unrighteousness!
Balaam-
Balaam (Hebrew: בִּלְעָם, Standard Bilʻam Tiberian Bilʻām) is a diviner in the Torah, his story occurring towards the end of the Book of Numbers. The etymology of his name is uncertain, and discussed below. Every ancient reference to Balaam considers him a non-Israelite, a prophet, and the son of Beor, though Beor is not so clearly identified. Though other sources describe the apparently positive blessings he delivers upon the Israelites, he is reviled as a "wicked man" [1] in the major story concerning him. Balaam attempted to curse God's people. He failed all three tries, each time producing blessings, not curses (Numbers 22-24). Balaam's error and the source of his wickedness came not from the curses he never delivered on, but from sabotaging the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land. According to Numbers 31:16 and St. John (Revelation 2:14), Balaam returned to King Balak and informed the king on how to get the Israelites to curse themselves by enticing them with prostitutes and unclean food sacrificed to idols. The Israelites fell into transgression due to these traps and YHVH sent a deadly plague to them as a result (Numbers 31:16).
Pasted from
Following after the way of Balaam- WHO LOVE UNRIGHTEOUSNESS!
More on this tomorrow…. all by the grace of God.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
The Lord delivers the godly out of temptations
2Pe 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment--
Angels that sinned.
Angels cast into the grave.
Angels delivered into chains of darkness- the darkness of the grave.
Angels reserved in that grave of darkness until they are judged.
Angels.
Angels - beings created before mankind.
Mankind in fact was created a little LOWER than the angels.
Psa 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
Psa 8:5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
Heb 2:6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?
Heb 2:7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands
Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Angels, made higher than man.
Angels who have no ties to flesh even if they can appear in what seems like flesh.
Angels who also were created with the power of choice.
1/3 of the angels decided to no longer love their maker and as a result they were cast from heaven.
Some of the angels sinned horrifically and these angels were bound to the darkness of the grave until- judgment.
God is NOT sparing the angels that sin against Him, why in the world would we even imagine that He would spare us who sin against Him?
2Pe 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly
God created a wonderful world and man sinned, yet God did NOT destroy man because of their rebellion. God gave mankind a chance and mankind took that chance and threw it away letting evil grow and grow unchecked until it filled the earth and only EIGHT people were saved, Noah a lone preacher of righteousness in a world of sin. God did NOT spare mankind then and He will NOT spare it again.
2Pe 2:6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
2Pe 2:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
2Pe 2:8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
And mankind being allowed to live and not being destroyed completely multiplied and again sin reigned and there was a city so exceedingly sinfilled that God had to destroy it- Sodom and Gomorrah. Only LOT and his two daughters were spared, his wife perishing because her heart was back in the city of sin. Lot- righteous- lived among the evil ones and day after day he was tortured mentally, emotionally by their evil. God did NOT spare that city. Yet we believe that we will ALL be spared.
2Pe 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished
This IS truth!
The LORD delivers the GODLY OUT of TEMPTATIONS.
The LORD reserves the UNJUST UNTO THE DAY O JUDGEMENTS to be punished.
The unjust humans and the unjust angels are all being reserved to receive their punishments.
We have HOPE in our SAVIOR.
We have HOPE knowing that the LORD DELIVERS the GODLY OUT of TEMPTATIONS!
Please Lord, deliver US! Please Lord, please!
Angels that sinned.
Angels cast into the grave.
Angels delivered into chains of darkness- the darkness of the grave.
Angels reserved in that grave of darkness until they are judged.
Angels.
Angels - beings created before mankind.
Mankind in fact was created a little LOWER than the angels.
Psa 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
Psa 8:5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
Heb 2:6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?
Heb 2:7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands
Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Angels, made higher than man.
Angels who have no ties to flesh even if they can appear in what seems like flesh.
Angels who also were created with the power of choice.
1/3 of the angels decided to no longer love their maker and as a result they were cast from heaven.
Some of the angels sinned horrifically and these angels were bound to the darkness of the grave until- judgment.
God is NOT sparing the angels that sin against Him, why in the world would we even imagine that He would spare us who sin against Him?
2Pe 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly
God created a wonderful world and man sinned, yet God did NOT destroy man because of their rebellion. God gave mankind a chance and mankind took that chance and threw it away letting evil grow and grow unchecked until it filled the earth and only EIGHT people were saved, Noah a lone preacher of righteousness in a world of sin. God did NOT spare mankind then and He will NOT spare it again.
2Pe 2:6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
2Pe 2:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
2Pe 2:8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
And mankind being allowed to live and not being destroyed completely multiplied and again sin reigned and there was a city so exceedingly sinfilled that God had to destroy it- Sodom and Gomorrah. Only LOT and his two daughters were spared, his wife perishing because her heart was back in the city of sin. Lot- righteous- lived among the evil ones and day after day he was tortured mentally, emotionally by their evil. God did NOT spare that city. Yet we believe that we will ALL be spared.
2Pe 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished
This IS truth!
The LORD delivers the GODLY OUT of TEMPTATIONS.
The LORD reserves the UNJUST UNTO THE DAY O JUDGEMENTS to be punished.
The unjust humans and the unjust angels are all being reserved to receive their punishments.
We have HOPE in our SAVIOR.
We have HOPE knowing that the LORD DELIVERS the GODLY OUT of TEMPTATIONS!
Please Lord, deliver US! Please Lord, please!
Monday, March 5, 2012
The false among us
2Pe 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2Pe 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
2Pe 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
There are FALSE prophets.
To every truth there is a lie.
To every teller of truth there is a liar.
To every genuine prophet there is a false prophet.
False prophets telling false prophecies.
These false prophets and false teachers are everywhere and they're spreading their untruths- their DAMNABLE heresies! They are denying the LORD that brought the news of salvation to them! They are bringing destruction upon themselves and all who follow them.
MANY will follow their PERNICIOUS ways.
Definitions of pernicious-
1. causing insidious harm or ruin; ruinous; injurious; hurtful: pernicious teachings; a pernicious lie.
2.
deadly; fatal: a pernicious disease.
3.
Obsolete . evil; wicked.
Pasted from
Evil- wicked ways- many are going to follow these false prophets, these false teachers. What these people think they are hearing is truth but it will only be lies! People feeding lies to others lies that will cost them their eternal life. Will the fooled people be held accountable? Yes. Because we have a way to the truth! The truth is available to all who seek it! Those who let themselves be deceived will not be as guilty as the deceivers but the punishment for all sin is death. That lake of fire where all sinners will burn -will burn hotter and longer for some more than others. We are guilty of letting ourselves be deceived by others, we MUST seek the truth! We have to find the truth! We must listen to God's true prophets! We must listen to true prophecies!
No one wants to be deceived, yet Satan's deceivers lie so subtly many will be deceived, all but the VERY ELECT.
I pray to our LOVING MERCIFUL GOD that we are among those who are the ELECT!
Please LORD don't let us be among the deceived. Let us listen to your prophets, your TRUE prophets.
In Your amazing LOVE!
Amen.
2Pe 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
2Pe 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
There are FALSE prophets.
To every truth there is a lie.
To every teller of truth there is a liar.
To every genuine prophet there is a false prophet.
False prophets telling false prophecies.
These false prophets and false teachers are everywhere and they're spreading their untruths- their DAMNABLE heresies! They are denying the LORD that brought the news of salvation to them! They are bringing destruction upon themselves and all who follow them.
MANY will follow their PERNICIOUS ways.
Definitions of pernicious-
1. causing insidious harm or ruin; ruinous; injurious; hurtful: pernicious teachings; a pernicious lie.
2.
deadly; fatal: a pernicious disease.
3.
Obsolete . evil; wicked.
Pasted from
Evil- wicked ways- many are going to follow these false prophets, these false teachers. What these people think they are hearing is truth but it will only be lies! People feeding lies to others lies that will cost them their eternal life. Will the fooled people be held accountable? Yes. Because we have a way to the truth! The truth is available to all who seek it! Those who let themselves be deceived will not be as guilty as the deceivers but the punishment for all sin is death. That lake of fire where all sinners will burn -will burn hotter and longer for some more than others. We are guilty of letting ourselves be deceived by others, we MUST seek the truth! We have to find the truth! We must listen to God's true prophets! We must listen to true prophecies!
No one wants to be deceived, yet Satan's deceivers lie so subtly many will be deceived, all but the VERY ELECT.
I pray to our LOVING MERCIFUL GOD that we are among those who are the ELECT!
Please LORD don't let us be among the deceived. Let us listen to your prophets, your TRUE prophets.
In Your amazing LOVE!
Amen.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Take heed...
2Pe 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2Pe 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
I know we touched on this yesterday, but I feel compelled to touch on it a bit more.
Prophecy.
Definition- pertaining to a foreteller . Foretelling. It's telling something in advance of it's occurring. God allows people to foretell the future for a reason. The Holy Spirit guides human beings by giving them visions, night visions, and so forth.
Prophets - 'inspired man'
Men inspired by God.
2Pe 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost
Moved by the Holy Ghost.
The need for prophecy? A revealing of the future gives us PROOF that the revealer has power. Right? Any prophet of God would NOT take credit for the prophesying, they would give GOD all the glory. God is the REVEALER, not the person being used by the Lord, the person inspired by God through the Holy Spirit.
We have a MORE sure word of PROPHECY.
Where WE do WELL if WE take HEED!
Prophecy is like a LIGHT shining in the darkness!
Prophecy is like a light in the NIGHT shining until the day dawns!
Prophecy is like a light shining in the night until JESUS arises in our HEARTS!
So is prophecy important?
We are told we do well when we listen to prophecy.
We are told we will have light in the darkness. Meaning if we don't have this light we are LEFT in the dark! If we are left in the dark then we are lost! This is how important prophecy is to our LORD, to US!
We NEED light to shine in the darkness around us!
We NEED JESUS to arise in our hearts!
This is through prophecy, through the sure word of God. We HAVE to trust in our Lord, we have to believe in HIM, we have to study HIS word and we HAVE to STUDY - to TAKE HEED to PROPHECY! This is real! This isn't something for people long ago, this applies to US right now. In fact we can know even with more surety that God's prophecies are true, they've all come to pass as He has said they would, and those that have yet to come to pass WILL come to pass without a doubt!
We've studied prophecy in the past and we will study it in the future all by the GRACE of God!
Let us TAKE HEED!
Let us get out of the DARKNESS!
Let the DAY STAR ARISE IN OUR HEARTS!
Please Lord, please!
Through Your love!
2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2Pe 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
I know we touched on this yesterday, but I feel compelled to touch on it a bit more.
Prophecy.
Definition- pertaining to a foreteller . Foretelling. It's telling something in advance of it's occurring. God allows people to foretell the future for a reason. The Holy Spirit guides human beings by giving them visions, night visions, and so forth.
Prophets - 'inspired man'
Men inspired by God.
2Pe 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost
Moved by the Holy Ghost.
The need for prophecy? A revealing of the future gives us PROOF that the revealer has power. Right? Any prophet of God would NOT take credit for the prophesying, they would give GOD all the glory. God is the REVEALER, not the person being used by the Lord, the person inspired by God through the Holy Spirit.
We have a MORE sure word of PROPHECY.
Where WE do WELL if WE take HEED!
Prophecy is like a LIGHT shining in the darkness!
Prophecy is like a light in the NIGHT shining until the day dawns!
Prophecy is like a light shining in the night until JESUS arises in our HEARTS!
So is prophecy important?
We are told we do well when we listen to prophecy.
We are told we will have light in the darkness. Meaning if we don't have this light we are LEFT in the dark! If we are left in the dark then we are lost! This is how important prophecy is to our LORD, to US!
We NEED light to shine in the darkness around us!
We NEED JESUS to arise in our hearts!
This is through prophecy, through the sure word of God. We HAVE to trust in our Lord, we have to believe in HIM, we have to study HIS word and we HAVE to STUDY - to TAKE HEED to PROPHECY! This is real! This isn't something for people long ago, this applies to US right now. In fact we can know even with more surety that God's prophecies are true, they've all come to pass as He has said they would, and those that have yet to come to pass WILL come to pass without a doubt!
We've studied prophecy in the past and we will study it in the future all by the GRACE of God!
Let us TAKE HEED!
Let us get out of the DARKNESS!
Let the DAY STAR ARISE IN OUR HEARTS!
Please Lord, please!
Through Your love!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
We have NOT followed cunningly devised fables
2Pe 1:13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
2Pe 1:14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
We can only teach and encourage others while we are alive. Too many believe that they can converse with the dead, not realizing that every dead person they are conversing with is in fact a part of Satan's army of evil spirits. People don't want to hear that, in fact they'll outright dismiss the very thought. The ones they've conversed with have been sweet, kind spirits of loved ones who knew things only they could know and none other. People tend to forget our deepest secrets are known to those in the spirit realm- to God, to angels- good and evil. At our every turn there are those paying attention to our lives ready at any moment to deceive us. If a visitation from a dead loved one can convince us that we don't really die but just move on then the mission of Satan has been accomplished.
Peter would have ALL understand the messages he is giving them, so much so he wants to stir the people up so they'll remember all that he's telling them. He knows his own end is near and he wants all those that look to him - to receive God's word through him as through all the disciples- and he wants them to REMEMBER.
2Pe 1:15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
He want them to remember! He wants us to remember! We are being told to REMEMBER the truths being given, and what truths they are. They don't talk of a stagnant life spent cowering and hidden from life, but rather a life of growth into the being that God would have us be in our SAVIOR. It's a constant growth, a constant adding to our faith. It's a realization that we will have many obstacles thrown at us. It's a knowing that we ourselves can put obstacles in our way by ceasing to GROW in Christ.
2Pe 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
NO cunningly devised fables. Even in Peter's time, even during the time immediately following our Savior's ministry and death, and rising, there were those who loved to say that everything was just a fable, cunningly devised, but nevertheless just a fable told to make fools of those who believe in them.
Today this very same accusation is ringing loud and clean in our world. People claiming loudly and with great conviction that what we believe is truly nothing more than a fable, a great fable that men have used to dupe people throughout the ages to make fools of them.
The truth, the REAL truth is that there are NO cunningly devised fables here, NONE, not ONE. The truth is just too hard for people to believe because it calls for a life spent living towards selflessness and not selfishness. People love living for themselves and possibly the immediate extensions of themselves more than they love the idea of living for strangers, for their enemies whom they are suppose to love.
Peter and other apostles WITNESSED the truth of our SAVIOR'S majesty!
2Pe 1:17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
2Pe 1:18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
They were there! They heard firsthand! And they have no reason to lie, none. What did they gain by telling the truth? They gained torture and death. They were NOT set up in earthly mansions and given a life of ease and pleasure. They were abused constantly. If it were all lies what were they lying for? Glory? They receive precious LITTLE glory and honor here on earth. Movies and books like to portray them as being revered in great numbers but the truth is they were hunted, wanted men whose audiences weren't huge crowds of adoring fans. They had nothing to gain upon earth for their endeavors, nothing. Not a single Apostle went on to live a life of luxury. Today we are NOT promised a life of ease here, we are NOT promised luxuries and adoration from others. We are told when we decide to make Christ our Lord and Savior that the life we'll lead will be a very hard one and we too can face all the same obstacles that the Apostles faced- a life of ridicule and abuse.
2Pe 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2Pe 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
We must take heed to PROPHECY- because PROPHECY is a light shining in darkness, a guiding light that will lead us right to the end when our SAVIOR returns.
We can't make up what we want out of prophecy. We can't take those prophecies and put meanings where we want them to be so that we are creating stories that are far from the truth. GOD gave those prophecies to mankind, God spoke through those men through the Holy Ghost. These weren't tall tales told to people, but truths - future happenstances. These truths were given to them and to us so that we would take heed- so that we would pay attention and know what would come to pass. Throughout the years SO incredibly many prophecies have come to pass there is no way to doubt the truth, none and yet people do.
We are given admonitions and it is up to us to heed those warnings. We make the choices to listen or to close our ears. We make the choice to see or to remain blind. We are not forced to the truth because a forcing of the truth takes away the truth altogether.
Is anyone who is forced to LOVE someone truly in love with that person? No. Of course there are a lot of tales about those who are forced to love someone falling in love with them over time, but that is fairy tale stuff in a lot of those cases. Forced love is NOT love. In fact it sounds impossible to force love doesn't it? You have to ask how can you be forced to love someone? You can be tortured until you admit to love. You say that's a false love only brought about by coercion and just words mouthed without any truth to them. I agree. Forcing LOVE by loves very nature is impossible. And truth is God's love and none of us is forced to the truth, just as forcing love is ultimately impossible, so is forcing a belief in the truth of God.
The truth exists and is there for our acceptance or rejection, we choose, no one else chooses for us.
By the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior may we accept the truth of God, His love in all thing, always!
Amen.
2Pe 1:14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
We can only teach and encourage others while we are alive. Too many believe that they can converse with the dead, not realizing that every dead person they are conversing with is in fact a part of Satan's army of evil spirits. People don't want to hear that, in fact they'll outright dismiss the very thought. The ones they've conversed with have been sweet, kind spirits of loved ones who knew things only they could know and none other. People tend to forget our deepest secrets are known to those in the spirit realm- to God, to angels- good and evil. At our every turn there are those paying attention to our lives ready at any moment to deceive us. If a visitation from a dead loved one can convince us that we don't really die but just move on then the mission of Satan has been accomplished.
Peter would have ALL understand the messages he is giving them, so much so he wants to stir the people up so they'll remember all that he's telling them. He knows his own end is near and he wants all those that look to him - to receive God's word through him as through all the disciples- and he wants them to REMEMBER.
2Pe 1:15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
He want them to remember! He wants us to remember! We are being told to REMEMBER the truths being given, and what truths they are. They don't talk of a stagnant life spent cowering and hidden from life, but rather a life of growth into the being that God would have us be in our SAVIOR. It's a constant growth, a constant adding to our faith. It's a realization that we will have many obstacles thrown at us. It's a knowing that we ourselves can put obstacles in our way by ceasing to GROW in Christ.
2Pe 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
NO cunningly devised fables. Even in Peter's time, even during the time immediately following our Savior's ministry and death, and rising, there were those who loved to say that everything was just a fable, cunningly devised, but nevertheless just a fable told to make fools of those who believe in them.
Today this very same accusation is ringing loud and clean in our world. People claiming loudly and with great conviction that what we believe is truly nothing more than a fable, a great fable that men have used to dupe people throughout the ages to make fools of them.
The truth, the REAL truth is that there are NO cunningly devised fables here, NONE, not ONE. The truth is just too hard for people to believe because it calls for a life spent living towards selflessness and not selfishness. People love living for themselves and possibly the immediate extensions of themselves more than they love the idea of living for strangers, for their enemies whom they are suppose to love.
Peter and other apostles WITNESSED the truth of our SAVIOR'S majesty!
2Pe 1:17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
2Pe 1:18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
They were there! They heard firsthand! And they have no reason to lie, none. What did they gain by telling the truth? They gained torture and death. They were NOT set up in earthly mansions and given a life of ease and pleasure. They were abused constantly. If it were all lies what were they lying for? Glory? They receive precious LITTLE glory and honor here on earth. Movies and books like to portray them as being revered in great numbers but the truth is they were hunted, wanted men whose audiences weren't huge crowds of adoring fans. They had nothing to gain upon earth for their endeavors, nothing. Not a single Apostle went on to live a life of luxury. Today we are NOT promised a life of ease here, we are NOT promised luxuries and adoration from others. We are told when we decide to make Christ our Lord and Savior that the life we'll lead will be a very hard one and we too can face all the same obstacles that the Apostles faced- a life of ridicule and abuse.
2Pe 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2Pe 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
We must take heed to PROPHECY- because PROPHECY is a light shining in darkness, a guiding light that will lead us right to the end when our SAVIOR returns.
We can't make up what we want out of prophecy. We can't take those prophecies and put meanings where we want them to be so that we are creating stories that are far from the truth. GOD gave those prophecies to mankind, God spoke through those men through the Holy Ghost. These weren't tall tales told to people, but truths - future happenstances. These truths were given to them and to us so that we would take heed- so that we would pay attention and know what would come to pass. Throughout the years SO incredibly many prophecies have come to pass there is no way to doubt the truth, none and yet people do.
We are given admonitions and it is up to us to heed those warnings. We make the choices to listen or to close our ears. We make the choice to see or to remain blind. We are not forced to the truth because a forcing of the truth takes away the truth altogether.
Is anyone who is forced to LOVE someone truly in love with that person? No. Of course there are a lot of tales about those who are forced to love someone falling in love with them over time, but that is fairy tale stuff in a lot of those cases. Forced love is NOT love. In fact it sounds impossible to force love doesn't it? You have to ask how can you be forced to love someone? You can be tortured until you admit to love. You say that's a false love only brought about by coercion and just words mouthed without any truth to them. I agree. Forcing LOVE by loves very nature is impossible. And truth is God's love and none of us is forced to the truth, just as forcing love is ultimately impossible, so is forcing a belief in the truth of God.
The truth exists and is there for our acceptance or rejection, we choose, no one else chooses for us.
By the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior may we accept the truth of God, His love in all thing, always!
Amen.
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