God has always look to the heart of mankind, Psalms 51:6Jeremiah 17:10Deuteronomy 30:6
The heart is the birthing room of thoughts, desires, passion, emotion, endeavors, intellect, the seat & center of our very being.
It is here that God seeks to work out our sanctification, by cleansing us from what the corruptible seed has planted within us (devil), by the incorruptible Seed, the washing of the Water of the Word, the engrafted Word, Christ, who is able to save our immortal souls. This is refer to in 2Thess 2:4 who exalts himself against the knowledge of God, the Incorruptible Seed, & who's temple we are, is to whom we obey, Rom 6:16,17 "obey from the heart", the Light / Grace that shines the glory & the knowledge of God, the Incorruptible Seed, the revelation of Jesus Christ within all the hearts & minds of mankind, brings us to the new birth, that's of the Spirit John 1:13John 3:6, therefore we are to 2Cor 10:5,6 meaning cast the devil out by picking up the Cross & denying, mortifying & crucifying self; Rom 2:29
thus saith the lord; cursed be the man that trusted in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the lord.
for he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.
blessed is the man that trusted in the lord, and whose hope the lord is.
for he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
To everyone that has been following this conversation
In Chris last point, he has a solid reasoning concerning the Scriptures that we now possess.
Yet, none of the translations are 100% accurate, one says the meaning is this, & another says no, its this.
Ephesians 4:5; & He's the John 1;1; is Christ divided? Look back in history & take note how much blood was shed because of this division of the Word. Is this not turning Christ words against His works. The Lord is One.
Reading over the whole of our conversation, the intent I purpose to reveal was not the discrediting of the Scriptures, but that they are spiritually discerned. That man un-regenerated heart Jeremiah 17:9, would shun the cross & choose another method than ordain of God to know him. & lets keep in mind that the Scriptures are only 2Timothy 3:16; the Strong's Complete Exhausted Concordance, etc; is not! Though ever so skillfully endeavored. Man has turn this note worthy endeavor into a replacement of Him. The promise is that God will teach His people Himself, Isa 54:13; the results; we come to know Him, a personal intimate fellowship; 1John 1:1-3; This has been God's heart desire from the beginning & only by coming in the Way that He has provided will make this a reality, along with all His other promises. We must look to His Spirit John 16:13, Zechariah 4:6;
Yes, its been a slow progression of learning the Cross, denying self, & dying daily. 2Cor 4:11. I've come to know in personal experience the spiritual warfare of Jeremiah 17:9, & the childhood Hebs 12:11; separating me from my servanthood of sin. I've been so dull of hearing & slow of heart to believe all that Holy Spirit ever spoke to me. God has been very gracious & His longsuffering love extended exceedingly toward me, blessing & honor to Him alone of what He has accomplish thus far within me. You see, like you I had a very similar experience with God in 82, reading your testimony, I said to myself, he had the same spiritual encounter with God that I had, with the same response. & I wondered; whether it was to the same purpose, for at that moment in life, I was in such deep & gross darkness, that if God hadn't intervene, I would have never made out of my twenties alive, Selah.
Gen 2:17; Rom 5:12-14;
The death spoken of here is a spiritual death separating them / us from partaking of the life of God, the fellowship with Him, the cause disobedience & effect spiritual death. For truly they died spiritually that moment they transgress God commandment, & their eyes were open to the carnal part of their creation, & they loss in spirit the spiritual consciousness of the spiritual part, that image they were created in. Now it was just a memory of past experiences, instead of an abiding habitation with God in Spirit. The must of the new birth; Jn 3:3,5,6,7; that we may again partake of Him, Ephesian 2:22; 1Jn 1,2,3; this speaks of His spiritual appearances within our heart, for he states in verse 1Jn 1:5 God is Light in the face of Jesus Christ 2Cor 4:6 ..
These last three years are telling of either or trust in Christ or in flesh. A pokey poke was mandated. My answer was no. I and others fought and stood on God's word no matter the outcome. Now some of us know this ties into the transhumanist agenda the more we research. Many thrones and principalities are complicit in this agenda.
People are dying suddenly now more than ever. Hmm. My prayers are for justice for them and the complicit every day in Jesus' name. Truly that is a precursor to the mark if nothing else. Jeremiah 17:5, "Cursed be the man that putteth his trust in man."
To clarify my meaning to the Rule I use, Charlie, I don't think my "question suggests restriction in acceptance of truth", rather, my restriction is not dependent on what I perceive to be truth, but the yardstick I use to determine it. If no gauge is used against any body of writing, then I would think that my mind would accept all the ideas & beliefs presented therein, not giving much concern as to what is written & then digested, believing that time & eternity will reveal all.
Rather, the Bible is given to us (i.e. those parchments recovered & preserved for us), so that we might not only learn the Mind & Purpose of God in humanity, but be able to confidently treasure those doctrines & Truths taught, to see how they measure up to anything else presented to us. I don't believe that man needs to attain a heightened state of spiritual understanding to be able to weigh up the differences between truth & error. If we are careful in our reading & study of the Scriptures & knowing that not everything presented to us is true, then Truth & error become apparent.
Even "that God is within every man, male and female" can't be correct, as there are too many Scriptures to show that wickedness & deceitfulness lies in the heart of each one of us and none of us our righteous, not even one ( Jeremiah 17:9; Psalm 14:1-4 & Romans 3:9-18). What we have here then, is whether the words & instructions of men are equal to or more worthy than the Word of God. Not only from the pages of the Bible, but also from visible demonstrations of the workings of men's hearts, we find that mankind has rejected his Creator & His Word, doing all that satisfies his flesh & corrupt mind - all proving that God could never be found in man, but He is clearly evident when He sends His Spirit to regenerate & restore man from an unrighteous to a righteous state. And this is where Truth comes to the fore: when the Bible is held against any other writing, & this other one is found wanting.
The earth will have the fullness of harvest and life during the Millennium. The vast transfer of wealth to the Temple of God and administering ruling over cities and areas of the world may correspond with places we lived in our earlier life on earth; or made appropriate for the level of service or lack thereof which we lived using our gifts and resources for the Lord at that time.
At the end of the Millennium there is the last final rebellion where the number is as the "sand of the sea" ( Revelation 20:8). Largely; that would be a campaign warning both the deception of those descendants of those who survived Armageddon have because of wicked hearts ( Jeremiah 17:9) as well as Satan being a reality since he wouldn't be seen for the 1000 years. I am a firm believer in predestination as other verses make clear; so that as now we will just be a faithful witness so that His warnings will be recieved by those who are appointed to eternal life and rejected by those not in the Lamb's Book of Life. Again; it is obvious that the Gospel as stated now will not be necessary to prove somehow that Christ is Lord. Isaiah 65:20 indicates those who die at 100 are considered accursed; and we know that during the Millennium God will swiftly deal with rebellion. Those who do wish to go against the Lord will be waiting; perhaps for many hundreds of years for the final rebellion against God; somehow thinking that Satan himself can succeed even though he failed before. No doubt Satan will have some insane explanation of where he was the 1000 years; somehow convincing everyone that he has overcome being bound by his own effort and amassed enough strength to defeat God and His people. Perhaps having God's people close by on earth rather than heaven will convince everyone that he can defeat them suddenly. We know of course how that will end.
As for now; Ephesians 6 shows how we fight spiritual warfare ( 1 Peter 5:9). Evangelism and prayer are our current mission.
Luke 12:3 and Matthew 12:36 are eye opening; as we are to give account for everything said and nothing is secret to God.
I would like to say that I don't do any grumbling or complaining; but alas then I would be lying. Thankfully anything but blasphemy against the Spirit can be forgiven. As Jesus pointed out to the self-righteous Pharisees; these bad fruits come from within. And 2 Peter 2:21 makes it clear that it is better not to have known the truth than to become reprobate. The blood of Christ is our only hope as Jeremiah 17:9 shows how sick the heart is.
There are Post Millennialists who dispute this; but I don't believe anyone from the church age who is a believer will be at the Great White Throne Judgment. I DO have the opinion that since the verse indicates that those who aren't in the Book of Life are going to the lake of fire; there is room for those who physically survive the Millennial period to go through that as saved people and hence be translated into heaven without dying.
In any event; 1 Corinthians 3:15 indicates that one can make it into heaven and suffer loss. That would be analogous to losing rewards as Revelation 3:11 warns. Paul indicates how we run for the prize. Only a few gain great rewards; as would be indicated by those making 100 fold as opposed to 30 fold returns or others ( Mark 4:20). We should not be confined to just the saved and lost divisions when scripture gives us admonitions for certain crowns that those who persevere; are martyred or are pastors as well as other situations are given for faithfulness.
Matthew 6:19-21 shows us that our treasure is to be in heaven. And that means that He must trust us with earthly riches as well ( Luke 16:10-12) as a test; a prerequisite for heavenly riches. Our brothers in Christ that we support in the ministry will be able to enjoy the harvest with us (see John 4:37). That and personal witnessing are components of fulfilling the Great Commission to finish well.
Assurance of salvation: Corulers with Christ or coconspirators with the Devil.
It is helpful to go back to the Creation story to see God's original plan and design for man; and the results of the fall. In this segment I will look at the enemy of our souls ( 1 Peter 5:8). Lucifer's fall is covered in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28. When we see that narrative play out we see where sin actually originated and the cause was mainly pride. That blossomed of course to violence and other things ( Ezekiel 28:16) which I would briefly propose was an angelic society which may have started in heaven and perhaps led to a judgment between Genesis 1:1 and 1;2 sometimes called the "gap theory". For our purposes we will summarize that there had to be some time for the angels to be drawn to follow Lucifer; as well as to some time after all the angels sang to God's glory at creation before he fell ( Job 38:7-9).
Lucifer was much like man; in the sense that he was created to worship and adore the Lord; made flawless and beautiful and in innocence there was nothing wrong about that. He was a Cherub ( Ezekiel 28:14); therefore at an elevated status much like Adam and Eve were given authority to rule and reign over the rest of Creation in a unique role and status.
The serpent was used by the enemy to deceive through appealing to man's hidden knowledge that could somehow elevate his status and bring them something more than God intended as the real thrust of the temptation. A lack of TRUST in God is where the real issue is; and that of the heart of man which Jeremiah 17:9 makes it clear is desperately wicked. Therefore; what God made had the potential to become corrupted and wicked; in the same token one who is saved is made to glorify God and destined to become as Paul stated a "celestial body" ( 1 Corinthians 15:40). There is a resurrection for all men; but one to eternal soul damnation for the wicked ( John 5:29). The wicked cannot enter the Kingdom of God ( Rev. 21:27).
In Philippians 2:12 Paul advices believers "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling".
Why fear and trembling? Fear what? Although the meaning of the verse is clear, I would like to point out another fear, not about our salvation but about our heart.
In Jeremiah 17:9, it is written "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" We don't really know our heart, we don't know how we are going to act when a temptation comes infront of us, that is why in the "Our Father in Heaven" we ask God to take temptations away from us.
In the parable of the Sower the 2nd and 3rd cases are about people who believed and were saved but still later in their lives they fell out,
Luke 8:13-14, " 13They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. 14And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection."
In the 3rd case it is very evident of where our heart can lead us if we are not careful in our spiritual life. Jesus said that "where our heart is, also our treasure is" and the opposite "where our treasure is also our heart is" is true. Jesus also asked us to love Him more even than our lives ( Matthew 10:37-39). Why? Because a. He deserves that and b. this will give us the assurance that we will follow Him to the end. If in the midtime we love something else more than Jesus then it is that that we are going to follow and not God, so we will leave our christian course. And that will lead us into trouble.
The Lord spoke in parables so that the Pharisees would be blinded lest they see the truth at any time and repent (see Mark 4:11 and following verses). The human being is the only species which deliberately blinds themselves to the truth and hardens their heart. This is given to man to whom God has put "eternity in their hearts." ( Ecclesiastes 3:11). There is a way; a door or opening to heaven by which we MUST go through to enter; there is no other way. That; of course is Christ and being Born Again. After all; only the "sick need a physician". ( Mark 2:17). Consider those who most often rejected Christ. These were all those who had heard the message; and mostly the Jews who knew the law and the commandments and the prophecies thus they were without excuse killing the Lord of Glory. That was made clear by Stephen's speech and subsequent martyrdom in Acts 7 and the beginning of Acts 8. Their history was spelled out as to how they sinned and killed the Prophets before them; Christ Himself also brought out these things.
In seeing these things we are reminded with a fair and impartial view of scripture in terms of it's literary composition that men by and large were going on with their personal lives and decisions much of the time. We certainly needn't look at "free will" as something that is diametrically opposed to God's predetermination in our lives as though He is holding us to a standard that we as human beings are paralyzed with our everyday life. He points out to David only when He goes after Bathsheeba that he was given much latitude ( 2 Sam. 12:7-8) and even more wives if he asked; but of course murder and adultery was not to be tolerated. God can't look upon sin; therefore had to turn His back on His own Son. However it is our sin NATURE that is the root of all these things; or the heart ( Jeremiah 17:9; etc.) But after this life ends there is no more freedom for the unregenerate to sin.
Charles, have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? You didn't specify. This is the first step in your treatment. If you have not done so, please scroll to become a Christian at the bottom of this page. You'll be glad you did.
Heavenly Father, please heal Charles's pancreas from this cancer. God you're able and i ask You to heal him, please. In Jesus name. Please comfort him and help him to put all of his trust in You. Help him to draw near to You. As close as he can get by reading the Bible daily and standing on Your promises. Repenting of all known and unknown sin. Help him to forgive anyone he has been holding a grudge against , if there be any such person. Help him to eat whole healthy food give him wisdom in that department Lord . Cancer cannot stand in Your presence Lord. Help him not to stress. Let the Holt Spirit comfort him. Give his medical team wisdom and compassion. Bless them and send Angels to work among them. Work it out for his good and let it be his testimony! I ask this in Jesus name. And I thank You Jehovah Rapha, ( The Lord who heals)
This Psalm shows the state of those who would call themselves "atheists" today. Verse 1 addresses them as a "fool." This reiterates the message of Psalm 14. Also; the first 3 verses show the state of "total depravity" among unregenerate man. We see that theme in Psalm 14 as well as in much of the Book of Romans; Jeremiah 17:9; and passages in Isaiah. The question of terminology as to everyone being incapable of doing good and their "totally depraved" state has been debated as to one's response and decision to repent. I would say scripturally God gives the gift of repentance as well as salvation being a free gift ( Eph. 2:8-9).
As to being saving faith; I have discussed frequently the fact that there must be remorse for offending a Holy God (as seen with Peter's fall) as opposed to Judas falling away where the consequences of his actions were the cause of his grief.
Verse 4 is rather vague; it could be referring to those without faith that affect the mindset of the Jewish nation or actually are those physically attacking them. More often than not; however it was the foreign gods that caused the most damage from intermarriages; or God's direct judgment that brought about an invasion. Verse 5 alludes to an unnamed event; perhaps something like the angel of God slaying 185,000 Assyrians encamped outside the gates of Jerusalem in one night ( 2 Kings 19:36).
Verse 6 also is uncertain as to a time frame; there was as far as I know no major diaspora in the time of David. It certainly is relevant to any future ones; especially in the light of the Babylonian captivity to come and in the future Tribulation. God eventually will complete His actions after bringing back Israel in 1948; but that won't be until near the end of the Tribulation for the 1/3 that are refined in that period (see Zech. 13:8).
The firmament is an enclosure over our earth (dome) and we cannot get out or escape it There are 240 verses in the Word of God pertaining to our fixed earth covered by a firmament. God took waters from the firmament to create the oceans, seas, lakes and rivers but there is still water in the firmament above (divided)
There are -0- verses in the Word of God pertaining to a round spinning globe at 1000 mph which defies every law of physics when it comes to a thing labeled "gravity".
The earth is actually massive compared to what we've been told and there's a youtube video that's been deleted and is now on Rumble, where Buzz Aldrin is asked by a young girl what it was like being an "astronaut in space" Buzz Aldrin struggles to answer the question, pauses, and then reveals the truth by saying "he was never really an astronaut, he was a scuba diver"... Buzz Aldrin's mouth peace (handler) is squirming in his chair to contain himself to end the interview.
NASA = SATAN = anagram backwards NASA minus the T. The NASA logo has a red forked tongue of a snake licking across the logo which anyone can research the truth which is why astronauts get a star on the Hollywood walk of shame.
So we have two choices on our earth. We can choose to believe God or we can choose to believe man in which case Jeremiah 17:5, God makes perfectly clear, man will deceive you. I choose to believe God's Words over man's words.
what God is telling us in this verse is not to be anxious in our time of need
a lot of Christians (believers) panic immediately problems and pressure the devil our adversary try to insert on us
See most believers pick up their phone and start calling friends or someone they call man of God or prophets( false teacher and pastors)
so here the lord is telling us to be still and know he is God and Blessed is the man whos trust is in the lord.
Jeremiah 17:7
("Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD.( Jeremiah 17:7)
instead of panicking kneel down make your request know to him and God who if faithful our rock and deliverer will renew your strength and mount up like eagles.
You asked "Does this mean everyone in Heaven will be tempted one last time and maybe even loose our salvation?" This won't be in heaven, it will be here on earth after the tribulation.
The Church will be raptured up before the tribulation.
You have this account here in Revelation 20:7-8 "And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
AND SHALL GO OUT TO DECEIVE "THE NATIONS WHICH ARE IN THE FOUR QUARTERS OF THE EARTH, " Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
( The Church is a people called out of the nations.)
Therefore we are not identified as "THE NATIONS "
1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
I believe the Millennium is a final test/temptation on the "HEART" of Man. Under a 1000 years of perfect conditions and governing when given the chance man turns his back on God again.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and Incurably wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9.
You stated "The apostles chosen, were favored because of their faith , looking for the Messiah, this is the heart that Jesus wants!"
I have to disagree.
The faith they needed was faith in what Christ done on the cross.
"It hadn't happened yet". They all looked for their Messiah but didn't understand what was to come. (The Church and salvation by the death and resurrection of Christ )
Thus was a stumblingblock for them and this is what John the baptist ministry was all about. Baptism of repentance.
They was still under the old covenant, Christ hadn't died to bring in the new covenant. Hebrews 9:15.
You stated "this is the heart that Jesus wants!,
No man's heart is right until the Lord gives him a new heart.
Jeremiah 17:9
Ezekiel 36:26.
The Cornerstone wasn't laid yet, so the foundation couldn't be laid and there was nothing to build on and there was nothing to build with until after Christ rose and they were inpowered.
What was the duties before the resurrection? They tried following him but couldn't.
Paul was seeking to kill Christians until he was converted.
BUT!! When they were filled they had strength and died a mortars death.
Here's they're duties before the resurrection. John 6:28-29. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
They were chosen to be Apostles but the didn't function as an Apostles until They were filled with the Holyspirit.
The heart is deceitful above all things; and desperately wicked; who can understand it? ( Jeremiah 17:9).
Whenever we attempt to make study of this book in particular; or any other scripture as a purely academic exercise; we are always deficient of understanding at best; and subject to deceiving ourselves. 2 Thessalonians 2:11 warns that they shall believe THE lie; and that not for want of truth; but because they did not LOVE the truth as stated in the previous verse. Isaiah 66:4 warns of God "choosing" their delusions with the horrifying spectacle of hell being seen by all men during the Millennium and perhaps eternity (verse 22-24 of same chapter). ALL will worship the beast; all whose names have not been written in the Book of Life from before the foundation of the world ( Rev. 13:8 loosely translated).
Given these sober admonitions; we need to test ourselves to see if we are in the faith ( 2 Cor. 13:5-6). This reminds us of Christ's excoriation of the Pharisees as to Satan being their father ( John 8:44 as one example of many). We need to have true repentance; not only for our outward manifestations of sin; but a change of heart. This means the world; flesh and the Devil are all factored in here. Christ needs not only to be the center of our lives; but indeed IS our life if we are truly "crucified with Christ" ( Galatians 2:20). A sign that we have spiritual life is when we are incredulous that we really have died to self; as sin becomes more and more evident during the sanctification process. This likely is part of the verse John 18:37 where He describes those who come to the light. This needs to be an ongoing process; just as is the meaning of John 3:16. We need; therefore to be possessors of He who is faithful; not just confessors of the faith. A lack of understanding this makes one believe the fallacy that "God helps those who help themselves" which was a Ben Franklin adage. We must die daily.
Heavenly Father, I know that my times are in Your hands and I also believe that You care about everything in my life. In Your sovereignty, You are not surprised by anything that happens to any of Your children. I believe that You make all things work together for the good of us that love You. I believe that You care for each one of us with a perfect and holy love.
I come to You today because my health has been deteriorating with an evil report of bone cancer. I oppose the spirit of wasting, in Jesus Name. I am not sure what to do, but I know that You understand everything about me. I believe that You know exactly what I need to bring me back to full health and strength and I am trusting You in this time of illness in my life.
Lord, I ask for Your healing touch on my life, and pray that You would bring to my attention the treatment that is best suited for my condition. Please direct me in the way that I should go at this difficult time in my life. Thank You, Father, in Jesus' name I pray,
"Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me, and I will be saved, for You are my praise." ( Jeremiah 17:14)
Precious Jesus I ask you to undertake this disease and rebuke the devourer. I ask you to restore the years the cankerworm and locust has robbed this believer of your blessings. I pray you would restore and give him the joy of Your Salvation.
I pray you would stir the waters of Bethesda and you will help him into the waters of healing. So be it done according to Your Great Love. Amen, Mishael
Susan, this is really beautiful. Thank you for sharing. I want to think of myself to be like a female version of David. It really takes a lot of effort though.
This verse is telling me that the heart is deceitful unless it is trusting in the Lord. It tells me that trusting in oneself is not faith. Without God the nature of mankind is self-serving and leads to wickedness whether the heart feels it or not because of the results and encouragement people receive for their actions and words. King David was a man after God's own heart. He was not perfect and made mistakes but repented and felt grieved in his heart for disobeying the Lord. He loved God deeply and sought him with all his heart. He wanted a relationship with God that was honorable and of love. This may be what the verses meant about God searching the heart and trying the reigns. He wants to know if we really love Him deeply or are just saying the words and carrying out works. This is what this means to me and is a constant reminder of who created me and who I worship and why
LOTS MISTAKE REARING HIS DAUGHTERS_Gen.18 - In Reply on Genesis 19 - 2 years ago
I don't believe it's an oversight that God did not tell us the names of Lot's two daughters. Their story is inextricably linked to their father's actions and has implications not only for young people who find themselves in difficult situations, but a warning to every parent. It's a sad story in many ways, but also reveals God's merciful and redemptive character. We don't know their names because they could be any of us, were we to find ourselves in the similar circumstances.
[Don't Underestimate the Power of a Sinful Environment to Sear the Conscience]
In our modern culture, we are quick to judge these two young women and assure ourselves we would never resort to such desperate actions. We would be wise to learn from their experience.
Lot's daughters had grown up in a city where sexual immorality was commonly accepted. They were engaged to young men who scoffed at God's warning. God told Abraham, "The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave" ( Genesis 18:20). Apparently, there were not even ten righteous people in the city. Being surrounded by such influences had obviously seared the consciences of these two women; their idea to have sexual relations with their father seemed a logical and acceptable solution.
Left to ourselves, the human heart is deceitful and desperately wicked ( Jeremiah 17:9). Without the restraining and redeeming influence of God's Word and His Holy Spirit, we can't imagine the depths of sin to which we might go. Lot had failed to teach his daughters the truth about who God is; they were simply acting in accordance with the lifestyle and knowledge they had been given.
Titus 1:14 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.
WHAT IS A CULT- The Dangers of False TeachingsThese groups do not lead to the Christ of the Bible, but to another Jesus and another gospel (2Cor.11:1-4; Gal.1:8,9).
We must therefore reject these false teachings, and "earnestly contend for the faith which was once and for all delivered to the saints" (Jude3).
And, of course, remember the Bible also goes on to admonish us that we must do this with gentleness, and with respect. Remember, you must present the message, but you need to recognize that it is only the Holy Spirit that changes the heart.
WHAT IS A CULT- Psuedo-Christian CultsThese groups deny or distort fundamental Christian doctrines such as the Trinity, the deity of Christ, and salvation by grace through faith alone. Some cults that would fall into this category are the Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, The Way International, and the Unity School of Christianity.
Most of these cults claim to be Christian, and even consider the Bible to be authoritative. But they manipulate the Scriptures to fit their own beliefs. Although they may claim to serve Jesus Christ, and may even use the same terminology orthodox Christians use, their definitions are vastly different.
There are two ways to define a cult. The first way to describe a cult is popular in the secular media. From this perspective, a cult is a religious or semi-religious sect whose members are controlled almost entirely by a single individual or by an organization.
Compare everything to the Bible. A true Christian Church will not encourage sinful lifestyles. They will patiently teach the Truth and pray for the Holy Spirit to convict the persons heart.
Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Beloveds, for some the bottom line is money, popularity, and converts to their heretical teachings.
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN_DEUTERONOMY 28-29_LOTS DAUGHTERS - In Reply - 2 years ago
I don't believe it's an oversight that God did not tell us the names of Lot's two daughters. Their story is inextricably linked to their father's actions and has implications not only for young people who find themselves in difficult situations, but a warning to every parent. It's a sad story in many ways, but also reveals God's merciful and redemptive character. We don't know their names because they could be any of us, were we to find ourselves in the similar circumstances.
[Don't Underestimate the Power of a Sinful Environment to Sear the Conscience]
In our modern culture, we are quick to judge these two young women and assure ourselves we would never resort to such desperate actions. We would be wise to learn from their experience.
Lot's daughters had grown up in a city where sexual immorality was commonly accepted. They were engaged to young men who scoffed at God's warning. God told Abraham, "The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave" ( Genesis 18:20). Apparently, there were not even ten righteous people in the city.
Being surrounded by such influences had obviously seared the consciences of these two women; their idea to have sexual relations with their father seemed a logical and acceptable solution.
Left to ourselves, the human heart is deceitful and desperately wicked ( Jeremiah 17:9) Without the restraining and redeeming influence of God's Word and His Holy Spirit, we can't imagine the depths of sin to which we might go. Lot had failed to teach his daughters the truth about who God was; they were simply acting in accordance with the lifestyle and knowledge they had been given.
Titus 1:14 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.
Deuteronomy 28
It is the fathers solemn responsibility to teach Gods Word to the children. All ages. The Bible is wisdom from above. Read it.
Hello. I appreciate your desire for 'Godly' men and women to be put into positions of power; but I want to encourage you in something. God says this in His Word about looking to 'flesh' to help us--"This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes the flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD." ( Jeremiah 17:5).
When we get desperate, we will do 'anything' to find relief or help; it's human nature. Most if not all of us do that.
But it's dangerous. God also says in His Word, "Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless." Psalm 108:12.
WORTHLESS is the help of man. One more Scripture: "A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain." Psalm 127:1.
Unless we look to GOD ALONE; then NOTHING we do will prosper; NOTHING will help.
And politics/politicians can never help; it's a corrupt system which corrupts even those who truly want to do good.
One more Scripture: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones." Proverbs 3:5-8.
I feel for you; we are all struggling with all of the evil we see surrounding us. But Christ and He alone is our source for all things. Yes, God DOES use people; that's true; but we can't count of people to dig us out of trouble. Only repentance for our sins; turning to Christ; preaching The Gospel, only THOSE things will bring any good. "Bad" proliferates when Christians don't live and preach The Gospel; and live according to His Word and His will; otherwise; the wall of protection God has around us comes down and we are open to attacks. Live God's way; and we will be protected and helped by him. I hope this helps you. Take care.
God has always look to the heart of mankind, Psalms 51:6 Jeremiah 17:10 Deuteronomy 30:6
The heart is the birthing room of thoughts, desires, passion, emotion, endeavors, intellect, the seat & center of our very being.
It is here that God seeks to work out our sanctification, by cleansing us from what the corruptible seed has planted within us (devil), by the incorruptible Seed, the washing of the Water of the Word, the engrafted Word, Christ, who is able to save our immortal souls. This is refer to in 2Thess 2:4 who exalts himself against the knowledge of God, the Incorruptible Seed, & who's temple we are, is to whom we obey, Rom 6:16,17 "obey from the heart", the Light / Grace that shines the glory & the knowledge of God, the Incorruptible Seed, the revelation of Jesus Christ within all the hearts & minds of mankind, brings us to the new birth, that's of the Spirit John 1:13 John 3:6, therefore we are to 2Cor 10:5,6 meaning cast the devil out by picking up the Cross & denying, mortifying & crucifying self; Rom 2:29
jeremiah 17:5-8.
thus saith the lord; cursed be the man that trusted in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the lord.
for he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.
blessed is the man that trusted in the lord, and whose hope the lord is.
for he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
god bless.
In Chris last point, he has a solid reasoning concerning the Scriptures that we now possess.
Yet, none of the translations are 100% accurate, one says the meaning is this, & another says no, its this.
Ephesians 4:5; & He's the John 1;1; is Christ divided? Look back in history & take note how much blood was shed because of this division of the Word. Is this not turning Christ words against His works. The Lord is One.
Reading over the whole of our conversation, the intent I purpose to reveal was not the discrediting of the Scriptures, but that they are spiritually discerned. That man un-regenerated heart Jeremiah 17:9, would shun the cross & choose another method than ordain of God to know him. & lets keep in mind that the Scriptures are only 2Timothy 3:16; the Strong's Complete Exhausted Concordance, etc; is not! Though ever so skillfully endeavored. Man has turn this note worthy endeavor into a replacement of Him. The promise is that God will teach His people Himself, Isa 54:13; the results; we come to know Him, a personal intimate fellowship; 1John 1:1-3; This has been God's heart desire from the beginning & only by coming in the Way that He has provided will make this a reality, along with all His other promises. We must look to His Spirit John 16:13, Zechariah 4:6;
In love & truth
Frankie J
Chris
Yes, its been a slow progression of learning the Cross, denying self, & dying daily. 2Cor 4:11. I've come to know in personal experience the spiritual warfare of Jeremiah 17:9, & the childhood Hebs 12:11; separating me from my servanthood of sin. I've been so dull of hearing & slow of heart to believe all that Holy Spirit ever spoke to me. God has been very gracious & His longsuffering love extended exceedingly toward me, blessing & honor to Him alone of what He has accomplish thus far within me. You see, like you I had a very similar experience with God in 82, reading your testimony, I said to myself, he had the same spiritual encounter with God that I had, with the same response. & I wondered; whether it was to the same purpose, for at that moment in life, I was in such deep & gross darkness, that if God hadn't intervene, I would have never made out of my twenties alive, Selah.
Gen 2:17; Rom 5:12-14;
The death spoken of here is a spiritual death separating them / us from partaking of the life of God, the fellowship with Him, the cause disobedience & effect spiritual death. For truly they died spiritually that moment they transgress God commandment, & their eyes were open to the carnal part of their creation, & they loss in spirit the spiritual consciousness of the spiritual part, that image they were created in. Now it was just a memory of past experiences, instead of an abiding habitation with God in Spirit. The must of the new birth; Jn 3:3,5,6,7; that we may again partake of Him, Ephesian 2:22; 1Jn 1,2,3; this speaks of His spiritual appearances within our heart, for he states in verse 1Jn 1:5 God is Light in the face of Jesus Christ 2Cor 4:6 ..
People are dying suddenly now more than ever. Hmm. My prayers are for justice for them and the complicit every day in Jesus' name. Truly that is a precursor to the mark if nothing else. Jeremiah 17:5, "Cursed be the man that putteth his trust in man."
Rather, the Bible is given to us (i.e. those parchments recovered & preserved for us), so that we might not only learn the Mind & Purpose of God in humanity, but be able to confidently treasure those doctrines & Truths taught, to see how they measure up to anything else presented to us. I don't believe that man needs to attain a heightened state of spiritual understanding to be able to weigh up the differences between truth & error. If we are careful in our reading & study of the Scriptures & knowing that not everything presented to us is true, then Truth & error become apparent.
Even "that God is within every man, male and female" can't be correct, as there are too many Scriptures to show that wickedness & deceitfulness lies in the heart of each one of us and none of us our righteous, not even one ( Jeremiah 17:9; Psalm 14:1-4 & Romans 3:9-18). What we have here then, is whether the words & instructions of men are equal to or more worthy than the Word of God. Not only from the pages of the Bible, but also from visible demonstrations of the workings of men's hearts, we find that mankind has rejected his Creator & His Word, doing all that satisfies his flesh & corrupt mind - all proving that God could never be found in man, but He is clearly evident when He sends His Spirit to regenerate & restore man from an unrighteous to a righteous state. And this is where Truth comes to the fore: when the Bible is held against any other writing, & this other one is found wanting.
The earth will have the fullness of harvest and life during the Millennium. The vast transfer of wealth to the Temple of God and administering ruling over cities and areas of the world may correspond with places we lived in our earlier life on earth; or made appropriate for the level of service or lack thereof which we lived using our gifts and resources for the Lord at that time.
At the end of the Millennium there is the last final rebellion where the number is as the "sand of the sea" ( Revelation 20:8). Largely; that would be a campaign warning both the deception of those descendants of those who survived Armageddon have because of wicked hearts ( Jeremiah 17:9) as well as Satan being a reality since he wouldn't be seen for the 1000 years. I am a firm believer in predestination as other verses make clear; so that as now we will just be a faithful witness so that His warnings will be recieved by those who are appointed to eternal life and rejected by those not in the Lamb's Book of Life. Again; it is obvious that the Gospel as stated now will not be necessary to prove somehow that Christ is Lord. Isaiah 65:20 indicates those who die at 100 are considered accursed; and we know that during the Millennium God will swiftly deal with rebellion. Those who do wish to go against the Lord will be waiting; perhaps for many hundreds of years for the final rebellion against God; somehow thinking that Satan himself can succeed even though he failed before. No doubt Satan will have some insane explanation of where he was the 1000 years; somehow convincing everyone that he has overcome being bound by his own effort and amassed enough strength to defeat God and His people. Perhaps having God's people close by on earth rather than heaven will convince everyone that he can defeat them suddenly. We know of course how that will end.
As for now; Ephesians 6 shows how we fight spiritual warfare ( 1 Peter 5:9). Evangelism and prayer are our current mission.
I would like to say that I don't do any grumbling or complaining; but alas then I would be lying. Thankfully anything but blasphemy against the Spirit can be forgiven. As Jesus pointed out to the self-righteous Pharisees; these bad fruits come from within. And 2 Peter 2:21 makes it clear that it is better not to have known the truth than to become reprobate. The blood of Christ is our only hope as Jeremiah 17:9 shows how sick the heart is.
There are Post Millennialists who dispute this; but I don't believe anyone from the church age who is a believer will be at the Great White Throne Judgment. I DO have the opinion that since the verse indicates that those who aren't in the Book of Life are going to the lake of fire; there is room for those who physically survive the Millennial period to go through that as saved people and hence be translated into heaven without dying.
In any event; 1 Corinthians 3:15 indicates that one can make it into heaven and suffer loss. That would be analogous to losing rewards as Revelation 3:11 warns. Paul indicates how we run for the prize. Only a few gain great rewards; as would be indicated by those making 100 fold as opposed to 30 fold returns or others ( Mark 4:20). We should not be confined to just the saved and lost divisions when scripture gives us admonitions for certain crowns that those who persevere; are martyred or are pastors as well as other situations are given for faithfulness.
Matthew 6:19-21 shows us that our treasure is to be in heaven. And that means that He must trust us with earthly riches as well ( Luke 16:10-12) as a test; a prerequisite for heavenly riches. Our brothers in Christ that we support in the ministry will be able to enjoy the harvest with us (see John 4:37). That and personal witnessing are components of fulfilling the Great Commission to finish well.
It is helpful to go back to the Creation story to see God's original plan and design for man; and the results of the fall. In this segment I will look at the enemy of our souls ( 1 Peter 5:8). Lucifer's fall is covered in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28. When we see that narrative play out we see where sin actually originated and the cause was mainly pride. That blossomed of course to violence and other things ( Ezekiel 28:16) which I would briefly propose was an angelic society which may have started in heaven and perhaps led to a judgment between Genesis 1:1 and 1;2 sometimes called the "gap theory". For our purposes we will summarize that there had to be some time for the angels to be drawn to follow Lucifer; as well as to some time after all the angels sang to God's glory at creation before he fell ( Job 38:7-9).
Lucifer was much like man; in the sense that he was created to worship and adore the Lord; made flawless and beautiful and in innocence there was nothing wrong about that. He was a Cherub ( Ezekiel 28:14); therefore at an elevated status much like Adam and Eve were given authority to rule and reign over the rest of Creation in a unique role and status.
The serpent was used by the enemy to deceive through appealing to man's hidden knowledge that could somehow elevate his status and bring them something more than God intended as the real thrust of the temptation. A lack of TRUST in God is where the real issue is; and that of the heart of man which Jeremiah 17:9 makes it clear is desperately wicked. Therefore; what God made had the potential to become corrupted and wicked; in the same token one who is saved is made to glorify God and destined to become as Paul stated a "celestial body" ( 1 Corinthians 15:40). There is a resurrection for all men; but one to eternal soul damnation for the wicked ( John 5:29). The wicked cannot enter the Kingdom of God ( Rev. 21:27).
My thoughts on Assurance of Salvation
Richard, I continue my posts from yesterday.
In Philippians 2:12 Paul advices believers "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling".
Why fear and trembling? Fear what? Although the meaning of the verse is clear, I would like to point out another fear, not about our salvation but about our heart.
In Jeremiah 17:9, it is written "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" We don't really know our heart, we don't know how we are going to act when a temptation comes infront of us, that is why in the "Our Father in Heaven" we ask God to take temptations away from us.
In the parable of the Sower the 2nd and 3rd cases are about people who believed and were saved but still later in their lives they fell out,
Luke 8:13-14, " 13They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. 14And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection."
In the 3rd case it is very evident of where our heart can lead us if we are not careful in our spiritual life. Jesus said that "where our heart is, also our treasure is" and the opposite "where our treasure is also our heart is" is true. Jesus also asked us to love Him more even than our lives ( Matthew 10:37-39). Why? Because a. He deserves that and b. this will give us the assurance that we will follow Him to the end. If in the midtime we love something else more than Jesus then it is that that we are going to follow and not God, so we will leave our christian course. And that will lead us into trouble.
The Lord spoke in parables so that the Pharisees would be blinded lest they see the truth at any time and repent (see Mark 4:11 and following verses). The human being is the only species which deliberately blinds themselves to the truth and hardens their heart. This is given to man to whom God has put "eternity in their hearts." ( Ecclesiastes 3:11). There is a way; a door or opening to heaven by which we MUST go through to enter; there is no other way. That; of course is Christ and being Born Again. After all; only the "sick need a physician". ( Mark 2:17). Consider those who most often rejected Christ. These were all those who had heard the message; and mostly the Jews who knew the law and the commandments and the prophecies thus they were without excuse killing the Lord of Glory. That was made clear by Stephen's speech and subsequent martyrdom in Acts 7 and the beginning of Acts 8. Their history was spelled out as to how they sinned and killed the Prophets before them; Christ Himself also brought out these things.
In seeing these things we are reminded with a fair and impartial view of scripture in terms of it's literary composition that men by and large were going on with their personal lives and decisions much of the time. We certainly needn't look at "free will" as something that is diametrically opposed to God's predetermination in our lives as though He is holding us to a standard that we as human beings are paralyzed with our everyday life. He points out to David only when He goes after Bathsheeba that he was given much latitude ( 2 Sam. 12:7-8) and even more wives if he asked; but of course murder and adultery was not to be tolerated. God can't look upon sin; therefore had to turn His back on His own Son. However it is our sin NATURE that is the root of all these things; or the heart ( Jeremiah 17:9; etc.) But after this life ends there is no more freedom for the unregenerate to sin.
Heavenly Father, please heal Charles's pancreas from this cancer. God you're able and i ask You to heal him, please. In Jesus name. Please comfort him and help him to put all of his trust in You. Help him to draw near to You. As close as he can get by reading the Bible daily and standing on Your promises. Repenting of all known and unknown sin. Help him to forgive anyone he has been holding a grudge against , if there be any such person. Help him to eat whole healthy food give him wisdom in that department Lord . Cancer cannot stand in Your presence Lord. Help him not to stress. Let the Holt Spirit comfort him. Give his medical team wisdom and compassion. Bless them and send Angels to work among them. Work it out for his good and let it be his testimony! I ask this in Jesus name. And I thank You Jehovah Rapha, ( The Lord who heals)
Jeremiah 17:14
1 Peter 2:24
Psalm 41:3
Proverbs 17:22
James 5:15
This Psalm shows the state of those who would call themselves "atheists" today. Verse 1 addresses them as a "fool." This reiterates the message of Psalm 14. Also; the first 3 verses show the state of "total depravity" among unregenerate man. We see that theme in Psalm 14 as well as in much of the Book of Romans; Jeremiah 17:9; and passages in Isaiah. The question of terminology as to everyone being incapable of doing good and their "totally depraved" state has been debated as to one's response and decision to repent. I would say scripturally God gives the gift of repentance as well as salvation being a free gift ( Eph. 2:8-9).
As to being saving faith; I have discussed frequently the fact that there must be remorse for offending a Holy God (as seen with Peter's fall) as opposed to Judas falling away where the consequences of his actions were the cause of his grief.
Verse 4 is rather vague; it could be referring to those without faith that affect the mindset of the Jewish nation or actually are those physically attacking them. More often than not; however it was the foreign gods that caused the most damage from intermarriages; or God's direct judgment that brought about an invasion. Verse 5 alludes to an unnamed event; perhaps something like the angel of God slaying 185,000 Assyrians encamped outside the gates of Jerusalem in one night ( 2 Kings 19:36).
Verse 6 also is uncertain as to a time frame; there was as far as I know no major diaspora in the time of David. It certainly is relevant to any future ones; especially in the light of the Babylonian captivity to come and in the future Tribulation. God eventually will complete His actions after bringing back Israel in 1948; but that won't be until near the end of the Tribulation for the 1/3 that are refined in that period (see Zech. 13:8).
There are -0- verses in the Word of God pertaining to a round spinning globe at 1000 mph which defies every law of physics when it comes to a thing labeled "gravity".
The earth is actually massive compared to what we've been told and there's a youtube video that's been deleted and is now on Rumble, where Buzz Aldrin is asked by a young girl what it was like being an "astronaut in space" Buzz Aldrin struggles to answer the question, pauses, and then reveals the truth by saying "he was never really an astronaut, he was a scuba diver"... Buzz Aldrin's mouth peace (handler) is squirming in his chair to contain himself to end the interview.
NASA = SATAN = anagram backwards NASA minus the T. The NASA logo has a red forked tongue of a snake licking across the logo which anyone can research the truth which is why astronauts get a star on the Hollywood walk of shame.
So we have two choices on our earth. We can choose to believe God or we can choose to believe man in which case Jeremiah 17:5, God makes perfectly clear, man will deceive you. I choose to believe God's Words over man's words.
a lot of Christians (believers) panic immediately problems and pressure the devil our adversary try to insert on us
See most believers pick up their phone and start calling friends or someone they call man of God or prophets( false teacher and pastors)
so here the lord is telling us to be still and know he is God and Blessed is the man whos trust is in the lord.
Jeremiah 17:7
("Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD.( Jeremiah 17:7)
instead of panicking kneel down make your request know to him and God who if faithful our rock and deliverer will renew your strength and mount up like eagles.
(this is for me as well as for us)
repent and believe in the lord Jesus Christ
You asked "Does this mean everyone in Heaven will be tempted one last time and maybe even loose our salvation?" This won't be in heaven, it will be here on earth after the tribulation.
The Church will be raptured up before the tribulation.
You have this account here in Revelation 20:7-8 "And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
AND SHALL GO OUT TO DECEIVE "THE NATIONS WHICH ARE IN THE FOUR QUARTERS OF THE EARTH, " Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
( The Church is a people called out of the nations.)
Therefore we are not identified as "THE NATIONS "
1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
I believe the Millennium is a final test/temptation on the "HEART" of Man. Under a 1000 years of perfect conditions and governing when given the chance man turns his back on God again.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and Incurably wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9.
This is not the Church, we're given a new heart.
God bless.
You stated "The apostles chosen, were favored because of their faith , looking for the Messiah, this is the heart that Jesus wants!"
I have to disagree.
The faith they needed was faith in what Christ done on the cross.
"It hadn't happened yet". They all looked for their Messiah but didn't understand what was to come. (The Church and salvation by the death and resurrection of Christ )
Thus was a stumblingblock for them and this is what John the baptist ministry was all about. Baptism of repentance.
They was still under the old covenant, Christ hadn't died to bring in the new covenant. Hebrews 9:15.
You stated "this is the heart that Jesus wants!,
No man's heart is right until the Lord gives him a new heart.
Jeremiah 17:9
Ezekiel 36:26.
The Cornerstone wasn't laid yet, so the foundation couldn't be laid and there was nothing to build on and there was nothing to build with until after Christ rose and they were inpowered.
What was the duties before the resurrection? They tried following him but couldn't.
Paul was seeking to kill Christians until he was converted.
BUT!! When they were filled they had strength and died a mortars death.
Here's they're duties before the resurrection. John 6:28-29. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
They were chosen to be Apostles but the didn't function as an Apostles until They were filled with the Holyspirit.
God bless.
Here are some scriptures on hope, when & if anyone needs it:
Psalms 31:24, Psalms 33:18, Psalms 38:15, Psalms 71:5, Psalms 78:7, Psalms 119:114, Psalms 130:7, Psalms 146:5, Jeremiah 17:7, Ecclesiastes 9:4, Lamentations 3:21-26, Joel 3:16, Romans 5:5, 2Corinthians 1:7,
Psalms 147:11, Romans 12:12, 1Timothy 1:1, Psalms 139, Romans 8:14-39
Romans 15:4, Romans 15:13,
Hope these are encouraging
The heart is deceitful above all things; and desperately wicked; who can understand it? ( Jeremiah 17:9).
Whenever we attempt to make study of this book in particular; or any other scripture as a purely academic exercise; we are always deficient of understanding at best; and subject to deceiving ourselves. 2 Thessalonians 2:11 warns that they shall believe THE lie; and that not for want of truth; but because they did not LOVE the truth as stated in the previous verse. Isaiah 66:4 warns of God "choosing" their delusions with the horrifying spectacle of hell being seen by all men during the Millennium and perhaps eternity (verse 22-24 of same chapter). ALL will worship the beast; all whose names have not been written in the Book of Life from before the foundation of the world ( Rev. 13:8 loosely translated).
Given these sober admonitions; we need to test ourselves to see if we are in the faith ( 2 Cor. 13:5-6). This reminds us of Christ's excoriation of the Pharisees as to Satan being their father ( John 8:44 as one example of many). We need to have true repentance; not only for our outward manifestations of sin; but a change of heart. This means the world; flesh and the Devil are all factored in here. Christ needs not only to be the center of our lives; but indeed IS our life if we are truly "crucified with Christ" ( Galatians 2:20). A sign that we have spiritual life is when we are incredulous that we really have died to self; as sin becomes more and more evident during the sanctification process. This likely is part of the verse John 18:37 where He describes those who come to the light. This needs to be an ongoing process; just as is the meaning of John 3:16. We need; therefore to be possessors of He who is faithful; not just confessors of the faith. A lack of understanding this makes one believe the fallacy that "God helps those who help themselves" which was a Ben Franklin adage. We must die daily.
Heaven is my University
Jesus is my principal
The holy Spirit is my teacher
Angels are my classmates
Trial and temptation is my exam
Bible is my study book
Prayer is attence
Praise and worship is my motto
Crown of life is my degree
I come to You today because my health has been deteriorating with an evil report of bone cancer. I oppose the spirit of wasting, in Jesus Name. I am not sure what to do, but I know that You understand everything about me. I believe that You know exactly what I need to bring me back to full health and strength and I am trusting You in this time of illness in my life.
Lord, I ask for Your healing touch on my life, and pray that You would bring to my attention the treatment that is best suited for my condition. Please direct me in the way that I should go at this difficult time in my life. Thank You, Father, in Jesus' name I pray,
"Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me, and I will be saved, for You are my praise." ( Jeremiah 17:14)
Precious Jesus I ask you to undertake this disease and rebuke the devourer. I ask you to restore the years the cankerworm and locust has robbed this believer of your blessings. I pray you would restore and give him the joy of Your Salvation.
I pray you would stir the waters of Bethesda and you will help him into the waters of healing. So be it done according to Your Great Love. Amen, Mishael
[Don't Underestimate the Power of a Sinful Environment to Sear the Conscience]
In our modern culture, we are quick to judge these two young women and assure ourselves we would never resort to such desperate actions. We would be wise to learn from their experience.
Lot's daughters had grown up in a city where sexual immorality was commonly accepted. They were engaged to young men who scoffed at God's warning. God told Abraham, "The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave" ( Genesis 18:20). Apparently, there were not even ten righteous people in the city. Being surrounded by such influences had obviously seared the consciences of these two women; their idea to have sexual relations with their father seemed a logical and acceptable solution.
Left to ourselves, the human heart is deceitful and desperately wicked ( Jeremiah 17:9). Without the restraining and redeeming influence of God's Word and His Holy Spirit, we can't imagine the depths of sin to which we might go. Lot had failed to teach his daughters the truth about who God is; they were simply acting in accordance with the lifestyle and knowledge they had been given.
Titus 1:14 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.
Deuteronomy 30
[TEACH your children Bible morals]
We must therefore reject these false teachings, and "earnestly contend for the faith which was once and for all delivered to the saints" (Jude3).
And, of course, remember the Bible also goes on to admonish us that we must do this with gentleness, and with respect. Remember, you must present the message, but you need to recognize that it is only the Holy Spirit that changes the heart.
WHAT IS A CULT- Psuedo-Christian CultsThese groups deny or distort fundamental Christian doctrines such as the Trinity, the deity of Christ, and salvation by grace through faith alone. Some cults that would fall into this category are the Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, The Way International, and the Unity School of Christianity.
Most of these cults claim to be Christian, and even consider the Bible to be authoritative. But they manipulate the Scriptures to fit their own beliefs. Although they may claim to serve Jesus Christ, and may even use the same terminology orthodox Christians use, their definitions are vastly different.
There are two ways to define a cult. The first way to describe a cult is popular in the secular media. From this perspective, a cult is a religious or semi-religious sect whose members are controlled almost entirely by a single individual or by an organization.
Compare everything to the Bible. A true Christian Church will not encourage sinful lifestyles. They will patiently teach the Truth and pray for the Holy Spirit to convict the persons heart.
Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Beloveds, for some the bottom line is money, popularity, and converts to their heretical teachings.
Streetpreacher
[Don't Underestimate the Power of a Sinful Environment to Sear the Conscience]
In our modern culture, we are quick to judge these two young women and assure ourselves we would never resort to such desperate actions. We would be wise to learn from their experience.
Lot's daughters had grown up in a city where sexual immorality was commonly accepted. They were engaged to young men who scoffed at God's warning. God told Abraham, "The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave" ( Genesis 18:20). Apparently, there were not even ten righteous people in the city.
Being surrounded by such influences had obviously seared the consciences of these two women; their idea to have sexual relations with their father seemed a logical and acceptable solution.
Left to ourselves, the human heart is deceitful and desperately wicked ( Jeremiah 17:9) Without the restraining and redeeming influence of God's Word and His Holy Spirit, we can't imagine the depths of sin to which we might go. Lot had failed to teach his daughters the truth about who God was; they were simply acting in accordance with the lifestyle and knowledge they had been given.
Titus 1:14 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.
Deuteronomy 28
It is the fathers solemn responsibility to teach Gods Word to the children. All ages. The Bible is wisdom from above. Read it.
Streetpreacher
Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.
Jeremiah 17:14
This is what the LORD says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you.
I am the LORD who heals you.
Exodus 15:26
When we get desperate, we will do 'anything' to find relief or help; it's human nature. Most if not all of us do that.
But it's dangerous. God also says in His Word, "Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless." Psalm 108:12.
WORTHLESS is the help of man. One more Scripture: "A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain." Psalm 127:1.
Unless we look to GOD ALONE; then NOTHING we do will prosper; NOTHING will help.
And politics/politicians can never help; it's a corrupt system which corrupts even those who truly want to do good.
One more Scripture: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones." Proverbs 3:5-8.
I feel for you; we are all struggling with all of the evil we see surrounding us. But Christ and He alone is our source for all things. Yes, God DOES use people; that's true; but we can't count of people to dig us out of trouble. Only repentance for our sins; turning to Christ; preaching The Gospel, only THOSE things will bring any good. "Bad" proliferates when Christians don't live and preach The Gospel; and live according to His Word and His will; otherwise; the wall of protection God has around us comes down and we are open to attacks. Live God's way; and we will be protected and helped by him. I hope this helps you. Take care.