November 2008

Monthly Archive

30 November, 2008

Your Past, Your Present, Your Future

Posted by christina1998 under Christ, Flesh, Holy, Idolatry, Kingdom, Life, Sacrifice, Salvation, Truth
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YOUR PAST

Reminisce -to look to the past, specifically the good memories

Remember Lots Wife. Luke 17:32

Genesis 19:17, 26 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed….But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

Some of the “good” things we hold onto today.

  • past achievments(highschool, college graduation, sports trophies, honorary degrees, beauty pageants etc.)
  • childhood memories(school days, neighborhood hangouts, secret clubs etc.)
  • our first “love”
  • old friends
  • material things(momentos, antiques,souvenirs of places we’ve gone)

Remember Israel? They weren’t content with what God had for them in their present time and circumstance.

Numbers 11:4-6 And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:
But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.

As His people the Lord doesn’t want us to remain in the past, longing for things, or relationships, or that “fuzzy warm feeling” we had, which only shows we are too comfortable in this world. Looking back to the “good ol’ days” shows we are not fit for the kingdom of God.

Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Looking back and longing for the past in any aspect of our life and not letting go of it or someone, will entangle us back into bondage, if we’ve ever gotten out of it that is.

2 Peter 2:20-22 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

We’ve escaped who we were before, we are not the same anymore. Why do we hang around those places, those things, those people, who are enemies of God and purposely want to drag you back into your old life. They don’t care, they just want their old friend back. There is a difference between giving them the gospel and sowing the truth into their life than just keeping company for carnal reasons.

1 Peter 4:1-4 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

Take for example a true widow…

1Timothy 5:9-10 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

She could easily, losing her husband, start a new life, get a new hairdo, new wardrobe, start traveling, going to parties etc

Like a young widow would…1 Timothy 5:11-13 

But she diligently, carefully seeks to do for others and not herself. Esteeming others better than herself. Philippians 2:3-4
The Lord is not pleased when we go back or long for the past things we’ve given up

Heb 10:38-39 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Have you given up your past? Are you careful of what and who you have in your life?

YOUR PRESENT

What determines what we like? What we eat? What we wear? Where we live? How we talk? Much of humanity decides the things by what is in style or fashion, to say, or do, or wear. Do we follow what’s popular? Fashion or style is what other people are doing and how they are conforming to each other. Brethren, we are not to be stylish or “in fashion” in any manner of life. Why we do things should be determined by God’s will and not man’s whims.

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Our body is not our own. We have given up every right to determine what is best for us; that’s what it means to be a living sacrifice.

1Corinthians 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

If Jesus Christ our Lord had conformed to His age/era, He would have had an innumberable amount of “buddies”; people you hang around with to talk or chat about just carnal things and do carnal stuff. He left everything that came in the first 30 years of His life here on earth. He lost friends, a permanent residence(is there truly “no place like home” here on earth), familial relationships(His were forever from that point based on the spirit not on fleshly ties 2 Cor 5:16-17, Matt 12:46-50) Let us examine why we do the things we do, and why we know the people we keep company with.

YOUR FUTURE

What determines our decisions for the future? A ‘trend’ is how the world many times makes their decisions. They see what might happen and then just “go with the flow”. The stock market is one example of that. People buy and sell based on what might happen or “hope” is going to happen. But that is not how God wants us to determine how we see the future here on earth dealing with every day life..

James 4:13-15 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

We are not to worry about earthly matters. The Lord will provide if we seek first His kingdom.
Matt 6:19-21, 25-34

But there is one future we ARE to look to. Finish the race, attain the prize. Conforming to the image of Christ. The apostle Paul recognized the unprofitableness of our past achievments, relations, and “good” things. Let him be our example here. Christ was his example…Read Philippians 3:3-4:1

 

11 November, 2008

The Summation of All Things

Posted by christina1998 under Christ, Cross, Death, Glory, Grace, Kingdom, Praise, Salvation, Savior, Truth, disciples, humility, overcoming, poetry, poor, resurrection, sin, suffering
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In the beginning was the Word
And the Word created
A time had been appointed
His people would be liberated 

In human eyes a God so far away
One who expected much
But a chosen few
He revealed His plan as such:

Coming as a man, thru Jesus His Son
He humbled himself as nothing
In all points tempted
In every way suffering

He died a cruel death
As a payment for our sin
Bearing the shame upon His cross
Below a sign declaring Him Sovereign

Out of the tomb
He arose three days and nights later
Appearing to many
Who would be witnesses and propagators

Of the truth they would proclaim
Thinking nothing of their lives
Spreading the great news
Of Jesus the Christ

Now we come to today
Christ’s kingdom still growing
Longsuffering God has
His witnesses going and going

Into all the world
The message is the same
As when Jesus walked the earth
And for this reason he came:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to
preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted,
to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Luke 4:18-19

Remember from the beginning,
God appointed His people to liberation?
All for God’s Glory!
That is the summation…

 

5 November, 2008

Brethren Be Diligent

Posted by christina1998 under Christ, Deceiving ourselves, Idolatry, Truth, sin
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1 John 5:19-21

  And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.  Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

Anything, any belief or any man that we put above the truth of God is an idol. If that thing distracts you away from the things of God, or that belief is contrary to the scriptures and the message Jesus brought, or if that man proclaims a message contrary to the truth; Lay it down, throw it away, turn away from that person. Let God be true and every man a liar (Rom 3:4)

Prov 4:13-19

  Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.  Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

The wicked themselves are deceived, so they continue to deceive others…

Romans 16:17-18

 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.

How can we be sure that we won’t be deceived, we should make sure that we LOVE THE TRUTH (Read the entirety of 2 Thessalonians chap 2) If we don’t love the TRUTH(Jesus Christ and all that He is and has proclaimed to the world)then we will fall for the lies of this world and anyone proclaiming the lies of this world.

2Pe 1:10

 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall…


 

2 November, 2008

The Sound of Silence by Ade-Peters

Posted by christina1998 under Christ, Flesh, Kingdom, Life, Righteousness, wrath
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Heaven appears to be indifferent over the abominable activities that presently dominate the earth. And because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil—Eccl.8:11 

But a life destitute of spiritual worth and dominantly evil in its course of existence postulates an ignorance which could be irrevocably fatal.

Breathing over the habitations of men is a divine reticence which in spite of human rebellion, continues to be reserved. Silence in itself is a message on its own. It proclaims in mute eloquence, the necessity for caution.

Recorded throughout the word of God are punitive measures meted out to evil-doers. The children of Israel, in response to the cravings of an uncontrolled appetite gave in to harsh expressions against Jehovah and His messenger. They took God’s silence to mean God’s absence and eventually were made to reap the bitter harvest of their spiritual irreverence [Ex. 17:7, I Cor.10:10].

It was there in the wilderness that the people ate and drank and rose up to play—1 Cor.10:7. They who were created in the image of God, who were separate unto Him and should be a pattern for mankind, abused the goodness of God, descended from His high and lofty calling and consequently degenerated into the lower level of animal existence. They ate, they drank and they rose up to play. Food, drink and sex are about all any animal can think of. It is impossible to find a dog thinking about God or expressing religious desires.

But God did not create man to be like a dog or any other animal. Neither was he ever fashioned to burn himself out in the consuming flames of unbridled passions. The whole duty of man is to worship God and to fear Him. And, that exactly is what we do not do. More than that, humanity continues in a way as to oppose the worship of God. Indeed, iniquity continues to gain universal acceptance.

Presently in our world, the prophet is accounted mad and the priest insane. Oppression, injustice and frivolity of the basest sorts continue to be the chief delights of the times. Civilization with all its attendant benefits has failed to and indeed cannot rectify this problem. Learning, though to be desired has been unable to refine man. Throughout history we find that those who were supposed to have been educated have not been exempt from the practice of cruelty and oppression against fellow men. Even the best of human governments have crumpled beneath the burdensome weight of wickedness.

In recent times there has been an almost universal cry for democracy. But what is democracy, other than a legal endorsement and execution of self-will? Democracy, a movement for the rights of individuals, in other words a legal campaign for self at the expense of restraint is the unanimous cry of the nations today.  Lest someone accuse me of being anti-democracy, I reply, no government system ever practiced in this world has been free from the same ills that plague democracy as we know it today. Indeed, we can reasonably conclude from experience that anarchy, communism, military dictatorship and several others are worse forms of government.

God’s spokesmen throughout the ages continue to faithfully proclaim the coming of the Lord. We have become so familiar with this that we usually treat it as though it were some mere spiritual fairy tale. But does it occur to you that, the coming of our Lord promises a global change of government right here on this earth? [Rev.11:15] Jesus Christ is coming again. Spiritually vibrant souls daily discern His approaching footsteps as they observe the conversation and conduct of the times rapidly proceeding towards the consummation of the ages in the coming of our Lord. All things are proceeding in the direction which eternal counsel had pre-determined.  And when our Lord arrives, He will take over the rule of the earth to establish a new government system which will not be in the form of any kind of government we presently practice.

Men certainly do not like this, and will undoubtedly form an opposition under the man of sin, who also will desire to sit and remain at the helm of authority, even as man opposed Christ at His first advent when human government slaughtered innocent babies to retain power [Matt.2:16].

But the King of kings will break forth in power and blazing glory and every knee shall bow before Him without option [Phil.2:9-10].  Unfortunately, though we know this, mankind persists in rebellion and still would have none of God. We continue to seek peace while being actively hostile to the Prince of Peace.

Yet heaven is silent with a pregnant reserve at the moment. Israel of old, as well as Sodom and Gomorrah were judged for the idolatry of sensual gratification. Shall we in our generation be absolved of the same sin? [2Tim.5:6]. Nadab and Abihu suffered the blow of mortal destruction for profanely intruding into the discharge of sacred duties. What is the fate of the vast array of spiritually unwashed preachers we boast of today?

Ananias  and Sapphira died by the hand of the Lord because they lied to the Holy Spirit? Are there then no liars in the church today? If there are, and I know there are, what shall be the end of all such whose very presence threatens the church with corruption? Will divine justice retain any worth, if it launches judgments on generations which have had lesser light while excusing a highly sophisticated age like ours?

Jehovah’s apparent silence must not be taken for granted.These things were written for our examples—1. Cor.10:11.  They are precursors to the larger events of the age yet to be unfolded. God will not be unfair to the ages past by absolving us of the same sins of which we deliberately refuse to repent. Apart from the crowd, all alone by yourself, dear reader, it is imperative that you honestly and critically evaluate your lifestyle. Face yourself and weigh the consequences of your actions in the bright and burning light of eternal verities. The Lord God who formed all, sees all and will most certainly require an account from each one[Heb.4:13].

Do you squander the currency of grace on the forbidden wares of rebellion? Perhaps, you mock and even try to seduce those who have chosen to trail the Path of righteousness. Is this your daily vocation? Then yours is an infinitely sorry case. Lest you be deceived by the apparent triumph of evil and of the ungodly, listen to the wisdom and the intent behind the great expressive silence,Let both grow together until the harvest, and the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn the, but gather the wheat into my barn”—Mtt.13:30 

Day after day, men, women and children are encountered driving along the streets, talking business in the shops, dancing away their time in disco halls and many such things as occupy the time and affection of mortals. Some will be discovered living for the sake of God’s kingdom irrespective of their location, be it in the bank or in the barn. Others will be noticed promoting their own desires and pursuing the betterment of bodies which in the last analysis must be subject to decay.

Whatever path you choose to trail, heaven’s admonition is sure, He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy let him be holy still. And behold, I am coming quickly and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work—Rev.22:11-12. Nothing could be plainer than this. Except for any who to his eternal detriment would deliberately choose to gamble with his soul by continuing in sin, covert or overt,  he who has ears to hear will hear. May the Lord give you wisdom.

  

Written by Ade–Peters