This Blog contains some of my thoughts, beliefs, experiences, and especially what I've learned from the Holy Scriptures. --------------------- "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." - Psalms 119:18 ---------------
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
In Remembrance Of Me
Saturday, April 18, 2020
Our God Works Miracles: The Power In Jesus Christ
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
What Times Are These: Suffering And Looking To The Father
What times are these in which we live? Who among us saw these things coming? A disease spreading and perhaps 40 percent of the world temporarily shutting down?
Thursday, September 26, 2019
The Devil's Lie
Greetings everyone!
Too many posts I have here in various stages of drafts! So I shall attempt to begin completing and publishing them. I cannot believe how quickly the time has past, and all that I have learned and experienced. It is time to begin reflecting more of that and other things in writing here! It feels to me but a short time since I posted here, though I know its over 3 years as time measures.
So here goes a post I had begun writing years ago and finally completed now.
The Devil's Lie
His first specific and documented lie was when he told the woman that she would not die from eating from the tree from which God said they were forbidden from eating. It was a lie because he contradicted God, saying that they would not die, when God said they would, and the devil was incorrect (Genesis chapter 3). Note that the devil may not have actually lied with his words. What he did was far more tricky and similar in fact to what he still does to us today. The Devil placed a doubt, leading to first disbelief and then disobedience.
His general lie is less specific and is not quoted from a particular verse.
But as we study the scriptures we can figure out lies the devil tells. His general lie is a pattern that we can see. When men disobey God they are believing the devil's lie through their actions. They believe the devil's lie that "they can do what they want," and most often, this is better expressed by "they believe they can do what they want while avoiding God's promised consequences." Essentially they believe the devil's lie that God is lying.
Interestingly, failure to believe in God at all also falls under the category of the lie that "they can do what they want" they think they can do what they want and so they disbelieve God. Believing the devils lie that they can do what they want to is the category of all disobedience of commands and teachings. Adding to and taking away from Scripture is also an example of this. Trying to fit worldly teachings into the scripture is another way of calling God a liar. This is common in churches today by proffessed Christians who somehow have no idea what the Bible teaches, much less what it even says.
In fact, all the devils lies come back to this one lie.
In the devils first lie above, the woman and man sinned by believing the devils lie that they can do what they want. At the same time, it could be said that it is unbelief in God, and/or disobedience to God.
Another lie people believe is that they aren't good enough to work for God. But this very belief is also accepting the devil's lie. God commands and teaches many things in the Holy scriptures. He never says that anyone isnt "good enough" to follow him. In fact, no one is "good enough" that's the very reason we need him. Logically it's silly as well. The very idea that someone failing to follow God's teachings in one thing is free from following God's teachings in other things is illogical. This all is a devils lie. We are not saved through obedience to God's teachings, neither are we made more useful for his kingdom by what appear outwardly as acts of obedience. We are saved by Grace through Faith and it is by Faith and him in us that we do all things of value. Granted faith will produce good works (Ephesians 2, James 2, Galatians 2:16). But good works alone are not justification. Dangerously, good works without faith are a stumbling block to justification.
Often I am afraid, it is being too obedient to false ideas of what God is and wants that keeps us from serving him. (Luke 18:9-14)
Always, if you know the good God wants you to do, then do it (James 4:17).
Psalm 50:23
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Lessons From Want And Luxury, Their Vanity And Giving And The Gospel
I have observed in this life that those who have more material wealth in this world and those who have less are most often neither living a better life or a worse life than the other. Those who have more tend to worry more about what they have. Those who have physical comfort often dull their mind. Those who have luxury have distraction and greater temptations. In no way does the ownership of material goods make one live a better life, as long as their basic needs are met.
Amen.
Monday, June 6, 2016
Prayer Power: What Do You Want?
1. While on vacation at the beach for a week last year I prayed that I would not get sunburnt (I usually do at least a little). God answered my prayer by...surprise! Cloudy almost everyday. Even got to experience swimming in the ocean in the rain, something I'd never done before, and it was fun. I wasn't about to let the clouds and rain ruin my vacation.
2. Prayed to loose weight. ....And I did, because I became sick for a whole month...at times I couldn't eat or keep down food. But I lost the weight I wanted to loose and I didn't miss any work so it was all good. Never did find out what was wrong with me, never went to the doctor, but that was about 9 months ago now and I've been healthy since (and still without the extra weight).
3. Prayed for safety while driving. All these years. All these miles. I have no doubt in my mind that the daily prayers for safe travels have kept me safe. At least twice this year and many times more in the last couple I have had many close encounters with ice or deer or falling asleep on the road. Twice recently at night, driving 75 MPH there was a deer directly in front of me on the road..just standing there. I saw it both times and swerved just in time to avoid a collision.
4. The Mimosa tree. At my parents house growing up we always (or at least often) had little mimosa trees that would grow up as "weeds" in the driveway or the garden. I always liked them and their light and touch sensitive leaves and when I moved to my own house I prayed that a mimosa tree would grow up at my house. And...one did...unfortunately at a location considered bad by some. But nevertheless it is there and it is beautiful, right by my porch steps. I've always liked plants.
5. Oh...this one goes back quite awhile. But it is very important. And one of those things I haven't shared for years because I'm not sure how people will take it.
The pastor at the church I usually attended stopped preaching good sermons. Something was wrong. He would rarely preach about anything except the end of the world. Which is fine, because it is certainly getting closer, but all that he would talk about was "the rapture" which was really annoying and unedifying. Annoying because I disagreed with his "theory" of a pretribulation rapture, and unedifying because he never talked about anything else. So I began praying hard for his preaching to improve and for him to really get into the word and preach true and useful lessons like he used to. Then he almost died. He fell down a flight of steps and was discovered sometime later. I believe he had a stroke also. He was in a nursing home for months and had to go through rehabilitation...and we didn't know then if he was going to ever be back. But we prayed much for him. He came back! And since then has preached good messages every Sunday.
So these experiences are being shared primarily for two reasons. First, as a testimony that God answers prayers. Second, as an example of how God does not answer our prayers in the same manner that we necessarily intend, and that in order to answer prayers certain events must take place. God uses people and events to create changes in our life experiences....thus effecting and creating physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual adjustments to each person which bring about the answers to our prayers. For example, when I prayed not to get sunburnt, God didn't just surround me with a magical force field...he sent clouds to block the sun. When God helped me loose weight he sent sickness....so I could not over eat. So when we pray a prayer desiring a change in our life...we must be accepting to the fact that a change requires a change. Fruit does not magically appear on a dead tree. We can't pray to be rich without expecting to work hard. We can't pray to do well on a test without expecting to study. We can't pray for a closer relationship with God without expecting to spend time alone with God in prayer and Bible Study. We can't expect God's power to work in us and through us if we do not have Faith and a willingness to take the time to strengthen our Faith. We can't expect our everyday life to reflect the values taught by God if we do not take the time to study His word and what it is that He teaches and desires us to be. (2 Timothy 2:15) We can't pray for someones life to be changed without expecting some type of major event to happen in their life which brings about that change. We can't pray to avoid a sin without learning to hate that sin. We can't pray for the garden to grow if we refuse to take time to water it. (Matthew 6:6,18, Isaiah 3:10, Luke 8:15)
God let us change the world for your Glory. Amen.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Beware: Tradition Acrostic
Rationalizing - we reason it away
Addicting - habit forming
Demoralizing - it makes us do things we normally wouldn't
Inescapable - people often can't get away from it
Tricky - tradition deceives
Ill conceived - tradition is illogical
Owned - you are owned (controlled) by tradition
Nullified - your faith is proved null and void
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." - Colossians 2:8
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Four Revelations: "Goodbye"
Monday, October 21, 2013
Prayers Of Protection Part II: The Will Of God Is Open
Friday, June 21, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Prayers Of Protection Part I: Power In Prayer
Much of the sin and maladies in the world whould not be if those claiming to be Christians took the Christian calling seriously and allowed it to permeate all aspects of their lives. By both failure in right action and failure in right thoughts, many perish and suffer needlessly. The priorities of professed Christians appear to be shuffled rather than placed in order.
We must take the time to insure right relationships with and godly growth in those whom we influence in all areas of our lives. There come times when those we know are making decisions and we are in a place to lead them either to Christ and his Word...or to the devil and his world. There are times when they are open to our influence and in need of our words and of our prayers. We must not wait till we think they need us, but we must provide the example or teaching at the opportune time, because it may be too late later. Later they may be closed to our influence. Later we may not be able to do anything. We must discern when is the right time and when the time has past. But if we see someone grow through their whole life and never do anything then woe unto us if we say we are leaving it in "God's hands." We are God's hands. At least we are called to be.
Death and life are wrought by the very words of our mouth. (Proverbs18:21) Thus we posses a power which is best not neglected. This is why also our prayers and prayer life are so important. This is why we must spend time alone with God, and time apart from this worldly society which loves pleasure more than God and entertainment more than wisdom and fantasy more than reality.
Never should our thoughts and prayers be so high elevated that our actions are considered irrelevant. No, rather our thoughts and prayers become our actions and our future. This is why we must spend time in prayer and have our thoughts rightly directed toward the word and will of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is why those who love the world, pleasures, entertainment, and fantasy more than God and his teachings do not merely have their priorities disorganized. They actually hate God, and toss him and righteousness aside because it is impossible for them to commune with the King of Glory when they love what he hates.
I came across some real gems (to me personally) when moving boxes of stuff from my basement to my shed. Some things I had written back in 2005-2006. I found a prayer I had written and marveled as I reflected on how God has answered it in the times that have elapsed since then.
Below is the prayer I penned in late 2005 or early 2006.
Almighty God thank you for all that you have done for me in my life. Help me to go and do throughout my life what you want me too. Help me to not limit myself or you by the expectations and false limits of the world, but God that only you would set limits and expectations in my life. Be with me as and when I study and take my finals, and when I start my new classes for the last half of 12th grade and when I go to college next fall. Help me to live as a true Christian and thank you that this is possible because of Jesus Christ. Lord let him be the way, the truth and the life for me. Help my car to run well until I have more money not too worry about it. But even then help me to remember what is important and not waste money on worldly possessions. Be with me and guide me always Lord, if I stray bring me gently but surely back to you. Amen.
I had not seen nor remembered this prayer over the past years, but I am able to see now how the Lord heard me. Everything in this prayer was answered by the Lord as far as I can ascertain. I believe this is an example of how the Lord hears, answers and blesses us as we ask him in faith.
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." - James 1:17
Monday, January 7, 2013
Love Man More Than God?
So often I desire to see people find peace. There are those who are hiding running, and turning from God, and they are restless, troubled, and without peace. I see people suffering and living through trying and difficult days and times as a direct result of their sins. I have known men who suffered through the day because they drank too much alcohol the night before. I know those who are poor and overworked because they committed fornication, having children out of wedlock for which they have neither time nor money to care for. (Worse yet, there are those who have murdered there own children, taking upon themselves the curse of shedding innocent blood. Worse yet are they who live in the enjoyment of their sin bearing the guilt of murder but with out shame or pain living in complete callousness to God and his coming judgment.) I know those who have nearly been and who are divorced because they have neglected their duties, misdirected their affections, and ordered their life and responsibilities in a fashion contrary to the plan of God as it is so clearly prescribed in his Holy Word. His Word which so few retain in their knowledge and much less do they obey it. These are common sins of so many and the fruit of their sin is ever before them as they reap it day after day. Yet they change not and their hearts are hardened. As we get to know some of these people we feel sorry for them, we wish to help them. We try to brighten their day and cheer them as they go their way. Those who love men more than God so often will do things which appear to help men but are in fact prohibited by God. When we love men more than God humanism becomes our God and we endorse not only Idolatry but we in essence reinvent Christianity and change it into a lie, a blasphemy, and an alternative to the only true Christianity - Biblical Christianity. We must remember that Christ associated with sinners and sought their salvation - but we must not forget that he also boldly spoke against hypocrisy and sin. We can observe from the scriptures that it was the lost sinner who received much grace, not the self-righteous hypocrites who mistakenly thought they knew God. Thus by the scriptural example we show more grace to those who never had much chance to learn the righteous way. We invite them to church, we speak of Biblical principles, and we treat them with respect. We desire for them to find the peace that is only available through our Lord Jesus Christ. That name above all names – who they know only as a swear word – or a distorted distant memory.
If only they would find Christ and his salvation and live in accordance with the word of God: then so many of their problems in this life would simply cease to be. Then they would have the joy, peace, and grace of God to help and to lead them victoriously through the trials and difficulties that all must endure as they are yet in the body of flesh upon the earth.
But let us not forget the reason for desiring the salvation of lost souls. The greatest reason for seeking the lost is not to see them find peace. The greatest reason to see them find peace is not so that their life will be comfortable. These reasons are far too earthly minded, and could even be motivated by selfishness. The reason we should desire to see men saved is for the Glory of God and the sake of his kingdom. Further, we should desire to see men saved to have them avoid eternal Hell fire, rather than to merely see them live comfortably in this short time we have here upon the earth. We should be motivated by fear, heeding the word of God and knowing full well, the torment and fury to which the unsaved are to be subject!
It is vital not to lose our focus; for we stand in danger of loving man more than God, and of desiring peace for men rather than Glory for our Holy Father. We stand in danger of desiring peace on earth, more than, or instead of peace in the eternal. In fact, there are ministers who have done God disservice to this very end. They have overlooked truth and discarded righteousness and attempted to extend love beyond the limits of its character. They have cut some from the peace of eternal life in an attempt to bring them peace in this world, and the very prince of darkness applauds their efforts.
To keep the proper focus we must know, believe, and live the truth of the scriptures, not only to live righteously in the sight of God, (who sees all) but to live righteously in the eyes of men, to the end that we may turn them to Him. Him to whom all praise and honor and glory is due, to Him who is the author and finisher of our faith.
Let us see the greatest commandments spoken by Christ Jesus in Matthew 22:36-39 and regard their order. "Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." These laws are very much intertwined, for we cannot possibly love God unless we love man. However, I believe that we can love man to a point without loving God, for even sinners love that from which they benefit. Even unselfish and sacrificial love is I believe possible without necessarily loving God. But loving man without loving God is like having zeal for God without knowledge. More harm than good could be done if we are not wisely and rightly directed. It is a love which is without understanding. Let us first Love God and seek his Glory, and in doing so we will love man and seek his benefit in the way which is right and pleasing to God in light of his will and the eternity into which we shall shortly pass. Amen.
http://thethoughtsofhans.blogspot.com/2011/12/make-difference-share-gospel.html
Monday, December 17, 2012
The Twelve Lies Of Christmas Told By The Father Of Christmas
Lie #2 Jesus is the reason for the season
Lie #3 Christians celebrate Christmas
Lie #4 Christmas is in the Bible
Lie # 5 We give gifts because the wise men gave gifts to Jesus
Lie # 6 Christmas is good because it is an easier time to get unbelievers to come to church.
Lie #7 Jesus Christ is a baby in a manger
Lie # 8 The wise men visited baby Jesus about the night he was born
Lie #9 Christmas honors Christ
Lie #10 Christmas trees
Lie # 12 Christmas is too important and too widespread to end.
Can something based on Lies be of God? If you even have to think about that question it shows you are deceived.
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. - John 8:44
The above "12 lies of Christmas" is not a comprehensive list.
Monday, December 10, 2012
The Mark Of The Beast: Idolotry In Thought And Action
For more information search this site and the web.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
The Sins Of Job: Revealed By Elihu
After Job lost all of his possessions how did he respond? He responded in word and by his actions, what was it that he did and said? We can see in Job 1:20-22. "Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly."
After Job was afflicted of Satan and suffered sores and pain how did he respond? Initially he did not sin, but as time passed Job did sin, and soon we shall look at what the sin of Job was.
Many assume or mistakenly believe that Job did not sin. It is apparent that they did not read very far into the book of Job. Perhaps they thought that the foolish responses from Job's three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar made Job look more righteous than they. Perhaps the foolish response of Job's wife made Job appear more righteous than he really was. (Job 2:9) Is it to be assumed that Job was without sin merely because he was less foolish; and merely because he spoke words of faith? (Job 13:15) Do we think we are righteous in our own right merely because we have not entirely gone astray, merely because we do not live in sin as the world does? Woe to him who thinks he has no need of repentance, for the slightest error is still sin and any sin howsoever small or seemingly insignificant places us in the path which leads to gnashing teeth and flames of the very fires of Hell.
The only righteous man in scripture who did not sin was our Lord Jesus Christ, and this is no surprise for he was God dwelling in a body of flesh upon the earth to fulfill the plan of God. He alone was worthy to be slain for the sins of the world, for he alone was without sin. (1 Peter 2:22, 1 John 3:5)
So what was the sin of Job and how do we know without a doubt that he did indeed sin? Our first clear indication is at the beginning of Elihu's speech. Elihu was the only person in the book of Job to speak any length of words and be entirely without condemnation in the eyes of God, insofar as the book of Job has told us. It is Elihu and the prophets Isaiah and Malachi who tell us the sins of Job. We also know without a doubt by what is said in the last chapter of the book of Job.
The First Sin Of Job: He Justifies Himself Rather Than God
We read in Job 32:1-2 "So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God." This is also similar to what God questioned Job about in Job 40:1-8 "Moreover the Lord answered Job, and said, Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? He that reproveth God, let him answer it…Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? Wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?" So this is a sin of Job, that he justified himself rather than God. Let us hear what the prophet Isaiah hath said "Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!" – Isaiah 5:21 (also see Proverbs 3:7, 12:15, 16:2, 21:2, 30:12)
The Second Sin Of Job: He Calls Delighting In God Unprofitable
We read in Elihu's speech in Job 34:7-9 "What man is like Job … For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God." Let us hear what the prophet Malachi hath said "Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee? Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?" Let us also hear what is written in Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
These words of Isaiah and Malachi were obviously not originally directed at Job. Nevertheless their words apply to any who sin in the same manner, including Job and every man before and until this very day. Many say that Job's sin was saying that he had no sin. This is true, Job did also sin by claiming to be sinless. (Job 33:9, 9:21) (1 John 1:8, 1 Kings 8:46a, Ecclesiastes 7:20) But if we can say he sinned by claiming to be sinless, we can also say he justified himself by admitting his sin. (Job 7:21, 13:23, 14:17, 15:14) Or we could argue that he knew he had sin, but his claim to be sinless was merely a figure of speech or a reference to how God had covered or forgiven his sins. Therefore it is much more profitable and wise to pinpoint specifically what the actual sins of Job were. Consider the pharisees who accused our Lord Jesus Christ of sin falsely. Had they actually judged Christ honestly looking for a sin he had committed, they would have found no sin and had perhaps believed him.
Proof That Job Sinned: He Had Need Of Repentance
In Job 42:1-6 Job confesses his sin and repents. (Job 42:6) This is how we know without a doubt that Job sinned, because he who sins not has no need of repentance, but Job had need as do we all. (1 John 1:8) Job is forgiven by God and called a servant of God because he did that which was right in that he repented and in that he prayed for his friends as the Lord commanded. (Job 42:8,9,10) What became of Job? In the end of his life he was more blessed than he was before. (Job 42:10-17)
We all can be called "servants of God" if we too, like Job, repent and do that which is right, coming to God in Faith believing that he indeed is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him, for this is what he is, and what he does, for he has promised, and his word is faithful and true. (John 12:26)
"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" – Psalm 27:1
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Know Thyself: The Biblical Edict Of Introspection And Self-Examination
It is important to understand that by judging ourselves we do so, and can only do so, by the Holy Ghost. It is the spiritual man who can judge himself, and even all the world, because of the Holy Ghost given him by God, as well as his renunciation of and turning aside from the flesh - his carnal nature.
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” - 2 Corinthians 13:5 (also consider Galatians 6:4 and 2 Peter 1:10)
“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” - 1 Corinthians 11:31-32 (also consider 1 Corinthians 11:28-34)
“But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.” - 1 Corinthians 2:15 (also consider 1 Corinthians 6:2-4).
An individual can only judge themselves (accurately) by the Holy Spirit’s presence within them. It is difficult for any man to examine themselves naturally speaking because of the prideful, sinful, nature of man. If we are to possess an accurate picture of ourselves, which is necessary to better serve God and to fulfill the biblical command of self examination; we must be filled with the Spirit, and cast aside our pride. This is why examining ourselves is so difficult, because if we are honest, we are miserable failures, which is not something anyone wants to admit. But this is what the Lord has told us from the beginning to the end of the scriptures. This is why our Lord Jesus came and paid the price; we cannot measure up to God’s high standard apart from Christ our righteousness (2 Peter 1:1, Romans 5:21).
Some Christians have a problem with the idea of Christians being failures. They somehow take this statement to be an attack on the righteousness of God's people and even an affront to the work which Christ does through believers. People who feel this way appear to be self-righteous and unattuned to the extreme perfection which the law demands. Perhaps they misunderstand the message which is meant to be communicated. Never there was a man who measured up by his actions only, only by his faith. Lest this be an argument of semantics, it should be stated clearly; Yes, Christians are more than conquerors through Him, our precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But when we, as individual Christians measure ourselves against God and his perfection and supremacy, we cannot but help to see our insignificance and leanings toward a nature of sin. It is also true that we, per se, are not required to be measured against the standard of the law, for Christ cast that down in a sense (Romans 10:4). If we consider all the faithful patriarchs, none of them were perfect, even though they may have been described as righteous or faithful, and as prophets and men after God's own heart. Consider David and Abraham, they were men who were epitomies of faith and righteousness, and yet they failed at times (2 Samuel 11:1-27, Genesis 12:10-20, 20:1-18). And when we see the failures in their lives, and especially in our own (if we can see them, for many I fear cannot), we can point to these and consider ourselves miserable failures; though perhaps we are as perfect as a man can be by faith. When the accuser Satan points to our sins and says "see Lord, they are unworthy of your salvation," it is then that we can say "Lord we would be unworthy, but we have been made worthy by our faith in your Son." Then Christ our advocate will turn to the Father and say, "It is true, these are mine, for they had confessed these sins, my blood has covered them." (Ephesians 1:7, 1 John 2:1, Job 16:19, Revelation 12:10-11)
We cannot, it appears, move on to a more mature Christian walk, unless we are able to examine ourselves, see our sins, and confess them with the promise to be cleansed from them (1 John 1:9). This is also why spiritual men judge all and are judged by none; because it is not they that judge but God in them.
We should pray as Job did in Job 13:23 - “How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin.” We should pray as did David in Psalm 51:3 - “For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.” We must desire for the Lord to convict us so strongly of our sins, that we develop a hatred toward them and cannot but weep till we have departed from them.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. - 1 Peter 5:6-11
Monday, May 21, 2012
Playing With Fire: Befriending The World
Not only have churches befriended the world; they have redesigned themselves by the philosophies and standards of the world. To the extent that they have done this, they have lost the power of God and the gifts of the Holy Spirit; giving themselves to be naught but institutions of man, becoming fodder for the fire of the wrath of God (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, Revelation 14:10-11, Luke 3:9).
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. – James 1:27
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. – John 15:19
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. – 1 John 2:15
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Yom HaShoah: Holocaust Remembrance Day
Forth, to share the thoughts written below.
Update 5/7/2012: About a week ago I had the opportunity to hear a Holocaust survivor speak for three hours of his experience in Europe during WWII. He was captured by the Nazis in 1941 and was a prisoner at Auschwitz for 8 months, until he escaped. He narrowly escaped death on many occasions, by the grace of God and his ability to speak many different languages. The account he shared was not pleasant to hear, but it was and is a good thing that the truth of what went on is heard and known. It was something I did not want to miss. Soon all of those who experienced that Holocaust will no longer be living. Then we can no longer hear it from someone who actually experienced it. Fortunately, books have been and will be written to preserve this history which the world would be wise to remember, in hopes that we can avoid repeating it. But in reality, this Holocaust was not the first, nor the last, and even at present the evil forces in this world are driving multiple holocausts, not least of which is that of abortion. Ecclesiastes 1:9, 3:15.
Perhaps the point that people most need to understand about the Holocaust is this; that those committing such atrocities thought themselves sane, reasonable, and even righteous. Today we may picture these evil Nazi cultists, but they were no different then many people living today. This is not to say that they were not evil, rather, it is to point out how evil many are today even though they believe themselves good-doers. Another point is this; when everyone around you is doing something evil, it is a test which you can fail by not standing up for what is right despite the perceived consequences.
Many of these 1940's Nazis would brutally murder and humiliate those whom they captured. Then they would go to church on Sunday, being kind to their own children, living the example of Hypocrisy. Today, churches are filled with many doing the same thing. They are murderers, fornicators, and friends of the world, faining a hope of salvation from the same Lord whose blood they continually shed. Matthew 25:40,45, Hebrews 6:5-6, Luke 6:46, Matthew 7:21, Matthew 25:31-46.
