Politically Incorrect

I didn’t know it then but about a week ago I wrote in my journal, “ It’s not time to lose heart” … but now it has suddenly become clearer.

There is a charged atmosphere in America.  A fire, a blaze, an anger, a frustration, a disbelief, a sadness, a guilt, a regret, a fear and a line drawn in the dirt of humanity. 

President Obama has mandated that people “claiming” to be transgender will not only be allowed into opposite sex public restrooms but be allowed into our children’s restrooms and shower rooms at school as well.  And those schools that do not uphold to this mandate will have its federal dollars withheld.  Sounds like is blackmail. 

I don’t know how the president of the United States can mandate something like this without the other two branches of government being in agreement.   The three branches of the United States government are to ensure the government is effective and to ensure the citizens’, the rights are protected.  As it looks right now, the government is ineffective at protecting the rights of its citizens and their children.
   

America, are you aware you are becoming dismantled? 

What I find more disturbing is the lack of “difference” I see in some Christians in this matter.  

I may love someone who "claims" to be homosexual or transsexual but it doesn’t mean I have to agree with his or her immoral and unsound lifestyle.  Safe or not safe, what are we "justifying" intentionally or unintentionally by allowing transgender people into the opposite sex restrooms?  

What are we telling our children?

What are we buying into? The bible is very clear that homosexuality is wrong.  We can look at the New Testament and Old Testament and see this.
 

Romans 1 says, God has abandoned homosexuals.  Galatians 5:19 says among other practices, the sexual immoral will not inherit the kingdom of God.   Other scriptures include Jude 1:5-8, 1 Timothy 1:8-11, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13

We must look at the tactics of the devil (who does exist) and how he finds joy in destroying the family as God has created.

When did homosexuality suddenly become okay? I think people have been desensitized.  They see it on television and social media and the shock has worn off and since the shock has worn off it has now become somehow "acceptable".  If you don't agree, examine your heart.  Have you become numb to this immoral practice, advertising and teaching?
 

Just like all sin, people sin because it becomes acceptable in their lives.  Acceptable sin is then somehow justified by familiarity and soon sin is commonplace like Sodom and Gomorrah. 

Have these Christians, who have accepted sin, let their minds and hearts become inactive in the living word of God and now are accepting the conformity of the world?   They are definitely letting the world conform their mindset.  The world’s ways have lodged in their thinking and they need God to dislodge the blockage in their thinking?

Romans 12:2 says “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Ephesians 4:24 says “Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”

Another verse says “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”

The flesh likes to do what is easy- it likes to not make waves- but you know Jesus Christ didn’t do what was easy.  He did was right even if it wasn’t politically correct.   

And if we are children of God - we too will be politically incorrect.  This gives me... in a strange sort of way... comfort and solace.   Jesus didn’t fit into the world’s mold and we definitely shouldn’t either… We are to be “a peculiar people” as 1 Peter 2:9 says.

We need to stay alert and awake- not giving into the practices of people who don't know God or wish to honor and/or obey Him.

We need to remember the watchtower in Ezekiel and what God said, “Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel.  Therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me.  If I announce that some wicked people are sure to die and you fail to warn them about changing their ways, then they will die in their sins, but I will hold you responsible for their deaths.  But if you warn them to repent and they don’t repent, they will die in their sins, but you will not be held responsible.”  Ezekiel 33:7-9

We are told in the New Testament,  “To put away all falsehood and tell our neighbor the truth for we belong to each other.” Ephesians 4:25

In the book of Acts Jesus tells Paul, “And I will protect you from both your own people and the Gentiles.  Yes, I am going to send you to the Gentiles, to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God.  Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.” Acts 26:17-18    

God didn’t save you and I just for us to fit into a world that denies him   Just look at the state of the world… Be an observer.  Look at the weather and the values and morals of people.  Does it not read and fit into the boot imprint of Matthew 24?

Jesus will be coming… We can’t afford to be indifferent.  We must be aware of the foxes that spoil the vine and the slow subtle ways the enemy of our souls works.  We must not run out of oil as the five foolish brides did.

Jesus said “Bless are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10

James says “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trials, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised those who love Him. James 1:12

And isn’t all about loving Him… think about it.  Glory comes to a people who honor God and His Word but shame and destruction comes to a people when they do not honor God and His Word.  (We see this in Hosea 4:6-7) 
 
If we remain with God we will be politically incorrect.

To WHOM Do I Belong?

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There is a children’s book about a little bird that cracked open his egg and fell out of the nest and goes looking for his mother who he has never seen.   The little bird asks a cat, a dog, a cow, and even a car and a dirt scoop…. if they are his mother. 

We think this is silly and illogical but isn’t that precisely what people do with… God?

We can plainly see through history and artifacts of people worshipping the creation and not the living true God- the Creator.  The Egyptians worshipped the gods of Ra, Isis, Horus, and many more.  The Israelites made a golden calf to worship instead of worshiping the true living God who miraculously gave them freedom from slavery in Egypt.  We see and hear about ancient Greek and Roman gods like Apollo, Cupid, Hercules, Zeus, Hades, Diana, and Aphrodite.  We see in certain Catholic churches Mary and the saints are worshipped as gods.  We see in the Native American culture that creation is worshipped not the Creator.  In Mexico and sad to say, here in America there are shrines and statues to Satan, the one who seeks to destroy all those created in the image of God. 

People ask… sciences are you my God?

Money are you my God?

Circumstances are you my God?

Job is it my God?

Doctors, professors, clergy, therapist are they my God?

Husband, wife, girl friend, boy friend are you my God?

Me, my feelings, my thoughts are they my God?

How many people do you know who have been cursed/controlled by their lifestyle of tobacco, alcohol and/or drugs which is causing them not only to make bad decisions, but destroying their body and life? These substances have become a god to them. 

How many people do you know who have been cursed by divorce and adulterous relationships?  It’s not just the spouse that pays but the children as well.

How many people do you know who have been cursed by sexual sin? 

How many people do you know who have been cursed by trusting in money?

How many people do you know who have been cursed by hatred?

How many people do you know who trust in only what they see and they are cursed by it?  How many people do you see deeply hurt by the actions of others and they can’t get past those hurtful actions?

How many people do you see cursed and blinded because they don’t trust God?

These are examples of false gods/idols in people’s lives.  They are saying, “These are my gods.  I trust, use, follow, listen to these things more then God.  These things are what I allow to rule over my life… if they fail me I am without hope because I choose to trust in mere idols and circumstances then the true living God.”

Let’s read Romans 1.

“Yes they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks.  And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like.  The result was that their minds became dark and confused.  Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead.  And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols make to look like mere people, or birds and animals and snakes.  So God let them go ahead and do whatever shameful things their hearts desired.  As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies.  Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies.  So they worshipped the things God made but not the Creator himself, who is to be praised forever. Amen.  That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires.  Even women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other.  And men, instead of having normal sexual relationships with women, burned with lust for each other.  Men did shameful things with other men and, as a result, suffered within themselves the penalty they so richly deserved.  When they refused to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their evil minds and let them do things that should never be done.  Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, fighting, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip.  They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent proud, and boastful.  They are forever inventing new ways of sinning and are disobedient to their parents.  They refuse to understand, break promises, and are heartless and unforgiving.  They are fully aware of God’s death penalty for those who do these things, yet they go right ahead and do them anyway.  And worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.”  Romans 1:21-32

Look at the ROOT issue… The root issue is making other things gods instead of the living true God
be God of their life.

“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” Proverbs 25:28

Ever been hurt by someone or a group of people?  Ever been greatly discouraged because of a situation?  What is your tendency to do when hurt or discouraged?  Is it finding a way to get even, quitting, withdrawing, indulging in ways of temporary escape and/or believing in the lies and so on and so forth?  God knows our tendencies so he says in His word….  

“Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, and turn their hearts away from the LORD.  They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future.  They will live in the barren wilderness, on the salty flats where no one lives.”

Is this not true or what?  We allow hurt or loss or the betrayal of a situation to become our poison.  We become stunted, feel hopeless and feel justified to throw a little pity part.  We start living in this bleak mindset where it seems no one can help us.  But look at the contrast of these following these verses…

“But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.  They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water.  Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought.  Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit.”  Jeremiah 17:5-8

So we must ask ourselves what do we allow to be above God in our life?  What is going to be our deep and growing and strengthening resolve in life? Are we going to allow circumstances and situations cause us to turn our hearts away from the LORD? And if we do turn our hearts away from the LORD, what are we saying is our god?  What God/or god is over this situation?” we must ask ourselves. 

Who am I going to turn to, turn the situation over to, and trust? 

Genesis 1:27 says, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God; He created him, male and female he created them.”

Three times in the same sentence it says is “God created”.  If you are created by God, then you belong to that HIM.   Knowing we belong to the LORD will make a big difference in our life.  We can turn our life over to Him our Creator and Savior Jesus Christ.  Instead of destructive ways of living, God will guide us to constructive ways of overcoming.  We will grow to know WHO is our strength and shield and He will bless us because we know we are in need of Him.

“Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.” Colossians 3:10

Sin & Homosexuality

How is it some are so easily persuaded away from the truth.. saying such things as "If God is the God of love then why does He hate homosexuals?  This is made worse by Christians who spew hatred of homosexuals instead of watching where they stand.  

Homosexuality is wrong but it's not a Christian's job to judge but God's job.  Sin is a sin.  We are to hate the sin but love the sinner. 

Some churches/church leaders are embracing the ways or values of the world and because of this they have allowed the floodgates of sinful society to poison and corrupt.  Their congregations must wonder... "The word of God says this but you are contradicting what the word of God says by your words and actions."  

Have we gone into the dark ages? 

The Word of God is the Authority of the Body of Christ
Man was never to dictate the morals and values of the church.  God has set them in stone and when the morals, values, principles are not followed the dark evil root of uncertainty aims to kill, steal and destroy.  Truth is solid ROCK… lies and deceits are sand and will soon be exposed for the winds of God’s time will show their nakedness.

Society is angered when Christians speak the truth and don’t embrace such social topics as  homosexuality.  Of course the way the truth is spoken has a great affect on how it is received.

Homosexuality  

Homosexuality is wrong but it is not all by itself in the wrong column list.  It is just as wrong as murder, lying and adultery.  There isn't any degree difference.  A wrong is a wrong. 
  
The World Media
World media is controlled by public opinion, mostly liberal public opinion but why doesn’t the media just consult the bible instead of asking these so-called “religious experts”?  I mean "THE SOURCE" itself is better then hearsay every time.

I come to these two conclusions about the media when it comes to the word of God.  Either the word of God is so veiled to them that they cannot read and comprehend it or they don’t want to read it and be convicted themselves by what the word of God says.   They rather go by hearsay, that way they won’t be responsible… but that is self serving ignorance and regardless of this ignorance... and if they want to admit it or not, they know right from wrong.
  

“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.”  John 3:19-20

Minister Matthew Henry wrote: “Sinful works are works of darkness.  The wicked world keeps as far from the light as they can, lest their deeds should be reproved.  Christ is hated, because sin is loved.  If they had not hated saving knowledge they would not sit down contentedly in condemning ignorance.  On the other hand, renewed hearts bid the light welcome. A good man acts truly and sincerely in all he does.  He desires to know what the will of God is, and to do it, though against his own worldly interest.”

Jesus said “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.  If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.  If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.”

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15-17

Romans 2:14-16 says “Even the Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, instinctively follow what the law says, they show that in their hearts they know right from wrong.  They demonstrate that God’s law is written within them, for their own consciences either accuse them or tell them they are doing what is right. The day will surely come when God, by Jesus Christ, will judge everyone’s secret life. This is my message.”

What is scary is people are going to doctors for answers to homosexuality.  Doctors are people, they are not God.   Don't put your soul in the opinion of men/women (no matter what endorsements they may have hanging on their wall.)  Put you soul in what God's word says. 

If you want to know the truth… consult the source, not people who can be easily persuaded, manipulated, play favorites and give into pressure.

What does the Bible Say?

The bible DOES say homosexual is a sin and is wrong. It is as wrong as murder, lying and contradicting the right teaching that comes from the glorious Good News (Jesus is the ONLY WAY into heaven- just another thing the world has a problem with.) 
 

Let’s read 1 Timothy 1:5-11.  “The purpose of my instruction is that all the Christians there would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience and sincere faith.   But some teachers have missed this whole point.  They have turned away from these things and spend their time arguing and talking about foolishness.  They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they seem so confident.  We know these laws are good when they are used as God intended.  But they were not made for people who do what is right.  They are fore people who are disobedient and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy who murder their father and mother or other people.  Theses laws are for people who are sexually immoral, for homosexuals and slave traders, for liars and oath breakers, and for those who do anything else that contradicts the right teaching that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.”

God/Jesus considers a marriage to be between a man and woman.  Jesus/God created a woman for a man and NOT a man for a man or a woman for a woman, if homosexuality was God’s intent, he would had created Adam and Steve or Eve and Eva not Adam and Eve.
   
Jesus says, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

In the Old Testament before Jesus came in the flesh to earth- there was no grace given to homosexuals or man and woman who committed adulterous acts.  The punishment was death.  If you were caught you were killed.  (Read for yourself in Leviticus 20.)  Jesus came that we might turn away sinful ways, be healed and be saved. 

Yes there are people who have been healed of homosexuality.  Look it up for yourself.  This isn't out some religious obligation but by the power of the Holy Spirit working in a person's life.
 

Look at 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 “Do you not know that the unrighteous and the wrongdoers will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled): neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality, nor cheats (swindlers and thieves), nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers and slanderers, nor extortioners and robbers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God.” 

Now read Romans 1:26-32 “ That is why God abandon them to their shameful desires.  Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other.  And the men, instead of having normal sexual relationships with women, burned with lust for each other.   Men did shameful things with other men and, as a result, suffered within themselves the penalty they so richly deserved.  When they refused to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their evil minds and let them do things that should never be done.  Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, fighting, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip.  They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud and boastful.  They are forever inventing new ways of sinning and are disobedient to their parents.  They refuse to understand, break their promises, and are heartless and unforgiving.  They are fully aware of God’s death penalty for those who do these things, yet they go right ahead and do them anyway.  And, worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.”

The only way out of such a death sentence is to acknowledge and turn to God and admit you have sinned against God and be sincerely sorry/repentant for your sins.  The only way out of such a death sentence is to give your life to Christ/God who took your punishment of your sins on a cross 2014 years ago.   Only he has the power to forgive you, transform you and give you the ability to overcome sin in your life by His Holy Spirit. 
  

Am I a hater of those who claim to be homosexual? Of course not! If so I would have to hate all people who do not acknowledge God and fall into sin. 
   

Besides hate is to be unforgiving and I don’t want to go to hell for someone else’s sin for the word of God says if we don’t forgive then we won’t be forgiven for our sins.  Matthew 6:12, 6:15.   We are to hate the sin that shackles people to death but love the person, hoping they will come to Jesus to be set free from the sin in their life.

Why do I say this? Because GOD is the only one and has the right to judge.  And people are the ones who make the decision to sin - so really they are condemning themselves by the sinful lifestyle.

If you are hating homosexuals think about this:
 
Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” John 8:11. 

Jesus who, could have had the woman stoned, stopped the woman’s condemners by saying, ““He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”

They all knew they were guilty of “some” sin in their life so they could not stone her.   We are all guilty of some sin in our life so who are we to “throw” judgment?   Jesus was kind and merciful yet he spoke the truth.  That is the way he wants us to be.

You are living a sinful lifestyle think about this:

Jesus being God told the woman to, “sin no more”.  Don’t you think, rescued from sudden death, these words from Jesus were swallowed with a deep sense of weight and gratitude that remained with her the rest of her life?

For this woman who committed adultery knew what were the consequences of her actions if she got caught.  She knew she would be stoned if she got caught but like the rest of humanity, she thought she would not be caught. She thought she could get away with it.

Why does it seem the reality of our judgment takes a back seat?   Why doesn’t it take a prominent seat?   Why are we so careless with our soul? 
 

Maybe you have read something in this blog post that has awakened you to your carelessness of your soul.  Maybe you are not guilty of homosexuality but one of the other things mentioned and God is saying to you “Make it right now, make it right before it is too late”.

The reality of the matter is if we get caught in this life or not, we will still have to answer for our sins by God.  The reality of the matter is no matter if the world thinks our ways are right or not, we will have to still answer to God for our sin.

There is no way in our own facilities to get away from the punishment of our sins.  We cannot pay them off or work them off or barter them off by putting them on a scale and weighting our good deeds against our bad deeds.  For God knows who we truly are.

The only saving grace we have is if we turn to Jesus for our redemption/salvation, Jesus who paid for the punishment of our sins on the cross so those who accept and believe in him and his sacrifice will not perish in the hell but have everlasting life in heaven.

Romans says, “We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins.  And we all can be saved in this same way, not matter who we are or what we have done.  For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard.  Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty.  He has done this through Jesus Christ, who has freed us by taking away our sins.  For God sent Jesus to take the punishment of ours sins to satisfy God’s anger against us.  We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us…” Romans 3:22-25

Some people may take the sacrifice of Jesus for granted and think they can go right ahead and keep practicing sin but sin only leads to death.  Note: Romans 6:15-16 It should be that by your faith in Jesus that you have been given power to not give into sin and don’t want to sin.  After all God changes the heart and gives us His Spirit.  

“And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you.  I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new obedient heart.  And I will put my Spirit in you so you will obey my laws and do whatever I command.” Ezekiel 36:25-27

People need to know what is wrong in the sight of God.  God is the one who condemns.   

God’s church is to speak boldly the truth (Scripture) in the Spirit of love. “Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), 2 Timothy 3:16 AMP

The spirit of this world makes it sound like if you tell someone you don’t agree with them or what they are doing is wrong that you are judging them or hating them but is that true?

 God’s Word is like a word of warning, telling us the stove is hot but some don’t listen.  Many touch the hot stove and many souls have been lost because they simply don’t care or want to listen.

We are living in the end times.  The signs are indicating the end is near.  These signs of people loving the things of sin and darkness and not the light.  Jesus said, “Just as the gathering of vulture shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near.”  Matthew 24:28

Jesus also said “Then you will be arrested, persecuted and killed.  You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to me.   And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other.  And many false prophets will appear and will lead many people astray.  Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But those who endure to the end will be saved.  And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally the end will come.”  Matthew 24:9-14

Read the word of God for yourself.  Don’t take a well-known Rev. or Pastor’s word for it.  Some of them of have poisoned and seared their conscious, they may have a form of godliness but deny the power of God’s word in what they say and do. 

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”   1 Timothy 3:2-5 

For those who are being mocked, persecuted and lied about for standing up for what is right, I am reminded of a scene in The Lord of the Rings, were Gandalf stands up against the Balrog in the caverns Moria.  Gandalf is on a narrow bridge and he makes his stand against a monstrous fierily horned beast armed with a giant cleaver and ever stretching whip of fire.   Gandalf makes a stand against the Balrog to allow his companions to escape.
 

 He declares to the beast, “YOU SHALL NOT PASS!”  And with a blow of his staff, the bridge of rock crumbles underneath the beast’s feet.  The beast falls into the deep but not easily defeated the Balrog snags Gandalf off his perch and takes the old man down with him.  As they tumble Gandalf takes his sword and repeatedly smites the beast.  The battle continues onto a mountain where Balrog is finally defeated.   Gandalf awakes after the battle as Gandalf the White instead of Gandalf the Gray.

Sometimes we must take a stand against the Balrog situations in this life. Those situations where there is unrighteous and injustice and lies and deceit.  We must stand against the Balrogs in life for the sake of others.  We must speak the truth when others have been persuaded, manipulated and belittled not to.  The battles cause us to seek God who is greater then ourselves and in the process we not only see God’s word (the Sword) is true but we are transformed and encouraged in the things of God.  We go from the Gray (old) to the White (new).

For the word of God says “He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.” Psalm 37:6

In word of love and caution, J.D. JOHNS