The Fast of Relief

Most of us know that fasting(abstaining from food/drink) is supposed to be something that followers of Jesus Christ are to do regularly for various reasons.

Matt 6:16-18,Matt 9:14-17,2 Cor 6:4-5
2 Cor 11:25-27,Matt 17:20-21
Acts 14:23,1 Cor 7:5

But how many of us have come across Isaiah 58, and know what fasting really is? Brethren, read through the passage and see the importance of it. Is our abstaining from food(or other “good deeds” for that matter) really accomplishing anything if we neglect what the Lord really wants from us, obedience. In Isaiah 58, the people of God were looking for God, were excited about God, did things for God, wanted to know His will, and heartily prayed a lot.(58:2)But still wondered why their “deeds” were not rewarded and it seemed that God was not listening or paying attention to it at all.(v 3)Israel believed that their acceptance by God was by their own works.They didn’t see that abstaining from food had nothing to do with what God wanted from them. And that they were fasting with the wrong motives, and not sorrowful; it was all a show (v 4,5). They were despising their neighbors and exploiting them. They were only thinking of themselves. True fasting is denial of self and the loving of others(God AND man). Hear the Lord:

Isa 58:6-7 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? 7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

How can we say we love God, who we don’t see, and yet not love our neighbor who we do see? Just “loving God” is not acceptable. (1John 4:7-21) Loving our neighbor IS loving God; it’s a package deal. We feign love for God if we neglect others and their needs. We are then liars. By this we will be judged. (Matt 25:31-46) whether we are sheep or goats; the obedient on the right(sheep), the liars on the left(goats). Did you deny yourself of daily comfort, so that you could relieve your neighbor in his affliction, his hunger, his lack of clothing, his lack of shelter? “Well done good and faithful servant“(Matt 25:21)….”Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” Did you turn from your brother’s need, when you had it in your hand to give or do? “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels“

Does it seem like your prayers are not being answered? And that your walk the Lord seems to be stagnant, though you are doing, doing, doing for the Lord? Examine yourself, and whether you are truly obeying Him or just going through the motions. When we truly obey and walk in love for God and our neighbor it is His delight to answer our needs and enlighten our eyes, and guide us in His will.(Isaiah 58:8-12)(1John 3:16-24)

(Isaish58:13-14) Resting in the Lord’s work should be our delight. We need to fast from our own works, our ways, our own idea of pleasure, and our own opinions. Esteem and relieve others first above ourselves. When we do that, we can then without pretense say “I Love God” (Matt 25:35-40)

 

Brethren Be Diligent

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…

 

Ever Learning and Never Coming to Truth

There is no peace found in the Emergent movement that has pervaded those that consider themselves the people of God.  No one who follows that path agrees, on Truth, that is. They are still in unbelief, for if they believed, they would be at peace(2Cor13:11) and free from that internal striving in their hearts to grasp for something meaningful, but are never able to attain.

Joh 8:25-32  Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.  26  I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.  27  They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.  28  Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.  29  And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.  30  As he spake these words, many believed on him.  31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;  32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Is it okay, to accept that everyone has their own belief in who God is? Should each of us as individuals continue on as if “I’m okay” “Your okay” “We are all okay” , “What is important is Love, and doing good” “I’ll let you be who you want to be as long as, you let me be who I want to be”

The apostles of Christ, who were taught by Jesus himself, think otherwise:

1Co 1:10-11 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

Rom 12:16  Be of the same one mind toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 

Rom 15:6  That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

2Co 13:11  Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. 

Php 2:2  Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, and one mind.

 Php 3:14-16 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

1Pe 3:8  Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous

We have one Head(mind) in the Body of Christ, Jesus himself; and the Body has to cooperate with that Head or you have chaos… 

Do you have no peace with God or man? Repent and Believe the gospel. There is only One Way, One Truth, and One Life…Jesus is the One…

 

Turning Aside to Fables

Why look to fables as our example for life?

As of recent, it has been brought to my attention of a book called “The Shack” by William Young. Being on the world’s bestseller list; that itself should send up red flags for any confessing believer in Christ. For the Lord said in John 15:18-25

 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.  19  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.  20  Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.  21  But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.  22  If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.  23  He that hateth me hateth my Father also.  24  If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.  25  But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

First of all, to be a so-called christian allegorical novel and for it to be so loved(hence, the bestseller list) and recommended by this world and the media, flies in the face of what Christ said, that we would be hated. If we name the name of Christ, but the world loves who we are and the same things we admire, we need to examine ourselves to see if we are really being conformed to His image or are we be conformed to this world(this age Romans chap12) Secondly, why would a christian want to read fables, specifically ones that blaspheme our God; which this book does do by making God into corruptible man like us? 

Rom 1:19-23  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  22  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,  23  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

We have the perfect God, and we bring him down to man’s level to be like us and make him into our own image. It is abominable and idolatry( Exodus 20:4-5)

 The apostle Paul answers why those who will claim to know God, read and listen to this type of literature or media in 2Timothy 4:1-4

 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;  2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  4  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

If we were to heed the word of God as in  Phlippians 4:8 , we wouldn’t have the itch to desire  fables, and false teachings…

 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

As in Romans chap 1(see above), God has given the world all the things in creation to reveal who he is. We do not need to add to his revelation. 

These are a few comments I have heard about this book:

-Read it, share it, and live it.

-rare and life-changing 

-wonderful book

-by far the best book I have ever read in my life

-a powerful book that God is using in my life and many others to wake us up to who He is

-This book has changed my life and my way of thinking of what kind of God we really have

-It made a huge positive impact on my image of God

-Nonetheless, despite some strong reservations about the book’s theology, this fictional encounter with “God” made it all worthwhile!

-This book made me laugh,cry and feel very loved.

If this book is just an allegory or a novel, why would most comments and “good” reviews I am reading, say that it has changed their life? But when it doesn’t line up with the God of the bible, I have had it said to me that it is just an allegory and novel.  Christians that are reading and living by this book are being deceived. They say that it is just a story, but then want to use it in their lives. When we make an image of a false god to our liking and bow down our hearts to it, we have committed idolatry, which is spiritual adultery.

Brethren,

Seeing that Christ is the cornerstone and the teaching(which is the gospel of Christ) of the apostles and prophets is the foundation of the household of God(Eph 2:19-22), then this “shack” book, by the definition below, is not of God. The second definition below is a verb; do we really want to feed on stubble, where there is no nourishment?

SHACK,  1.n. small flimsy building: a small crude building typically made of boards or sheets of material, usually without a foundation 2.v.To feed in stubble, or upon the waste corn of the field. [Local.]

Let’s us feed at the table of the Lord instead…

1Jn 5:20-21  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.  21  Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.