Things that are dangerous and senseless: Trusting a non-believer to help you understand Spiritual things and their implications to your life; trusting an alligator that offers you a ride across a river.
Category Archives: Deep Thoughts
Masters, But Not Disciples
Beware of the flood of would-be masters who will not be disciples.It is Oxymoronic/Paradoxical to find those who are resistant to authority yet they wish to be authoritative; to encounter those who refuse to follow leadership yet wish to lead others.
Would You Refuse to Share the Gospel Because the Person Didn’t Look or Live Like You?
Would you only share the Gospel message with people who dressed or lived like you; only to people that lived where you lived, and/or had an upbringing similar to yours? Would you only share the message of Salvation through Christ, with others if they had hair or they had tattoos like yours? If you shared the same educational background or had similar experiences growing up would that motivate you to willingly make an appeal to others. If their politics, race, or gender were the same as yours; would that provoke you to share your faith and belief in Christ?
Would you reject sharing the gospel with a man because you’re a woman, or with someone who is Asian because you’re Caucasian? Should a Black man or woman not share the Gospel with a Korean person? Are Millennials and Gen X’ers justified for not sharing the Gospel with Boomers? Should you avoid sharing the Gospel with someone because their earring was in their nose instead of their ear?
Would you resist sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with anyone, not because of their expressed hostility to the Gospel, but because of their cultural, economic, educational, ethnic, or visual differences?
HERE’S SOME GROUNDBREAKING NEWS – THE FIRST CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES WERE JEWS!
They traveled to places and encountered people they historically considered ‘less’ than them and held in contempt. These Jewish believers formerly thought they were superior because of their religious heritage. But Paul said:
After His resurrection, the Lord commanded His Apostles to go to ethnically foreign and religiously dissimilar people. Go to all nations, in all the world, to every creature, unto the uttermost part of the earth; to atheistic, pagan, and hostile societies and share His message of Salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life. Does this sound like they would be in cultures which reflected their cultural, religious, and social values? No.
The decline of faith is not new, Scripture declares that in the last days many will fall away, however, we still have the mandate to share the Gospel with the world, in spite of their differences. We can’t talk about God’s love and then refuse to share it. The popular illusionist, Penn Jillette, of the team Penn and Teller, and a self-proclaimed atheist said:
Paul explained it like this:
Heaven expects it:
So, friends, in 2018 consider sharing the Gospel with people because they don’t know Christ. Don’t hold back because they’re different. If they’re willing to listen, be willing to share. If they don’t want to hear, you’ve lost nothing, but if you don’t share you may have lost a potential brother or sister in Christ. Remember, God will give you the opportunity if you trust Him.
The Knowledge of Biblical Truth Protects Us From False Doctrine.
Click the image to listen.
Many people are deceived and destroyed by false doctrine because they don’t know what true doctrine is; they don’t know God or His Word. The truth of the Bible reveals God’s holiness and sovereignty. Biblical truth provokes the knowledge of sin, the call for repentance and the ability to believe. The life of a person who knows true Biblical doctrine produces holiness, promotes grace, and practices love.
I’ve been told that Treasury Department Agents do not begin their training by learning how to spot forged currency. Instead, they are trained to look for the marks which verify currency is genuine. This method equips them to spot a forgery every time because they are looking for what is genuine not what is fake.
Knowing Biblical truth works the same way. To know the truth of God’s Word we must believe that God is and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). When we hunger and thirst for His kingdom righteousness He satisfy us with His truth (Matthew 5:6). When we ask Him for wisdom He gives it to us (James 1:5). He does this so we will be spiritually assured and capable of walking genuinely in the faith. He does this because it glorifies Himself and sanctifies us.
Once we learn to recognize Biblical truth we need to commit to following it. When we follow after Biblical truth we’ll always be able to spot false doctrine and false teaching.
Pursue the truth of God and His Word and you’ll never have to worry about false doctrine or false living. You’ll be able to get your Faith To Go!
Believers, Let’s Get in The Fight!
It’s becoming increasingly harder to understand passive Christians. I didn’t say humble or meek, I said passive. The ‘oh well’, or, ‘whatever’ mentality that allows some to passively participate in questionable activities or conversations in spite of a troubled conscience. It’s the mentality that allows some to feed their minds with more worldly influences that biblical ones. It’s the mentality that causes someone to be a church attendee or member but not engaged or engaging in intentional ministry. It’s the mentality that prevents many from pursuing God with a hunger and thirst and instead causes them to be easily shaken and stirred in their faith.
Why is this a growing problem among professing believers? Because many are not engaged in spiritual warfare, they’re not in the fight. In his book, Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots, J.C.Ryle wrote:
“True Christianity! Let us mind that word “true.” There is a vast quantity of religion current in the world which is not true, genuine Christianity. It passes muster, it satisfies sleepy consciences; but it is not good money. It is not the authentic reality that called itself Christianity in the beginning. There are thousands of men and women who go to churches and chapels every Sunday and call themselves Christians. They make a “profession” of faith in Christ. Their names are in the baptismal register. They are reckoned Christians while they live. They are married with a Christian marriage service. They mean to be buried as Christians when they die. But you never see any “fight” about their religion! Of spiritual strife and exertion and conflict and self–denial and watching and warring they know literally nothing at all. Such Christianity may satisfy man, and those who say anything against it may be thought very hard and uncharitable; but it certainly is not the Christianity of the Bible. It is not the religion which the Lord Jesus founded and His apostles preached. It is not the religion which produces real holiness. True Christianity is “a fight.”
The true Christian is called to be a soldier and must behave as such from the day of his conversion to the day of his death. He is not meant to live a life of religious ease, indolence, and security. He must never imagine for a moment that he can sleep and doze along the way to heaven, like one traveling in an easy carriage. If he takes his standard of Christianity from the children of this world, he may be content with such notions, but he will find no countenance for them in the Word of God. If the Bible is the rule of his faith and practice, he will find his course laid down very plainly in this matter. He must “fight.” (see * below for citation)
At the realization that the end of his earthly life was near, the Apostle Paul wrote:
“2Ti 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”, 2 Tim 4:5-8
He was telling Timothy to stay in the fight, and, that there is a reward from the Lord for those who remain in the fight. Paul knew the battle would be long and hard for Timothy just as it had been for him. He realized Timothy would not be able to depend on Paul for advice and encouragement so He told him to put his trust in God’s all-sufficient Grace to get him through. He reminded him of the foundation of his salvation and his ministry, as well as the Kingdom Agenda the Lord has charged him to carry out.
” 2Ti 1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”, 2 Timothy 2:1-4
Paul’s encouragement to Timothy was meant for us as well. We must live and carry the Gospel each day of our lives in spite of the opposition Satan and this world throw at us. We need to fight as if our Lord is returning tomorrow. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to be our counsel and comforter. We must march through the world with our eyes open to God’s holiness – refusing – rejecting the deceitfulness of the flesh, the world, and the Devil. We must honestly acknowledge the wickedness of this world and refuse to allow it to take hold in our lives – to the point of pain. Our walk with God, our family relationships, and our joy are all at stake. We can fight about cultural, economic, educational, and social issues but these earthly concerns will exist until Christ returns. Meanwhile, people without Christ will die in their sins no matter how successful we are in their worldly battles. To be truly engaged in this fight (this spiritual warfare) we must consider the higher plane of living to the glory of God and of mankind’s need for salvation through Jesus Christ.
Get in the fight. Fight the Good fight.
* – J. C. Ryle, Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots,(Great Britain: Evangelical Press, 1879), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: “Chapter 4: The Fight”.
APOSTASY – DON’T BE FOOLED!
Apostasy (falling away from [abandoning/leaving] the truth or rejecting [opposing] the truth in lieu of what is false) is a clear and present danger in today’s world. An apostate is one claiming to be a true believer but unrepentantly believes and/or practices what is contrary to Scripture. Apostate preachers/teacher and fake churches teach perversion. They do this by adding to or taking away from the truth about God, His Son, Salvation, Sin, Repentance, faith, and holiness. Believers must learn, practice and share the truth of Scripture. This allows believers to recognize false teaching from false teachers and avoid it/them. This is not a personal judgment, this is Biblical spiritual discernment regarding Biblical truth. False teaching leads to false beliefs and false professions of faith.AVOID FALSE TEACHERS, THEY ARE LIVING UNDER DAMNATION.
Paul wrote –
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”—Galatians 1:6-9
and
BEWARE OF FALSE TEACHERS, THEY ARE SELF-SERVING, SELF-DESTRUCTING AND WILL BRING DESTRUCTION TO THOSE WHO FOLLOW THEM.
Paul also wrote –
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”—Romans 16:17-18
“Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”—Matthew 15:14
It’s time to stop affirming, validating, quoting and promoting false preachers/teacher with their false doctrine in spite of their appeal or popularity. This happens every time you quote them or buy and share their materials. They appeal to the flesh, the world and the Devil. They are looking for sinful gain or to practice sin. By affirming them you affirm their sinfulness, and yours. If you share in their beliefs you will also share in their punishment and destruction.
Test all things by Scripture, submit all things to God in prayer, ask for and seek His sound Biblical truth. Resist what is labeled as truth when it really twists and compromises God’s Word.
Jesus is the Source and Strength of the Believer’s Life.
The virtue of faith is not about finding the strength to conquer our flaws or our will to persevere. The virtue of faith is about the transforming work of Christ and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. It’s us denying our will in lieu of Christ’s and existing in his strength. Then our flaws a defeated by Christ’s Spirit and we persevere because He supernaturally sustains us.
It’s time to change the conversation about Salvation and the walk of faith in Christ.
“I am crucified with Christ, never the less I live, yet not I, but Christ who liveth in me” – “Greater is he that is in me”
Strength For the Journey!
There’s an old hymn I love titled, “Precious Lord Take My Hand”. Most people sing it at funerals for those faithful saints who’ve passed into the presence of the Lord. But I prefer to sing it to remind me that I’ve got a journey to complete before I reach that Heavenly shore.
“…lead me on, let me stand. I am tired, I am weak, I am worn”. Nothing personal, but I feel like this when I have those intense weeks of numerous services and hospital visits, bills, chills, spills, sickies, ickies, not to mention preparing for sermons and studies all week long. Sometimes I forget that I need the Lord to renew my strength. I get caught up in the doing. I get wrapped up in the having to get it done. Diligence in ministry is required but we can wear out the mind and body even though the spirit is willing. So this song reminds me to ask God for the strength to make it down the path for today’s part of the journey. I ask for today’s daily bread, daily direction, and daily instructions. I find that when I ask for what I need today I get it. By asking for it I remind myself that my help and my strength comes from the Lord. Remembering He supplies what I need helps me remember to be a good steward of what He has given me. A steward works to please his master and not himself. I desire my labor to be pleasing and honoring to the Lord. So I ask the Lord for the strength to make it on the journey.
Do you need strength? Are you feeling weak and run down? Spend some time with God in study, prayer, and meditation. You don’t need to remind him what you need. Just ask him for what you need and then trust him to do it. “Cuz they that wait upon the Lord … .” – riiiight!
“Precious Lord, take my hand. Lead me on, let me stand. I am tired, I am weak, I am worn. through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light. Take my hand, Precious Lord and Lead Me On.
7 Points Regarding Sexual Sin
The following points are from an article in Churchleaders.com
1. Who or what you pursue will ultimately determine what you do and who you become. It is a spiritual impossibility to pursue Jesus AND sexual sin at the same time. (Psalm 25:15)
2. As a friend of mine has often said, “God is not after our begrudging submission but rather our joy!” And long-term joy, peace, and fulfillment are never the result of pursuing sexual sin. (Please read Proverbs 5, Proverbs 6, & Proverbs 7 for further confirmation in regards to this point.)
3. Sexual sin is not something that can be “prayed away,” nor can we simply read Bible verses about grace after committing it in order to feel better. NOR can we simply promise God over and over that we won’t do it again (how’s that working for you?). We CAN be set free from it…but it will not be pretty. It must be confessed (James 5:16) and repented of (Revelation 2:21-23!). (I did not overcome my nearly 20-year battle with pornography until I confessed it and asked for help!)
YES, it may “cost you” when it comes to your reputation…but remember, the costs of concealment are far greater than the costs of confession…and repentance is WAY more important than our reputation.
4. Sexual sin costs us our spiritual esteem…people who are involved in sexual sin feel disconnected from God, guilty, and spiritually dead.
5. For those who want to STOP sinning sexually…a decision MUST be made to renew your mind (Romans 12:1-12), to FIGHT the battles in your mind (II Corinthians 10:5), and to ask GODLY men and women to come alongside you and both encourage and spur you when necessary (Hebrews 10:24-25).
(PS…this means you have to stop saying, “I messed up sexually.” OR “I made a mistake!” Call it what it is…sin. AND stop meeting with people who are doing the same things that you are doing and so when you get together to “hold one another accountable,” you are actually hoping that the other person “messed up” so that you don’t feel bad about doing so!)
6. Understand that IN CHRIST, you CAN have victory over sexual sin! (See Romans 8:37, I Corinthians 15:57, Philippians 4:13!) IN CHRIST, you are NOT a victim but rather a receiver of VICTORY! If Jesus overcame DEATH, then Christ in you can help you breakthrough the stronghold of sexual sin! (Luke 1:37!)
7. For those who belong to Christ and are trying their best to pursue Him on a daily basis but are still haunted by a sexual past…remember that is who you WERE; it is not WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST! (II Corinthians 5:17!) Do not allow what used to defeat you to define you! You are no longer defined by what you did but rather by what CHRIST did for you on the cross!
Walk By Faith.
For we walk by faith, not by sight: 2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)
The words of Apostle Paul to the Corinthian Church. He was letting them know believers must defer to God for all things. This requires the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. Without Him, a person is confined to what their physical eyes can see. When that happens choices and decisions are subject to emotions, experience, expectations, etc. Personal experience or insight cannot know the unknown or the unknowable. You might succeed in the flesh and still be a spiritual failure. On the other hand, God is sovereign, He knows all, and His judgments are sure. He sees the beginning and end of all things. He is not limited by time or space. He can’t be blind-sided, exploited, or fooled like we can, which means He can’t fail and He can’t lose.
To walk by faith and not by sight is to forgo conventional eyesight and rely on spiritual insight. Spiritual insight is dependent on faith in God’s will. It’s not blind faith. It’s faith based on the evidence of God’s person and performance. He provides us with evidence of His sovereign ability so we can willingly put our trust in Him.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
When we walk by faith we accept His provision, His timing, and His direction. It means we set aside our personal expectations, preferences, and will for His. We choose to accept His choices. We desire to meet His expectations. We want to fulfill His will. We learn to be content with His provision and choose not to blame, complain, or whine. We seek Him in times of difficulty, pain, and uncertainty rather than defer to self or the world. In those times God offers comfort, peace, and the ability to endure.
In short, to walk by faith we have to deny ourselves and take the path He leads to instead of the path we want to take. Yes, taking His path may cause us to encounter confusion, frustration, loss, or even pain. But in the end we will become stronger in our faith, more content in our physical circumstances, and more confident in our service.
When we walk by faith we have everything to lose (that is worldly and useless) and we have everything to gain (that is godly and eternal).
I once was blind but now, I see!
To Him who gives sight to the blind be all glory, all honor, and all majesty.