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 

Be Angry and Do Not Sin

This is a testimony for God's work to be known.  Who will know unless someone says something.  This is not to bring attention to myself.  I want people to know God is real and he speaks to us in supernatural ways.

A clear audible voice I hadn’t heard from for some time spoke this morning as I was in bed.  I say audible because sometimes God just speaks where we hear him as if his words were our own thoughts and sometimes he speaks to us where we hear a voice.  The tender voice said, “Be angry, and do not sin.” 

The thing was… I wasn’t angry in the angry "sense" of the word even though I have been stilling feeling off and on God’s hurt and disappointment for the church's in America. 

I began to wander if this word was some warning for later.  I thought, “Should I expect some situation where I might become angry later? No… I can’t do that for that would just build up some kind of anxiety and expectation for something that may not even happen."

"Maybe that word wasn’t for me at all but for someone else," I thought.  

So I went to my bible to find this verse, “Be angry, and do not sin.”

Psalm 4:4 “Be angry, and do not sin.  Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah.”

"Well.... obviously I wasn’t being very still now if I was letting my thoughts run but at least I was now meditating on it, I thought.

Ephesians “4:26 “Be angry and do not sin: Do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.”

Well I wasn’t angry or bitter and I wasn’t letting my mind go down some dark path of judgment for others so where does this piece of the puzzle go?  Be still remember… be still.

Anger can be a bad thing….  where anger turns to malice.  “But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander and dirty language,” Colossians 3:8

And anger can be a good thing….  Where you are not glad about injustice, immorals, evil, sin, vices, wickedness, wrong.  This type of anger furthers our conviction to not compromise and to do what is right.  “It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.” 1 Corinthians 13:6

I examined both passages to see what stood out.  What was the Lord speaking to my heart?

These were the lines that stuck out:

“How long, O you sons of men, Will you turn my glory to shame?  How long will you love worthlessness And seek falsehood? Selah. But know that the LORD has set apart Himself him who is godly; The LORD will hear when I call Him.  Be angry, and do not sin.  Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah.   Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the LORD.   There are many who say, ‘Who will show us any good?’   LORD, life up the light of Your countenance upon us.  You have put gladness in my heart, More then in the season that their grain and wine increased.  I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” Psalms 4:2-8

“Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.  Be angry and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.   Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for the necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.   And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:25-32

I am to speak the truth and what is necessary without malice, I am to say, “O you sons of men, will you turn my glory to shame?  How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood?   God will only hear those who are godly, those who offer, exercise and live in sacrifices of righteousness and put their trust in the LORD.   God’s light will be upon and in them and they will have a heart of gladness.  God will make them sleep in peace and make them feel secure.  I am to say what is necessary to edify the church and impart grace to the hearers to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving, even as God in Christ forgave me.

You and I are to hate the sin but love the person.  We are to speak the truth to people in love remembering what God has done for us.

Do You Hate When You Sin? 2

“I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate. I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience shows that I agree that the law is good. But I can’t help myself, because it is the sin inside me that makes me do these evil things.” Written by Paul, the Apostle in Romans 7:15-17

1. We instinctively know there is a God. Romans 1:19

2. We instinctively know right from wrong. Romans 2:14

So what determines if you hate when you sin or not hate when you sin?

The condition of the heart will decide if we will hate when we sin or not hate when we sin.

Think about when you “hate” when you sin? It's not about getting caught. The thought “emphasis” is on “your” actions. The way “you” handled the situation. The major emphasis is not on the people in the situation but “your ungodly actions.” You are looking at “your faults” in the situation.

Justification is not what you are after -even though it could explain some of your ungodly actions. You are more concerned with your “ungodly” actions in the situation and your lack of restraint. You run TO God in your failure instead of FROM God.

This “type” of “action” should encourage you. It proves God has changed your heart.

“And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their hearts of stone and give them tender hearts instead, so they will obey my laws and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.” Ezekiel 11:19-20

Because God has changed our heart and the Spirit lives in us we are tender, receptive, and convicted by our own sinful actions.

“For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.” Proverbs 3:12

God shows us we are wrong when we are wrong. We are urged to do what is right and the Spirit pleads for us and encourages us to come to God for his help, mercy grace and forgiveness.

Remember this verse: “But those who do what is right come to the light gladly, so everyone can see that they are doing what God wants.” John 3:21

A Christian is not supposed to “practice sin” or “deliberately continue to sin”.

“Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received a full knowledge of the truth, there is no other sacrifice that will cover these sins. There will be nothing to look forward to but the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. Anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Think how much more terrible the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God and have treated the blood of the covenant as if it were common and unholy. Such people have insulted and enraged the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to his people.” Hebrews 10:29

God knows you and I are not perfect. Those who claim they are perfect are calling God a liar. BUT not being perfect does not give us a reason or excuse to continue to “practice” sin or continue in “ungodly” action or lifestyle.

And those who judge you and treat you as if they never make a mistake or never act ungodly on occasion are not doing what God’s word has asked of them: to “gently” and “humbly” help them back onto the right path. Galatians 6:1

We will have “oops” moments in our lives when we don’t have it all together. When our focus isn’t on God but on our circumstances and ourselves. Thank God for his mercy for when we do on occasion “mess up”.

The Apostle Paul writes:

“Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by keeping the law? Of course not, for the Holy Spirit came upon you only after you believed the message you heard about Christ. Have you lost your senses? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit why are you know trying to become perfect by your own human effort? You have suffered so much for the Good News. Surely it was not in vain, was it? Are you now going to just throw it all away? I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law of Moses? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heart about Christ. In the same way, “Abraham believed God, so God declared him righteous because of his faith.” The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God.” Galatians 3:2-6

Did you receive the Holy Spirit because you were perfect? No. In fact in your understanding of your imperfectness and where sin would take you without Jesus the Savior, you came to Christ who gave you the Holy Spirit and for some of you the baptism of the Holy Spirit at the same time.

Was Abraham perfect? Of course not but he was declared righteous because of his faith in God. He acknowledged God. He looked to God and had heart for God. He knew forgiveness of sin came from God.

Some people have this impression that they can’t step into a church until they feel “they” have made themselves "right" but that is a lie straight from hell. No one can make themselves right. God is the only one who can do that, if we allow Him. Come to God and let God change you.

Those not and not yet Christian don’t care they are practicing sin- that is until the Spirit of God calls them and convicts them of sin. The spirit of God is not living in them but He still convinces the world of its sin and of God righteousness and of the coming judgment. John 16:8

People who don’t acknowledge God and their sin to God run FROM God.

"They hate the light because they want to sin in the darkness. They stay away from the light for fear their sins will be exposed and they will be punished." John 3:20

But no sin can hide from God and they, instinctively knowing this, seem to fear God only when they hear of God’s judgment coming upon the world.

They deliberately sin, instinctively knowing of God’s death penalty for their sins and worse they joke about their coming time in hell and how they and their friends are going to party it up in hell. I assure there will be no party in hell. Hell is not joking matter.

“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. Thy 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 1:28-32

Failure and sin can hinder a Christian’s faith if we are “not willing” to “let it go” and release it to the one who has paid for it on the cross – Jesus Christ.

Sin can be a mighty weight and cause us to second-guess ourselves in the roles God has put us in. It can cause us to withdraw from the Christian fellowship with others. We can fall into a pity party and say and think things like, “I am just a sinner, no good for nothing.” Our human nature can have this tendency to admit failure but not want to get back up on the horse.

Failure and sin can give a foothold to the dark spirit of condemnation, which attacks the Christian soul unmercifully. Making your failure and sin a whip for it’s dark devious tactics.

Remind such spirits in the authority of Jesus Christ, “there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death.” Romans 8:1

Knowing in our heart that Jesus Christ’ blood, the Son of God’s blood, has purified us from our ungodly deeds sets us free!

That is why Paul Apostle writes, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish.” Hebrews 12:1-2

I hope this has blessed and encouraged you.

Jason Gray- Remind Me Who I am

Making God More Then A Resident. (Mercy & Grace)

We all should understand, to know who God is, we have to develop a relationship with him and then we develop an understanding of who he is as The Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

“Who are you God?” Ever ask yourself that question. Just knowing that he provides, protects and manifests himself in amazing ways seems a little shortsighted and inadequate to me. Do you want to know who your Father in Heaven is? Do you want to know whom your creator is -who created you for a specific purpose? Do you want know his heart and why his actions? I want to know his heart. The blessings are nice but if your parent gave you a bike for your birthday and you were estranged from that parent would that gift mean anything to you if you didn’t have a relationship with that parent?

"You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48

God gives sunlight and rain to the “just and unjust alike” but since many of his chosen creation are estrange from him, the “gift” of sun and rain and anything else means nothing to them.

What is God’s heart? Who is the Giver Himself?

You marry for love or for money? You have faith in God because of his gifts or because of who he is -which is love.

“We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” 1 John 4:16

In the same line of thought: You put your trust in things or the maker of all things.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” Matthew 6:19

Where should our treasure and hope be?

Why would we give our soul, our focus, our heart, and thought emphasis to a world that doesn’t value us for us? The world did not create you so it doesn’t care as long as it can use you and abuse you and drop you when you are no longer useful to it. God is the one cares about you. He doesn’t want to be some estranged giver that just gives gifts. He wants us to know Him.

Who is our Heavenly Father? What are some of his attributes?

God’s esteeming love, mercy and grace are a good place to start.

Grace

God’s free and unmerited favor toward sinful humanity.

(Grace happens when we turn to God because we don’t highly regard our own fleshly efforts because they often lead to sinful lusts and behaviors (pride, arrogance, boastfulness, greed, envy, fighting, deception, gossip, hate, vengefulness, unforgiveness, shortsightedness, etc.) Grace has nothing to do with our own ability to achieve anything BUT trusting God do the work through us. It is surrendering ourselves and focusing on God where He empowers us to do the right things.

Mercy

Forgiving; compassion; withholding of punishment or judgment our sins deserve.

(God knows our weakness and the fist full of fleshly solicitations offered to us in the midst of circumstances -so we turn to God’s mercy. Mercy is drawing/ turning to God for help. It takes us to admit our weakness for us to receive his mercy. Think: Can we receive God's mercy if we don't turn to God? Knowing his faithfulness and how we should act as His children we seek God's mercy. God's mercy and grace go hand and hand to empower the Christian soul.

2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Esteem

To value or appreciate.

(God values and appreciates us)

Knowing and walking in these things we understand God is for us not against us.

“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us. Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.") No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8:31-37

Do you ever think about how God can see our potential in us when we cannot see that potential in ourselves?

“For when we were still decrepit, lost sinners- enemies- He sought us out. He saw in us what only His love could see. He saw treasures in the midst of corruption, sin, and depravity. He purchased as precious what many considered worth little or even worthless. He saw beyond our state and saw what only His grace could produce.” (John Bevere from the Drawing Near page 22)

“People with good sense restrain their anger, they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs.” Proverbs 18:11

God doesn’t do anything that he doesn’t ask his children to do. When God overlooks our wrongs, he restrains his anger against us -does he not?

God sees us even more deeply then our sins. More deeply then the human mind can really comprehend and/or understand. He sees our potential in his mercy and grace. ( I must add, in order to receive his mercy and grace is you must turn to Him and accept His Son (JESUS CHRIST) who had paid the price for our sins with is own life and in doing so has given us eternal life and relationship with the Father which allows us to avoid sin and corruption. In accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, He give us His Holy Spirit which changes our heart so we no longer live to do those sinful and corrupt things we used to do before we came to Christ.)

People mistake God's mercy and grace... thinking that gives them and accuse to sin but that is wrong. God’s mercy does that give us a right to sin- for only when we understand the true meaning of God’s mercy -we see mercy as away to turn from sinful motivations to God. Sinful motives are all so readily available to us but through God’s mercy and grace we can overcome the sinful urges and naggings in and around us. But if we have no reverence for God we will continue to fall into and practice sinful behavior caused by sinful urges and naggings in and around us.

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

“He will show you a way out” - It’s not us. So be careful to whom you are listening to. God is faithful but we cannot remain faithful to God or anyone else without God’s mercy and grace. And if we only intellectualize these attributes of God then what kind of relationship do we have with God? Brothers and sisters in Christ... you are the temple of God but even thought He may live in the same “temple” as our soul- ask yourself how much time do you spend with him?

To those considering coming to Christ Jesus: I have met several individuals on this pathway of life who have told me they won’t set foot in God’s house because they need to fix themselves up or straighten themselves out first and I have had to tell them that God already knows how messed up we are so what difference does it make if we think we are straighten up or not. Plus to what standards of “straightened out” are we going to compare ourselves too? God is the only one who can transform us. Just think if a Christian makes a mess of their lives when not surrendering to God in different situations, - a person who thinks they have to fix themselves before coming to God will always be estranged from Him. Come as you are and let Him transform you into the person He created you to be.

God says: “And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart,” Ezekiel 11:19

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.” Romans 12:2

If God was not a merciful God how could we come to him to be saved? How could we go to him for help? How could we ever change our way of thinking and doing things?

Ever notice how a child picks up similar behaviors as their parents? They stand or sit or talk like their parents. And those children that don’t spend time with their parents pick up the behaviors of their peers, which can be positive or negative. It is the same way with God and us. The more we get to know our Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ- the more we pick up his characteristics and attributes.

“Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance and patient endurance leads to godliness.” 2 Peter 1:6

In college I had a roommate. His name was Obie - short for Obadiah. I occasionally called him Obi-wan. Living with Obadiah I got to know him not just as a student attending the same college but also as a friend.

In a way- our heart is our mobile dorm room and God doesn’t just want to be our roommate- He wants us to know him.

We seem to intellectualize and componentized our relationship with God to the point we put up a room divider up in our heart.

Born-again Christians know what God’s words mean by God’s Holy Spirit but do we take time to understand the reasoning and meanings behind the words? We understand the words but do we obey them? Just because we are familiar in God’s words doesn’t mean we really respect them and grasp them. We can be knowledgeable in God’s word but if all we have is familiarity and no fear respect or love for God’s word then we will fail wisdom and deceive ourselves.

“These people honor me with their lips but their hearts are far away.” Matthew 15:8

“For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” Hebrews 7:19

“But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [you] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [you] double-minded. “James 4:6-8

“Yet when we lose the fear of God we reduce Him down to our level….”(Drawing Near by John Bevere page 93)

Do we know God for the Holy God he is?

Do we know his mercy? Do we know his grace? Do we know his esteeming love? Do we know his heart? Do we know him? What does our fruit portray about our relationship with him?

Are we just doing the talk and the motions of religious activities? Is God attending, participating, welcomed and involved in all the facets and aspects of our life? Jesus is the head of the body but he cannot be the head of us if we don’t make Him the head.

I have had to ask myself this question: “Is God invited and is God guiding and participating in this venture on my side of this activity.”

I may write this blog but if I do it to empress people then it worthless. I write this blog because God is teaching me something and if I can share that knowledge with other Christians great but my true treasure is in the heart of what God is teaching me not to broadcast my Christianity. I am excited about what God teaches me and I want to share it others.

If we are doing something “just” because everyone else is doing it then why are we doing it? If your heart isn’t in it for God and/or God isn’t directing you personality to do it then why do it?

Ask yourself: “Is my love for the Lord evident in my reasoning for participating in this faith-based activity- no matter how good intentioned it may be?”

I remember as a child going to my grandparent’s house. Their love made it feel like their house was my 2^nd home. Same should be true about our activities we do in the Lord’s name.

Is God at home in our heart or is He observer/ visitor?

“And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love.” Ephesians 2:7

Jesus Christ at home in our heart affects us in everything we do.

"As for me, God forbid that I could boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of him, my interest in this world died long ago, and the worlds interest in me is also long dead. It doesn't make any different now whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we really have been changed into new and different people. May God's mercy and peace be upon all those who live by this principle. They are the new people of God. From now on, don't let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus. My dear brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Galatians 6:14-18

From having peace beyond human apprehension and understanding -to loving others- to be empowered by God's grace, to turning and drawing from God's mercy, to seeing you as God sees you, to forgiving others to being faithful, to having hope, joy and more... Christ must be welcomed to be more then a resident. Our eyes and hearts must look humbly upon God's rightfully Holy place and there we will experience a closeness with God.

Justice, Mercy, Faith

Hi Everyone,

Lately I have been reading and God has been really speaking to me about justice, mercy and faith. Justice, mercy and faith became the topics when I sought God for direction on what to teach in adult Sunday school class and it has continued to build for the last few weeks. And in a season where we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, these things gain even a greater importance. Why did Jesus come down to earth for us?

Justice, mercy and faith, what do they mean to you?

I have found that justice, mercy and faith guide a person in discretion, good sense, humility, discernment, integrity, self-control, moral excellence, love and trust in the Lord.

For godliness is just, merciful and faithful and Godly love is also just, merciful and faithful.

What is Godly love? Is Godly love just, merciful and faithful?

According to 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable and keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance.”

We all must examine and seek God for what is just, merciful and faithful. We all must see that we cannot be just, merciful and faithful without God’s help. For without God’s help we are helpless to stand against the sinful desires- the sinful desires that keep us away from the faith in Jesus Christ. We are helpless to see the things that come to trip us up, make us fall, and lead to eternal torture in what most of us know as hell.

For when we seek God’s help- it is surrendering our explanations and understandings in life so God can transform and build it up in the truth of Jesus Christ.

Friends, we cannot just sit around and seek what we want in the truth – we must seek the “truth” out in God. God doesn’t mind if we investigate but don’t just investigate the things you want to hear in God and stop. Like it or not God is not a buffet salad. A buffet salad god may look good because we choose what we want in God but wouldn’t you rather know GOD and what He expects from us fully- for He is true wisdom and whom we all will have to answer to.

I don't know about you but I rather know my “appetite” in God to be right then wrong.

There are lots of great things I like to put on my romaine salad such as shrimp, crab, grilled chicken, or pork and even taco meat but I choose these things because I like them not because of nutrient value or because they are good for me- Some of us (me included) rather pass by all the veggies that are high in nutritional value because they don't taste all that appetizing - same is true with a god we pick and choose -hence the name “salad bar god”.

God is God and we can't pick and choose what "He" is or else "he" would be a false god. If we pick and choose what we just want from God then "he" might as well be an idol that we have made with our own hands that really does us no good. If we believe in a god that isn’t just, merciful and faithful then how can we know and truly believe in justice or receive justice? How can we receive or give mercy? How can we know and be faithful if we have no living definition or rock solid foundational platform to live by and build upon?

For when we try to be just, merciful and faithful in own power and in own ways, it simply doesn't work and we “can” end up miserable, depressed, stressed, unhappy, feeling as a failure and feeling like we are always missing something.

This "missing something" is more then just heading out to the car without our keys… it’s about journeying through life without the REAL keys to life.

The REAL keys to life make us “whole”. Whole -we aren't continually checking our spiritual pockets and asking ourselves "what the heck am I missing? I know there has got to be more to this life"

The real keys to life make it possible to live and see life in a new way and perspective that we have never experienced before. God’s justice, mercy and faithfulness are continual and never ending and they ripen and grow in us as we mature in God’s truth. But in order for them to ripen and mature, we need God’s help and that help comes from the truth in Christ Jesus.

For without Christ Jesus in our lives we could not possibly be just, merciful and faithful.

Not to loose anyone here…. but in Christ Jesus we are born of the Holy Spirit who guides us to all truth in what is just, mercy and faithful.

Jesus came so we wouldn’t just be saved but so we would find and mature in these wonderful things. …”For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest part of your income, but you ignore the important things of the law- justice, mercy and faith. You should tithe, yes, but you should not leave undone the more important things.” (Matthew 23:23)

For in the important things we see who God really is and wants to help us become.

Please read carefully, here you will see there is no fluff:
“But to all who believed him and accepted him (Jesus Christ), he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan- this rebirth comes from God” (John 1:12-13)

Jesus said, “The truth is, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven. So don’t be surprised at my statement that you must be born again. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”
“What do you mean?” Nicodemus asked.
Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things? I assure you, I am telling you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe us. But if you don’t even believe me when I tell you about the things that happen here on earth, how can you possibly believe if I tell you what is going on in heaven? For only I, the Son of Man, have come to earth and will return to heaven again. An as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so I, the Son of Man, must be lifted up on a pole, so that everyone who believes in me will have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. There is no judgment awaiting those who trust him. But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God. Their judgment is based on this: The light from heaven came into the world, but they loved darkness more then the light, for their actions were evil. They hate the light because they want to sin in the darkness. They stay away from the light for fear their sins will be exposed and they will be punished. But those who do what is right come to the light gladly, so everyone can see that they are doing what God wants.” (John 3:5-21)

“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive him and doesn’t recognize him. But you do, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.” (John 14:15-17)

“But I will send you the Counselor- the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will tell you all about me. And you must also tell others about me because you have been with me from the beginning.” (John 15:26-27)

“But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and none of you has asked me where I am going. Instead, you are very sad. But it is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convince the world of its sin, and God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is unbelief in me. Righteousness is available because I go to the Father and you will see me no more. Judgment will come because the prince of this world has already been judged. Oh there is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not be presenting his own ideas; he will be telling you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by revealing to you whatever he receives from me. All that the Father has is mine; this is what I mean when I say the Spirit will reveal to you whatever he receives from me.” (John 16:5-15)

Yep… you have heard it before… Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Merry Christmas
Humbly
Jeff

Words to Continue to Discover

These are a few of the words that have been "sticking out" while I have been reading my bible.

"The Just" and "Justice" or "do what is right".
"Mercy"
"Faith" and "walking humbling with God"
"Compassion"

Here are some verses God has directed me to lately.
Matthew 23:23
Micah 6:8
Matthew 5

As I examined these verses I read "but you ignore the important things of the law- justice, mercy and faith" Matthew 23:23

Micah 6:8 says "No, O people, the LORD has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."

Matthew 5:6-9 "God bless those who are hungry and thirsty for justice, for they will receive it in full. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. God blesses those whose hearts are pure for they will see God. God blesses those who work for peace for they will be called children of God."

As "the just" we are to not only hunger and thirst for justice (Matthew 5:6) but we are to love mercy (Matthew 5:7) and have a pure, "humble", heart of "faith" (Matthew 5:8) which achieves and works for peace (Matthew 5:9).

Luke 6:36 After Jesus says to love our enemies, he says "You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate." Jesus then goes on to speak of not judging others or we will be judged. He also speaks of forgiving others and giving to others which all "just" and "merciful" people of the Christian faith should do.

(NLT) Proverbs 16:6 "Unfailing love and faithfulness cover sin; evil is avoided by fear of the LORD."
or
(KJV) Proverbs 16:6 "By mercy and truth iniquity is purged : and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil."

I feel led to dive deeper into these words.
What is "Justice" and "being Just"?
What is being "merciful"?
What is "walking humbly with God" and "Faith"?

Our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ is just, merciful and faithful are they not?... And are we not to reflect them and all their ways?

If you feel led check out these words on your spare time and you will see examples of them all throughout the bible.