10/09/21 THESE THREE AGREE
God does not forgive us so that we will continue in sin.
Jesus does not save us from sin so that we will be servants of the devil.
The Holy Spirit does not purify our hearts and lead us in light so that we will walk in the flesh and sin.
10/09/21 MY SATURDAY PROVERB
Proverbs 29:20
20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
This is a reminder to "watch your mouth." The fool has a "free range" mouth that needs to be brought under control. Of course, we cannot control our mouths on our own, but we can through the power of the Holy Spirit in us. We need to be born of the Holy Spirit, baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit and led by the Holy Spirit.
Here are some other verses that address this subject.
The Fruit of the Spirit is Self Control
Galatians 5:22-25
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
In verse 23 the KJV says "temperance," which means "self control." There is such a thing as self control, when we allow the Spirit to rule in our hearts.
Notice also in vs. 24 that those who are surrendered and ruled by Christ have crucified the flesh, which is The Carnal Mind, the Old Man, The Fleshly Mind. This is where life in the Spirit begins. Living in the Spirit is related to continuing, following, walking in the Spirit.
Our mouths can be filled with praise and honor to God, not only every day, but all day long
Psalms 71:8
8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.
Let God keep watch, guard at our mouth, allowing only the good and
uplifting. Sometimes the problem comes from an unenlightened or
disobedient heart, sometimes from a careless mind, and even from an
innocent thought. This is why we need to bring every thought captive to
the obedience of God and checked by God before we speak it.
Psalms 141:3
3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
Slow to speak; Doing the word of God; Doers are blessed.
James 1:19-25
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness,
and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your
souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth
therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this
man shall be blessed in his deed.
Loose lips sinks fellowship. Salvation keeps us unspotted.
James 1:26-27
26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his
tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To
visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself
unspotted from the world.
10/09/21 GOD IS FAITHFUL AND MERCIFUL
Listening to a great song. So glad that God sometimes uses a mountain, a troubled sea, a desert, to get ahold of me.
But God's grace makes it possible for us to avoid those particular difficulties, if we walk in the Spirit.
God redeems the fallen who finally return.
God restores the backslider who repents quickly.
God rewards the faithful who does not choose to sin.
1 John 2:1-6
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.
And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ
the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
10/09/21 SEVEN PROVERBS FOR SEVEN DAYS
I sometimes reread my own posts. Yesterday I
referenced verses from Proverbs. As I reread those verses this morning I
thought how profitable it would be to read and reread them on a regular
basis.
I counted them. There were seven. I thought, one for
every day of the week (as well as our other Bible reading). So here they
are again. I have added a day by day schedule.
Obviously these truths should guide our daily walk with Jesus. Following this schedule will also help us memorize these verses.
SUNDAY
Proverbs 12:15
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
MONDAY
Proverbs 14:16
16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
TUESDAY
Proverbs 15:5
5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
WEDNESDAY
Proverbs 17:10
10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
THURSDAY
Proverbs 18:7
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
FRIDAY
Proverbs 28:26
26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
SATURDAY
Proverbs 29:20
20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
10/09/21 SO, DID YOU HEAR?
Y'all do remember Paul joining a Christian paramilitary group and violently attacking the Palace in Rome, killing 152 Palace Guards, right? (Yeah, me neither too).
How about Peter, when he formed a militia that tried to force Christian principles on Roman society. The were called, "Stony's Ear Whackers." (Naw, it doesn't even sound vaguely familiar).
How about James, when he organized a political action group for justice reform, and then he retired to a private island. (Not even close).
Or maybe you thought all the Apostles became popular Name It Claim It preachers or Positive Mental Attitude gurus and glad handed everyone as they ignored the corruption in society, culture, politics and religion. (Then why come ya reckon they all died violent deaths, hmmm?)
10/08/21 SOMETHING TO CONSIDER
Those who follow God's N.T. revelation, which forbids believers to swear oaths and forbids Christian violence, are often accused to be anti-Biblical and un-American by other Christians because we won't violate our commitment to Jesus.
However they promote and praise men and women who take oaths to defend the Constitution and to protect and serve the community, while they are actually following godless and un-American orders to oppress and punish good Americans and law abiding Christians.
I also honor and respect those who serve, but I don't support any misuse of authority or power.
I am not suggesting anarchy. I am simply pointing out that our present political, legal and moral climate should be moving Christians to study and follow a Biblical standard rather than turning against Christians who have different convictions about Church and State authority as well as the Biblically different responsibilities between the redeemed and the lost.
10/08/21 WHO IS THE FOOL?
If a half wit warns a genius about a present danger, but the genius does not heed the warning of the half wit, then who is the actual half wit and who is the actual genius in that situation?
Proverbs 12:15
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
Proverbs 14:16
16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
Proverbs 15:5
5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
Proverbs 17:10
10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
Proverbs 18:7
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
Proverbs 28:26
26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
Proverbs 29:20
20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
10/08/21 STOP. LOOK. LISTEN.
When folks don't
Stop,
Look and
Listen
to God and His word,
10/08/21 OUR WORLD IS BEYOND BAILING
If your boat starts to take on water (for whatever reason) your first action will be to get the water out of the boat (bailing) and finding where the water is getting into the boat. If you see that your boat is in danger you prepare your people for survival and you continue to bail. When you see that all is lost and the vessel cannot be saved you prepare to abandon ship or you abandon ship.
Today people are trying to bail out the Titanic with a thimble, in the midst of a typhoon, when they should be manning the life boats or standing on the deck singing, "Nearer My God To Thee."
It is time for Christians to quit trying to save the Ship of State and instead put your energy into rescuing the perishing, throw out the lifeline, shove into the breakers to reach the lost, get folks aboard The Old Ship of Zion (salvation, the church).
This world, including Western civilization, is
sinking fast and the Church needs to Launch Out to rescue those lost in
the sea of sin and corruption. Some who call themselves Christians are
either whining over their lost loves and dreams or they are seeking a
safe harbor rather than obey God. However, the call of God is to abandon
this evil system and rescue the lost. The self sacrificial truth is
summed up in a famous saying of the U.S. Life-Saving Service,"
"You have to go out, you don't have to come back."
10/07/21 DASH CAM VIDEO
(living without sin as a choice)
Watch this video. I could open up the way of victory.
These thoughts are not my opinions.
God commands that we quit sinning, He enables and empowers us to
quit sinning and He holds people accountable if they don't quit
sinning.
If you don't believe God can and will save you from sin, don't be shocked that you sin.
10/06/21 DON'T DISCOUNT OR SHORTCHANGE THE CHURCH
Church is not an amusement park or entertainment venue or cultural center or social club or civic organization. Church is the gathering of God's children to love, worship and praise Him, to fellowship, serve and encourage one another as we are trained in righteousness, truth and spiritual warfare.
Church is not an option for Christians any more than family is an option for family members. Discipline is normal, selfless giving is the standard, perfecting relationships is healthy and desirable to the normal and healthy Christian.
Church is the Body, Building and Bride of Christ and Church must be respected in the light of God's plan for the Church. Church is also God's army, God's life saving service, God's emissaries to the lost and God's support team for other believers.
There should be more commitment, discipline, self denying and sacrifice for the ministry of the Church than any other group or movement in the world. Jesus died for the Church. Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to the Church. Jesus endows the Church with gifts, abilities, skills and a plan to do His work.
Denying, rejecting the importance of the Church is a direct insult to God.
Very few people have ever seen the Church (church) as God designed and intended it to be. Do not be a distraction for the glorious plan of God, but rather be a positive example and a productive member of His family.
10/06/21 A BALANCE IN PREACHING
As a Biblical pastor, I don't preach or expect more from my people than what God has revealed.
As a Biblical pastor, I preach and offer all of the grace and blessings of God.
When it comes down to it, a person would have to be dumber than a clam to reject what I preach.
It is way past time for Christians to quit living with a self styled commitment.
It is time for Christians to live in the Spirit, produce the fruit of the Spirit every day of their lives.
It is time for Christians to quit being touchy, stubborn, independent, self directed, self assertive, self pleasing.
It is time for Christians to face the fact that we are only part
of the body and we are not allowed to live apart from the body of
Christ.
It is time for believers to use their abilities, talents, gifts in submission
to Biblical leadership, in conjunction with other believers, for the
edifying of the believers and the evangelizing of the nonbelievers.
The body parts of Christ neither cannibalize other parts of the body of Christ, nor separate themselves from the body of Christ.
It is time to be Biblical.
10/05/21 NOT MY IMAGINATION, ALL OF THIS IS IN HIS WORD
(especially important for any Christian that wants to serve God)
God was not joking when He said that the church should be of one mind. This is especially true of those who seek to serve God in ministry. In fact, that is why Christians are not fit for ministry until they have been Sanctified Entirely by being Baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire.
WE ARE SOUGHT in order to be Saved.
Jesus came to seek and to save the lost.
WE ARE SAVED in order to be Sanctified Entirely.
He gave Himself that He might redeem us from all iniquity AND TO
SANCTIFY unto himself a distinctive people, zealous of good works.
Remember, Jesus saves the lost and sanctifies the believers.
WE ARE SANCTIFIED ENTIRELY in order to Serve
Jesus told the disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until they were endued
with power and Baptized with the Holy Spirit; who purified their hearts,
then go into all the world.
Carnal Christians are not fit to serve God in ministry. God's plan from the beginning was to cleanse the sinner from his sins and purify the believer, even as Christ is pure.
Self must die.
Believers must die to self.
Believers must be dead to the devil.
Believers must be dead to the world and worldliness.
There is no room in ministry for arguing or an argumentative spirit.
There is no room in ministry for divisiveness, which comes from pride, haughtiness, arrogance.
There is no room in ministry for touchiness, suspicion, gossip or any unChristlikeness.
Jesus did not die and rise again and send His Holy Spirit in order for people to perform carnal religious service, promote self and start their own religion or present a false message of division, jealousy, anger, arrogance.
We are called to be His servants, His ministers, His ambassadors, His messengers.
We are called to be conformed to His image.
We are called to do His work in His way by the power of His Spirit, as followers of Jesus.
No believer should seek or accept a place of ministry unless and until they are crucified with Christ, raised in the power of His resurrection, walking in the Holy Spirit, having one mind with the body, submissive to Biblical leadership.
There should not only be no outward division, their should be total unity among fellow believers and Christian co-workers, as well as eager submission to spiritual leaders ship.
If you do not have these qualities, you are not fit to serve God. You should be at an altar of prayer, surrendering to God and rise only when you can walk with the mind of Christ, in oneness with your church leaders.
(I could have given the appropriate passages, but I am hoping you will remember them when you read the statements or you will find them for yourself. If you have any questions, let me know, I will tell you where God's word tells us these things).
10/05/21 DOCTRINE, REPROOF, CORRECTION, TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS
If the preacher's words seem hard, it could be that he is lacking wisdom
or kindness or both, or it could be that the hearer is out of sync with
God's will and revelation and is in need of sound Doctrine, Reproof,
Correction or Instruction in Righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Yes, it is possible for a believer to not be adequately trained in the word of God, in order to live a life that is obedient and pleasing to God.
Yes, it is possible for the believer to pull away from God, His word, His people, which requires reproof, rebuke.
Yes, it is possible for a believer to err, to drift from truth that perfects them and be wrecked on the rocks of rebellion.
God's word is profitable for Doctrine (teaching). This is why God provided a written record to guide our beliefs. If we err in our beliefs we will err in our behavior. There is always a need in the Christian experience to stand on, depend upon, lean on, live by and return to God's revelation of Himself and His salvation. It is not that God changes but we change, through growth, lack of growth, drifting from or abandoning the way God. God's doctrine, teaching, revelation, enlightenment, word is dynamic, living and essential for us in every moment and experience in life. God has called, equipped, enabled, empowered preachers, pastors, seasoned saints to teach others the word of God, and guide them in God's truth.
God's word is also good for Reproof those who have turned away and moved from the way of God, the path of God, the leading of God. Again God enlists men to wield His word as a reproof to those who are willfully resisting and rejecting God's rule in their lives. Sometimes those who have placed their faith in Christ and have followed God's leading fail to listen, submit, seek God, surrender to God and find themselves living contrary to His will. This is when God brings the force of conviction against the wayward person.
Sometimes the words of the pastor are hard and pointed. People don't like to be confronted over their errors. Backsliding people resent pastoral authority and reject pastoral rebuke. Nonetheless, rebuke must be rendered and it must be received by the offender. Remember, it is the pastor's job to perfect and fully equip the believer and this means dealing openly, honestly, lovingly in a way that rebukes the sin in a backsliding person.
Sometimes a believer needs to be confronted and led back into a closer walk with God. It is a mending, healing restoring of a worn or weakened relationship God's word is profitable for correction as well as rebuking.
Always, God's word is good for Instruction in Righteousness. We need to grow in grace and knowledge and we need to increase in wisdom. This is what it means to be instructed in righteousness.
Every Christian needs the ministry of the word in
Doctrine, Reproving, Correction and Instruction in Righteousness. This
is the work of a man of God, a pastor of God's sheep.
My job is to present my congregation perfect (in the Biblical sense) and
completely equipped for every good work. The responsibility of the
parishioner is to place themselves under sound doctrine, respond humbly
and eagerly to rebuke, seek healing, mending, restoration and to submit
to training in righteousness.
Here is another passage that supports this position.
Colossians 1:27-29
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this
mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all
wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
IN FACT, ANY PARISHIONER THAT DOES NOT WILLINGLY SUBMIT TO BIBLICAL TEACHING, REPROOF, CORRECTION AND INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS IS RESISTING AND REJECTING GOD'S RULE IN THEIR LIFE.
