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Archive for the ‘Motivation’ Category

Our Competence Is Through God

13 Feb

2 Corinthians 3:4-5 – 4 Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. 5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.

So many people feel like the Lord is speaking to them.  However, if the voice is contradicting the Word of God, it’s the wrong voice.  These people many times are genuine.  If I sat here and tried to run you nuclear fusion, it would just be a bunch of hooey that sounded good to me.  I know nothing about nuclear fusion.

Why do I feel confident about writing on God?  Because we have His Word to study and share.  Our competence comes from God Himself.

What’s really sad about today’s world we live in, we’re all taught that our own opinion is correct.  It’s our right to have one and no one should have the audacity to say it’s wrong.

We are allowed to have our own opinion, that much is true.  However, if your opinion is 2 + 2 = 5, your opinion is wrong.  You can still have it and no one can change it if you don’t want to, but it’s wrong.  Many people today are trying to teach it doesn’t matter what 2+2 equals, it’s irrelevant.

Why does 2 +2 = 4?  Because God does have absolutes.  Competence comes from God.  Without God we are all incompetent.  So much so, that if He didn’t come back and die for our penalty, we were all on our way to hell.  Follow the Competent One.  Live for Him.  He is the maker of the rules to follow.  The Lord is our guide and He mapped it out already in His Word.

 
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We Would Do Well To Listen To The Prophets

09 Feb

2 Peter 1:19-21 –19 And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

God and God only could give man a sure 100% accurate message about the future.

I have been very blessed to have lived in this time period.  Prophecy has been happening in front of our very eyes and not just by chance.

The Jews continue to exist even though the whole world continues to persecute and destroy them.  During this period of time they end up back in the land that God promised them.  The land in which they need to be in the last days.  The Word of God said Jerusalem would be a troublesome stone in the last days.  Jerusalem, not just Israel.  This is just a snippet of the prophecies.

To study prophecy and to see it all happening, one would have to be negligent to not believe it.

As I said earlier, I feel very blessed because seeing the prophecies happening has strengthened my faith 10 fold at least.  It’s helped me to know the Bible is 100% accurate and we can rest assure of how we are supposed to think and live.

Many people are scared to even learn about what’s happening or the thought of Jesus coming back.  Why?  It’s not because they are seeking the Lord too much.  Maybe it’s because their spirit recognizes that they haven’t been seeking Him at all.

A crown is given to those who loves Jesus’ wonderful appearing.

2 Timothy 4:8 –8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

A crown!  Do you think if he is offering a crown to those who love His appearing that it is important?  Would God have more to say in prophecy about Christ’s second coming than His first if it wasn’t important?

We would do well to listen and pay attention to what the prophets had to say and wrote about.

 
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Only A Little

01 Feb

Galatians 5:9 – 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”

Paul was using this in a negative connotation.  Yeast always puffs up the bread and signifies pride.  Also it reveals that one bad apple can spoil the bunch.

On the other hand it only takes a small group of people living the right way and sharing the Truth for it to works its way through the group also.

Take a stand for Truth.  Know what it is and share it with others.  It will set them free as well as yourself
when you seek it.

 
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Easily Accepting A Different Jesus

31 Jan

2 Corinthians 11:1-4 – 1 I hope you will put up with a little of my foolishness; but you are already doing that. 2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. 3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.

The Corinthian’s were being told by Paul that they were accepting a different Jesus than the one that he was preaching.

We are in really bad shape in this day and age, because very few read the Word so they have no idea if what they are being taught is right and wrong.  So they go by how it feels to them.

They say “Oh I like that.  It feels right to me.  I always kind of thought that way in my mind so no it’s just verified.”

Disaster awaits for those who serve a different Jesus other than the One taught in the Bible.  Why is that?

Jesus is a Person.  He lives.  He’s not just a philosophy or lifestyle like some want to make Him.

If someone believes in a Jesus that blows dope, hangs out in strip joints, surfs with the boys and tells them to chill, and don’t get hung up on absolutes, WE DON’T BELIEVE IN THE SAME JESUS.

A little extreme?  Maybe but the point is the same when Jesus is changed to what people want to make Him.  We need to know the Word so we are not misled to a different Jesus than the One from the Bible.

 
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Flee From Sin; Run From It

30 Jan

Genesis 39:1-12 – 1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.

2 The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he
did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. 5 From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the LORD blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the LORD was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. 6 So he left in Joseph’s
care everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.

Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, 7 and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!”

8 But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. 9 No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” 10 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.

11 One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. 12 She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.

He ran out of the house.  He didn’t toy around or entertain.

When we toy around and entertain sin, we lose.  Just the idea we are trying to walk the line starts the steps in motion.  Joseph ran and smartly so.

We are told to resist the devil.  If we do he will flee from us.

James 4:7 – 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

It’s the difference between honor and shame.  However, don’t become discouraged.  Take a stand.  The Lord is not interested in you being discouraged.  Nothing you can do will change yesterday.  All we are to do is ask forgiveness and move on.  Be a warrior for God from this day forward.  Finish the race with all your might.

 
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My comment to: What the Bible really says about same-sex marriage- article

27 Jan

I’m posting a link to a recent Seattle Times article –  Just click on the colored text to view.

After reading it I felt a need to email my thoughts and they are below in todays post so please read the article first.

——————————————————–

Just read the article and had to comment.

First Shalom.  I pray for the peace of Israel.  I am not the majority and it’s getting worse that believe the Jews are done with God like many so called replacement theology Christians.  God made a promise and that
promise will be kept.  We can count on that just like all of His literal promises in the Bible.

Your article says the Old Testament (ours) only mentions it twice.  You fail to mention the following:

Genesis 19:4-7 – 4 Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house. 5 They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.”

6 Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him 7 and said, “No, my friends. Don’t do this
wicked thing.

The angels were heading down because the wickedness was crying out and then this is the account before they leave and it is destroyed.  I understand that man will do or say whatever he wants and the Bible isn’t going to stop them.  However, those who choose to believe parts and ignore others are not seeking God’s Truth, but what fits best for them.

These scriptures are in your Torah (which some Jews only wish to acknowledge), let alone the Old Testament.  I believe if a Jew believes in the whole Old Testament and seeks the scriptures literally the only conclusion is Jesus as the Messiah.

Because I see the scriptures as literal, Jesus will rule and reign on David’s Throne just like it says in Zechariah.  They will look onto Me the one they have pierced and I will forever be their Lord.

Zechariah 12:7-10 –  7 “The LORD will save the dwellings of Judah first, so that the honor of the house of David and of Jerusalem’s inhabitants may not be greater than that of Judah. 8 On that day the
LORD will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the Angel of the LORD going before them. 9 On that day I will
set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.

10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns
for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. 

This is at the end of Armageddon and Jesus returns.  That time is getting closer as Israel is finding itself once again with no allies.

The New Testament has other scriptures outlining that Homosexuality is wrong.

My only purpose for writing this is not to have you believe my way, but to closely seek what the scriptures say is God’s way.  That’s the only way that will matter once we’re done with life here.

 
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Saints Will Help Judge The World

26 Jan

1 Corinthians 6:1-2 – 1 If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?

In the sue happy world we live in we need to remember this; the world is bent on greed and injustice.  It’s never their fault but always that of someone else.  We can’t as believers be taking other believers to have disputes being decided by the unbelievers.  We need to work together for resolution and find other believers to help hash it out.  The only time it doesn’t usually work out is when a believer doesn’t want to act like one.

The Lord indicates that overcomers will sit with Him at His throne.  He also indicates at least some will help judge and rule the nations.

Revelation 2:26-29 –  26 To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— 27 ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery’-just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Revelation 3:21-  21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Matthew 19:28 – 28 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Luke 22:28-30 – 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

The Lord has indicated many times that there are those who will share on His throne.  We are heirs and have to remember that and seek our Lord whole-heartedly.

 
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2 Corinthians 4:4

25 Jan

2 Corinthians 4:4 – 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Who is the god of this age?

Satan.

The most important thing to Satan is Satan.  Believers finding God cripples his chances to the god he wants to be.  Satan doesn’t care if he takes everyone down.  There is no love or light in him.  God is Light and Love and he left the Lord out of selfish pride.

Are we caring about ourselves first?  In our decisions in life who’s the most important?  Ourselves?

It didn’t work well for Satan.

My King didn’t think only about Himself.  He came and died for me out of love.  I’ve came to the conclusion that I need to appreciate that and serve the One who did.  Not live a parallel life like that of Satan that cares about numero uno first.

Matthew 10:39 – 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Matthew 16:25 – 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

Mark 8:35 – 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.

Luke 9:24 – 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.

Luke 17:33 – 33 Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.

John 12:25 – 25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Quite a few verses there and yet that’s just the tip of the iceberg on the Lord letting us know that we need to serve Him and die to self.

 
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What Standard Will We Be Measured With?

24 Jan

Grace is free and it’s for those who ask Jesus to forgive them and repent.

What then?

It says everyone will give an accounting for what he has done.

2 Corinthians 5:10 – 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

The difference between Heaven and Hell is the distance of North vs. South.  Eternity of one vs. the other is…..Paradise and…..Hell.

So what’s good and what’s bad?  That’s what each one will be held accountable for when standing at the judgment seat.  Believers will not be judge to hell, but we still will be judged on our lives.

The standard?

That would be the Word of God.

Hebrews 4:12 – 12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the
heart.

The Word of God is Truth.  It lives and is active.  If you care about what God thinks, it cuts like a two edged sword.

When we die or are raptured, it will be a thrilling day for all.  I’m afraid at that time it will really hit people that now we’re here (Heaven, eternity with our Lord) and not there (earth) anymore, I probably should have been a little more focused on eternal things rather on those that are gone forever.

Standing in front of the Lord and being rewarded for your love and commitment, will mean more than anything you accomplished down here.  Likewise it WILL matter once we’re there if we are saved only by the skin of our teeth.

Heaven is not a retirement home to look back on how great and mighty we were while on earth for ourselves.  It will be a time to worship and serve the King and trust in Him.  The Lord wants us to be obedient now and serving now.

Matthew 25:23- 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

It’s not how you start the race, but how you finish it.  If you have been running the wrong direction, turn around and start running back towards the Lord.  There is still time to finish well.

 
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Which One Of The Two Groups Of Scriptures Is A Correct Way To Spiritually Live?

23 Jan

Which one of the two groups of scriptures is a correct way to spiritually live?

Philippians 3:18-19- 18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.

OR

Philippians 3:20-21 – 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will
transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Seems like a silly question, right?

Which one of the two groups of scriptures is how we have been taught to live towards our goal of the American way?

I can vouch that my whole life, my age group, was never taught to look for Christ and deny the flesh.  We were told of opportunity, education, establishment, dare to be rich, have a life that experiences the finer things.  That’s the first couple of scriptures.  The mind is on earthly things.

Growing up in America makes it hard not to want both.  But scriptures never indicate you can chase successfully after both.  They will love one and despise the other.  Their glory is their shame it says above.  God tells us not to worry about what we will eat and drink (not too many more guilty than I have been on that one in the past) but that He knows we need those things.

The Bible is God’s living Word.  Look around you.  We see this very struggle more in our time period than probably in the history of the earth.  A Christian nation that became prosperous.  Amazing that the more prosperous it became, the further away from God we have slipped away.

 
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