Friday, May 17, 2013
Lost Access
Lost access to last blog. Copied most of the posts over to this one. Here is my new blog :)
God Vs. Money Part 1
Matthew 6:24: 24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
One true God, verses one man-made god. Money is not bad, but it typically becomes bad when we make it our idol, which is very easy to do. Sad thing is, when money is involved, mankind seems to become pretty stupid. We tend to do stupid things just to get a few bucks in our wallets. Even, for some, criminal acts. But I think it's better to enjoy what you do have, with a clear conscience. Proverbs 16:8:
8 Better is a little with righteousness
than great revenues with injustice.
Money is the cause root of greed, it makes us want to become animals just to get more. This is what it means in 1 Timothy 6:10:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
More on this, on a later post.
One true God, verses one man-made god. Money is not bad, but it typically becomes bad when we make it our idol, which is very easy to do. Sad thing is, when money is involved, mankind seems to become pretty stupid. We tend to do stupid things just to get a few bucks in our wallets. Even, for some, criminal acts. But I think it's better to enjoy what you do have, with a clear conscience. Proverbs 16:8:
8 Better is a little with righteousness
than great revenues with injustice.
Money is the cause root of greed, it makes us want to become animals just to get more. This is what it means in 1 Timothy 6:10:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
More on this, on a later post.
For the flesh is weak...
It's true.... Matthew 26:41..... "For the flesh is weak...."
So many people complain.... They complain about their lives, their jobs, their school... Stop complaining... We were not put on this earth to complain! We were put on this earth to glorify God! You think your glorifying God by complaining about what He has given you?! This is such an easy snare to fall into because the flesh, is WEAK! Some people don't want to follow God... Some want to serve him, but only as advisors. Some people pray, giving God instructions! Can you believe that?Don’t give God instructions — just report for duty!
Some people complain about their church! Some people say "Well I just wasn't getting fed there." Oh please. If there was any teaching from the word, you got fed; you just decided to spit it out! God's word never comes back void! Stop complaining about your church because IF it was perfect, you couldn't belong!
Some people complain about their pastor! How he is not perfect, and his teachings are not accurate... Well guess what?! If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has. So start praying church!
Some people complain about how some people are unreachable... Well.... DUH.... Not everybody is going to be reachable.. We, as Christians, will be rejects. It's in our nature as Christians, to be rejects. Unfortunately, some minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
I complain a lot too! I complain about sinful people, "Christians" who I see who is not following like they should be... But I remember a couple of things, we were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges, we judge, way to much. Be ye fishers of men. You catch ‘em – He’ll clean ‘em, we were not called to clean them, just fish for them. God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called, who are you to say who is qualified and who is not to follow God? Look at Jesus's disciples, Matthew for example... One of the most hated people of that time.. Know why? He was a tax collector. Considered a traitor of the Jewish people. Tax collectors back then, would take just a little extra money more then they needed for themselves. And one more thing: God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you? Again, what gives you the right to judge? I'm not going to get into this much, but check out Matthew 7.
So many people complain.... They complain about their lives, their jobs, their school... Stop complaining... We were not put on this earth to complain! We were put on this earth to glorify God! You think your glorifying God by complaining about what He has given you?! This is such an easy snare to fall into because the flesh, is WEAK! Some people don't want to follow God... Some want to serve him, but only as advisors. Some people pray, giving God instructions! Can you believe that?Don’t give God instructions — just report for duty!
Some people complain about their church! Some people say "Well I just wasn't getting fed there." Oh please. If there was any teaching from the word, you got fed; you just decided to spit it out! God's word never comes back void! Stop complaining about your church because IF it was perfect, you couldn't belong!
Some people complain about their pastor! How he is not perfect, and his teachings are not accurate... Well guess what?! If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has. So start praying church!
Some people complain about how some people are unreachable... Well.... DUH.... Not everybody is going to be reachable.. We, as Christians, will be rejects. It's in our nature as Christians, to be rejects. Unfortunately, some minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
I complain a lot too! I complain about sinful people, "Christians" who I see who is not following like they should be... But I remember a couple of things, we were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges, we judge, way to much. Be ye fishers of men. You catch ‘em – He’ll clean ‘em, we were not called to clean them, just fish for them. God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called, who are you to say who is qualified and who is not to follow God? Look at Jesus's disciples, Matthew for example... One of the most hated people of that time.. Know why? He was a tax collector. Considered a traitor of the Jewish people. Tax collectors back then, would take just a little extra money more then they needed for themselves. And one more thing: God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you? Again, what gives you the right to judge? I'm not going to get into this much, but check out Matthew 7.
Spirtual Warfare Vs. Bondage
Far too many people get spiritual warfare confused with demonic bondage. I believe this is because of the popular belief that Christians cannot have demons. Those in need of a deliverance often think they are just in spiritual warfare, and it's God's will for them to be harassed by the enemy. Nothing could be further from the truth!
Spiritual warfare is a reality and is found in the Bible, but it is grossly taken out of context and misinterpreted by much of today's church. The Bible makes it clear that it is not God's will for His children to be harassed or tormented by evil spirits!
Jesus never told us to wage war against oppression
How did Jesus handle demonic oppression? He dealt with it... it wasn't something He left upto the people to wage spiritual warfare against:
Acts 10:38, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."
Could healing those who were oppressed involve casting out demons? Yes! The Greek word for healed means to make somebody whole, and there were other times when Jesus healed somebody through casting out demons:
Matthew 12:22, "Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw."
What do we find just a couple verses down the page? We find out how Jesus healed the man...
"But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils." (v.24)
Was Jesus and the early church wasting their time?
Let me ask you this, if we were supposed to struggle and wage spiritual warfare against demonic oppression and harassment, then why did Jesus and the early church go around casting out demons and healing those who were oppressed? If all we had to do was draw near to God and resist the devil as our means of dealing with oppression, then would not have Jesus and the early church been merely providing shortcuts when they should have been telling the people to resist the devil and draw near to God?
Clearly there is a time and place for spiritual warfare, but all too often true demonic bondage and oppression is labeled as 'spiritual warfare', and the person spends years or even a lifetime struggling against it, when that's not how Jesus or the early church would have handled the problem.
James 4:7 has been misinterpreted
James 4:7 is where we are told to submit to God, resist the devil and he'll flee. Many people today are told that this is all there is to dealing with the forces of evil in their lives. They are told that they can solve all their demonic problems this way. This is simply untrue. If you take the time to read the whole chapter in James 4, you will find that it is speaking of temptations thrown at us from the devil in the world around us. This chapter was not speaking of dealing with harassment or torment at all! Verse 7 was taken out of the rest of James 4, and made it say something that it never said!
Spiritual warfare is very limited
Spiritual warfare is pretty much limited to thoughts the devil throws our way in the form of accusations, deceptions and temptations along with the tearing down of strongholds. Demonic harassment or oppression clearly takes a person outside of those boundaries.
What are the symptoms of spiritual warfare and oppression?
Before I list some of the common scenarios, I would like to point out that it is not uncommon for a person's situation to involve both strongholds (which requires spiritual warfare), and demonic bondage or influence. There are also times where two people could have the same problem, but one is caused by strongholds (which are torn down through spiritual warfare), and the other is caused by demonic spirits. If you try to solve your problem by means of spiritual warfare, and aren't completely successful, then it's time to consider seeking out a deliverance. It is quite possible to feel a lot of relief by successful spiritual warfare, but still have the core problem remaining, and therefore the unclean spirit can remain until it is actually driven out.
What spiritual warfare usually is effective against
Feelings of guilt or condemnation from past failures and sins are often things dealt with in spiritual warfare. Strongholds are usually found where the person needs to forgive themselves, and realize and accept what Christ has done on the cross. Then they need to let go of their past sins, and focus on how they are a new creation in Christ, and their sins washed away. It is also possible for a person to find this extremely hard if not impossible to do. In that case, I would suspect a demonic bondage where an unclean spirit is involved and it's resisting their efforts.
If a person does not feel confident in who they are in Christ; if they don't feel like a King's kid, then usually what they need is to learn the truth about who they are in Christ and the true loving nature of their heavenly Father.
Sinful habits, struggles against sin, etc. can usually be helped through spiritual warfare as well. If a person is bitter and unforgiving, that can usually be solved through spiritual warfare. It is also very possible for unclean spirits to have gained access into that person's life through their bitterness, and still need to be driven out.
It is possible for unclean spirits to promote people to commit sin, such as when Saul received an evil spirit, he became very angry. Demons are well known to cause anger problems in a person. Demons are also known for causing bondage to things such as pornography, lust, hate, etc.
I found this at: http://www.greatbiblestudy.com/sws_spiritual_warfare_demons.php
Spiritual warfare is a reality and is found in the Bible, but it is grossly taken out of context and misinterpreted by much of today's church. The Bible makes it clear that it is not God's will for His children to be harassed or tormented by evil spirits!
Jesus never told us to wage war against oppression
How did Jesus handle demonic oppression? He dealt with it... it wasn't something He left upto the people to wage spiritual warfare against:
Acts 10:38, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."
Could healing those who were oppressed involve casting out demons? Yes! The Greek word for healed means to make somebody whole, and there were other times when Jesus healed somebody through casting out demons:
Matthew 12:22, "Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw."
What do we find just a couple verses down the page? We find out how Jesus healed the man...
"But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils." (v.24)
Was Jesus and the early church wasting their time?
Let me ask you this, if we were supposed to struggle and wage spiritual warfare against demonic oppression and harassment, then why did Jesus and the early church go around casting out demons and healing those who were oppressed? If all we had to do was draw near to God and resist the devil as our means of dealing with oppression, then would not have Jesus and the early church been merely providing shortcuts when they should have been telling the people to resist the devil and draw near to God?
Clearly there is a time and place for spiritual warfare, but all too often true demonic bondage and oppression is labeled as 'spiritual warfare', and the person spends years or even a lifetime struggling against it, when that's not how Jesus or the early church would have handled the problem.
James 4:7 has been misinterpreted
James 4:7 is where we are told to submit to God, resist the devil and he'll flee. Many people today are told that this is all there is to dealing with the forces of evil in their lives. They are told that they can solve all their demonic problems this way. This is simply untrue. If you take the time to read the whole chapter in James 4, you will find that it is speaking of temptations thrown at us from the devil in the world around us. This chapter was not speaking of dealing with harassment or torment at all! Verse 7 was taken out of the rest of James 4, and made it say something that it never said!
Spiritual warfare is very limited
Spiritual warfare is pretty much limited to thoughts the devil throws our way in the form of accusations, deceptions and temptations along with the tearing down of strongholds. Demonic harassment or oppression clearly takes a person outside of those boundaries.
What are the symptoms of spiritual warfare and oppression?
Before I list some of the common scenarios, I would like to point out that it is not uncommon for a person's situation to involve both strongholds (which requires spiritual warfare), and demonic bondage or influence. There are also times where two people could have the same problem, but one is caused by strongholds (which are torn down through spiritual warfare), and the other is caused by demonic spirits. If you try to solve your problem by means of spiritual warfare, and aren't completely successful, then it's time to consider seeking out a deliverance. It is quite possible to feel a lot of relief by successful spiritual warfare, but still have the core problem remaining, and therefore the unclean spirit can remain until it is actually driven out.
What spiritual warfare usually is effective against
Feelings of guilt or condemnation from past failures and sins are often things dealt with in spiritual warfare. Strongholds are usually found where the person needs to forgive themselves, and realize and accept what Christ has done on the cross. Then they need to let go of their past sins, and focus on how they are a new creation in Christ, and their sins washed away. It is also possible for a person to find this extremely hard if not impossible to do. In that case, I would suspect a demonic bondage where an unclean spirit is involved and it's resisting their efforts.
If a person does not feel confident in who they are in Christ; if they don't feel like a King's kid, then usually what they need is to learn the truth about who they are in Christ and the true loving nature of their heavenly Father.
Sinful habits, struggles against sin, etc. can usually be helped through spiritual warfare as well. If a person is bitter and unforgiving, that can usually be solved through spiritual warfare. It is also very possible for unclean spirits to have gained access into that person's life through their bitterness, and still need to be driven out.
It is possible for unclean spirits to promote people to commit sin, such as when Saul received an evil spirit, he became very angry. Demons are well known to cause anger problems in a person. Demons are also known for causing bondage to things such as pornography, lust, hate, etc.
I found this at: http://www.greatbiblestudy.com/sws_spiritual_warfare_demons.php
Temptation
The first weapon used against us is the weapon Satan uses to gain access into our lives. It's called temptation. Sin gives the devil a place in our lives, and temptation is the method Satan uses to encourage us to give him that place. In Ephesians 4:27, we are warned not to give place to the devil in our lives:
"Neither give place to the devil."
Satan had no place in Eve, so he went about tempting her so she would give him a place. She fell for it and it gave the devil more than a place, it gave him the world!
When Satan wants more legal grounds in our lives, we can expect some temptations to come your way. That's his way of getting us to fail and give him a place to operate. The moment we fail and sin, it is important to quickly turn from those sins and repent so that we can be forgiven and the legal ground removed.
How do we counter this weapon of temptation?
In James 4, we are told exactly how to handle the temptations of the devil. In verses 7 and 8, we are told to draw near to God and resist the devil. And when we do fail, be quick to cleanse our hands through repentance!
James 4:7-8, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."
Drawing near to God: Breaking the power of sin
As we grow in our relationship with our heavenly Father, we come to know His great love for us. As we come to know how much He loves us, our love for Him will grow naturally, and we will begin to love the things He loves and hate the things He hates. We will develop a hatred for sin, which will shatter the power of sin! On top of that, resisting the devil causes him to become discouraged and give up. If we continue to draw near to God and resist the devil, he will flee.
One more element: Demonic bondage
It is also possible to have a demonic spirit behind your compulsive sinning. In the Bible, when Saul came under demonic bondage, he became very angry and tried to kill David as he was doing nothing but playing the harp for him! There's a lot of cases in the bible where it shows Demonic Bondage where Jesus cast them out. More on Demonic Bondage in a later post.
"Neither give place to the devil."
Satan had no place in Eve, so he went about tempting her so she would give him a place. She fell for it and it gave the devil more than a place, it gave him the world!
When Satan wants more legal grounds in our lives, we can expect some temptations to come your way. That's his way of getting us to fail and give him a place to operate. The moment we fail and sin, it is important to quickly turn from those sins and repent so that we can be forgiven and the legal ground removed.
How do we counter this weapon of temptation?
In James 4, we are told exactly how to handle the temptations of the devil. In verses 7 and 8, we are told to draw near to God and resist the devil. And when we do fail, be quick to cleanse our hands through repentance!
James 4:7-8, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."
Drawing near to God: Breaking the power of sin
As we grow in our relationship with our heavenly Father, we come to know His great love for us. As we come to know how much He loves us, our love for Him will grow naturally, and we will begin to love the things He loves and hate the things He hates. We will develop a hatred for sin, which will shatter the power of sin! On top of that, resisting the devil causes him to become discouraged and give up. If we continue to draw near to God and resist the devil, he will flee.
One more element: Demonic bondage
It is also possible to have a demonic spirit behind your compulsive sinning. In the Bible, when Saul came under demonic bondage, he became very angry and tried to kill David as he was doing nothing but playing the harp for him! There's a lot of cases in the bible where it shows Demonic Bondage where Jesus cast them out. More on Demonic Bondage in a later post.
New year, New life
The Bible warns us multiple times that if we don't repent, we don't get to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 3:2
Matthew 4:17
Matthew 7: 21-23: 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
(and Much more!)
We have entered 2013, and a new year! The Bible gives us a chance to get new life.
Romans 6:4
2 Corinthians 3:6
All we have to do is believe in Jesus, and give up our life! A lot of the reason why most people is not happy, is because God's not happy. Most people have chosen to ignore God and push Him out of our lives. We always ask, after a tragedy, where was God? God wasn't invited. A lot of times, God will use a tradegy to get our eyes back on Him. God was there, but we wasn't active there, He instead, used it to bring our eyes back on Him. We need to bring Prayer back into schools. At least let Christians pray in school. Let them pray!
Matthew 3:2
Matthew 4:17
Matthew 7: 21-23: 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
(and Much more!)
We have entered 2013, and a new year! The Bible gives us a chance to get new life.
Romans 6:4
2 Corinthians 3:6
All we have to do is believe in Jesus, and give up our life! A lot of the reason why most people is not happy, is because God's not happy. Most people have chosen to ignore God and push Him out of our lives. We always ask, after a tragedy, where was God? God wasn't invited. A lot of times, God will use a tradegy to get our eyes back on Him. God was there, but we wasn't active there, He instead, used it to bring our eyes back on Him. We need to bring Prayer back into schools. At least let Christians pray in school. Let them pray!
Christmas Extraordinary!
Matthew 1: 18-25:
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Jesus was born under extraordinary conditions. From there, Jesus continued to live under extraordinary conditions. When he was twelve, he went to the temple where his parents were looking desperatly for him. When they found him, they were relieved, and Jesus said to them "Didn't you know I would be at my Father's house?"
Again, about thirty-three years later I believe, we see that the Holy Spirit leads him to the desert for forty days and forty nights just to be tempted by Satan. And then Satan came to try and tempt him.
Matthew 4:1-11:
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written,
Jesus lived, an extraordinary life!
In this culture, we seemed to have made Christmas a big deal, and yet, not such a big deal at all! Let me explain, Christmas is celebrated by giving gifts to each other, by drinking, by throwing parties, etc. Nothing wrong with that. When it becomes wrong however, is when it becomes over the top (as in sinful desires) and/or forgetting the true meaning of CHRISTmas. It is meant for the remembering/celebrating of Christ's birth, and ultimately, his death. But our culture doesn't want to believe this, instead, they want to take to believing of a white-bearded fat man dressed up in a red gown delivering gifts to all the kids around the world! And in all the madness, we forget what it is Christmas is really about. It's about Christ's birth.
Thanks for reading, please tell me what you think, and Merry Christmas!
Again, about thirty-three years later I believe, we see that the Holy Spirit leads him to the desert for forty days and forty nights just to be tempted by Satan. And then Satan came to try and tempt him.
Matthew 4:1-11:
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written,
“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
and
“‘On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”
lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,
“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
and him only shall you serve.’”
and him only shall you serve.’”
11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.
Jesus lived, an extraordinary life!
In this culture, we seemed to have made Christmas a big deal, and yet, not such a big deal at all! Let me explain, Christmas is celebrated by giving gifts to each other, by drinking, by throwing parties, etc. Nothing wrong with that. When it becomes wrong however, is when it becomes over the top (as in sinful desires) and/or forgetting the true meaning of CHRISTmas. It is meant for the remembering/celebrating of Christ's birth, and ultimately, his death. But our culture doesn't want to believe this, instead, they want to take to believing of a white-bearded fat man dressed up in a red gown delivering gifts to all the kids around the world! And in all the madness, we forget what it is Christmas is really about. It's about Christ's birth.
Thanks for reading, please tell me what you think, and Merry Christmas!
Hell
There's some common misconceptions about Hell, I'm gonna break some of them down, or at least try to.
First, some people believe that Hell will end when Jesus comes back. This is not true. Hell will live on as Heaven will. When Jesus was talking to His disciples and He said that whoever believes in Him will spend Eternity with Him in Heaven, but whoever does not believe in Him will spend eternity in Hell. You can't mean eternity going on beyond time itself for one thing and then use it until the world ends in another. It's the same word. By that logic, Heaven will also cease to exist and we wouldn't spend eternity with Him, but instead infinity.
If He meant until the world ends, he probably would've used a word like infinity, which only goes until the world ends, not eternity which goes beyond time itself. Hell goes beyond time itself. So, for all eternity, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth for all who don't believe.
Second, some people believe that God won't send people to Hell because they don't know how a loving God could send someone to Hell. Well, when it was made, it was never intended for humans; it was intended for Satan and his followers. But, when we sinned we became evil and unrighteous. A Just and Righteous God could not allow sinners in Heaven which, is why He sent Jesus to cleanse us of our sins.
Thirdly, some people don't even believe Hell exist! There's way too many people saying there is no Hell. Jesus mentions it way too often to just disregard it. Here are just a few references: Matthew 5:22: But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire; Matthew 5:29: If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell; Matthew 10:28: And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 23:15: Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves;
Matthew 23:33: You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?
Revelation 19:20: And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.
Revelation 20:10: and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
(And many more! Do you really think, if it didn't exist, Jesus would keep warning and teaching about weeping and gnashing of teeth in Hell?)
First, some people believe that Hell will end when Jesus comes back. This is not true. Hell will live on as Heaven will. When Jesus was talking to His disciples and He said that whoever believes in Him will spend Eternity with Him in Heaven, but whoever does not believe in Him will spend eternity in Hell. You can't mean eternity going on beyond time itself for one thing and then use it until the world ends in another. It's the same word. By that logic, Heaven will also cease to exist and we wouldn't spend eternity with Him, but instead infinity.
If He meant until the world ends, he probably would've used a word like infinity, which only goes until the world ends, not eternity which goes beyond time itself. Hell goes beyond time itself. So, for all eternity, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth for all who don't believe.
Second, some people believe that God won't send people to Hell because they don't know how a loving God could send someone to Hell. Well, when it was made, it was never intended for humans; it was intended for Satan and his followers. But, when we sinned we became evil and unrighteous. A Just and Righteous God could not allow sinners in Heaven which, is why He sent Jesus to cleanse us of our sins.
Thirdly, some people don't even believe Hell exist! There's way too many people saying there is no Hell. Jesus mentions it way too often to just disregard it. Here are just a few references: Matthew 5:22: But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire; Matthew 5:29: If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell; Matthew 10:28: And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 23:15: Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves;
Matthew 23:33: You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?
Revelation 19:20: And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.
Revelation 20:10: and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
(And many more! Do you really think, if it didn't exist, Jesus would keep warning and teaching about weeping and gnashing of teeth in Hell?)
We seemed to have made the same mistake the pharisees made
Matthew 15 says:
15 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” 3 He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ 5 But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,”[a] 6 he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word[b] of God. 7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:
8 “‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
9 in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
but their heart is far from me;
9 in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
10 And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” 12 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” 13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides.[c] And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” 15 But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled?[d] 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
We seem to make a big deal when someone doesn't wash their hands. I wash my hands, but what I see around us today, particular as Christians, we seem to care more about unwashed hands instead of unwashed spirit. I'm seeing more and more of this everyday. I was at a car show Saturday and there we these people who were vulgar as can be, yet I didn't seemed bothered by it. The TV, computer, newspapers, and everything else in this messed up world seemed to brain wash me to it. And you know something? I DON'T LIKE IT!!! Since when did vulgar language become acceptable. When I was young, if I said a bad word, I was A) Taken to my parents room to my rear-ends demise, B) Mouth washed with soap, or C) given a warning. But now it seems acceptable. We seem to make the same mistake the pharisees did when they complained about Jesus's disciples breaking tradition and not washing their hands, but not doing anything with their spirits. How many times do evil thoughts invade the minds of Christians?! How many Christians Hated someone else (Guess what? That's murder.)?! How many Christians looked upon a girl with lust in his heart (Guess what? That's adultery.)?! How many Christians stole something that didn't belong to them? How many Christians ever lied? How many Christians, never sought forgiveness? They are defiled! There are way too many defiled Christians in this world! Are you one of them? The choice is yours. Stay on this wicked path and be defiled, or ask for forgiveness, get back on the narrow path, and be cleansed.
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving, as observed in our nation, is nothing like Lincoln established on October 3, 1863. At that time we were in the middle of the Civil War. We realized our dependence on God, and our need for His blessings.
God is the Source of Our Blessings
President Lincoln established the last Thursday in November as a day of thanksgiving. He dedicated this day to acknowledge our blessings from God, so we don't forget the Source of our blessings. Below is the first paragraph of Lincoln's proclamation.
Sadly, times have changed. As a "politically correct" nation, Thanksgiving isn't a day in which we acknowledge God as the Source of our blessings.
Listen to Lincoln: Our Blessings are Gifts From God
In the fourth paragraph of his Thanksgiving proclamation, President Lincoln acknowledged that our blessings come from the Most High God, as a result of His mercy.
Although Lincoln is recognized as one of our greatest presidents, I wonder if he would be elected today.
Thanksgiving: Pray, Thankfully Praise God
The purpose of Thanksgiving is to "solemnly, reverently, and gratefully" acknowledge God and His blessings. It's "a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father" who dwells in the heavens. The beginning of the fifth paragraph says:
The original intent of Thanksgiving was to reverently pray, expressing thanks to God. It was much more than eating turkey with the trimmings, and saying a generic prayer before eating.
Thanksgiving: Humble Penitence
Thanksgiving day is a day to pray, asking God to heal our nation, so we receive "the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union."
Lincoln intended Thanksgiving to be a day of "humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience." It's a day to confess our sins as a nation, asking God to forgive us and heal us, "consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union."
Wouldn't it be great if we observed Thanksgiving as Lincoln prescribed? Wouldn't it be great if households paused to acknowledge God's existence, His rule over us, our dependence on Him, our transgressions against Him, and ask His forgiveness, while beseeching Him for another year's blessings?
What is Thanksgiving to You?
Our nation has changed, rejecting God and denying His existence more than offering the "ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings."
But you still live in a free country. You can do the things Lincoln intended, if you want. The choice is yours --- it's your Thanksgiving! What is Thanksgiving to you?
God is the Source of Our Blessings
President Lincoln established the last Thursday in November as a day of thanksgiving. He dedicated this day to acknowledge our blessings from God, so we don't forget the Source of our blessings. Below is the first paragraph of Lincoln's proclamation.
The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful years and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the Source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.
Sadly, times have changed. As a "politically correct" nation, Thanksgiving isn't a day in which we acknowledge God as the Source of our blessings.
Listen to Lincoln: Our Blessings are Gifts From God
In the fourth paragraph of his Thanksgiving proclamation, President Lincoln acknowledged that our blessings come from the Most High God, as a result of His mercy.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
Although Lincoln is recognized as one of our greatest presidents, I wonder if he would be elected today.
Thanksgiving: Pray, Thankfully Praise God
The purpose of Thanksgiving is to "solemnly, reverently, and gratefully" acknowledge God and His blessings. It's "a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father" who dwells in the heavens. The beginning of the fifth paragraph says:
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.
The original intent of Thanksgiving was to reverently pray, expressing thanks to God. It was much more than eating turkey with the trimmings, and saying a generic prayer before eating.
Thanksgiving: Humble Penitence
Thanksgiving day is a day to pray, asking God to heal our nation, so we receive "the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union."
And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.
Lincoln intended Thanksgiving to be a day of "humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience." It's a day to confess our sins as a nation, asking God to forgive us and heal us, "consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union."
Wouldn't it be great if we observed Thanksgiving as Lincoln prescribed? Wouldn't it be great if households paused to acknowledge God's existence, His rule over us, our dependence on Him, our transgressions against Him, and ask His forgiveness, while beseeching Him for another year's blessings?
What is Thanksgiving to You?
Our nation has changed, rejecting God and denying His existence more than offering the "ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings."
But you still live in a free country. You can do the things Lincoln intended, if you want. The choice is yours --- it's your Thanksgiving! What is Thanksgiving to you?
Government
Romans 13: 1-10:
1 Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God. 2 So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow. 3 For the authorities do not frighten people who are doing right, but they frighten those who do wrong. So do what they say, and you will get along well. 4 The authorities are sent by God to help you. But if you are doing something wrong, of course you should be afraid, for you will be punished. The authorities are established by God for that very purpose, to punish those who do wrong. 5 So you must obey the government for two reasons: to keep from being punished and to keep a clear conscience. 6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid so they can keep on doing the work God intended them to do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and import duties, and give respect and honor to all to whom it is due. 8 Pay all your debts, except the debt of love for others. You can never finish paying that! If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill all the requirements of God's law. 9 For the commandments against adultery and murder and stealing and coveting -- and any other commandment -- are all summed up in this one commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no wrong to anyone, so love satisfies all of God's requirements.
One of the most cherished possessions of American citizens is the form of government under which we live. In fact, that form of government underlies everything else we hold dear in this country. Even though this is true, there are many Christians who sincerely believe that Christians, and particularly churches, should not get involved in politics. They might not say it this way, but basically they think we should practice separation of church and state.
In that regard, it is interesting to think about how often and how importantly God speaks of government. For example, this is the terminology that God uses most frequently to describe Himself; Scripture is full of references to “the kingdom of God” and “the throne of God” and “the rule of God.” In three separate passages of Scripture, He gives specific instructions about Christians and their relationship to government. In Matthew, chapter 22, verse 21, He says:
In Romans, chapter 13, verses 1-5, He says:
In I Timothy, chapter 2, verses 1-4, He tells us to pray for those who are in authority over us. Significantly, all of those instructions were written in a time of totally godless and repressive government!
Matthew 22:15-22 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?” 21 “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” 22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.
We are commanded to honour our government. We are commanded to follow them. But to what end? We need to follow God first and foremost, if the government tries to stop us, that's when we need to follow God. God gave our government authority. John 19:10-11:
10 So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”
Have any thoughts? Comment below. Love to hear from you.
1 Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God. 2 So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow. 3 For the authorities do not frighten people who are doing right, but they frighten those who do wrong. So do what they say, and you will get along well. 4 The authorities are sent by God to help you. But if you are doing something wrong, of course you should be afraid, for you will be punished. The authorities are established by God for that very purpose, to punish those who do wrong. 5 So you must obey the government for two reasons: to keep from being punished and to keep a clear conscience. 6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid so they can keep on doing the work God intended them to do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and import duties, and give respect and honor to all to whom it is due. 8 Pay all your debts, except the debt of love for others. You can never finish paying that! If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill all the requirements of God's law. 9 For the commandments against adultery and murder and stealing and coveting -- and any other commandment -- are all summed up in this one commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no wrong to anyone, so love satisfies all of God's requirements.
One of the most cherished possessions of American citizens is the form of government under which we live. In fact, that form of government underlies everything else we hold dear in this country. Even though this is true, there are many Christians who sincerely believe that Christians, and particularly churches, should not get involved in politics. They might not say it this way, but basically they think we should practice separation of church and state.
In that regard, it is interesting to think about how often and how importantly God speaks of government. For example, this is the terminology that God uses most frequently to describe Himself; Scripture is full of references to “the kingdom of God” and “the throne of God” and “the rule of God.” In three separate passages of Scripture, He gives specific instructions about Christians and their relationship to government. In Matthew, chapter 22, verse 21, He says:
Matthew 22
| 21 | They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. |
Romans 13
| 1 | Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. |
| 2 | Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. |
| 3 | For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: |
| 4 | For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. |
| 5 | Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. |
Matthew 22:15-22 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?” 21 “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” 22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.
We are commanded to honour our government. We are commanded to follow them. But to what end? We need to follow God first and foremost, if the government tries to stop us, that's when we need to follow God. God gave our government authority. John 19:10-11:
10 So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”
Have any thoughts? Comment below. Love to hear from you.
Love and relationships
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[a] 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.
God commands us to love everyone--including our enemies.
Here are some key Scriptures (Bible verses) on loving your enemies:
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another (John 13:34).
But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you (Luke 6:27-28).
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse (Romans 12:14).
We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it (1 Corinthians 4:12).
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17-21).
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing (1 Peter 3:9).
Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble (1 John 2:9-10).
This is saying that we need to, as Christians, love our enemies. It’s hard loving our enemies isn’t it? Why, do you think, it’s so hard? I think it becomes so hard, when we are always thinking on it. If you’re talking to that person, and you’re constantly thinking of that thing(s) that he did, you’re going to get madder and madder. What we need to do, is first, as Christians, is to pray and ask God to give us the strength to forgive them, and then, go and forgive them.
Now, let’s talk about relationships.
The bible describes three types of relationships.
One kind of relationship the Bible describes is friendship.
Proverbs gives several characteristics of friends and friendships. Prov.17: 17 says, “A friend loves at all times.” Prov.18: 24 says, “There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.” Prov.27: 6 says, “When a friend rebukes you, that rebuke can be trusted.” Prov.27: 9 says, “The pleasantness of having a friend springs from his earnest counsel.” Prov.27: 10 says, “Do not forsake your friend.” These verses bring out the fact that the Lord blesses friendship and encourages us to develop them. Friendship involves three foundational elements, commitment to fulfill the responsibility of a friend, care and concern for the welfare of your friend, and affection. The word "friend" means someone you like who also likes you. This liking involves a "friendship kind of" affection based often on personality and common likes and interests.
A second kind of relationship is “brother-sister in Christ.”
If we have accepted Christ as our Savior we have become children of God. God is our Father and other Christians are our brothers and sisters in Christ. We should treat other Christians as such. Our Father deeply loves and desires that we show love to each other, that is seek each other's highest spiritual good. 1 Jn.3: 1 says, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" Gal.5: 13 says, “Rather serve one another in love.” Heb.10: 24 says, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” God desires that we serve one another in love by giving of ourselves to help each other grow in Christ as fellow-believers. This love is based on our relationship with Christ and is not dependent on feelings we may or may not have for a fellow-believer. Brother-sister relationships in Christ involve two foundational elements, commitment to fulfill the responsibility of a fellow-believer in Christ and care and concern a believer is to have toward other believers. It can involve affection as we work together in Christ, but affection is not a necessary element. We are commanded in the Scriptures to show love to all believers, but we are not commanded to make all believers our friends.
A third relationship God describes in the Bible is marriage.
Marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman that binds them together for life. Gen.2:24 says, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." This verse tells us that marriage involves the husband and wife severing ties of intimate relationships with parents to cleave to each other. It involves coming together into a permanent bond of unity. It means becoming physically intimate with each other as one flesh. Marriage involves three elements, commitment, care and concern, and emotion. When a Christian marries he or she is making a commitment to fulfill the responsibility God ordains for the husband or wife to fulfill. He or she is making a commitment to have care and concern for the spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental welfare of his or her marriage partner. It also involves the joy of romantic desire/attraction and intimacy and sexual desire/attraction and intimacy. The Song of Songs, the dialogue between King Solomon and his bride, is a celebration of the romantic and physical love between a husband and wife. It shows that God desires that they enjoy the blessings of the union He created. Song of Songs 1:2 says “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, for your love is more delightful than wine.” Husbands and wives are to rejoice in each other’s love both romantically and sexually.
Each of these three relationships have two common characteristics, a commitment to the responsibilities of that particular kind of relationship and a genuine care and concern for the other person in a particular kind of relationship. Friendship and marriage have a third characteristic - affection and attraction, although the nature of the affection and attraction is different. Of these three relationships, the Scriptures only speak of romantic attraction and desire being expressed in marriage. Song of Songs gives a beautiful picture of the feelings and expression of romantic desire and attraction. Song of Songs 4:10-11 says "How delightful is your love my sister, my bride! How much more pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than any spice." Only in marriage may a man and woman enjoy expressing their romantic and sexual desires toward each other.
What about a romantic relationship without moving toward marriage?
Isn't there another kind of relationship described in Scripture where a man and woman can share romantic intimacy with some physical intimacy without moving toward marriage? No. This kind of relationship does not exist in the Scriptures. What is the difference between romantic desire and romantic intimacy? Romantic desire and attraction is the feeling and desire one has when he or she is attracted to someone of the opposite sex. Romantic intimacy is when those desires are expressed and shared with someone else with the same desires through dating experiences that develop a romantic closeness usually with some physical intimacy expressed. Where does romantic intimacy fit into these relationships God has described? The purpose for romantic intimacy and romantic expression is for marriage and that is where it is to come into full bloom. It is like a flower bud that exists before marriage and is only opened up in a full way when it is time for it to bloom (in marriage). Why? Romantic intimacy involves the most fragile part of our being - our hearts. Once our feelings are expressed and shared, the deepest part of us becomes vulnerable to another.
Song of Songs 4:9 describes the vulnerability of expressing romantic desire to another when it says "You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes..." When romantic desire and attraction are expressed and reciprocated it "steals the heart" and makes it vulnerable. Without the commitment and resultant security of marriage, our hearts can easily be crushed.
The bride of Solomon in the Song of Songs celebrates the unity of romantic and physical intimacy as she proclaims in 1:2 "Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth - for your love is more delightful than wine." The Hebrew word translated "love" in that verse is literally "lovemaking," showing love sexually.
In God's beautiful plan for man and woman, romantic intimacy and physical intimacy come to full expression together only within the protective bond of marriage. Based on the Scriptures we have seen thus far, we can draw some important conclusions that can give you guidance regarding dating. The first is that God desires for you to experience friendships with others before marriage. And it is a friendship-type relationship (with romantic desire, but not romantic intimacy) with a believer of the opposite sex that moves directly into engagement (preparation for marriage). Second, in the Scriptures, no relationships are moved to the engagement/marriage stage unless the person is mature enough to be married. In Gen.28: 1-3 Isaac calls for his son Jacob when he is mature enough to fulfill his responsibilities as a husband and commands him to seek a wife. Third, romantic intimacy should not be experienced without the commitment of marriage to go with it. Romantic and physical intimacy is to be expressed only in marriage between a husband and wife. The Song of Songs shows us that romantic intimacy and physical intimacy are expressed together in marriage. This brings us to how "dating" fits into God's Word. It all depends on one's definition and purpose of a "date."
What is a "date"?
I have chosen to use the term "dating" and redefine it rather than not using the term and using a phrase such as "spending time together" because the term "dating" is such a powerful one in our culture which needs to be dealt with. I define dating in two ways depending on the purpose and focus of the time together. The first is “relationship dating” where two people of the opposite sex who are attracted to each other (romantic desire) get together with the focus on getting to know each other to build a solid relationship without involvement in romantic intimacy. The second is romantic dating where two people of the opposite sex who are attracted to each other (romantic desire) get together with the focus on building romantic intimacy with each other and also getting to know each other.
Which of these two fits within the Biblical Guidelines? The kind of relationship where you focus on getting to know each other as you would in a friendship, which I call “Relationship Dating.” Two people who are attracted to each other (romantic desire) should develop and maintain a friendship-type relationship and be careful at first not to focus on their attraction and romantic desire and allow it to drive their relationship. They should focus on getting to know each other and relating together in a healthy way, giving their relationship time to develop and themselves time to grow in their care and concern for each other. They should spend time together in activities that promote them getting to know each other and enjoying each other as friends rather than activities that fuel their romantic desires and/or express them. They drive their relationship by their mutual care and concern for each other rather than their romantic feelings for each other.
If I “relationship date” not focus our relationship on romantic intimacy, will I be able to build a solid foundation for marriage if we grow to love each other and want to get married? Absolutely yes. How does “relationship dating” establish a Biblical foundation for marriage? It allows you the time and opportunity to develop the kind of love that God desires in marriage if that is where the relationship leads.
Loving one’s spouse according to the Scriptures involves four elements: 1. A genuine care and concern resulting in self-sacrificial attitudes and actions to meet the needs of your spouse 2. A commitment to fulfill your God-ordained marriage responsibility to your wife or husband 3. A romantic and sexual desire and attraction 4. A commitment to separate oneself from others of the opposite sex for exclusive and permanent romantic and physical intimacy
"Being in love" is a phrase our culture uses for the romantic and sexual attraction that a man can feel for a woman (or a woman for a man) mixed in with care and concern which drives him or her to want to marry the other person. True Biblical love is much more balanced and focused on genuine care and concern and faithful fulfillment of marriage responsibility. A key question for those wondering if they have real "love" (as God defines it) that will last a lifetime in marriage is "Am I ready to commit myself to this person to sacrifice myself for this person, to care for and be concerned about this person, to be exclusive with and united to this person, and fulfill my God-ordained responsibility to this person for life?
If a couple is ready to do this, then they are ready to love each other for a lifetime. To come to this commitment, a couple needs to focus their energy on developing this kind of love for each other based of a strong care and concern for each other and a commitment to fulfill their responsibilities in marriage rather than on strong passionate romantic feelings which eventually calm down and change after marriage. Often a couple will make a marriage commitment based on very powerful romantic feelings fueled by romantic intimacy experienced in dating (with or without sex), rather than a strong and healthy loving relationship based upon a solid knowledge of each other. If they have built a foundation of genuine care and concern, they will have a solid foundation on which to build a marriage and drive their changing feelings.
How one views "dating" and how one "dates" a potential marriage partner establishes either a weak foundation or a strong foundation for a relationship that one wants to last for a lifetime. Our focus is on "how do a Christian man and woman develop the kind of love relationship which will lead to and make a strong marriage and thus last a lifetime?" If they are going to use "dating" as a method, then they need to "relationship date."
Patience
One of my biggest problems in life is patience. I'm constantly impatient. The Lord's been helping me with this. Galations 5:22-23 says: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.....
A big thing you can do, is pray. Prayer is a big thing when you want to gain something. Patience is no different. Remember Matther 7: 7-8 says: 7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." Ask for patience, seek it out. You will recieve it and find it. And remember, you won't get complete patience overnight, just be patient, it'll come :).
A big thing you can do, is pray. Prayer is a big thing when you want to gain something. Patience is no different. Remember Matther 7: 7-8 says: 7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." Ask for patience, seek it out. You will recieve it and find it. And remember, you won't get complete patience overnight, just be patient, it'll come :).
Amazing Faith
Matthew 8:23-26:
Hebrews 11:1: Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.Matthew 17: 18-20: 18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.
Luke 17:5-6 "The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!' The Lord replied. 'If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.'"
A mustard seed is very, very tiny. But once planted, it grows into a plant large enough to provide a valuable food and shelter for animals. Jesus said a little faith can have incredible results. Who were the disciples to have faith in? God. And is there anything God can't do? No. Were the disciples actually causing the miracles, or God? God was. The disciples thought casting out a demon was too hard for them. Of course it was. They in themselves didn't have that ability. But can God cast out a demon? Of course. Can God do anything we ask of Him? Absolutely. So when we doubt, we are doubting God's ability. That is an insult to Him.
Faith is my biggest struggle, but this encourages me as it tells me I don't have to have great amounts of faith to do great works in His name, but one just as small as a mustard seed to do great works in His name
23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.Hebrews 11:1: Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.Matthew 17: 18-20: 18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.
Luke 17:5-6 "The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!' The Lord replied. 'If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.'"
A mustard seed is very, very tiny. But once planted, it grows into a plant large enough to provide a valuable food and shelter for animals. Jesus said a little faith can have incredible results. Who were the disciples to have faith in? God. And is there anything God can't do? No. Were the disciples actually causing the miracles, or God? God was. The disciples thought casting out a demon was too hard for them. Of course it was. They in themselves didn't have that ability. But can God cast out a demon? Of course. Can God do anything we ask of Him? Absolutely. So when we doubt, we are doubting God's ability. That is an insult to Him.
Luke 22:42: 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
James 4:3: 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
Will God do everything we ask of Him? Probably not - because we don't always know best and He does. Jesus taught us to pray "Not my will but yours be done." Luke 22:42. God wants what is best for us and will provide it, sometimes against our (misdirected) wishes. James says in 4:3 "You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures." He also warns that a doubter will not receive his request: "James 1:6-8 "But ask in faith, nothing doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord." Does any of this negate God's ability to do anything? No, He is all powerful.
Faith is my biggest struggle, but this encourages me as it tells me I don't have to have great amounts of faith to do great works in His name, but one just as small as a mustard seed to do great works in His name
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)