Questions | God's Truth in Love

Posts Tagged ‘Questions’

Advice, Bible, Biblical Principles, Christian, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Encouragement, God, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Questions, Rhema Words, Salvation, Truth

Apostasy or Love

In Advice, Agape Love, Apostasy, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Encouragement, End Times, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Persecution, Prayer, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Remnant, Revival, Rhema Words, Spiritual Activism, Spiritual Activists, Spiritual Fruit, Spiritual Remnant, Truth, Uncategorized on June 20, 2014 at 5:00 am

You may submit your own question via the contact information on the “ABOUT” page. A link to the about page can be found at the top of any of the website pages.

Question Summary:

I will be combining and summarizing several questions on the same topic into this one question summary. Additionally I have chosen to omit information that I believe too personal to the individual to make known publically or publish here.

Several Catholics, some of whom could be considered Christian Catholics, are concerned over the actions of the Pope on Sunday, June 8^th 2014 and wonder if his actions can be connected to End Time Prophecy.

They are struggling with how to remain faithful to the Catholic Church or even if they should in light of the Pope’s choice to embrace the Muslim religion and Judaism. One individual specifically wonders if this can be justified, based on 1 Corinthians 9:-19-23.

Reply:

I spent Sunday, June 8^th celebrating my birthday and it was only later that I heard about what took place at the Vatican with the Pope and these various religious leaders. I can understand and I sympathy with Catholics who are disturbed by what has happened and who are being persecuted by their own religion for pointing out the error of the Pope in this matter or even questioning his decision on this matter.

In summary, on that Sunday the Pope brought together leaders of the Muslim religion and Judaism at the Vatican and participated in a service where prayers from all three groups were read. This meeting was supposed to be for the purpose of ‘a coming together of the three religions in a reconciliation treaty.’ The idea was that love should supersede beliefs and the three religions should join in unity for the sake of peace.

I Corinthian 9:19-23, is not a justification for such actions. Yes, these actions can be viewed as a clear sign of the end times. The idea of a one-world religion and one-world government are very much at the heart of the end times. That said, we are not to worry or attempt to predict when the end will come instead we as Believers, are to do as Jesus instructed, watch and wait being faithful to Him along the way.

Please read Matthew 24:3-31 and Matthew 25:1-13 for context.

Matthew 25:13 (NKJV) – Jesus speaking

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Apostasy has been on the rise for some time now within the Body of Christ. Christ’s return will be preceded by apostasy to a huge degree. What we have seen in these actions is a form of apostasy. People, society, political leader, and church leaders are using the idea of love and peace, especially world or universal peace, as a justification for their apostasy. Loving people, being at peace with people, was and is one of Jesus’ desires for us but it was never His intent that peace or love would come through the compromising of God’s Word, devotion to Him, or holiness.

Godly love will always tell people, and present people, with the Truth. Godly peace can only be found in the presence of Truth, of which Jesus is central.

Luke 18:8 (NKJV) – Jesus speaking

I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

This idea of universal love and peace is a worldly concept of bring about a utopian society or practicing utopian socialism. This practice is man trying to create a counterfeit of the New Jerusalem, the Kingdom of God, heaven. Once again, you have man trying to play God, which seems to be the endless struggle of the sin nature to some degree.

Many people and spiritual leaders have been caught up in doing this to the degree of apostasy because originally they wanted to do a godly thing and love people to Christ. However, along the way they relinquished one godly principle and command after another until they became lost in their cause and drifted from true devotion to Christ. We have a major Evangelical Christian Pastor in California, with an astronomically huge church, a leader, which I once respected, that has fallen into this apostasy. Then on the other side of the coin, we have the leader of a major Evangelical Christian Denomination who recently openly wept in repentance for knowingly allowing a Muslim to infiltrate their seminary, with his approval. This issue is polarizing and we are finding members of the Body of Christ on both sides, with one side currently growing rapidly as Christian begin to wake up and realize something has gone terribly wrong within the Body of Christ.

It is taught in the Muslim religion that it is okay to lie to the infidel, anyone who is not a Muslim, in order to infiltrate their group or win their trust so later you can ‘destroy from within, without lifting a sword’ as Muhammad stated. I have little doubt that is what is happening here, and has happened in our national government, other churches, civic organizations, et cetera. Muslims, Islam, may make a treaty with the Catholic Church but if this is an end time prophecy coming to fruition, then three and one half years into this treaty they will break the treaty and turn on the Catholic Church.

How can any individual remain in a situation where apostasy is openly taking place? They cannot if they value their personal spiritual health. God has called some individuals to address and confront apostasy but for the average Believer in Christ, exposing themselves to these environments will slowly erode their faith until they themselves will become blinded and deceived. If we vex the Spirit of God within us through either wrong actions, wrong teachings, wrong thinking, or wrong beliefs we will find ourselves lost and distant from God – no longer able to feel His Presence, hear that small inner voice His voice, or sense the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Regarding worldviews:

Secular sources – self-help, advice, mass media – some of these resources can be useful in obtaining knowledge about what is going on in our world but they are not credible sources for a Believer when it comes to establishing beliefs, opinions, and directives for life. The gap between the two foundational platforms (biblical vs. secular) is too vast at this point in our present day society to bring reconciliation between the two. A Believer should seek out Christian lifestyle training, godly counsel, and Christian forms of mass media using those to shape their approach to life.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

¹¹And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹²for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, ¹³till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; ¹⁴that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, ¹⁵but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— ¹⁶from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

▶ Comment

The Wrong Tree

In Advice, Agape Love, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Prayer, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Revival, Rhema Words, Truth, Uncategorized on June 11, 2014 at 2:41 pm

You may submit your own question via the contact information on the “ABOUT” page. A link to the about page can be found at the top of any of the website pages.

Question Summary:

God did not want Adam and Eve to eat from the tree in the center of the Garden of Eden. Why? Then they had to die. Why?

Reply:

This might be a question you would need God to answer in order to obtain a true and complete answer because I believe there were many more reasons than we might realize. Scripture does not tell us everything, every reason exactly, but it does tell us enough to draw some conclusions, which is what I have done in answering your question. However, I do not presume to speak for the Creator of the universe and mankind regarding all of His reasons for His command.

First let me state, we are required to trust God and thus obey God regardless of our personal understanding. God told them not to do eat of this specific tree. He had provided them everything they needed in life, He was trustworthy, He was their Creator, and His command should have been respected just as His commands to us today should be respected.

That said…

Examining Genesis 1:17, 3:5,22, 6:3

In my answer, I wish to point out something that people do not often consider about God’s command to Adam and Eve. God not wanting them to eat of the tree was for their own protection, for to have knowledge of the contradictions of good and evil is a fate worse than denial of something one might want.

The sentence of death, which derived from the cruse, was further protection of man from God, for to live forever with knowledge of evil would be a fate worse than death. Therefore, out of mercy God later put a cap, so to speak, on human life – 120 years.

Regarding worldviews:

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

▶ Comment

Women Men and Church

In Advice, Agape Love, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Persecution, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Remnant, Revival, Spiritual Fruit, Truth, Uncategorized on June 8, 2014 at 6:00 pm

You may submit your own question via the contact information on the “ABOUT” page. A link to the about page can be found at the top of any of the website pages.

Question Summary:

The role of men and women in the corporate church seems to be a topic that never gets old and is constantly being examined or reexamined. Recently I was asked a series of questions about a woman’s roles within the Body of Christ and the spiritual authority of women.

I am going to list those questions and my answers below, just as they were asked and answered.

I want to first note that a woman’s relationship with her husband differs from her relationship with any other man, whether that man is a spiritual leader, her pastor, an elder, her brother, etc. The authority a husband carries over a wife is far different from, superior to, and much more extensive than the authority any other male would hold over a woman.

Reply:

Women and spiritual authority:

Q – “What is the proper role of women in spiritual authority in the Body?”

A – To minister in ALL capacities to the women of the Body of Christ and for specific women with certain spiritual gifts and callings to advise/counsel and pray for male spiritual leaders.

Q – “As I understand what you wrote, women are the leaders of women in the church, and men are the leaders of men?”

A – For practical life application purposes, your assessment would be correct. However, the male spiritual leaders are also the leaders of the women as well, in most areas – expect personal counseling, which I adamantly believe, should only be done by the same gender.

Q – “So a woman who is a pastor would be a pastor over the women? Can they also be pastors over men?”

A – Yes, a woman pastor is the women’s pastors. A woman can be a co-pastor or an associate pastor but not a head or senior pastor. Technically their role as a pastor would give them more authority than a congregation’s member who is male but typically, when a congregation is functioning well the men and the female pastor do not make an issue of her gender – they just each do their own thing. The female pastor should never attempt to usurp the authority of her male counterparts or take too much authority over her male congregants.

Q – “But then a man is usually something like a senior pastor or at the top of the chain of authority in a congregation, is that right?”

A – Yes, in my belief based on Scripture there should be a male senior pastor in a congregation if there are any males in the congregation.

Spiritual authority in general, whether inside a corporate church congregation or within the Body of Christ as a whole is largely based on a person’s calling regardless of gender. Meaning the callings are to be respected in a certain order – called the five-fold ministry. That order laid out in Scripture is not random; it is based on spiritual authority given them by Christ and is to be respected as such – again, regardless of gender.

1 Corinthians 12:28 (NKJV)

28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

Ephesians 4:11–15 (NKJV)

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

Regarding worldviews:

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

▶ Comment

Advice, Bible, Biblical Principles, Christian, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Encouragement, God, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Prayer, Questions, Rhema Words, Salvation, Truth

Vocal or Silent Prayer

In Advice, Agape Love, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Prayer, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Revival, Rhema Words, Spiritual Fruit, Spiritual Remnant, Truth, Uncategorized on June 6, 2014 at 3:00 pm

You may submit your own question via the contact information on the “ABOUT” page. A link to the about page can be found at the top of any of the website pages.

Question Summary:

Will God accept and listen to prayers that are not audibly spoken? Prayers prayed within a person’s own mind, internal prayers. Does praying silently anger God?

Reply:

First, let me state with all faith that no sincere heartfelt God honoring prayer angers God. God desires communication with His creation and longs to hear from us in good times and in bad, when our hearts are right and when they need to be set right by His Holy Spirit.

God is all-knowing, He is omniscient, therefore He knows our every thought, feeling, action, motive, and so forth thus nothing escapes God’s knowledge and understanding. When we pray He knows everything we say, think, and feel whether it is expressed aloud, within our own hearts and minds, or not expressed at all. Thankfully, God uses this knowledge to answer our prayers in a way that is beyond even our own understanding.

We are many times imperfect people with imperfect prayers but GOD ANSWERS PRAYER PERFECTLY!

We must keep our hearts humble in prayer, always remembering that prayer is a request to God and should be submitted with all the reverential awe and respect the Holy Almighty deserves. Far too often people spout off words that are often meaningless but are instead said for the benefit of those listening more than, in sincere respect and honor to God and God’s Will. We must guard our hearts from indulging in such prayer for it would be better for us to pray one sincere prayer a year for someone than to prayer a thousand prayers a year that are meaningless and empty for the same person.

Here are a few things to keep in mind that Scripture tells us about prayer.

There is a time for secret prayer, family prayer, and public prayer.

Matthew 6:6(AV-KJV) But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Acts 10:2(AV-KJV) A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

Acts 10:30(AV-KJV) And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

Matthew 18:20(AV-KJV) For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

If we wish God to receive our prayers, we need to have a pure heart before Him when we pray or our prayer needs to be about setting our hearts right with Him.

Psalm 66:18 (NKJV) If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.

It is important that our faith be invested in our prayer. We need to pray what we believe; we often receive what we believe. The best way to find faith in our prayers and to be able to believe what we pray for will come to pass, is to pray what God’s Will is in the first place. Instead of asking for what we want, we should be asking God what He wants then praying for that.

If people want me to pray for them their way or for what they want I often will not pray for those people. If I sense in a person’s spirit that they are not prepared to handle, or due to inner sin or damage will be angered or disturbed by, hearing the Will of God prayed over them I will not pray for them until I can do so according to God’s Will. Praying words over a person just for the sake of praying or making them feel better is all but useless in the spiritual arena of bring about God’s Will, as in heaven, into the earthly realm so it can be manifest in people’s lives.

Matthew 21:22(AV-KJV) And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

1 John 5:14–15 (NKJV) 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

When we pray we should keep it simple. We will never impress God with our prayers and may the Lord Jesus help us if we are attempting to impress others with our prayers. Let our words be sincere, heartfelt, real, simple and without hypocrisy.

Matthew 6:7 (NKJV) And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Jesus is our intermediary and it is in Jesus’ name that we must believe and we must pray. Self will not get our prayers answered, our pastor will not get our prayers answered, our mentor will not get your prayers answered, our friend will not get our prayers answered, a world renown ministry will not get our prayers answered, one things, One Person will get our prayers answered, our Savior, our Jesus; thus, we pray in Jesus’ name and no other name.

John 14:13 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

If your prayers are not going through Jesus, they are not going anywhere.

Regarding worldviews:

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

▶ Comment

Clothes and Salvation

In Advice, Agape Love, Apostasy, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Revival, Spiritual Fruit, Truth, Uncategorized on June 4, 2014 at 6:00 am

You may submit your own question via the contact information on the “ABOUT” page. A link to the about page can be found at the top of any of the website pages.

Question Summary:

Jesus wore a tunic form of clothing, so does that mean wearing the same type of clothing will get us eternal life so we can go to heaven?

Reply:

Wearing a tunic or any form of clothing will neither get you into heaven nor keep you out of heaven. Eternal life and salvation through Jesus, the Christ, has absolutely nothing to do with clothing.

It is our simply faith in and dependence upon Jesus, and His shed blood on the cross for us, that secures us forgiveness of sin and ensures our salvation. It is Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, and the power of that resurrection, that make eternal life possible for us.

John 3:16 (AV)(KJV) Jesus speaking

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

When you look into the Greek language at the meaning of the word “believeth” found in the above verse it has three parts and collectively they make it clear that this belief is not merely an intellectual assent of Truth. It goes much deeper than agreeing with the facts. To “believeth” in Jesus is “to have faith in, upon, and with respect to” Him with “moral conviction of a religious truth” as to “the truthfulness of God, especially when it comes to reliance upon Christ for salvation.” Believing in the “only begotten Son” means “to entrust oneself, especially one’s spiritual well-being to Christ” with all we have within us and to “commit to put trust with” Him and “believe” Him continually as we “credit” Him with our salvation, growth, change, eternal life, et cetera. There is the clear meaning in the Greek language that this belief or to “believeth” is a form of “persuasion, credence, and moral conviction” which is so strong we continue with “constancy in such profession, assurance, belief and faith” with “fidelity” throughout our lifetime. To “believeth” is to submit to “the system of religious (Gospel) – truth itself.”

Romans 5:12 (NKJV)

12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—

Romans 3:23 (NKJV)

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23 (NKJV)

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

There is no individual of any age who has never sinner. Whether one sin or one million it is all the same to God. Whether you told a white lie or murdered someone it is all the same to God. Sin is sin and sin stinks in the nostrils of a Holy God. Therefore, we need Jesus and His shed blood to cleanse us from that sin and keep us clean.

Romans 5:8 (NKJV)

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 10:9–10 (NKJV)

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Simply cry out to Jesus, ask Him to forgive you, ask Him to be your Lord and to direct your life according to His Will. Then continue in that for the rest of your life, when at last you will exchange the temporal life for the eternal life you gained, or will gain, at the moment you called, or call, out to Him.

1 Corinthians 15:1–4 (NKJV)

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

Regarding worldviews:

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

▶ Comment

Do We Quit?

In Advice, Agape Love, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Truth, Uncategorized on June 1, 2014 at 6:00 pm

You may submit your own question via the contact information on the “ABOUT” page. A link to the about page can be found at the top of any of the website pages.

Question Summary:

A young person, 20 years old, expresses they are becoming filled with anxiety and have been overwhelmed with stress during the last year as they work as an apprentice. The individual feels their boss wishes them to working at a greater level of skill and speed than they are capable of doing. They have tried their best but the demands are simply not possible for them and their excessive effort results in mistakes and a product that is of low quality. Ultimately, it leads to unhappiness and personal embarrassment for this young person because they know the quality of the product they are producing is low, to the degree the product does not even function correctly. It does not seem the situation is going to get better and the person is seeking counsel about what to do. They want to know, “Do I quit?”

Reply:

You are twenty years old and your life will be much more fulfilling if you learn early in life that God created you with a specific temperament, with certain talents, with certain abilities, with certain strengths, and with certain weakness.

Most people agree with the above statement, generally, except the last part – “with certain weakness.” On that point, people like to believe they are a mini god who can do anything. Well, you cannot. YOU CAN DO ANYTHING GOD WILLS FOR YOU TO DO! This is a more scripturally accurate statement. Our weaknesses are used of God to keep us out of areas of life where we do not belong. Our strengths are used of God to cause us to excel in the areas where He wants us.

¹³ For You formed my inward parts;

You covered me in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴ I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,

And that my soul knows very well.

¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from You,

When I was made in secret,

And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

¹⁶ Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.

And in Your book they all were written,

The days fashioned for me,

When as yet there were none of them.

Psalm 139:13-16 / King David speaking

Definitions in the Hebrew Language –

possessed = formed

7069 to erect, i.e. create; to procure, by purchase, to own, possess (-or), purchase, recover, redeem

my reins = inward parts =

3629 an essential organ); fig. the mind (as the interior self)

made =

6395. to distinguish (lit. or fig.)

fashioned =

3335 (through the squeezing into shape); to mould [skeletal makeup aka mold] into a form; espec. as a potter; fig. to determine (i.e. form a resolution):— × earthen, fashion, form, frame, make (-r), potter, purpose.

God made each of us a specific way with everything we need to accomplish His Purpose for our lives. We are meant to allow God to grow us, change us, refine our character, educate us, train us, et cetera as He manifest what He placed on the inside of us before birth. We are to cooperate with this process not go against this process.

The secular world uses aptitude testing to determine what people would be good at and the Christian community has a godly version of something similar. I personal do not believe in secular aptitude testing and find it can be harmful to people because of its worldly approach. However, finding someone who understands temperaments and someone who could guide you toward the path more in line with your God given design would be wise because you should not have to struggle with your profession throughout your lifetime. That said, we all do jobs we don’t like at times out of necessity but it is not God’s plan that we remain in a situation where we are not productive, where we are unhappy, and where we expose ourselves to so much stress that the door to Satan is opened through anxiety, which is what you have described.

The truth…it may not be possible for you to get good enough at what you are currently doing to make you happy, your boss happy and to bring your stress level down to a healthy level, which does not involve anxiety. You may not have the talents and abilities for that profession but I assure you that you have the talents and abilities for the profession God ordained and desires for you. Find someone to help you figure out what that profession is and find that person soon, so you maximize the amount of your lifespan you spend within God’s Will for your life. Then once God opens a door make the change.

Regarding worldviews:

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

▶ Comment

Advice, Bible, Biblical Principles, Christian, Christian Activism, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Prophecy, Questions, Revival, Rhema Words, Salvation, Truth

Updates – Godly Spiritual Activism

In Advice, Agape Love, Apostasy, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, End Times, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Persecution, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Remnant, Revival, Rhema Words, Spiritual Activism, Spiritual Activists, Spiritual Remnant, Truth, Uncategorized on May 28, 2014 at 5:15 pm

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

I want to thank each one of you who are actively involved in godly spiritual activism on behalf of the godly men and women in the United States of America. We give up our rights to Christ, we do not give up our rights to man and we certainly never betray or deny God and His Principles to make life within our society easier for us. We are perhaps at one of the most difficult periods in American history to be a Devote Follower of Christ and sadly, I believe it will get worse before it gets better. However, biblical history and general history has proven that the persecution of the Body of Christ results in revival and growth. I personally believe godly spiritual activism is going to be one of the most powerful weapons of spiritual warfare used of God in the very near future to further His Will and His Causes among His people and in the world as a whole. I fully intend to allow God to use me in such a capacity according to His Will and encourage you to do the same.

Thank you to everyone who used godly spiritual activism to bring about a positive result in the Florida Atlantic University Jesus stomping issue. Whether you made your voice heard through going to the university in person, calling, or emailing; it worked, they were so overwhelmed with Outraged Christians that they issued a formal apology and stated that the practice of having students write the name of Jesus on a piece of paper then stomp on it, would never be used again at that university. The professor who facilitated this assignment and then persecuted the student[s] who would not participate claimed he was only doing what the textbook in use, instructed him to do. Textbooks…the common core teaching curriculum is going to be a tough issue for Christian parents. As there is much for concern in that material. However, for now, a victory for God’s people and those who stood up for their right to respect Jesus’ name.

One of the current moves against godly men and women who are ordained ministers is the act of being deliberately sought out by homosexual couples or a homosexual individual for the purpose of asking that ordained minister or pastor to perform a wedding ceremony for them. If the man or woman of God refuses to perform the same sex marriage, they are then reported to authorities as discriminating against said couple – a couple who often do not even exist as an actual two party couple. The goal of the homosexual community is to have the ordained minister or pastor criminally prosecuted for a crime, one preferably that is considered a hate crime. States are attempting to pass special legislation, amendments, that would protect ordained ministers from being able to be targeted with this form of persecution. However, the legislation has to be supported and passed, so please speak up and speak out, let the Christian voice be heard. Pass this legislation in your state if your state offers this form of protection to its ordained ministers. Far too frequently, people are able to retain political power even when they fight against the causes of protecting the very rights and freedoms of the people they were elected to protect and serve. The Governor of Kentucky is the child of a Baptist Preacher yet, vetoes the amendment to protect ordained ministers from unconstitutional prosecution, which is nothing more than persecution for ones religious beliefs. [Side note: We know it is always the will of evil to try to use the children of God’s called men and women to do his bidding, often succeeding for a season; yet, a glimpse through history shows us that the majority of these children return to Christ and become an even more powerful force for godliness and God’s agenda than they might have originally. Thus, proving the general principle found in Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV) “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.”] Nevertheless, ask yourself where this country will be if people who claim to support freedom and adherer to conservative belief are allowed to continue in office when they would veto such legislation.

I ask for your prayers, as I have been under much spiritual attack lately in my physical body. God has reminded me recently that He allowed Satan to attack Job because God had a purpose. I have, and am, allowing God to reveal changes in my life, lifestyle, and schedule He wants made so I might benefit from why He has allowed this attacked. One the other side, Satan brings this attack at a time when he could use it to attempt to hinder my work in spiritual activism and my work with a specific individual whom God has intended to use for His glory. This attack comes at a time when this individual is close to finding their freedom from bondages and their true purpose in Christ. Satan has sent people to stop this, Satan has brought personal division and strife to stop this, and now Satan is attacking me personally in an attempt to stop this and keep his claws in this person. Therefore, I ask each of you to pray for me and pray for the situation that God would be glorified and Satan would be defeated.

Lastly, I know I am behind on quite a few questions and the follow-up comments on answers. I will be moving forward as quickly as possible. If you feel your question is urgent, please send me a message indicating so. I will not be adding follow-up comments to the questions and replies unless an additional question is prompted. This is not personal in any way; it is merely policy for me. I have never allowed publically posted comments and will not be doing so with the Q&A series. However, I will still respond to your comments privately and personally, so please continue to submit them. The intent of this forum is to promote Truth and only to promote Truth, which is why no comments or names are allowed and why I do not even list my name or ministry. I am here to promote Jesus and His Truths not to promote anyone else, including myself.

Regarding worldviews:

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

▶ Comment

Do Spiritual Gifts Cease?

In Advice, Agape Love, Apostasy, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Encouragement, Exhortation, Fruits of the Holy Spirit, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Rhema Words, Spiritual Fruit, Truth, Uncategorized on May 19, 2014 at 9:10 pm

You may submit your own question via the contact information on the “ABOUT” page. A link to the about page can be found at the top of any of the website pages.

Question Summary:

“I have done some reading on my own but would love your input on this particular verse, 1 Corinthians 13:8. It seems it could be taken out of context to mean something different then intended but I’m not sure.”

Reply:

Thank you for your question about 1 Corinthians 13:8 and yes, it is a verse that is often misrepresented and misused, by those who do not believe in what is often referred to as the Pentecostal or Charismatic Gifts, of prophecy, words of knowledge, and tongues. It is a verse that is distorted in order to make a claim that these Spiritual Gifts are not in operation anymore within the Body of Christ.

As I frequently try to remind people, context is everything with Scripture. Context of the verses surrounding the verse you are studying, context of the entire chapter, and at times context of the entire book of the Bible you are examining. Therefore, we should look at the context of 1 Corinthians before and after chapter thirteen.

Chapters 1-4 Talks about spiritual gifts, the use of wisdom, carnality, the need for good stewardship in handling mysteries of God, the need for spiritual parenting and spiritual care…

Chapters 5-7 Deals with immorality within the church, the need to “judge”, yes judge immorality, how Christians should treat each other, how we should treat our bodies, how we should act in marriage, instructions for the unmarried and widowed…

Chapters 8-10 Has us examine ourselves internally (our conscious), the need for self-denial, service, and perseverance throughout the Christian’s lifespan…

Chapters 10-11 Addresses religious practices and ordinances.

Chapters 12-14 Focuses primarily on love and on the use of the spiritual gifts in their proper form.

Then we reach the part of the book on which the question is based and that will be the focus of our examination. However, it is important to point out the context of the few chapters that follow this portion.

Chapter 15 Addresses our Resurrected Christ and our ultimate glorification in the next life.

That for the most part is the book of 1 Corinthians. Now understanding the context of 1 Corinthians, we examine this specific passage of Scripture.

Paul has just described what “love” looks like in a tangible sense (1 Corn.13:4-7) and is now going to make a point about love.

1 Corinthians 13:8–13 (AV) (KJV)

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

“they shall fail” v.8

“it shall vanish away” v.8

“shall be done away” v.10

“I put away” v.11

All four of these phrases have the same Greek definition. It is as follows:

2673. καταργέω katargĕō, kat-arg-eh´-o; from 2596 and 691; to be (render) entirely idle (useless), lit. or fig.:— abolish, cease, cumber, deliver, destroy, do away, become (make) of no (none, without) effect, fail, loose, bring (come) to nought, put away (down), vanish away, make void.

There is clearly a time when these gifts will cease to exist. However, the key to when that time is, or will be, can be found in proper understanding and context of 1 Corinthians as a whole and through understanding of other passages in the Bible.

In order for those gifts to cease, “that which is perfect” v.10, must come into existence.

According to the Greek language, “that which is perfect” is a “variety of states of completeness, in character, perfection, growth, labor” and that completeness means “to set out for a definite point or goal”, “the point aimed at as a limit”, “a result immediately or ultimately or prophetic of a purpose”, “specifically to levy an end”, “the uttermost” of a state, and most importantly, “the conclusion of an act or state (termination [literally, figuratively, indefinitely]” – which speaks to the eternal not the temporal.

This addresses the state of being once the Body of Christ has entered Glory, not while the Body of Christ is on the earth.

Let me elaborate on this point by addressing each verse that follows verse eight, where the statement about the ceasing of the gifts is made – verses ten through thirteen.

v.10 In perfection (glory) everything will be complete, there will be no more need for gifts of tongues, prophecy, etc.

v.11 Paul equates transferring from this life to glory, as a level of perfection or maturity that is simply the next step. Then he gives the example of transferring from a level of maturity a child would have, to a level of maturity a man would have. He says, ‘he put away childish things’ because it was the next step in his perfection or maturity as a young man. One day, our next step in our maturity or perfection in Christ, will be to put off this world, the spiritual gifts we use in this world and move into the next realm of our existence, glory, where we will be perfectly completed in Christ.

v.12 Paul talks about the completeness and maturity of his understanding, of our understanding, and spiritual insight once we see Jesus face to face and know ALL there is to know and UNDERSTAND all there is to understand. He acknowledges that he, Paul, is fully known by Christ but that he, Paul, does not fully know the things of God this side of heaven, this side of residing in His, Christ’s, Glory.

v.13 Paul talks about faith, hope, and charity (agape or action type love) and he tells us that for now we act, live, use our gifts, etc. out of “faith”, to the degree of our “faith”, and we rest our “hope” in the Truth that God will use them, having our “hope” in God alone, as we act motivated by “charity” aka love for God and the Body of Christ. He makes the point that of the three, “charity” (love) is the primary one that will transcend this life into the next life, eternal life in glory. Once in glory, faith will not be needed, for our faith will become complete because all will be seen and known (Heb. 11:1). Once in glory our hope will also be made complete because we will have the fulfillment of all we have hoped for during our Christian walk on earth (Heb.11:1).

Paul then immediately launches right into encouraging us and exhorting us to desire the most coveted spiritual gifts and tell us why. Therefore, the use and importance of these gifts are a priority, both then and now. Paul had addressed the three gifts of, Words of Knowledge, Gif of Tongues, and Prophecy because he had been teaching in the prior chapters that all gifts were important and needed within the Body of Christ; therefore, there was no need for spiritual jealousy among the brethren – that ultimately all spiritual gifts regardless of their power would go away once we were all in glory together. Prior to this point in 1 Corinthians 13 and 14, the focus has been on the need for unity and love among True Believer, instead of infighting and jealousy over gifts and callings (1 Corn. 12:12-31).

1 Corinthians 14:1–5 (NKJV)

Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

It is also made clear in the book of Ephesians, when spiritual gifts are being addressed, that the need for apostles and prophets exist, the two callings that tend to use the aforementioned gifts the most. The purpose is to grow the Body of Christ and keep them from the spiritual danger of being lead astray or becoming apostate, which sadly is exactly what wrong teaching on the subject of 1 Corn. 13:8-13 does. Proper teaching, which the fivefold ministry is required by God to do, is to continue until the Body of Christ or the individual is completely spiritually mature, which is something that never happens until a saint goes to be with Jesus in glory. I have never met any mature Christian, who consideration themselves to be completely mature, or perfect – only perfect in Christ. Each mature Believer, I have ever encountered, knew there was so much more they had to learn – this attitude, in and of itself, is a testimony to their maturity.

Ephesians 4:11–16 (NKJV)

Again, in conclusion, in the end all spiritual gifts will go away once we are all in glory together, but not prior to that time. They might be exhibited among the Brethren to a greater or lesser degree at any given time in history but they will not completely cease until after the rapture and/or the Body of Christ has been transformed in the New Jerusalem. This passage in 1 Corinthians 13 is meant to remind us of our need for unity and love among the True Saints of God, Saints being another name for Believers.

Regarding worldviews:

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

▶ Comment

The First

In Advice, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Remnant, Revival, Spiritual Remnant, Truth, Uncategorized on May 12, 2014 at 7:47 pm

You may submit your own question via the contact information on the “ABOUT” page. A link to the about page can be found at the top of any of the website pages.

Question Summary:

Is it true that Jesus was the first Christian?

Reply:

This has to be one of the more interesting questions I have been asked in a very long time. Thank you. It is a question I have never personally been asked nor have I ever heard it asked of anyone else.

I will answer the question by explaining the meaning of the name, and word Christian, as well as exploring when people might have been considered Christians in a practical sense and a theological sense.

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines “Christian” as “one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ” and whereas Jesus obviously believed His teachings, He does not fall into the category as one who would have professed a belief in His own teachings. Of course, He believed His own teaching and would not have needed to profess a belief in His own teachings.

Nelson’s new illustrated Bible dictionary defines Christian as “an adherent or follower of Christ.”

The Greek definition for the word “Christian” is as follows and occurs three times in the New Testament, Acts 11:26, 26:28, and 1 Peter 4:16.

5546. Χριστιανός Christianŏs, khris-tee-an-os´; from 5547; a Christian, i.e. follower of Christ:— Christian.

5547. Χριστός Christŏs, khris-tos´; from 5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:— Christ.

Jesus clearly could not have been a follower or an adherent of Himself; therefore, He could not have been considered the first Christian.

The use of the name “Christian” is first noted in Scripture in the book of Acts.

Acts 11:25–26 (NKJV)

25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

This is a matter of this or that side of the cross. Christianity technically could not exist until Jesus died and rose again. Theologically we would need to view this through the lenses of the dispensations of grace. Yet, practically while Jesus walked the earth in human form there were those individual who would have been considered among the first, of the Christians, in my view.

The wise men were among the first to worship Jesus after His birth. Their worship was acknowledgement of Him as the Christ, the Messiah. That worship, of Jesus the Christ, to me is evidence of being a Christian in practical application.

Matthew 2:1–4 (NKJV)

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

John the Baptist clearly acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah when he stated, “Behold! The Lamb of God” upon Jesus’ arrived for His baptism. Though John the Baptist did not live to see Jesus death and resurrection, I consider Him one of the first Christians because of his proclamation.

John 1:29 (NKJV)

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

Peter was the first who actually called Jesus, the Christ. He acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah when he stated ‘You are the Christ.’ as found in the Holy Scriptures, in all four gospels, Matt. 6:16, Mark 8:29, Luke 9:20 and John 6:69. All four times Peter was using the term and word Christ, which means “the Messiah” in the Greek language.

Mark 8:27–29 (NKJV)

27 Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?”

28 So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”

29 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”

The thief on the cross was perhaps the first individual to redeem his official position as a Christian, as Jesus and he would have died within a few minutes or hours of each other. Jesus had in fact assured the thief that he would be allowed to enter Paradise that day. The thief simply asked for Jesus’ mercy and received His mercy in the form of salvation.

Luke 23:39–43 (NKJV)

39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”

40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Whom can we call the very first Christian, of that I am not positive but it was not Jesus Himself as Jesus is Christianity.

Regarding worldviews:

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

▶ Comment

Advice, Bible, Biblical Principles, Christian, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Encouragement, God, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, New Creation, New Nature, Questions, Rhema Words, Salvation, Spiritual Chage, Struggle with Sin, Truth, Victory

Balancing Weights of Change

In Advice, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Spiritual Fruit, Truth, Uncategorized on May 8, 2014 at 1:18 pm

You may submit your own question via the contact information on the “ABOUT” page. A link to the about page can be found at the top of any of the website pages.

Question Summary:

How do I reconcile my beliefs in the last two posts? I appear, to the person asking the question, to be promoting both dependence on Jesus for change and the need for obedience to bring about overcoming change. It appears contradictory to the reader who is seeking clarity.

Reply:

Yes, I am promoting both dependence on Jesus for change and the need for obedience in order to bring about the manifestation of change in a person’s life. Let me explain.

As I shared with someone recently, each day I must go to Christ and once again turn to Him in dependence upon Him to live through me, thus applying the work of His Cross and the power of His resurrection to my life daily. This is daily repentance and rededication to Him, trust in Him, and dependence upon Him. Through this surrendered and submissive attitude toward Christ, He is given license to work in my life to accomplish His Will.

We must find the balance between attempting to do things in our own strength, the flesh, and making sure we are being obedient to Christ’s directives for us. We often struggle because we have allowed sin and disobedience to God to be options for us. God can empower us by His grace to do anything He shows us, or tells us, to do but He will not make the choice to obey said directive[s] for us. He ask us to obey and once we agree, comply, and move forward in obedience His grace and strength is there to fulfill the task. That progression, that order of actions, is vital to victory however – 1] agree 2] comply 3] move forward.

We cannot continue to ask Jesus to do such and such for us when we have not obeyed Him in what He has already instructed us to do. Our answer to our problem can often be found in obedience and our lack of an answer can often be found in our disobedience.

We are given a new nature at conversion [2 Corn. 5:17] and in the spiritual realm everything we will ever need to have done in us is completed by Christ and His finished work on the cross. We, by means of His resurrection power, allow Him to live through us, which then manifest in the physical realm all the changes that were completed in us at conversion.

Jesus has done in us what needs to be done and He is waiting for us to allow Him to manifest His work in us, through us, as we obey His Truths, Principles, and Directives. This is when both our struggle with sin[s] ends and our overcoming victory is walked out in our daily lives.

Regarding worldviews:

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

▶ Comment

Advice, Bible, Biblical Principles, Christian, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Encouragement, God, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Overcoming, Questions, Rhema Words, Salvation, Truth, Victory

His Cross or Your Cross

In Advice, Agape Love, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Truth, Uncategorized on April 29, 2014 at 8:37 am

You may submit your own question via the contact information on the “ABOUT” page. A link to the about page can be found at the top of any of the website pages.

Question Summary:

This man indicates that as he grows in his faith he is becoming even more confused about how to overcome issues in his life. He feels that his begging and pleading with God has fallen on deaf ears. He has tried reading his Bible and resisting but still struggles. He can sense something is wrong but does not know what is wrong. All he knows is that, try as he might he cannot seem to have overcoming victory, to be righteous. He is seeking input and feels very confused.

Reply:

Dear Sir,

Let me first say that your question is a question I have heard hundreds of times, if not more, asked in an untold number of different ways. You are not alone in your concerns and doubts. I was there at one time myself.

If you know Jesus and have truly made Him LORD of your life, you cannot become righteous, given that you are already righteous in God’s eyes and in the spiritual realm. The reader must first realize that he is asking Jesus to do something Jesus has already done. Jesus is not going to help you, me or anyone "overcome certain things in life" when He has already overcome those things for you, me, and all His children on the cross. We experience freedom from any form of bondage once we place our faith in the TRUTH that Jesus did overcome those things for us on the cross thus He is able to manifest the power of that overcoming victory once, by trust and faith; we fully accept what He did.

This is one of the major reasons I recommend Neil Anderson’s book, “Victory over the Darkness” to all new Believers in Christ. If we do not understand who we are in Christ and what His death on the cross accomplished for us, our spiritual foundation will be unstable consequently, our walk with Him will be difficult to say the least. All new Believers would do well to absorb this book fully in their spirits before taking on greater pursuits in the Lord. The book is filled with Scriptures and packed with Truth.

Dear man, stop asking Jesus to do for you and start thanking Him for what He has done. We accept victory the same way we accepted salvation by way of by trust and faith.

Regarding worldviews:

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

▶ Comment

Advice, Bible, Biblical Principles, Christian, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Disobedience, Encouragement, God, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Obedience, Questions, Rhema Words, Salvation, Truth

The Sin Struggle

In Advice, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Revival, Truth, Uncategorized on April 25, 2014 at 9:30 am

You may submit your own question via the contact information on the “ABOUT” page. A link to the about page can be found at the top of any of the website pages.

Question Summary:

I love God but I continually struggle with sin. Why?

Reply:

We all have a sin nature but once we have redeemed by Christ He has given us a new nature (2 Corinthians 5:17) to which we must yield ourselves. Therefore, when we cut away all the fluff, rationalization, and excuses your reason for your struggle with sin is the same reason we all struggle with sin in any particular area of our lives. Sin and disobedience to God is an option for us.

If disobedience were not an option, you would not be struggling.

Regarding worldviews:

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

▶ Comment

Advice, Bible, Biblical Principles, Blessings, Christian, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Encouragement, Evil, God, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Good, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Questions, Rhema Words, Salvation, Truth

Blessing of Good and Evil

In Advice, Agape Love, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Persecution, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Remnant, Truth, Uncategorized on April 24, 2014 at 3:34 pm

You may submit your own question via the contact information on the “ABOUT” page. A link to the about page can be found at the top of any of the website pages.

Question Summary:

Why do people who are sinful get blessed? Why do people who are godly have trouble? Why do people believe sin causes trouble and blessings? How can we make sense of all the mess and injustice in the world?

Reply:

This is actually a combination of several questions whose answers have the same basic root. I have been asked this question in one form or another ever since I became a minister. It comes from the heart of hurting people or angry people who cannot understand how the world, Satan’s kingdom, and the eternal, God’s Kingdom work. Jesus is our example for all things so I will use situations surrounding Jesus to address these questions.

The first point I will make, regarding the evil aspect of the question, is that people can be rewarded, bribed, or compensated by Satan in this world. He can do nothing that has not been allowed by God, Job is an example of that, but Satan can in fact provide worldly blessings for sinful people. We have seen some of the most corrupt and depraved, sometimes privately, individuals and families receive blessings in this lifetime. Their ultimate cost however, for those evil blessings is something much deeper that they lack inside and their eternal souls many times. Satan even tried to bribe Jesus.

Matthew 4:8–11 (NKJV)

⁸Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ⁹And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”

¹⁰Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”

¹¹Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

The first point I will make, regarding the godly aspect of the question, is that people can know God, people can profess all the right things but still be deeply rebellious in their hearts and that rebellion will cause them problems in life. Even Jesus chose obedience over rebellion. Scripture referring to Jesus, states how He had to hear the Father and choose not to have a rebellious heart. If Jesus had to consciously make that choice, while He was here in human flesh, of course we each must do the same every day. If we remain in rebellion, either inwardly or outwardly, against God’s Will we will not be consistently blessed in life.

Isaiah 50:5 (NKJV)

The Lord God has opened My ear;

And I was not rebellious,

Nor did I turn away.

Another reason we see both groups blessed and both groups suffer is because God has chosen such for His own purposes. Jesus taught that, when He walked the earth in the flesh.

Matthew 5:45 (NKJV) Jesus speaking

that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

For a True Believer any suffering or difficulty they go through that is the type, which Jesus taught about above, has a guaranteed redemptive purpose. God wants to use what they went through. For the Unbeliever any difficulty they go through that is the type, which Jesus taught about above, are magnets meant to draw them to Him.

For the True Believer any blessings they obtain from the hand of God that is the type, which Jesus taught about above, are meant not merely as a form of reward but as a source to be used to glorify God further. For the Unbeliever any blessings they obtain from the hand of God that is the type, which Jesus taught about above, are intended to draw them to God through His goodness. Those blessing given to both groups are almost always removed one day if the Giver is not acknowledged and glorified.

There is much injustice, evil, and wrongdoing in the world. It is often hard to make sense of it all but people, most especially Christians must keep in mind this world is currently under Satan’s dominion and Satan can afflict people, including True Believers, with harm, disease, various afflictions, and general difficulties.

2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV)

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

John 14:30 (NKJV) Jesus speaking

³⁰I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.

Luke 13:16 (NKJV) Jesus speaking

¹⁶So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?”

Most dedicated Believers make claims about wanting to be like Jesus and to live for Him. They aspire to resemble their Savior but then are shocked and backslide when life, the world, and the Devil brings about difficulties. Yet, do they really know their Jesus, who He really was and is, as well as what He went through while walking the earth. I will end with passages form Isaiah, one of which that addresses some of what Jesus was to expect, and received, when He came to the earth. The passage also reflects how He responded.

Jesus knew and knows who He was and is, He knew and knows His power and ability, yet, He states what He choose to allow people to do to Him and how He chose to respond. We should pray for the grace of God to do likewise when we find ourselves in difficult circumstance for there is abundant life to be found in that type freedom, strength, and power.

Isaiah 50 (NKJV)

The Servant, Israel’s Hope

50 Thus says the Lord:

“Where is the certificate of your mother’s divorce,

Whom I have put away?

Or which of My creditors is it to whom I have sold you?

For your iniquities you have sold yourselves,

And for your transgressions your mother has been put away.

² Why, when I came, was there no man?

Why, when I called, was there none to answer?

Is My hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem?

Or have I no power to deliver?

Indeed with My rebuke I dry up the sea,

I make the rivers a wilderness;

Their fish stink because there is no water,

And die of thirst.

³ I clothe the heavens with blackness,

And I make sackcloth their covering.”

⁴ “The Lord God has given Me

The tongue of the learned,

That I should know how to speak

A word in season to him who is weary.

He awakens Me morning by morning,

He awakens My ear

To hear as the learned.

⁵ The Lord God has opened My ear;

And I was not rebellious,

Nor did I turn away.

⁶ I gave My back to those who struck Me,

And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard;

I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.

⁷ “For the Lord God will help Me;

Therefore I will not be disgraced;

Therefore I have set My face like a flint,

And I know that I will not be ashamed.

⁸ He is near who justifies Me;

Who will contend with Me?

Let us stand together.

Who is My adversary?

Let him come near Me.

⁹ Surely the Lord God will help Me;

Who is he who will condemn Me?

Indeed they will all grow old like a garment;

The moth will eat them up.

¹⁰ “Who among you fears the Lord?

Who obeys the voice of His Servant?

Who walks in darkness

And has no light?

Let him trust in the name of the Lord

And rely upon his God.

¹¹ Look, all you who kindle a fire,

Who encircle yourselves with sparks:

Walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks you have kindled—

This you shall have from My hand:

You shall lie down in torment.

Isaiah 55:1–13 (NKJV)

An Invitation to Abundant Life

55 “Ho! Everyone who thirsts,

Come to the waters;

And you who have no money,

Come, buy and eat.

Yes, come, buy wine and milk

Without money and without price.

² Why do you spend money for what is not bread,

And your wages for what does not satisfy?

Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,

And let your soul delight itself in abundance.

³ Incline your ear, and come to Me.

Hear, and your soul shall live;

And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—

The sure mercies of David.

⁴ Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people,

A leader and commander for the people.

⁵ Surely you shall call a nation you do not know,

And nations who do not know you shall run to you,

Because of the Lord your God,

And the Holy One of Israel;

For He has glorified you.”

⁶ Seek the Lord while He may be found,

Call upon Him while He is near.

⁷ Let the wicked forsake his way,

And the unrighteous man his thoughts;

Let him return to the Lord,

And He will have mercy on him;

And to our God,

For He will abundantly pardon.

⁸ “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.

⁹ “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And My thoughts than your thoughts.

¹⁰ “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,

And do not return there,

But water the earth,

And make it bring forth and bud,

That it may give seed to the sower

And bread to the eater,

¹¹ So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;

It shall not return to Me void,

But it shall accomplish what I please,

And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

¹² “For you shall go out with joy,

And be led out with peace;

The mountains and the hills

Shall break forth into singing before you,

And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

¹³ Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree,

And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree;

And it shall be to the Lord for a name,

For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”

Regarding worldviews:

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

▶ Comment

Advice, Bible, Biblical Principles, Christian, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Encouragement, God, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Peace, Questions, Rhema Words, Salvation, Truth, Unity

Peace and Unity

In Advice, Agape Love, Apostasy, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, End Times, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Persecution, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Remnant, Rhema Words, Spiritual Activists, Spiritual Remnant, Truth, Uncategorized on April 23, 2014 at 5:10 pm

Question Summary:

The quest for peace and unity or oneness in all circumstances, is that always good? Like in the case of world peace, community peace, family peace or unity, religious unity, and so on.

Reply:

As stated in the past, without specifics about a person’s circumstances it is hard to address a situation in an absolute way that will honor God and be a wise godly answer. However, I can provide some various insights about the topic.

This I can state with absolute authority that honors God and is in keeping with His Will and His Word. If keeping the peace or having unity or bringing about oneness requires an individual or group to compromise God’s Word, God’s Will, or God’s Purpose then it is an ungodly form of peace, unity, or oneness. Satan often brings a form of peace that is ungodly in order to bring about some form of evil. Again, if it causes you to dishonor God, then it is wrong.

Religious unity is not of God and is not supported anywhere in Scripture. Scripture teaches the opposite on numerous occasions. An example can be found with Muslims, the Koran states that Christians are considered infidels and if they refuse to renounce Christ when asked to do so, they are to be killed. As peace loving as some Muslims may appear, the text they consider holy gives this mandate. Some Muslims will even deny the Koran states this mandate. This is why these two groups Christians and Muslims, and their members, cannot be reconciled as friends. Now unity of Jesus’ Church, The Body of Christ, is supported throughout the New Testament.

Unity among Believers and unbelievers is not supported by Scripture for we are not to be yoked with unbelievers in any form of attached relationships, (2 Corn. 6:11-17) however, we can live at peace with unbelievers provided doing so does not cause us to dishonor God.

2 Corinthians 6:11–17 (NKJV)

Be Holy

11 O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. 13 Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.

14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will dwell in them

And walk among them.

I will be their God,

And they shall be My people.”

17 Therefore

“Come out from among them

And be separate, says the Lord.

Do not touch what is unclean,

And I will receive you.

Keeping the unity of a family or keeping peace within a family, again, is subject to whether or not the Believer in Christ can honor God and remain in unity or keep peace with other family members. This is not always possible as beliefs will differ and bring about division and even the simply desire to honor and follow God will bring division.

Luke 12:49–53 (NKJV) Jesus speaking

Christ Warns of the Costs of Discipleship

49 “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! 51 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. 52 For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 53 Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

The idea that following Christ brings about some type of utopian love-fest with all people is simply not true and has not bases in Scripture. If Jesus states that following Him would bring division within families, in the most intimate relationships, will it not bring division among, friends, colleagues, associated, and people in the world? Of course, it is going to do so. If you believe you are doing all God has instructed you to do in following Him and find yourself at peace with all people and everyone likes you, something is very wrong with your walk with God.

Additionally, many times in Scripture we find that had people not left family and homeland to go where and do what God had called or asked them to do they would have never been able to fulfill His Purposes for their life. Abraham, the Father of our Faith had to leave his family and homeland (Gen. 12 & 13) to fulfill God’s Plan for His life and our ultimate enfolding into the gospel message.

Community and/or global peace are much larger issues. Global peace and unity sounds wonderful and seems like such a noble idea but it is clearly the work of an Anti-Christ Spirit. (See the books of Revelation and Daniel.) It may seem great for a season to unbelievers and immature or carnal Christians but it is a concept whose end will be horrible for True Christians, the CURRENT Spiritual Remnant of God and mankind in general.

The idea of a utopian society has been around since just after the fall of man and early creation. It is a notion driven by and based in sin. It is about the desire to be independent from God or to reach God and/or heaven on one’s own terms or to ascend to god-ship one one’s own terms. Man wants to be their own god and man wants to reach God on their own terms. That is a concept, idea, and practice God has been disturbing from the beginning and will continue to frustrate and disrupt until the end of time. Only God will bring about the true world peace and Divine unity in the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21). Therefore, we do not compromise God’s Word or dishonor God even for community or world peace.

The earliest reported account of an example of man’s attempt at this ascension is found in the Book of Genesis. God’s response then, and ever since, has been to bring about circumstances that disrupted man’s ability to succeed at such behavior.

Genesis 11:1–9 (NKJV)

The Tower of Babel

11 Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. 3 Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. 4 And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”

5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6 And the LORD said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. 7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. 9 Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

It amazing me when I see individual people, a community, or a society that thinks they are going to be in charge of life, they are going to create and make their own destiny, or they are going to live independent of God on their own terms. No they are not, only if God allows them to live as such! At any moment, God could require their life of them, yet they think themselves so in charge.

Ezekiel 3:16–21 (NKJV)

Ezekiel is a Watchman

16 Now it came to pass at the end of seven days that the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: 18 When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. 19 Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.

20 “Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. 21 Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; also you will have delivered your soul.”

Well here is your warning…

As I stated at the beginning of this reply; this I can state with absolute authority that it honors God and is in keeping with His Will and His Word. If keeping the peace or having unity or bringing about oneness requires an individual or group to compromise God’s Word, God’s Will, or God’s Purpose then it is an ungodly form of peace, unity, or oneness.

Regarding worldviews:

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

▶ Comment

Accountability, Advice, Bible, Biblical Principles, Christian, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Christianity, Encouragement, God, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Questions, Rhema Words, Salvation, Truth

Children and God

In Advice, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Godly Counsel, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Prophet, Prophetess, Truth, Uncategorized on April 21, 2014 at 12:19 pm

Question Summary:

Is there a specific age when children become accountable before God?

Reply:

People are often confused by this topic. When do children become accountable for their sin? Do children go to hell? This is an area where spiritual leaders have tried to find a definitive answer in order to appease or comfort people when there is no definitive answer according to Scripture.

There are denominations that teach that a child becomes accountable for sin at the age of twelve, a belief that has been derived by combining scripture, psychology, a legal mentality, child development theories, and a specific event in Scripture. There are other denominations that believe baptism of the child must take place in order for the child to enter heaven, thus, accountability in some proxy form via the parents begins at about a week old. Neither is absolutely true as neither one is actually based in a clear mandate specifically for children from Scripture.

The specific event I referred to earlier was Jesus’ appearance in the temple when He was about twelve years old (Luke 2:42-50). The train of thought is that if Jesus, at age twelve, was aware enough that He knew He need to be in the Father’s house, then children are accountable by age twelve, thus age twelve became the age used to mark firm accountability before God. All of that sounds wonderful and yes, by age twelve a child is self and sin aware but that awareness of self, sin, and God can come before age twelve as well.

God is characterized in Genesis as knowing that the heart of people is sinful and evil early in life, in their youth.

And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. Genesis 9:21

Youth in the Hebrew is a “young person, childhood, the state of juvenility” then when you dig even deeper into the meaning back to one of the root words, one aspect of the word means “a boy or girl” from “from the age of infancy to adolescence” which is a wide range of age.

Therefore, the age of accountability is not one set age but differs from person to person based upon their mental, emotional, and spiritual makeup and development. Whereas, one child may be very self and sin aware by age eight another may not be until age ten. Many children have had their spiritual conversion long before age twelve. I myself became saved at age eleven with much evidence to support true conversion. Likewise, my child converted to Christ at a very young age, seven, was writing salvation tracts at age eight, on her own, and by twelve was having dreams and vision, which came to pass almost immediately and repeatedly. I am aware of a little boy who was converted at eight, and was prophesying shortly afterwards with Scriptural accuracy and consistency for a long period of time. True spiritual accountability before God will vary, sometimes greatly, from person to person.

Once a child begins to show evidence of self, sin, and God awareness, they should be presented with the Truth of the gospel and encouraged to turn their lives over to the Lordship of Jesus, the Christ. People should not assume that they have until that child is twelve to concerns themselves with that child’s salvation. Jesus should be shared as soon as the individual is aware of God, aware of his or her own sinfulness, and aware that sin is wrong.

Our God is also a just God and a loving God. Children who died in infancy or before they are fully aware of God, and their accountability before Him, are taken to be with Him because they are clean in His sight, having never really understood and therefore never really ever rejected Him.

Regarding worldviews:

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

▶ Comment

God's Truth In Love

God's Truth in Love

Posts Tagged ‘Questions’

Apostasy or Love

The Wrong Tree

Women Men and Church

Vocal or Silent Prayer

Clothes and Salvation

Do We Quit?

Updates – Godly Spiritual Activism

Do Spiritual Gifts Cease?

The First

Balancing Weights of Change

His Cross or Your Cross

The Sin Struggle

Blessing of Good and Evil

Peace and Unity

Children and God

Follow Blog via Email

Categories

Recent Posts

Follow Blog via Email

Follow Blog via Email

Archives