I admonish you: Read Scripture. I'll even recommend that you read the book by George Orwell, 1984.
We are now engaged in a great battle, testing whether those who believe have enough belief to discern! Do you know about the second coming of the Lord and the signs? Have you chosen sides? Do you even know which side you're on? For most Americans little is known and few people even care. Those who profess Christ don't even relaize that they have believed a lie!
Each age has claimed an anti-Christ. Oftentimes Protestants claim the Pope is and at other times it was the leader of the government. Hitler and Stalin were both considered the anti-Christ in their time. They were not the anti-Christ, but were anti-Christs! Paul's letter below was about the "coming of the Lord". The Thessalonians were looking for his imminent return and Paul, by revelation from God, clued the Christians as to what was coming (study this):
2TH 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2TH 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
2TH 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2TH 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
2TH 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2TH 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
2TH 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2TH 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
2TH 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2TH 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2TH 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2TH 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
There shall be a falling away first. Falling away from what? People will abandon truth. They will accept science, philosophy, psychology, entertainment, education and government commentary and propaganda over God's truth. People will still cling to their Bibles, but whose verses have been altered and spinned to fit popular thought. Scripture will become multiple choice. God was right abouth this issue, but "ignorant" of another because science was unknown at that time. These are lies! Who is the liar? Satan, his emmisary (the anti-Christ) and other believers of the lie. Your loved ones will even abandon truth to be in tune with popular thought. Lies will become truth and truth lies!
The "man of sin" will be revealed"... "the son of perdition". Perdition is Hell. The son of Hell will be revealed. He is the author of sin. He's the "man of sin". That man is the anti-Christ, the antogonist of Jesus. Those with discernment will recognize him. Others will be deceived. For the first 3-1/2 years of the tribulation the leader will be loved, admired and bring not only world peace, but economic prosperity. People will have what they need. They'll have adequate health care! However, there's a catch! All those people will have to take a "mark" to receive government services, and to get those services, the government will have to approve. Without the mark many will starve and die, not to speak of persecution.
The second three and one-half years of the tribulation period will be a blatant dictatorship. Christians will be killed and decapitated just for being Christians! (Pre-tribulation Christians believe that all Christians will be raptured, taken up, before that event, but many will turn to Christ after that event and they will be persecuted). To avoid this beast wisdom dictates that you give yourself to Christ now. After Christ comes to meet the dead and living in Christ, your chances of ever becoming a Christian are greatly diminished! It will be a choice of being able to live or be a Christian. Many will choose the son of Hell!
The world leader, the anti-Christ, will oppose God and place himself higher than God. He may even belong to a Christian church for churches will fall away as well. Many pastors will breath the acridity of hell because they believed the lie as well... and even taught the lie! Churches that accept and teach un-Christian doctrine just as the church at Laodicia did, will be the "Great Whore Babylon" church. They are modern churches which don't accept the God inspired truth of scripture, allow fornication, abortion, homosexuality, evolution, and false teachings in the church. These modern Laodician Churches are rampant today and increasing in number daily! Tolerance of sin is taught as the master obedience. If you don't recognize these churches today you need to open your eyes.
This anti-Christ will call himself God by placing himself over God. God will be inferior to him in his own eyes! Just as Caesar declared himself a god, the anti-Christ will declare himself the God.
If you believe "the lie", you will not be saved! You're for a wall of separation betwen church and state? How naive! The world leader will be the state. He will be God! (sic). The anti-Christ will totally combine state and religion! That religion will not be Christianity. It will be everything and anything but, because Satan's role is to undermine Christ!
People will fail to love "the truth". They will have pleasure and consolation in lies. Evil will become good and good will become evil! That's where knowing and reading 1984 is important! We have already surpassed what Orwell envisioned at that time. Just look at the government intrusion in our lives right now and how the government has even turned on its citizens. Just look at the beginnings of persecution of Christians even here in Amercia because we are "right wing intolerant and hate-filled" according to the liberal/Progressives behind the administration. (If you fail to see that the Democrat Party which has been taken over by Marxists are a threat to your Christianity, you'd better open your eyes)!
Evil-doers who believe the lies will take pleasure in sin. We are told that homosexuals are "born that way" and pedophiles can have healthy sexual relationships with children. We are told that a woman's perogative to abuse her body and her offspring is supreme to the liberty of living of the unborn child. We were once told that babies aren't human until birth. Now babies are not even human if they're born and the intent was for them to die! (Obama subsribes to that). We are told that evolution is fact and that Christianity is a myth to placate the stupid. We watch entertainers who hate us. We pay those to pleasure us who hate Jesus.
Americans believe "the lie". Europe believes "the lie". Islam is "a lie". Universalism is "a lie". Marxism is "a lie". Education today is "a lie". Liars abound where once there was truth. Are you a believer of the lie?
There is an antidote for those deceived. That antidote is Truth. Scripture is the Word of God and it is Truth. All you have to do is open your mind, look at the creation and realize you're doomed except for the spilled blood of Christ who died for you on the cross. For what? For telling the truth. For being the Truth!
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Arc of the Covenent: Christ Inside the Box
Many have seen the "nine-dot exercise" where one passes four straight lines through nine dots without lifting the pencil. It's normally a gimmick to impress people to :think outside the box".
There was another box. It was the "Arc of the Covenant". We are told in Hebrews 9:4 "Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;"
The Jews then and now "see" one thing in the box. They see "the tables of the covenant" what we call "The Law". Although their eyes "see" all three, their heart perceives the one.
John 12:40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them."
What signficance have the other two items?
Let's first look a the pot of manna. Manna is bread from heaven. It taste as coriander seed and honey. It substained the Jews while they were wondering in the wilderness for 40 years.
Deuteronomy 8:3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.
Manna is bread. Bread from heaven. It saved the Jews from starvation and death. It was the "bread of life"! What else is? John 6:35 “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” Jesus is the "bread of life". Jesus is represented by tha manna!
There was another box. It was the "Arc of the Covenant". We are told in Hebrews 9:4 "Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;"
The Jews then and now "see" one thing in the box. They see "the tables of the covenant" what we call "The Law". Although their eyes "see" all three, their heart perceives the one.
John 12:40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them."
What signficance have the other two items?
Let's first look a the pot of manna. Manna is bread from heaven. It taste as coriander seed and honey. It substained the Jews while they were wondering in the wilderness for 40 years.
Deuteronomy 8:3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.
Manna is bread. Bread from heaven. It saved the Jews from starvation and death. It was the "bread of life"! What else is? John 6:35 “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” Jesus is the "bread of life". Jesus is represented by tha manna!
John 6:57 "As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. 58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever." Whereas, the manna came down each day, saving the Sabbath, it was "forever" during the forty years. Likewise Jesus is forever.
Simply, Jesus is represented by the pot of manna in the arc!
In addition Aaron's Rod that budded was in the "box".
Exodus 7:12 " For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods." Exodus 7:20 "And Moses and Aaron did so, as the Lord commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood."
Forgiveness is always by the blood for without blood there is no salvation. Aaron's Rod represented the "blood of Jesus' shed in propitiation for our sins.
Numbers 17:5 "And it shall come to pass, that the man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you." Blossoms represent life. Jesus is life... eternal life!
Likewise "the bronze serpent" was used by Moses to eat the snakes in the Wilderness:
John 3:14 “And as Moses lifted up the
serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up” The bronze snake represents Christ. Just as the bronze serpent represented Christ, so did Aaron's Rod.
Hence, whereas the Jews see the Law in the box, Christians see the law as well as Christ!
| Matthew 5:17 "Think not that I
am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to
fulfil." The New Testament (Jesus himself) says that He supplements "The Law". The Jews have the Law without Jesus to this day and Christians have Jesus assured by works (the Law). Our Old Testamanet Patriarchs in close communion with God understood the promise of Jesus in all activities of God. The manna and Aaron's Rod weren't put in the arc by accident or the "fun of it". There was a message from God. That message is the Messiah... Christ Jesus. Paul taught grace! That grace is Jesus and him resurrected. Paul was a scholar of the Old Testament beign a learned Pharisse and student of Gameliel. Paul, given the light od salvation, suddenly was blined by Shekinah Light. Once his vision was restored by God, he then had eyes that saw and ears that hear. He was a new man in Christ. That light (Truth) allowed hom to understand all that he had been taught from Scripture was about Jesus! He learned by revelation directly from Jesus. Acts 18:28 “For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.”
Galatians 1:12 " For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."
Jesus put wisdom into the Scripture Paul knew so well. All Scripture points toward Jesus and Paul was given the Light.
|
Monday, June 3, 2013
Strength in Weakness
In this day of pop psychology we are careful that no one feels badly of themselves. In children's sports, the winners and losers both get trophies. So as not to feel poorly of themselves failing children no longer get "F's", but "E's" or "Needs Improvement". Classes are taught at such a level that achievers remain unchallenged just so the less motivated can keep up.
In college, some groups just can't pass the admission tests. They are allowed to be "placed" in college and given remedial classes to qualify, although the motivated are qualified before they apply.
The grade system is challenged itself! Some say that intelligence should not be measured by a grading system because it categorizes students. Although, grades reflect an understanding of material learned, well-meaning sociologists want all students to "feel" as if they have learned.
Then we have adults! They say things as "I feel like I screwed up!" "No!", Horace, "You DID screw up!" I've heard people who borrow to buy say "I deserve this new car!" Again, Horace "You don't deserve it... you want it!" You "deserve" to have what you have already earned. Buying on the credit is undeserving.
When are we going to face reality? Some of us aren't the brightest bulb in the lamp. There will always be others who are more deserving, smarter, more motivated, more successful, having more things and wielding more power. Inside our innermost thoughts most people see themselves as important as the president. Although the president is likely as insecure as anyone, he would like to think he "deserves" his position as well.
Truth is when there is a match between what is believed and what is actual. Frankly, most people don't have 52 cards in the deck. It's deceitful and dangerous to avoid allowing people to realize their own shortcomings. Before a problem can be corrected, it must first be defined. A little realistic self-examination can be a great motivator!
Paul certainly recognized truth and examined his own performance:
2 Corinthians 12:10 "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
Infirmities are feeble physical characteristics. Reproaches are disapprovals from others. Necessities are behaviors and actions you have no choice in doing. Persecutions are being harassed just because of who you are. Distresses are sufferings, and in this case, suffering because you're magnify Christ!
In 2 Corinthians Paul reveals his true self. He talks of his boldness and his meekness. He speaks of his strengths and his weaknessess. He tells of his successes and his failures. Paul was harrassed just because he was Paul, a person with physical "targets" and a person whose personal beliefs were different than most. Paul suffered not only because people disliked Christians and Jews, but also because of his meekness, bad eye-sight, slight physical characteristics and who knows what else! Here we have a middle-aged single man who does migrant work and frequents places where crude people gather, and what were they suppose tho think?
Paul was strong because of his weaknesses demanded that he be strong! Adversity and persecution are great character builders. Constant praise without positive criticism makes most people weak.
Like, Paul, I have weaknessess. Like Paul, I have strengths. My place is to put my life on an accurate scale and recognize my gifts and improve my deficiencies. Some may easily see my vulnerabilities, but I KNOW mine. When I was young I believed inside that I was superman, but I truly feared my kryptonite! I was backward, shy, poor, poorly dressed, poorly spoken, and an average athlete. On top of that Hoosiers where I grew up referred to me as "dumb Kentuckian" and sneered at my torn clothing and too big pants and shirts (handed down from oler brothers).
I worked on all that! Now I'm too forward, outgoing, self-sufficient, fairly well-dressed, speak moderately well, but am still an average athlete. (No, I'm not affluent). God has provided my needs in abundance because I follow him, help others, am not jealous of the success of others and thank Jesus daily for what I have. (I will give most of it up when I die. I've just borrowed it for a short while). I believe that I do have "character" because obstacles motivated me.
God expects us to help ourselves, but when we do so, he jumps right in there and aids us. Paul didn't spread the word to the known world because he was Paul, but because he was Paul empowered by Jesus!
The moral here is that you should use your weakness as motivators and character-builders. You don't have to be stuck in the mud of life, slipping and sliding helplessly, all in tune to positive affirmations! You can face truth and grab the hand of Jesus. He will help you out of that mud. He will mold you into a use that he knows and you have yet to discover!
Saturday, June 1, 2013
The Company We Keep
This may sound terse, but I like to choose with whom I keep company! Simple. Why?
We all prefer people with like interests, with compatible beliefs and those with whom we can share affection. We're supposed to love everyone, but face it, some are easier to love than others. Company is not about what we prefer... it's about what we should do and must do!
1 Cor 5:11 "But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner, with such an one no not to eat".
Let's look at what this says to the Christian. First off, the instruction is regarding a Christian's relationship with another Christian. It doesn't apply to the unsaved.
What relationship are we to have with an unsaved person? That's simple! Even Jesus ate and drank with sinners (as well as devoted Christians). Why did Jesus eat and drink with pagans? To love and teach them about God. Getting to the point, if you are associating with practicing sinners you must be leading them to salvation by witness, testimony and example. Boozing and cursing with sinners is not what Jesus did, and that's not what you should do! If you are befriending sinners it must be to fulfill the "Great Commission", which is to lead others to Christ.
We all know that there are "babes in Christ" and sanctified Christians. The babes still practice sin as a routine. Sanctified Christians know Scripture and practice self-control. We are to mentor the "babes in Christ" for their own spiritual growth, but if growth is not seen in the individual, then we cease the association. Likewise, those once faithful Christians who backslide and are unremorseful must also be avoided.
Paul specifically points out sinful behaviors for which we are to shun fellow Christians. We are to shun fornicators. Fornication is sex between unmarried partners. A Christian should never "hang out" with people who are living out-of-wedlock or who are promiscuous.
We are to shun Christians who are covetous... people who have strong desires to want what others have... materialistic Christians who have the priorities on wealth and possessions and not Christ. These are the same people who will lust after another sexually. These are to be shunned!
We are to shun idolaters. Idols are anything which tend to take magnification off God and put it on something else. Idols may even be money, status, recreation, interests and promiscuousness. We are to shun Christians who do not place God first in their lives!
We are to shun railers. Railers are those who are bitter, negative, harsh, abusive and are critical of others. Railers are not what Christians are called to be. When one is harsh to another Christian, it is not an example of love. It's hateful and spiteful!
Christians are to shun drunkards. Although anyone may justify a "glass of wine for dinner" from a selfish desire, it's just a short reach to drunkeness. One will never be a drunkard who does not drink alcohol. One will never be an addict who doesn't use drugs! How many truly limit their alcohol intake all the time to a glass of wine. I would bet the majority of people even occasionally over inbibe, even get intoxicated! Christians are to shun those brothers (and sisters) who get inebriated. We can understand a heathen being a drunkard, for the heathen has no hope. For Christians our hope is Jesus and we need to face him with sobriety!
We are to shun extortioners... those who manipulate people for personal gain. Even throwing a temper and showing anger when not getting one's own way is extortion! We are to use balanced scales with people and extortion is un-Christlike. I've even seen Christians who hurt others around them because they don't get their own way! That's extortion.
All these sins are not independent of the other. When a person sins, it's not in just one category. Sin is all interrelated and compounded. If one fornicates, sex becomes an idol. Alcohol is used to reduce guilt and rationalize behaviors. An adulterer will easily be harsh to their spouse and belittle and curse at their mate. They must get their own way... or else.
The same applies to any sin. God is not placed first in the lives of the immature Christian. They know truth, but are in rebellion. Christians must do as Paul says and shun those fornicators, those railers, etc.
What happens to you if you don't listen to the inspired words of Paul? You are influenced by those with whom you associate. Paul isn't saying "Avoid sinning brothers because they're evil". He's saying "Avoid sinning brothers so you won't fall into the devil's trap!" If you want to remain undefiled stay away from those who defile. We are to flee from sin!
God gives us direction so we can gain wisdom. The wise listen to a just God. Follow your own will and you'll jeopardize your own communion with God. Follow it too long and God will become of no consequence in your life!
We all prefer people with like interests, with compatible beliefs and those with whom we can share affection. We're supposed to love everyone, but face it, some are easier to love than others. Company is not about what we prefer... it's about what we should do and must do!
1 Cor 5:11 "But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner, with such an one no not to eat".
Let's look at what this says to the Christian. First off, the instruction is regarding a Christian's relationship with another Christian. It doesn't apply to the unsaved.
What relationship are we to have with an unsaved person? That's simple! Even Jesus ate and drank with sinners (as well as devoted Christians). Why did Jesus eat and drink with pagans? To love and teach them about God. Getting to the point, if you are associating with practicing sinners you must be leading them to salvation by witness, testimony and example. Boozing and cursing with sinners is not what Jesus did, and that's not what you should do! If you are befriending sinners it must be to fulfill the "Great Commission", which is to lead others to Christ.
We all know that there are "babes in Christ" and sanctified Christians. The babes still practice sin as a routine. Sanctified Christians know Scripture and practice self-control. We are to mentor the "babes in Christ" for their own spiritual growth, but if growth is not seen in the individual, then we cease the association. Likewise, those once faithful Christians who backslide and are unremorseful must also be avoided.
Paul specifically points out sinful behaviors for which we are to shun fellow Christians. We are to shun fornicators. Fornication is sex between unmarried partners. A Christian should never "hang out" with people who are living out-of-wedlock or who are promiscuous.
We are to shun Christians who are covetous... people who have strong desires to want what others have... materialistic Christians who have the priorities on wealth and possessions and not Christ. These are the same people who will lust after another sexually. These are to be shunned!
We are to shun idolaters. Idols are anything which tend to take magnification off God and put it on something else. Idols may even be money, status, recreation, interests and promiscuousness. We are to shun Christians who do not place God first in their lives!
We are to shun railers. Railers are those who are bitter, negative, harsh, abusive and are critical of others. Railers are not what Christians are called to be. When one is harsh to another Christian, it is not an example of love. It's hateful and spiteful!
Christians are to shun drunkards. Although anyone may justify a "glass of wine for dinner" from a selfish desire, it's just a short reach to drunkeness. One will never be a drunkard who does not drink alcohol. One will never be an addict who doesn't use drugs! How many truly limit their alcohol intake all the time to a glass of wine. I would bet the majority of people even occasionally over inbibe, even get intoxicated! Christians are to shun those brothers (and sisters) who get inebriated. We can understand a heathen being a drunkard, for the heathen has no hope. For Christians our hope is Jesus and we need to face him with sobriety!
We are to shun extortioners... those who manipulate people for personal gain. Even throwing a temper and showing anger when not getting one's own way is extortion! We are to use balanced scales with people and extortion is un-Christlike. I've even seen Christians who hurt others around them because they don't get their own way! That's extortion.
All these sins are not independent of the other. When a person sins, it's not in just one category. Sin is all interrelated and compounded. If one fornicates, sex becomes an idol. Alcohol is used to reduce guilt and rationalize behaviors. An adulterer will easily be harsh to their spouse and belittle and curse at their mate. They must get their own way... or else.
The same applies to any sin. God is not placed first in the lives of the immature Christian. They know truth, but are in rebellion. Christians must do as Paul says and shun those fornicators, those railers, etc.
What happens to you if you don't listen to the inspired words of Paul? You are influenced by those with whom you associate. Paul isn't saying "Avoid sinning brothers because they're evil". He's saying "Avoid sinning brothers so you won't fall into the devil's trap!" If you want to remain undefiled stay away from those who defile. We are to flee from sin!
God gives us direction so we can gain wisdom. The wise listen to a just God. Follow your own will and you'll jeopardize your own communion with God. Follow it too long and God will become of no consequence in your life!
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Recipe for Trouble
Serves Many People - adjust recipe proportionately to serve a mob:
ingredients:
the rue: being human (the flesh)
little bit of rebellion
some confusion
large amount of pride
dose of turmoil
smidgeon of spite
ample rage to suit
dash of hate
gall (optional)
rejection of God to top it off
serve with a side of wrong
Take what we all have, our humanity, add a little rebellion.
Apply ample heat to simmer.
Stir well constantly until nearly hardened.
Turn up the heat and add some confusion to water it down.
Just as the mixture bubbles add a large amount of pride.
Taste at this point.
Expect the taste to be somewhat bitter. That's normal at this stage.
Stir in a dose of turmoil and a smidgeon of spite.
Keep the heat on high until it boils.
Quickly add rage to the bubbling mixture.
A dash of hate will top it off.
It's nearly finished. You just need an opinion.
Have your master-chef taste it and see if passes muster.
He will tell you it's too weak to suit, you'll need to add some gall.
The taste must be awful to those who dislike you,
and the same must refresh those who cherish your recipe.
The trick is to add the right ingredient to make some think it's good,
but those who're wise will recognize trouble's brewing.
Take the finished dish and pass it all around.
Make sure every person gets a taste.
All this work for a little bit of trouble.
Eat it quickly and share with many.
This dish goes with any side of wrong.
If the taste is not causing trouble enough...
Just add some rejection of God and all will be well.
ingredients:
the rue: being human (the flesh)
little bit of rebellion
some confusion
large amount of pride
dose of turmoil
smidgeon of spite
ample rage to suit
dash of hate
gall (optional)
rejection of God to top it off
serve with a side of wrong
Take what we all have, our humanity, add a little rebellion.
Apply ample heat to simmer.
Stir well constantly until nearly hardened.
Turn up the heat and add some confusion to water it down.
Just as the mixture bubbles add a large amount of pride.
Taste at this point.
Expect the taste to be somewhat bitter. That's normal at this stage.
Stir in a dose of turmoil and a smidgeon of spite.
Keep the heat on high until it boils.
Quickly add rage to the bubbling mixture.
A dash of hate will top it off.
It's nearly finished. You just need an opinion.
Have your master-chef taste it and see if passes muster.
He will tell you it's too weak to suit, you'll need to add some gall.
The taste must be awful to those who dislike you,
and the same must refresh those who cherish your recipe.
The trick is to add the right ingredient to make some think it's good,
but those who're wise will recognize trouble's brewing.
Take the finished dish and pass it all around.
Make sure every person gets a taste.
All this work for a little bit of trouble.
Eat it quickly and share with many.
This dish goes with any side of wrong.
If the taste is not causing trouble enough...
Just add some rejection of God and all will be well.
Rock Music and Christianity
I told a friend that one reason I look forward to heaven is that there will be no rock music there (tongue in cheek at the time). He was astounded, loving that genre, I'm sure! Many churches today utilize "Rock" to get the young to attend. While the angels rejoice at the salvation of even one person, we must remember that God is holy. God never promised he'd change for us, but we must for him!
Why do I say that that there will be no Rock Music in Heaven? Simple!
Deuteronomy 32:4 "He is the Rock (as in granite), his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he."
God is without iniquity... that's without sin. God is sinless! So far, so good, but I'm not finished.
1 John 3:2-4 (KJV) "2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."
God is pure! Purity is God's having no faults. He is sinless. God cannot sin. God cannot accept sin. God will not accept sin. God hates sin more than anything! Scripture speaks "pure as gold" more often than any purity. 24k gold is pure gold. God is pure as gold and more so! And God also says that we shall be pure just like him!
Here's what God says about sin:
Proverbs 6:16 "These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."
God hates sin and he names them! They are an "abomination" (disgusting) unto him.
We have now established that God is sinless, God does not allow sin in his presence because he hates sin and that God is totally pure.
Now for the "Rock" genre of music...
"Rock" music emerged during the 1950s being called "Rock and Roll". That genre of music hit the scene with the advent of the electric guitar. Drums and synthesizers added to the sound.
We normally think of romantic lyrics, but Rock has dealt with a wide range of themes: including sex, rebellion against "The Establishment" (authority), social concerns and life styles.
Allan Freed of Cleveland, Ohio was first credited with the term "Rock and Roll". From "Houghton Mifflin Word Origins" we learn that "Freed probably picked up "rock and roll" from the lyrics of a 1948 rhythm-and-blues hit called "Good Rockin' Tonight." Before that, both rock and roll had sexual meanings in jazz and blues, as in "My Man Rocks Me with One Steady Roll," recorded by Trixie Smith in 1922, which inspired Bill Haley's famous "Rock Around the Clock" in 1954."
What I'm saying and crudely so is that "Rock and Roll" is an euphemism for "back seat sex"! That's it's origin, that's what it refers to and in practice, that's what back seat participants often prefer, so I understand from popular media.
However, Christians have adopted this same genre for the praise of God. In the 1960s flower children who professed Christ brought their music into the church. It caught on and has grown to the point that it's common in many charismatic and wannabbee charasmatic churches, even conservatives denominations including Baptists, not to mention liberal denominations such as Methodists.
Yes, Scripture tells us to be worshipful with music. David did. Psalms are songs to the Lord. Music must be reverent and magnify Christ. The focus must be on Christ, not the singer nor the production. That's appropriate music and few argues against priase music.
John 17:14 "I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."
No, Christians, are not to copy the world. We are to set an example for the world. We're not to be a stumbling-block. When we're saved we're a "new man" (or woman) and God delights in our change. He calls us to be holy as he is holy!
Now let's return to "back-seat sex" or good ole "rock n roll". God cannot allow any sin in his heavenly realm. He cannot allow the beat and meter which accompanies provocative dancing and induces sexual excitement. I'm not implying that church music is intentionally doing that, but it is a result of impurity in music. Worship music is not for our own entertainment, but is to magnify and please God much as the sweet smell of incense was in the Old Testament.
God has grace! He understands that our worship is imperfect. He understands our commitment to the flesh (pleasing ourselves). However, what God allows his children to do in Satan's realm here on earth is a far cry from what will be in his sight in Heaven!
I have an innate dislike for things "rock", primarily because most of the rock music pioneers were rebellious, hedonistic, anarchists and ungodly. I didn't listen to their genre of music because it was out of synchronization with Scripture and I'm blessed with overly amount of discernment. Too much discerment is not pleasant, but that's my "gift" from God. If you see me sinning, I have to admit that I truly no better, but do it anyhow! For that I need forgiveness.
Now for Rock Music. Is it for your pleasure or for God's magnfication? (Remember that throwing "Jesus" into the lyrics doesn't make the song "Christian"). Do you really think that Rock Music will be allowed or even desired in Heaven? Do you agree with Scripture that Christians's should be "sanctified" (set apart from the world)?
We all like to be entertained. God gives us six days to work and have fun. Can we not give Him one hour a week on Sunday to obey and please Him without the need to be entertained?
Monday, May 27, 2013
Patient and Industrious
2 Thessalonians 3:10 "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."
In the Church at Thessalonica were those who believed that Christ's return was imminent. They saw no reason to work to provide for themselves because the end was near anyhow. Jesus was coming soon, so why toil? However, they had no problem eating the victuals of those still working and living in their households!
Paul referred to these freeloaders as "busybodies", "disorderly", lazy, disobedient and "evil"
Paul taught them to go on with life, but be patient. They were to live their lives just as they had been before, while keeping in mind that their hope was at hand! Jesus will come, but no one knows the time. "Be patient!" I repeat, is what Paul told them.
Many in society today must be expecting the coming of Christ tomorrow (sic) because they live their lives just as the Thessalonian freeloaders did! So many people today, although they may go to work each day, still fit the stereotypical disobedient Thessalonian.
I've worked with many who are there (on the job), but that's about it! They depend on others to carry their load and spend more time avoiding than performing work. They get paid the same, but are busybodies and disobedient. In effect, they're stealing from the employer and coworker who has to work harder to get the same outcome.
Then there are people who live off the system. They never do value-added work, but depend on society to provide for their needs... and wants! Some people who are workers still bleed the system if they can!
What ails me? Those who have the attitude "I deserve this ______ (car, stereo, television, boat, etc.). They don't use the term "I want", but "I deserve"! What do we deserve in life? We deserve what we work for (providing we're able). No work... No pay... No eat! Narcissistic people are the ones who "deserve" everything, according to their words and behaviors.
Paul always talks about love and grace! He is not referring to self-love, but love of God and others. Loving and caring for others is grace. Self-love, self-centeredness and self-grandisement are evil! We are to have a healthy view of ourselves. Some common folk, in rural Kentucky even, seem to believe that they are somehow royalty. The duty of friends, relatives and co-workers are to make things easy for them because "they deserve it"!
Those individuals often end up in debt because they procure when young what the previous generation worked years to accumulate. They live above their means and with the plastic median of exchange, it can take years to catch up with them, but it will. They have new cars, wide-screen T.V.'s, DVR's, smartphones, stereos and sometimes even boats and motorcycles. However, the bank is the true owner and the user is the abuser... of the system.
How to change? Be patient! Earn what you purchase. Purchase what you need. If it's not needed, don't buy it (unless you can pay cash). Don't depend on others. Be self-sufficient, but rely on God. Don't manipulate others into feeding into your self-centered life. Be a man! Be a woman! Be responsible! But foremost, have love and charity for others and your own desires will be satisfied! You wont' focus on self when your eyes are on helping others and loving Jesus.
That's just the way it is. That's truth!
In the Church at Thessalonica were those who believed that Christ's return was imminent. They saw no reason to work to provide for themselves because the end was near anyhow. Jesus was coming soon, so why toil? However, they had no problem eating the victuals of those still working and living in their households!
Paul referred to these freeloaders as "busybodies", "disorderly", lazy, disobedient and "evil"
Paul taught them to go on with life, but be patient. They were to live their lives just as they had been before, while keeping in mind that their hope was at hand! Jesus will come, but no one knows the time. "Be patient!" I repeat, is what Paul told them.
Many in society today must be expecting the coming of Christ tomorrow (sic) because they live their lives just as the Thessalonian freeloaders did! So many people today, although they may go to work each day, still fit the stereotypical disobedient Thessalonian.
I've worked with many who are there (on the job), but that's about it! They depend on others to carry their load and spend more time avoiding than performing work. They get paid the same, but are busybodies and disobedient. In effect, they're stealing from the employer and coworker who has to work harder to get the same outcome.
Then there are people who live off the system. They never do value-added work, but depend on society to provide for their needs... and wants! Some people who are workers still bleed the system if they can!
What ails me? Those who have the attitude "I deserve this ______ (car, stereo, television, boat, etc.). They don't use the term "I want", but "I deserve"! What do we deserve in life? We deserve what we work for (providing we're able). No work... No pay... No eat! Narcissistic people are the ones who "deserve" everything, according to their words and behaviors.
Paul always talks about love and grace! He is not referring to self-love, but love of God and others. Loving and caring for others is grace. Self-love, self-centeredness and self-grandisement are evil! We are to have a healthy view of ourselves. Some common folk, in rural Kentucky even, seem to believe that they are somehow royalty. The duty of friends, relatives and co-workers are to make things easy for them because "they deserve it"!
Those individuals often end up in debt because they procure when young what the previous generation worked years to accumulate. They live above their means and with the plastic median of exchange, it can take years to catch up with them, but it will. They have new cars, wide-screen T.V.'s, DVR's, smartphones, stereos and sometimes even boats and motorcycles. However, the bank is the true owner and the user is the abuser... of the system.
How to change? Be patient! Earn what you purchase. Purchase what you need. If it's not needed, don't buy it (unless you can pay cash). Don't depend on others. Be self-sufficient, but rely on God. Don't manipulate others into feeding into your self-centered life. Be a man! Be a woman! Be responsible! But foremost, have love and charity for others and your own desires will be satisfied! You wont' focus on self when your eyes are on helping others and loving Jesus.
That's just the way it is. That's truth!
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