A Personal Story To Lift One's Spirit!

[Hat tip for graphic:  Network 54.com]


Christians are to emulate [meaning follow] Jesus.  Just as He was "not of this world," (meaning not being of the earthly "kingdoms" set up by man and avoiding the pitfalls of evil that surround us), so too are we to not be of this world system.  We are to work within the world,  for the specific and ultimate purpose of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is certainly a rewarding mission!  Yet, the distractions of this world can get any one's heart downtrodden and sad.

Recall the Scriptures, especially in Psalms, where the sons of Korah (temple assistants) ask the question, "Why are you cast down O my soul?"

One example:

Psa 43:5     Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

Notice the answer in all three separate Scriptures at that link:

 "Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God."

These days, the turmoil and chaos happening in the Middle East,  and looming threat of  America getting involved in another war in Syria certainly highlight the truth of the prophecies that tell us "there will be wars and rumors of war" the closer we get to the end times.  While reading the following posts, I could not help but feel depressed!

Walid Shoebat

Conspiracy and Truth are upside down

 

 

Now The End Begins

Russia Sends Warships, Obama Blinks

 

 

Sultan Knish

How Obama Hugged the Brotherhood to Death

 

 

The Strata-Sphere

What Does Egypt’s Unrest Signal?

 

 

INFILTRATED NATION

Does Obama Know He’s Fighting on al-Qa’ida’s Side?

 

 

Klein Online

Iran, North Korea ‘running operations room in Syria.’ Russia also ‘aiding’ Damascus ahead of likely U.S., Western strikes

 

And, if those posts haven't confused you enough, read this one:

 

Answering Muslims

A Short Guide to the Middle East

 

*******

 However, the uplifting experience that I had last night makes such depression "blow to dust and fall away*."
 

You see, when I come back to Scripture, prayer, and worship songs,  I am gladly reminded that God's truth (see 1 John 2:27) provides the right path to follow, and God's light (see 1 John 1:5) provides the clear vision to follow it.  If you feel surrounded by darkness and uncertainty, follow God's light and truth!  He will guide you!
 

 Now, a brief recap of my uplifting experience last night.
 

The early evening began when I met a great friend for dinner. We chatted about some good news within our own families, but then we also got on the topics of the bad news going on in this world.  The threat of war in Syria, the terrible "Common Core" indoctrination into socialism that is happening in public schools, the fact that all the scandals happening are increasing and no one is being held accountable...you get the picture! 
 

My friend asked me if I would hold a Bible study in my home again like I did several years ago.  Great idea! Or, perhaps we could find an evening study to attend.


Staying in the Word of God helps alleviate the depression, fear, disgust, and anger at what is becoming of America and what is happening around the world!  No matter what...God wins in the end and our Savior and Lord - Jesus Christ - is totally victorious!
 

When I got back from having dinner and completing a quick run to the grocery store, it was already getting dark.  I wanted to walk my two dogs.  So with a flashlight in my pocket I started up the street.  My neighbor was outside, staring into the sky at the last remnants of a beautiful sunset.  She waved at me and yelled that she was praying.  I told her, "nothing like a gorgeous sunset and prayers being sent up to God to lift up one's spirit!"



You see, were are MEANT to worship God ANYWHERE!  In a car, listening to a great praise song.  And, even at the sight of a gorgeous sunset near the end of a neighbor's driveway!

 

I was SO  blessed last night!!!  Why?  Because two simple signs of Christ's Presence with me came shining through!  While driving home, a favorite song came on from the Christian music station called, "The Message."  It was the Newsboy's song entitled, "It Is You."  Seeing my neighbor "coming to this place" [lyrics from the music video below] at the end of her driveway;  worshipping God and praying at the sight of His wondrous creation and beauty of a sunset, gave me Holy Spirit chills of joy!!


Yes, Jesus!  It IS YOU!  It's all about You!


Enjoy a great worship song, "It Is You" by the Newsboys!


In Christ,

~  Christine

 

 

 

As we lift up our hands
Will You meet us here?
As we call on Your name
Will You meet us here?
We have come to this place
To worship You
God of mercy and grace

It is You
We adore
It is You
Praises are for
Only You
The heavens declare
It is You
It is You

And holy, holy is our God Almighty
And holy, holy is His name alone, yeah
And holy, holy is our God Almighty
And holy, holy is His name alone

It is You
We adore
It is You
Only You

As we lift up our hands
As we call on Your name
Will You visit this place
By Your mercy and grace?

 

*******

 

 

*A lyric from Jars of Clay: World's Apart

Hat tips to all links.

1Jo 2:27

But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will [fn] abide in Him.

(2:27) NU-Text reads you abide.

1Jo 1:5

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

This Is Certainly Disturbing

I did not watch TV yesterday, except for a couple of innings of the Yankees baseball game, so I did not hear about, or read about the latest in a series of shootings that have been happening around America. This is certainly disturbing:

DC Shooter Carried Chick-fil-A Bag With Him to FRC HQ – Was Volunteer at LGBT Center

Jim Hoft at The Gateway Pundit - 8 hours ago

Haters will hate. A LGBT volunteer carrying bag of Chick-fil-A ‘goodies’ shot up the conservative Family Research Center today. The armed man who walked into the Washington headquarters of the Family Research Council and reportedly shot a security guard Wednesday … Continue reading

→

If this man had been even just perceived as a Conservative Christian, the liberal leftist lunatic news reporters would have been all over this story!!  But when it's someone from the protected "class" of LGBT status, such information is downplayed.

 Why is that???

 Read the comments at the Gateway Pundit link, too.

The hate against anyone who disagrees with them that is often spewed by LGBT radicals seems to be downplayed by the media of mass deception.  Just like the radical Muslims, they must be "protected" at all costs. 

I ask again....why is that?

Those who claim that Christian Conservative organizations are "hate groups" are often the arbiters of hatred, dangerous acts, and deadly consequences themselves.  Here's a comment and link to read:

lizzy84 commented:

Human Rights Campaign posted Ryan would speak at ‘hate group’s annual conference’
day before shooting at FRC:
http://p.washingtontimes.com/blog/watercooler/2012/aug/15/picket-human-rights-campaign-posted-ryan-would-spe/

If we are to believe that the "rules" which are often imposed upon Christian, Conservative, Bible-based groups should be equally applied in cases like this LGBT shooter, then what is written in this comment should apply:

Lightwave commented:

I will say this again because it bears repeating:
Time to apply libtard logic for “hate crimes” by “hate groups”.
Every gay rights organization should now IMMEDIATELY:
A) lose their tax-exempt and non-profit status,
B) be singled out for extra scrutiny, harassment and surveillance from law enforcement,
C) have their major donors disclosed and publicly shamed,
D) be the legal subject of new fascist “hate crimes” legislation,
E) be labeled a violent hate group by the government,
F) have their leaders’ phones and computers tapped,
G) should not be allowed to purchase firearms,
H) should by boycotted by Americans.
This is what libtards say should happen to white, Christian Americans as the result of the massacre in Wisconsin, right?
Funny how they are SILENT on this issue.
Obamee didn’t say a word about this until five hours after it happened. MSM is silent on this issue. Not a one of them will say that sexual deviant advocacy groups are a clear and present danger to our society.
Liberalism is a mental illness that leads to deadly violence. The tens of millions who suffer from the disease are your ENEMY.

*******

Until most people wake up and realize that there IS SUCH A THING AS THE MILITANT HOMOSEXUAL AGENDA, which is intent on destroying what is good about straight Americans and America in general, we will all be vulnerable to the devastation that is being imposed upon our children and grandchildren.

The indoctrination that is happening in this country in order to push the homosexual agenda into the hearts, minds, physical bodies, and spiritual entity of the future generation is absolutely mind-boggling!

 Of course, not all homosexual individuals are part of the radicalized gay agenda. Many want to live their own lives and be left alone.

However, those who are intent on destroying God's Word for our lives - especially HIS idea of what marriage is - THE UNION OF ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN; will NEVER relent in their efforts to destroy everyone and anyone who disagree with their radicalized homosexual views, ideology, and propaganda!

Such individuals are being trained like the Hitler youth were - to believe in a cause that is evil and filled with hatred that they would kill in order to get there way.

When the angelic visitors in the Sodom and Gomorrah episode in the Bible came to warn Lot and his family to flee from there before it was destroyed, they were almost assaulted so that the homosexual men of the city could "know them" (which meant have sex with them). God blinded the sexual deviants so that they could not find the door which they intended to burst into in order to homosexually rape the angelic visitors. Despite the fact that Lot said to the men, "do not do so wickedly," the men were so crazed with their sexual intentions that NOTHING was going to stop them - until God intervened.

I think that this is a lesson for all to learn from. It is only when confession of sinful thoughts, words, and deeds are done that forgiveness can be given by God to rescue men from their evil ways.

Homosexuality is nothing new. It occurred in biblical times and throughout history. But today's generation is pushing to completely normalize it and demonize anyone who disagrees with them!!  Thus, the blindness of such individuals about their sinful state of being (especially as it is compared to God's holiness and righteousness) is so great that they and their supporters would do anything in order to avoid facing the reality of their sinfulness and repenting of their reprobate minds, actions, thoughts, words, and deeds.

The politics of the radical left; in fact, the Democratic platform in D.C. now totally embraces the idea of "gay" marriage. No wonder people are leaving that party in droves! Have you heard about the dozens of black pastors who disagree with Barack Hussein Obama on this issue??  Are you going to label THEM as a "hate group"? 

Today, it is certainly not the Democratic party of the era of John F. Kennedy, where one could be genuinely proud of being a Democrat.

My 88 year old mother ( a Democrat her entire life) told me that when Barack Hussein Obama stated that he supported "gay" marriage, that was the last straw in her book. She could NEVER vote for an individual who believed that! She thought it was AWFUL!  She is part of "the greatest generation," and I totally agree with her on this issue!!

In conclusion, I'm sure that there will be bloggers who will comment on this post, calling me the usual derogatory names and label me a BIGOT. Go ahead! Because as I have written previously on this blog, I embraced that label because to me, it means:

Bible
Is
God's
One
Truth

*******

Update:

Please see this related post:

Hate Crimes and Lefty Double Standards

Bill Muehlenberg at CultureWatch - 3 hours ago

Take the loony left, a biased media, and a baloney legal concept such as hate crimes, and you have a recipe for real trouble. I have written before about the dangers of hate crime legislation. Not only is the very concept flawed, but the problem of fake or hoax hate crimes continues to worsen and [...]

 

Hat tips to all links.

Our Shepherd and Overseer of Our Souls

In the past, I have heard haters of Christianity who often happen to be atheists, agnostics, skeptics, and usually on the far-leftist spectrum of ideology use some of the verses of 1 Peter 2:13-25 as a hammer to tell Christians to "submit to civil authorities" of any kind - even if they are evil and dangerous. At the time that this book of the Bible was written, the people of that era (including Peter, a strong disciple of Christ), were under the harsh authority of Nero. They were persecuted and often caused to submit to unjust suffering.

It is believed that Peter was martyred by Nero. He was to be executed just like Christ, but Peter didn't feel worthy to die in the same way as his Lord and Savior. Therefore, he wanted to be crucified upside down.

I see many parallels in today's persecution of Christians around the world. Even in America, we see this current scandal ridden, America destroying, lying and godless administration use their power of authority (and their freedom to choose to do terrible things with such power) as a cover-up for evil. Many at the top levels of our government do absolutely alarming things that don't make sense (unless one realizes that it is by intentional design to destroy our Constitutional Republic and replace it with a globalist Marxist Islamo-Fascist, anti-Christian, anti-Israel dictatorship kind of government) and do not show proper respect towards our people, our allies, and especially our best friend in the Middle East, Israel.

1 Peter 2 shares reasons why we must endure the suffering inflicted by such a government.

1Pe 2:19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.

But it also shows that such an evil government does not actually deserve its' people to submit to the current civil authorities because of the evil being inflicted upon its people. Such evil is often caused by the rejection of Christ:

1Pe 2:4 As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him--

1Pe 2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1Pe 2:6 For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." [fn]

1Pe 2:7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone, [fn]" [fn]

  1Pe 2:8 and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." [fn] They stumble because they disobey the message--which is also what they were destined for.

  NIV Footnotes:
  (2:6) Isaiah 28:16 (2:7) Or cornerstone

  Isa 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

  Further down in the 1 Peter 2:13-25 verses, we find that being conscious of God makes it commendable for us to endure it. I think that this is what millions of Christians in America and  around the world are doing today; despite the awful and terrible conditions that they are suffering under due to corrupt and evil governments.

When Christians suffer unjustly, we recall that Jesus Christ suffered for us; which stands as an example on how we can endure it. We should follow in his footsteps.

This is why the majority of TEA Party Patriots, many of whom are Christian Conservatives, protest and work against our unjust governmental practices in peaceful ways.

1Pe 2:15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.

  When a governmental authority seems to get away with so much corruption and evil, it is difficult to endure it by human effort alone. That is why we need Christ - as our Cornerstone - in our lives. Many Christians (including me), are continually praying for patience while enduring the knowledge of how outrageously bad this current government here in America really is!

1Pe 2:19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.

Jesus told us that in this world we will have many trials, tribulations, and sorrows. But we are to take heart because He has overcome the world!

Jhn 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

Admittedly, it is hard to submit to rulers who are evil and unjust. The Bible says that such rulers are ignorant and foolish:

1Pe 2:15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.

  And, 1 Peter 1:24-25 helps to put them (and even me) in their place. It shows the reality of the fact that our time on this earth is like a brief breath compared to existence in eternity!

1Pe 1:24 For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,

1Pe 1:25 but the word of the Lord stands forever." [fn] And this is the word that was preached to you.

  Studying the Bible helps Christians realize that worldly wisdom is only earthly. It is an nonspiritual and demonic type of wisdom.   The desires of such "wisdom" take us away from God's Word, wisdom, and purpose in this life.  That is why the "world" can proudly claim that abortion is O.K. and that "gay" behavior and same-sex marriage isn't wrong.

Studying, applying, and sharing God's wisdom from the Bible brings reasonableness. It is wisdom from the Lord that brings truth, salvation, and peace in the hearts of all believers.

 No matter what transpires on this earth, NO ONE can take away the joy of God's elect!

 Although we are like strangers in the world, we praise God for His mercy, grace and love; and for Him having chosen us "out of the world" according to the foreknowledge of God. Through the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, we become more obedient to Christ because of his sacrifice of blood for our sakes and for our salvation.

I often praise God in prayer for the great mercy he has given me via the new birth (See John 3) into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. His historically undisputed  resurrection to life on the third day proves who Jesus really is and the inheritance that he offers his own can never perish, spoil or fade. It is kept in heaven for me by God's power until salvation which is to be revealed in the last days.

As God's children, we are purposed to "be holy, because God is holy."

I recently looked up the definition of "holy" in the dictionary. Most definitions include some version of the following:

 "dedicated or devoted to the service of God, the church, or religion. Saintly, godly pious, devout. Having a spiritually pure quality. Entitled to worship."

  However, according to the Word Origin and History book, "holy" means:

 "that must be preserved whole or intact, that cannot be transgressed or violated."

That definition explains exactly why Christ came to this earth to die for our sins on the cross at Calvary. That is why God the Father turned away as all of the sins of the world were heaped upon Jesus while on that cross. That is why Jesus, who usually referred to God as his "Father" cried out, "my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" It was Jesus in his humanity, who for the first time had to suffer a time of separation away from God the Father as he bore our sin in his body in order to redeem those of us who repent, confess, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ!  This affords us the opportunity to be forgiven and reunited with God for all eternity!

As I had stated in my previous post - what could possibly be better?

People these days stumble over Christ. They reject what they do not know or understand.  They often mock, ridicule, disparage, and hate Christ and his followers. They are utterly foolish to reject God's provision for salvation!

Jesus is so precious to those who believe in him!  He is precious to God the Father. However, Psalm 118:22, which was quoted by Christ in Matthew 21:33-42 tells us:

"the stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes."

Someone (Jesus) who is so "marvelous in our eyes" was rejected by those who refused to believe that he was (and is!) the long-awaited Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament!

  Paul informs us how to fight against "the weapons of the world." Our weapons are the Bible, prayer, and the Gospel of Christ!

2Cr 10:3  For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.

2Cr 10:4  The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

2Cr 10:5  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

The truth is, the only hope of the lost - those who do not yet know the Lord Jesus Christ - is the Gospel message.

I love the way Peter ends the second chapter:

1Pe 2:24  He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

1Pe 2:25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

What Could Be Better Than This?

Tonight I am studying an awesome portion of Scripture. It is 1 Peter 1:1-16. The gospel of Jesus Christ is revealed through these verses and reiterates why our Lord Jesus Christ faced the horrible death on the cross for the joy that was to come after His subsequent resurrection from the dead.

Why?

For our sakes!

  These verses help us, as Christians, to endure the trials and tribulations that we face in this world; for they are temporary and this world is finite. The joy of the Lord that we will share in as we praise Him in heaven will be ours for all eternity! What could be better than that?

~ Christine

1Pe 1:1   Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,


1Pe 1:2   who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.


1Pe 1:3   Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,


1Pe 1:4   and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you,


1Pe 1:5   who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.


1Pe 1:6  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.


1Pe 1:7   These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.


1Pe 1:8   Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,


1Pe 1:9   for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.


1Pe 1:10   Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care,


1Pe 1:11   trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.


1Pe 1:12   It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.


1Pe 1:13   Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.


1Pe 1:14   As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.


1Pe 1:15   But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;


1Pe 1:16   for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." [fn]

  Footnote: (1:16) Lev. 11:44,45; 19:2; 20:7

  The holiness of God is claimed throughout Scripture. We are admonished to be holy because He (God) is holy. That is certainly a tall order! We can't even dream of being as holy as God! But we can strive for it each and every day of our lives. We will never "arrive" at the kind of holiness that God requires, so that is why Jesus Christ came to the earth to suffer and die for our sins on the cross at Calvary. It is because of His mercy, grace, forgiveness and love that we are cleansed of our sins and re-united with God.

The sanctification process never ends this side of heaven. However, we can see by the definition of "holy" what we are to strive for through obedience to God's written Word, the Bible, God's Living Word, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit's leading in our lives!

Definition: ho·ly    [hoh-lee] Show IPA adjective, ho·li·er, ho·li·est, noun, plural ho·lies. adjective


1. specially recognized as or declared sacred by religious use or authority; consecrated: holy ground

2. dedicated or devoted to the service of God, the church, or religion: a holy man.

3. saintly; godly; pious; devout: a holy life.

4. having a spiritually pure quality: a holy love.
. entitled to worship or veneration as or as if sacred: a holy relic.

6. religious: holy rites.

World English Dictionary holy (ˈhəʊlɪ) — adj , holier , holiest

1. of, relating to, or associated with God or a deity; sacred
 
2. endowed or invested with extreme purity or sublimity

3. devout, godly, or virtuous


Word Origin & History holy O.E. halig "holy," from P.Gmc.

 *khailagas (cf. O.N. heilagr, Ger. heilig, Goth. hailags "holy"), adopted at conversion for L. sanctus. Primary (pre-Christian) meaning is not impossible to determine, but it was probably "that must be preserved whole or intact, that cannot be transgressed or violated,"

Hat tip: Blue Letter Bible

The Question of Goodness

An "Anonymous" blogger has been quite bothered by the blog post of September 21, 2010 entitled: What Yes on CA Prop. 8 & Restore Honor Rally Have in Common

You can read the comments at the link to catch up on the controversy.

In Anonymous' latest comment, he/she wrote:

Anonymous said...
Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering ("without bending"-Vines); (for he [is] faithful that promised;)

"Without wavering" means "without bending". It is talking about picking up some other hope. Like picking up the hope of Glenn Beck instead of keeping Jesus.

1 Peter 1:3 ¶ Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

Our inheritance is incorruptible, undefiled and fadeth not away. Glenn Beck is not my hope.

September 30, 2010 9:47:00 PM PDT

My response:

Christinewjc said...
Anonymous @ September 30, 2010 9:47:00 PM PDT (That you, Sothenes?)

You seem highly bothered by this post. I thought that I explained WHY I included Dr. Garlow's article very well. It is NOT because I agree with his conclusion about Beck being a born again Christian. It is because the CAUSES that evangelical Christians, and Mormons, and Jews etc. see as important (e.g. the Prop. 8 issue and the need to restore out nation back to the Constitutional Republic that our Founders intended) are political/social/moral issues that we can all agree on.

You ended your comment with two sentences that I agree with - and I would guess most people who genuinely follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior would also agree with:

Quote: "Our inheritance is incorruptible, undefiled and fadeth not away."

Absolutely true.

Quote: "Glenn Beck is not my hope."

Beck isn't my hope, either! Jesus Christ is the only true hope in this world and in eternity.

October 1, 2010 9:57:00 AM PDT

*******

One of the reasons why I cannot personally support Dr. Garlow's conclusion that Glenn Beck is genuinely saved is because:

1. Only God knows for certain - but we can "know them by their fruits."
2. Beck continually says that "most people are good."

But then again, I could be wrong.

Now, this post will not be an extensive expose' on "the question of goodness." That would take many pages. However, what I want to share here may help explain why what man regards as "goodness" within himself, may not be in line with what God describes as Good in His Word.

I realize that Beck's claim of people being good may be more of a socially acceptable, politically correct motivated comment which is meant to bring people together in a positive way. I mean, people DO good things in this life. However, the Bible says something very different about our "goodness."

Please see The Good Test in order to understand the details about our spiritual condition without Christ.

This week, I started reading Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God written by Francis Chan. I have only completed reading chapter one, but the message fits with this post.

Chan encourages us to stop talking at God for a while and instead, take a long, hard look at Him before you speak another word.

I read that section on Wednesday night. By Thursday evening, I was on my way, in traffic and in the rain, to pick up something that I would much rather have picked up on another day. The situation was such that I was told that I must get these items today. [Grrr....!]

During the drive, I said to myself, "If the person asks me 'how are you today?' I thought about saying, 'Do you want a typical response of fine or the truth about how I'm really feeling?'" I had a complete diatribe ready to be unleashed towards the unfortunate person who would be handing me the items that I really didn't want to pick up in the first place.

My trip already started out bad. First, the road to the freeway was jammed and backed up. Who leaves their house at 5:00 p.m. during rush hour traffic and expects not to hit traffic? Then, it started to rain again on the way there. Next, the sun started to break through the clouds and the glare into the car and on the wet pavement as I was driving west on a side road made it difficult to see. I proceeded to turn left again and traveled the speed limit of 25 mph around a park playground area. My final turn approached and I headed up the hill to my destination. I had just about completed what I was going to say in my mind, but became absolutely awestruck when I witnessed one of the most beautiful (and complete!) rainbows I have ever seen! I chuckled to myself. My heart melted my pride, anger, and annoyance that had built up over the 35 minute ride to my destination. I got out of my car and tried to take a picture of the rainbow with my old and crappy cell phone camera (small voice: complaining again, Chris?) Of course, I could not capture the beauty in a photograph that I was witnessing! A man approached and was saying how awesome the rainbow looked! He asked me my name and went inside to get the items that I came to pick up.

When he and an assistant came back out to the car to put the items in my trunk, he asked, "so how are you today?" "How is your family?" My planned diatribe turned into a confession that some individuals in my family were experiencing difficulty, but God is so good! Look at that rainbow! It is a symbol of His eternal promises for us."

God -- He's something isn't He??? He keeps teaching me every single day. That rainbow was a gentle reminder that I am slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to become angry.

Francis Chan writes:

The wise man comes to God without saying a word and stands in awe of Him. It may seem a hopeless endeavor, to gaze at the invisible God. But Romans 1:20 tells us that through creation, we see His "invisible qualities" and "divine nature."

I realize that how a rainbow forms can be explained scientifically. But can its beauty be explained? Or, is it a representation of God's "invisible qualities" and "divine nature?"

Chan goes on to describe how God is holy, God is eternal, God is all-knowing, God is all-powerful and God is fair and just. He quotes Colossians 1:16 - which tells us that everything was created for God: "For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him."

Chan asks:

Can you worship a God who isn't obligated to explain His actions to you? Could it be your arrogance that makes you think God owes you an explanation?

Wow. That gives each of us a verbal whoopin' - doesn't it?!

But the Bible takes it even further:

All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?" - Daniel 4:35

Chan asks:

Do you really believe that compared to God, "all the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing," including you?

These are hard sayings. But some might wonder, can it get any worse?

Answer: yes. Just take a look at Chan's section about God is fair and just:

One definition of justice is "reward and/or penalty as deserved." If what we truly deserved were up to us, we would end up with as many different answers as people who responded. But it isn't up to us, mostly because none of us are good.

Let's hold up here for just a moment. Going back to Anonymous' concern over my post about Glenn Beck, we can see here that Chan disagrees with Beck's claim that "most people are good." Again, it is possible that Beck was simply using the term "good" as a political term and not in the moral or spiritual sense. We all want to perceive ourselves as good, but compared to Holy God, we are not good.

Chan:

God is the only Being who is good, and the standards are set by Him. Because God hates sin, He has to punish those guilty of sin. Maybe that's not an appealing standard. But to put it bluntly, when you get your own universe, you can make your own standards. When we disagree, let's not assume it's His reasoning that needs correction.

It takes a lot for us to comprehend God's total hatred for sin. We make excuses like, "Yes, I am prideful at times, but everyone struggles with pride." However, God says in Proverbs 8:13, "I hate pride and arrogance." You and I are not allowed to tell Him how much He can hate it. He can hate and punish it as severely as His justice demands.

God never excuses sin. And He is always consistent with that ethic. Whenever we start to question whether God really hates sin, we have only to think of the cross, where His Son was tortured, mocked, and beaten because of sin. Our sin.

No question about it: God hates and must punish sin. And He is totally just and fair in doing so.

In the final segment of Chapter One, Chan describes the reactions of both John in the book of Revelation and Isaiah who saw God on His throne. We learn that there are many facets of God that expand beyond our comprehension. God cannot be contained in this world, explained by our vocabulary, or grasped by our understanding.

I would imagine that each and every one of us will be speechless at first - admiring the King of the Universe with awestruck silence when we see Him! Both John and Isaiah found it difficult to describe seeing God in mere words. They tried to describe Him and the experience in ways that they, and we, could relate to and understand. For example - in Revelation, John describes the One seated on the throne with two gems, "jasper and carnelian," and the area around the throne as a rainbow that looked like an emerald.

Isaiah describes the seraphim appearing above and said they called out to one another saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."

Yes! It certainly is! And we only get just a glimpse of His glory in all that He has created!

Recall that Isaiah's reaction was, "Woe is me...I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."

Isaiah didn't feel worthy. But as the Scriptures report, one of the seraphim touches Isaiah's mouth with a hot coal and tells him that his guilt is taken away.

Mercy is God withholding what you (we, I) deserve.

Grace is God giving you (us, me) what you don't deserve.

As Isaiah believed in God the Father and was waiting expectantly for the Savior of the world, he reminds us of what our only response to God's provision for our salvation - Jesus Christ should be!

Morally and Spiritually Speaking

If you haven't bookmarked Bill Muehlenberg's Culture Watch blog on your blogroll, then you are certainly missing many excellent Christian, Bible-based essays and commentary on issues of the day. His latest essay, Living in Sodom certainly applies to California, in particular, since one rogue openly homosexual judge overturned the will of 7 million voters who voted to keep marriage defined as the union of one man and one woman. It also applies to America, as a whole because the ongoing battle between the states (where millions of voters in dozens of states have written into their state constitutions that marriage is the union of one man and one woman) and the liberal-leftist progressive "judges" who create - by judicial fiat - the made-up "right" for homosexuals to change that definition. Marriage precedes earthly government opinion simply because it was originally given by God in His Word - the Bible. Therefore, this is much more than just a political or legal battle - it is also a spiritual battle.

Here is an excerpt from Bill's essay:

Let’s face it folks: Morally and spiritually speaking, Australia – or America, or England, etc – is now on a par with ancient Sodom and Gomorrah. These two wicked cities, along with three others, were destroyed by a righteous and holy God who finally had enough of their filth, perversion and ungodliness.

But it is hard to see how Australia or any other Western nation can be said to be much better today. Indeed, in many respects we are much worse. As proof, one only needs to read some the articles on this site, documenting the daily descent into the pit.

The West is going down the tubes fast, and the levels of iniquity and unrighteousness seem almost incomparable to past evil. A quick look at some of my pieces under the ‘Culture Wars’ section, or the ‘Political Correctness’ section should make clear the moral and spiritual free fall we are now in.

And we are far more responsible and guilty than were Sodom and Gomorrah. As Leonard Ravenhill reminds us, “Sodom had no Bible”. If Sodom was ripe for judgment without special revelation, how much more are we with it?

Continue reading:

Living in Sodom
posted by Bill Muehlenberg at CultureWatch - 11 hours ago
Let’s face it folks: Morally and spiritually speaking, Australia – or America, or England, etc – is now on a par with ancient Sodom and Gomorrah. These two wicked cities, along with three others, were dest...

Let's read that last sentence from the quote above again:

If Sodom was ripe for judgment without special revelation, how much more are we with it?

What a great question!

My comment there, still in moderation because it's 3:00 a.m. in Australia:


Christinewjc
13.8.10 / 3am Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Bill,

Your essay is filled with much truth. It could also apply to America, as well as Australia. Our nations are going through the same types of chaos and lack of respect for God and His Word. The days are certainly evil.

When I feel myself getting down because “the days are evil,” I pick up my study guide called “Revealing The Mysteries of Heaven” by Dr. David Jeremiah. It is a great little book – thoroughly Bible-based, too. It gives me comfort during times of fear, doubt, worry and turmoil.

My son has the following Bible verse on his Facebook page today:

He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Titus 1:9

That describes our work today. This is what you, Bill, are doing via this wonderful blog and on Facebook. I can only imagine Jesus looking at your heart and saying, “well done, good and faithful servant.”

I continue to learn a lot from you, my Christian brother! And I am so grateful that I found your blog “for such a time as this.” God bless you and keep up the great work!

In Christ,
Christine

We need to live lives in righteousness and holiness, and teach others to do so as well, and help others to find Christ.

Hat Tip:

Bill Muehlenberg's Culture Watch Blog

Wholly Yours, Jesus

I have been thinking a lot about a particular Bible verse.
Jer 17:9
The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?

The only genuine cure for the wicked and deceitful heart that we all own due to sin is faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. That's it! End of story!

The "good" that we do on this earth is like "filthy rags" compared to God's holiness. Therefore, no one can boast about their works. The only thing worthwhile to boast about is salvation through Jesus. And in that - we cannot take any credit. It is THE gift of God for our salvation.

In the Jeremiah account we read:

Jer 17:5 ¶ Thus saith the LORD; Cursed [be] the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.


Jer 17:6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, [in] a salt land and not inhabited.

Be
Trusting in man (especially an evil man!) can lead to our heart's departure from the LORD. This was true in Jeremiah's day and is also true today.

The Bible has messages that are applicable to the time they were written, and also to the day each Christian reads each particular Scripture. Jeremiah 17:6 has a message for us today. Our nation is now suffering through many curses. Why? Because many have abandoned the Lord God.

However, those who hold to Him experience blessing; even in times of trouble:

Jer 17:7 Blessed [is] the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.


Jer 17:8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and [that] spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

The current economic crisis storm may be hard to endure, but it is producing a great harvest of fruit - more people coming to Christ as they seek the genuine Messiah.

There is a song that has some awesome lyrics that brings this point home.


Link to Wholly Yours music video by The David Crowder Band

Susan Smith's Newsletter

Susan Smith is Talk Wisdom's guest blogger today. The following is a copy of her April 5, 2008 newsletter which is emailed each week to subscribers. In this edition, Susan discusses many important facts about Christian faith, including how the Holy Spirit works in our lives; how Scripture leads us in truth; that the kingdom of God is a matter of righteousness, peace and joy; that it takes time to mature in our faith; and the importance of deliverance from sin for salvation. Lastly, she describes what transpired during a recent encounter over Easter weekend with two female Jehovah's Witnesses.

Read, enjoy and be blessed!

Christine

*******

Last week we talked about seeing God’s glory. The Holy Spirit often seems elusive. There are times when the Holy Spirit is working powerfully in our lives and it seems indefinable and mysterious. Often it is “after the fact” that we learn it was God all along who was molding and making us as the potter molds and makes the clay. The Lord does not hide truth from us, He hides truth FOR us! His desire is for us to seek His kingdom first.

The kingdom of God is a matter of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (ROM 14:17). The kingdom of God “consists in justice and peace and joy—and all in the atmosphere of the Holy Spirit” according to William Barclay’s translation. All scripture is divinely inspired and is useful for teaching the truth, for refutation of error, moral correction and for training in the good life (2TIM 3:16). It does not matter what translation of the Holy Bible you read. God’s written Word is true.

What a blessing we have here in the United States where multiple translations of the written Word of God are available. Who imagined even fifty years ago that these translations would be available all over the world today via the Internet? God does amazing things with the Internet. There are web sites and Christian blogs that are proclaiming God’s Word and His glory throughout the world every minute of every day. Jesus said “I will build my church” (MAT 16:18) and He is doing just that. The Lord is building His church His way and this is happening with or without you or me. Praise His Name!

There have been occasions when my flesh has puffed up with pride when others tell me I have a powerful testimony. Nothing good dwells in my flesh (ROM 7:18). Spiritual pride is a very dangerous sin. Can you grasp this? When anyone is set free from sin, then that person must accept by faith that he or she has become a slave to righteousness (ROM 6:18). God has made Jesus our wisdom, our goodness, our way to holiness and our liberation...to ensure if anyone is proud, he must be proud of what the Lord has done for him and if we boast, then we are to boast in the Lord (1CO 1:30-31). It is so easy to ignore this scripture especially right after one has been delivered from a specific sin.

Deliverance or salvation from sexual sin or drunkenness is not a greater miracle of God than deliverance from gossip, slander, angry outbursts, jealousy, envy, hatred or any other fleshly sin (GAL 5:20-21). Do you understand? Salvation from the power of any specific sin does not assure spiritual maturity. There is no guarantee of spiritual maturity just because the power of God has delivered you from some explicit sin. I have seen spiritual immaturity in my life many times since the Lord delivered me from homosexuality and drunkenness. Deliverance from fleshly sin is only the beginning of abundant life in Christ!

We grow in our knowledge of God and the Messiah (JOH 17:3) just as we grow in physical maturity from childhood to adulthood. Are you growing in spiritual maturity today? Spiritual growth is not always at the same speed and sometimes it is in the wrong direction. Knowledge of God and the Way we must walk come little by little, precept must be upon precept (ISA 28:10). There is a definite order in which we grow, because God is not the author of confusion (1CO 14:33). The Lord will not show us the next step until we have obeyed all He has given us today.

We should not expect ourselves to have a maturity beyond our years nor should we expect those younger than we are to have our maturity. We are without understanding and we are not wise when we measure ourselves by ourselves and compare ourselves with one another (2CO 10:12). We are foolish to use others as our standard of measurement. Jesus is the only perfect human being who has ever walked on earth. How do we measure against the Messiah? He has a perfect relationship with God.

Did my visitors on Easter weekend have a relationship with God? I saw them coming up the street and two ladies rang my doorbell. One woman had gray hair and she looked old enough to be the younger lady’s grandmother. When I opened the door, the young woman said, “We are handing out literature.” I smiled and told them they were welcome to come in. They thanked me and reluctantly entered my living room. I motioned toward the couch and told them to have a seat as I sat in a chair.

The older lady thanked me as she sat down and then she said, “We are Jehovah Witnesses.” I smiled and said “Praise the Lord. His Name is Jehovah. He is King of kings and Lord of lords.” She then said, “We believe Jesus is the son of God.” I smiled again and said, “God has given Him the Name above every name and at the Name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.” My enthusiasm came from within. God had answered my prayer before the doorbell rang when I asked Him to fill me with His Spirit.

It was a joy to speak the words that came out of my mouth and this encounter reminded me of the long application interview for graduate school at the university with Dr. Bolte. The words simply came out! I did not think about what to say and it seemed as though my brain had been bypassed. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (MAT 12:34). God continues to transform my life by the renewing of my mind (ROM 12:2). We are commanded to be transformed by this renewing and it is an act of God. We cannot transform our own lives or renew our minds. God does this by His grace. It can be continuous. We are commanded to be filled with the Spirit (EPH 5:18). We must seek God if we want to be transformed and if we desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

It was almost as though God waved a “caution” flag in my mind when the older lady spoke again. She said in a different tone of voice, “So you believe in the Trinity.” The word “Trinity” cannot be found in the written Word of God. We are not to go beyond what is written (1CO 4:6). God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit is a difficult doctrine for many to grasp. In Jerusalem, I had a Muslim friend tell me that Christians believe in three gods. Orthodox Jews believe God is Spirit and He cannot be flesh; therefore, they reject Jesus who Christians believe is God incarnate. I do not believe there is a person on earth who completely understands the Trinity, but I believe the Bible teaches the reality of the Trinity in both the Old and New Testaments. The Trinity is a spiritual revelation of God that I accept by faith.

The young lady sitting on the couch had said nothing, but I could tell she was listening. I told my visitors I believe God is three characters in one. Sharing my time in Israel was easy. I told them the Orthodox Jews recite a prayer everyday called the Shema: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is One” (DEU 6:4). Then I asked the older lady if she had children. She answered, “Yes” so I said, “Then you are a mother, a daughter and a wife...three characters, but you are only one person. I believe in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

It was a surprise when the older lady began to rise from the couch and she said, “Well we won’t keep you.” With excitement in my voice and a big smile I stood up and said, “But I want to keep you just as God wants to keep you. May I pray for you before you leave?” “No ma’am” the gray-haired lady said in a louder voice as they moved toward the front door. The younger woman held out a piece of literature and I said “no thank you” as I opened the door. I told them I read the living Word of God. “It divides between our souls and our spirits. It convicts us of sin.” When we stepped on the porch I again asked if I could pray for them.

The older lady again said, “No ma’am” and she added, “We are Christians too!” Then I implored once more, “You will not let me pray for you?” She said, “No ma’am!” The goodbye seemed sad as I said, “God bless you and have a wonderful day.” As they walked down the sidewalk there was sorrow in my heart. They chose to walk away.

The Bible tells us: O Lord, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the Lord, the source of living water (JER 17:13). Have you ever walked away? I have. Praise God for His mercy. Have you ever shown contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads us toward repentance? (ROM 2:4) I have.

Is your name written in the Book of Life (REV 20:15) or will it be written in the dust today? God cursed the serpent in the Garden of Eden. The serpent eats dust (GEN 3:14). Do you ever feel as though an enemy is eating away at the land of your life? “If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2CH 7:14). Do you want to be well?

We are created for God’s glory (ISA 43:7). We are told to “fear not” many times in the Bible. Remember when God commissioned Moses to bring the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt? This was long before Moses asked to see God’s glory. Moses asked God “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” The question was not important. God’s answer was. God said, “I will be with you” (EXO 3:12). There was no fear when my door was opened for the “witnesses” on Easter weekend. There was no question of who “I” was. God was with me and I saw a glimpse of His glory. Praise His Name! ~ Susan Smith

God Gave Them Over...

Neil at 4Simpsons blog has an excellent Bible study post on Romans 1. He stresses the fact that no matter how one might try to twist the Scriptures, it is very clear that sinful lusts can overtake a person to such a point that they are "given over" to them.

It is difficult for me to post an excerpt here. You need to read the entire essay. However, the following two points that Neil made stood out to me:

16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

V. 16 is powerful. In light of eternity, why should we be ashamed of the Gospel? The world hates the Gospel, because it convicts them of sin. The Gospel is for everyone. There is no other path besides Jesus.

This shows that if the gospel being presented to you doesn't make you squirm regarding conviction of sin, then perhaps you are not following the true gospel.

God's grace cannot be bestowed upon us unless we are first convicted within our hearts of our rebellion and sin. If you think I am incorrect in this (your decision, of course), then I would encourage you to read "Beware the Crossless Gospel."

Neil writes:

God has revealed himself to us in his creation. He takes it very seriously when people mock that and completely ignore him. Deep down even atheists know their is a God, but they “suppress the truth by their wickedness.”

Theologian R.C Sproul said, “Sin is cosmic treason. Sin is treason against a perfectly pure Sovereign. It is an act of supreme ingratitude toward the One to whom we owe everything, to the One who has given us life itself.”

Those who would condone sin, and refuse to confess and repent of them are, unfortunately, guilty of "suppressing the truth by their wickedness," (or, some Bible versions say, "of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.")

God is love, however, he is also holy and righteous. We can't leave out the fact that His perfect character means that He will not tolerate sin. He is the Supreme Judge of the universe. If He didn't judge sin, then we could not say that He is Holy and Righteous.

But God does judge sin. This is why Christians everywhere need to spread the true gospel of Christ. Not any made-up, secular version that man conceives in his/her own mind.

One day, all will face Jesus Christ in eternity. Whether you spend eternity with him in heaven or separated from him forever depends on your response to the true gospel message.

The Tide Of Compromise

The current tide of compromise going on in our nation; even within many denominations of churches is just like the creeping vine plant in a garden of roses. The creeping vine of compromise gradually encroaches upon our land and attempts to choke out the life of the Truth of the Bible.

Such compromise often starts out very slowly. Then, the infiltration stifles the true work of the Spirit in God's people and smothers the Gospel in the twisting vines of a weak, watered-down, worldly message. This isn't done in an obvious manner. No. Such a sudden diversion into error, would be too obvious and the church would react against it. Those who lead others into compromise are often very likable. They may even seem genuine and "loving." However, all the while they are putting forth a philosophy that is leading the faithful into a deeper, choking grasp of compromise with the world. Jude warns us to "contend for the faith" because "certain men" have "crept in unawares."

Jude 1:4 - For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

How are the faithful to guard against such pervasive, "progressive" philosophy?

We must know the pitfalls in order to avoid them. Or, if one already notices such errors found to be working within our lives and churches, seek to weed them out.

One pitfall is discontent. Eve's seed of rebellion was brought on by satan's questioning God's Perfect Will and goodness towards her. Satan's sly statements led her to believe that God was holding out on her. The seed of discontent was planted.

What are the current ways that discontent is aroused?

Being told that God's ways are narrow-minded?

Being convinced that we are missing out on something?

Being brain-washed (or, more specifically brain-dirtied) that following Jesus and God's revealed Word is too negative, too confining, too unloving?

That "unloving" claim against Bible-believing born-again Christians is a big one. Just as with any other derogatory name that could be hurled at believers (bigoted, homophobic, holier than thou, intolerant, etc.) no Christian wants to be deemed unloving. But if you fall for such conspiracy, then the roots of compromise have already settled in. God is not only concerned with love, he is concerned about the kind of love that is being projected by believers. His Word tells us that he is concerned about our knowing the Truth, and that Truth is the Person of Jesus Christ. He is more concerned about our holiness, which is not to be compromised by our sins which are often disguised by Satan as "happiness."

When someone claims that their particular sinful way of life makes them "happy" and you think in the back of your mind that you don't want to trample upon their "happiness," remember that they one day may be in danger of the Lord Jesus Christ saying to them:

Jesus speaking:

I Never Knew You
(see also Luke 6:46; 13:26, 27)
Matthew 7:21 - 23 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

Those who name the title of Christian, yet are going in a popular, secular-world-approving direction (rather than towards Christ's admonition, "If you love me, keep my commandments" and embracing obedience, righteousness and holiness) could be seen as a red flag that you are on that "broad way that leads to destruction." Note this verse:


The Narrow Way
(see also Luke 13:24)
Matthew 7:13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 *Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.


God's Word never changes. But man's perception of His Word (e.g. compromise) often does which leads to heresy and apostasy. The entire book of Jude warns us of this happening...especially in the last days.

Another pitfall is when others attempt to fault the faithful for preaching the narrow path to salvation. Many of the new movements out there in the churches want to appease those who desire a progressive view to Christianity instead of sticking with the orthodox view of the necessity towards holiness. Thus, such "leaders" strive to balance the message of the Gospel which usually means compromising one or more parts of it. This often can be just a subtle, yet very dangerous deception. One example is the emphasis on love, grace and mercy without the need for repentance for sin (meaning, not only asking for forgiveness but also turning away from former sins). This skewed view of the Gospel is (knowingly or unknowingly) sending people into a dangerous place for their souls!

I have found that people who believe this way take only a portion of Galatians and apply it:

Galatians 2: 14-15 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, *why do you compel Gentiles to live as *Jews? 15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

But they leave out the following:

Galatians 2:17 "But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.




This is in keeping with what Jesus said:

John 14:15 - If ye love me, keep my commandments.

It is because of love for our Lord Jesus that we no longer desire to be transgressors! There is a difference between just being remorseful (usually, the "sorry I got caught" attitude with the accompanying love for "self" motivation) and true sorrowfulness accompanied with repentance (love for Jesus motivated). With the help of the Holy Spirit who indwells the hearts of born-again believers, our spiritual rebirth helps to lead us away from sin and self and towards Christ's will for our lives.

You Will Know Them by Their Fruits
(see also Matt. 12:33; Luke 6:43-45)
Matthew 7:15-20 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

Compromise is the work of many who would come to you in sheep's clothing. But Jesus warns us that inside they are ravenous wolves.

Another compromising pitfall is intellectual pride. Those who think they know better and are above "believing the Scriptures and Whom they testify of" will not likely seek practical application of God's Word to the masses. Biblical wisdom sought and applied is far more valuable than man's wisdom sought through intellectual pride.

Another compromising pitfall is muffling the message. If your church leadership appears to be bringing in assistant pastors who have been indoctrinated with a "kinder, gentler way of ministry," my suggestion is run!

The true Gospel message gives us the warning of dying with your own sin upon your soul and that you will end up in hell if you choose that option. You just have to wonder if the man is really sincere about Christian faith if you are in a church where the pastor does not sound the alarm bell regarding the reality of a place called hell.

When a man is afraid of offending those in error, when he lacks a definite biblical stand on issues, when he seems reluctant to warn of sin and compromise, and when he seems too kindly disposed toward those so involved, watch out. The strangling vine of compromise has silenced the clarion call.

Another compromising pitfall goes hand in hand with the previous one: if a man or pastor endorses worldly views, entertainment, or the "pop culture" in the interest of "relating" to the lost, he is in error.

In notes from a Bible study, the leader shared:

"If you notice a gradual decline in emphasis on truth and an increasing emphasis on love, perhaps stated as a need for balance between the two, look for the fatal flower of faulty doctrine. Scriptural love is always firmly rooted in and grows out of Truth. If there is a flaw in our love, it is because of a flaw in our stand in the Truth."

This is precisely why there is such a rift between liberal churches and fundamentalist churches. The crux of the matter rests on the promotion of faulty doctrine or God's absolute truth as revealed in the Scriptures. One cannot be for both the liberal doctrines floating on a breeze out there while at the same time adhere to the fundamental moorings of Biblical ministry and doctrine.

I once asked a question similar to the following:

How do we reconcile the differences between the liberal leftist churches and the Bible-adhering, born-again believer churches on moral issues such as abortion, homosexuality, euthansia, cloning etc.?

Not one person wanted to answer it!

Why?

Because the answer is that they cannot be reconciled because they are polar opposites!

One or the other must compromise on any given issue.

IMHO, to compromise God's Word on any of those issues is to raise man's wisdom above God's wisdom. So, the answer to this dilemma rests in choosing between those who would compromise the Biblical worldview vs. those who staunchly and steadfastly adhere to it.

We see compromise on these very same moral issues day in and day out. In the media, from Hollywood, in the biased news programs, in schools and colleges, in various political organizations and lobbies. Political correctness and that good ole' buzzword, "tolerance" is allowing so many people in many professions to promote wrong, compromising programs and positions to our impressionable children.

David Kupelian's bestselling book, "The Marketing of Evil" demonstrates all too well how compromise has led to an onslaught of self-destructive madness. What is truly scary is that such "marketing of evil" techniques have already infiltrated some churches. Many of the unsuspecting are being brainwashed (brain-dirtied) into not realizing that the compromise that they are being taught and subjected to is actually corruption disguised as freedom.

Jhn 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly.

The lying lips of such marketers of evil have taken its toll upon our society. As Christian believers, we are called to be salt and light in this world and not let them bulldoze over us in their attempts to steal, kill and destroy our children!

Another compromising pitfall is to allow ourselves to grow weary of the battle. Don't let that happen!

When I was weeding, I thought to myself, "I just did this a few months ago and look at the re-growth of weeds attempting to steal the water and nutrients from my rose bushes, trying to kill my rose bushes so that they can't thrive, and thus reaching the end result of trying to destroy the beauty of my garden!"

It's true. Weeds will never stop popping up somewhere. However, does that mean we give up because it's tiring and unpleasant to pull them out? Do we let them overun and trash the garden? Of course not! Weeding is necessary for a healthy, productive garden.

The same is true for the growth of our children and grandchildren. Don't let that "creeping vine of compromise" have its way with them! Don't let the tide of compromise overun our nation and churches either!

Yes. It will often take discernment to weed the false converts out from among the true born-again believers and friends of the Faith. There is no doubt that when you cross the compromisers, you can expect opposition, conflict, even lies about you and your motives. But God's Word is clear when it says that it is our duty to "contend for the Faith once delivered to the saints."

Jud 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

There is no mention of the word "compromise" in that verse. There is no room for the creeping vine of compromise in Biblical Christian faith.

So, what is the best way to avoid that tide of compromise? Build your faith upon the Rock of Salvation, Jesus Christ!


Build on the Rock
(see also Luke 6:47-49)

Matthew 7:24-27

"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

26 "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."

Trust and Obey

Wednesday, May, 2

Trust and Obey

Whether it is pleasing or displeasing, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God.
Jeremiah 42:6

Recommended Reading
Hebrews 11:7-9

We can all agree that sometimes the things God calls us to do don't make sense to us, and it can be difficult from a human perspective to trust Him for the outcome of something that we don't understand. But all throughout the Word of God, as in the story of Noah and the ark, we are told that the result of trusting the Lord and obeying His commands is blessing. A beloved hymn reminds us of that truth.

Then in fellowship sweet
we will sit at His feet,
or we'll walk by His side in the way;
what He says we will do,
where He sends we will go;
never fear, only trust and obey. (John H. Sammis)

It sounds so simple; but when we are in the midst of an assignment from God and we cannot see past our present situation, it is easy to fear, to doubt, to want to give up. Take heart fellow Christians; God sees past this moment and into eternity, and He is waiting to show you the blessed outcome of your obedience.

It is His business to lead, command, impel, send, call or whatever you want to call it. It is your business to obey, follow, move, respond or what have you.
Jim Elliot

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Chronicles 26:1 - 28:21

HT:
Turning Point Online