Harbouring Unforgiveness in My Heart

 Taking a little break from the Calvinist study to share something from my daily life...

 

"Cell Division" by Seliora

link to photo 

 

This Morning's Dream:

Interacting with many people in the hustle bustle of daily life, but I was noticing a change. People were becoming "more of what they are", like their inner lives were coming out into the open more and more, many seemed to be losing their minds. A few, like me, seemed to be outside of this transforming development. We were the truly thankful ones who had forgiven those who had hurt us in the past. The others that were changing ....became, or rather allowed themselves the freedom to exhibit their hatefilled self-centeredness, anger and their coldness. They still had a huge amount of anger, rage, and unforgiveness in them. Some didn't seem as bad, they still seemed to have a form of "goodness" but were quietly seething on the inside while appearing very haughty and still putting up an appearance of what looked like love, but it was only love for themselves and those they approved of. I tried to reach out to a man who seemed to be struggling in the middle. I told him to let go of all unforgiveness in his heart, to be truly thankful to God for the good things, for life. He looked at me and understood.

When I awoke from this dream this morning, I felt as though this world is like a cell in the process of cell division with the Lord's people on one side and the rest on the other, getting separated out, like the tares from the wheat, I didn't feel anxious or panicked about it, just very thoughtful, thinking over Jesus words about the unforgiveness and hatred I was seeing displayed in those who were not His:

 Matthew 18:23-35  "Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 

 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.'  

And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.  But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, 'Pay what you owe.'  So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.'  

He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.  

When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place.  

Then his master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.  And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt.  So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."(ESV)

 Matthew 6:15  but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (ESV)

There are a couple of people that come to mind that I have never fully resolved an irritating issue between us, still harboring anger towards them, but keep  "it" in a hidden part of my being, so others won't notice it, and once in a while, that monster pops it's ugly head out and I shove him back into the dark corner where no one will notice him. He is a part of my flesh, and am thankful for this (above) parable.  I have given this problem to the Lord and He will do the delicate surgery required to heal everything in His time....but that doesn't let me completely off the hook. Sanctification is something that often gets confused with justification. Sanctification is a process that the Lord does in the life of a true follower of Jesus who is filled with His Spirit. All the ones perfecting themselves through their own "goodness" and own "abilities" will find themselves eventually on the wrong side of the spiritual war that is going on even now. 

Like faithful Lot we can pray with the Lord about these lost ones, but in the end, like with Lot, the decision rests with God. Does He transform them into the likeness of His being?..... or will they go on "perfecting themselves", still unrepentant, haughty, self-satisfied, hellbound....

  

Muslim Mutilation of Women

I saw this on Facebook, got permission from the author to share it here. The Facebook member's name is Mike Bradley (for clarity there is a person at the very end of the last age who is given the description of THE anti-christ, and there is also the "spirit of anti-christ" or a spirit that many people have which is opposed to Christ):

(Dan 11:36) And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.

(Dan 11:37) Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, NOR THE DESIRE OF WOMEN, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.

"He" is the antichrist, not respecting the "God of his fathers" is referring to the fact that Islam does not respect YHWH, the one, true God of the bible that Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael knew...but instead has Muhammad's god, a pre-Islamic, pagan idol named allah.

The phrase in Daniel 11:37 “desire for of women” has had various interpretations by scholars. From the Hebrew, the word that is translated “desire” in 11:37 is “hemdah”. In Hebrew however, there are various meanings to words according to the context in which they are used. In all of its various meanings, “hemdah” never refers to sexual desire. The Expository Dictionary of Bible Words states:

“Hemdah” is a noun found twenty-five times, with the primary sense of “that which is pleasant, or valuable”

The implication here is that the phrase is not suggesting that the anti-christ has no desire for women, but that he disregards, or thinks little of or is uncaring toward the desires or needs of women.

This happens to fit the Islamic view toward women under Islamic sharia law very well. Historically, Islam has always been uncaring, repressive and hostile toward women. To Muhammad, women were only a belonging, a source of pleasure, amusement or evil. Women in seventh century Islam were oppressed as mercilessly as they are today.

From Islam's corrupt inception, nothing has changed. Woman beating, female genital mutilation, pre-pubescent child marriage and the recent abomination of acid throwing at women all point to Islam devaluing and not considering the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of a woman.

Muhammad’s own words say it best about his view of women.

(Sahih AlBukhari, 5096)“The worst sin and distraction from virtue that I have left for man is woman”

As in the seventh century, today Muslim men blame women for their own lack of sexual restraint. In Islam, it is not the man who is to blame for having lust, but the beauty of a woman. Instead of repenting from sin and not lusting, they impose the use of the Hijaab, the head and face covering, and for the entire body, the burqa. Muslim apologists will try to convince the public (and women converts) that wearing the hijab or burqa is voluntary and honors allah, but the fact that women are regularly beaten in Muslim countries when parts of their body are exposed (like face, or hands) suggests that it is not voluntary, but compulsory.

Muhammad identified the entire body of the woman as a vagina,
(Tirmizi,Volume II, hadith, No. 65)

‘The woman is ‘awrah. When she goes outside (the house), the devil takes charge of her (i.e. possessed her)’

This hadith stated that whenever the woman went out of her house she would be possessed by demons. So she is dangerous to society and hence she should be confined inside her house. There is no definition so widely used and accepted among Muslims for defining the woman than ‘Woman is ‘Awarah.’

The term ‘Awarah is defined in the Encyclopedia of Islam as ‘the external genitals, especially of the female’ (Haqq & Newton 1996: 5). The word is derived from the noun ‘nakedness or nudity.’ So to put it in a simple meaning ‘woman is bare-naked or her whole body is a vagina.’ The prophet Muhammad said, “Even the woman’s voice is awarah (or vagina).”

From this it is understood why the Muslim woman was forced to cover her body from head to foot and not supposed to step out of her house and possibly, to remain silent.

The hijab is just a starting point, the deceptive beginning of a much greater, oppressive domination and enslavement of women that for many, leads to a complete covering and thus, depersonalization. When a woman is fully covered, she ceases to be a person, but is just an object, a faceless, person-less walking, talking vagina. The muslim body coverings thus have nothing to do with modesty but power and depersonalization.

Obviously, the view of women Muhammad had and has left as a legacy for future Muslims is in stark contrast to the Biblical view that upholds the value of women, praising them for their virtue, chaste character and high regard for their role in the family and home and in the church community.

For examples, Miriam, Deborah, Huldah were notable prophetesses in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, Tabitha/Dorcas, Phillip’ two unmarried daughters, Paul’s helpers Euodia & Synteche, Phoebe, Priscilla and Andronicus and Junia were known for being “outstanding among the apostles”. God calls the assembly of saints, His ekklesia, a Bride, adorned, ready, clothed in clean, fine, white linen, indicating spiritual purity and His righteousness surrounded by light without shadow. What a testament of God valuing and appreciating Christian women! They are mighty in the kingdom of God! Worthy of respect! Indeed, God has fearfully and wonderfully made all women. They are all precious in the sight of God.

In contrast, where Muhammad had paranoid fear of women being demons, God entrusted them with His word as prophetesses. When Muhammad says women have half the testimony of a man, the God of the Bible calls women a “helpmate”, an equal partner in the blessing and promise of God. Where Muhammad taught to keep women in submission by fear of being beaten, Jesus demonstrated kindness, gentleness and forgiveness, telling the woman accused of adultery “…neither do I condemn you. Go your way and sin no more”. The God of the Bible says to…

(1Pe 3:7) You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

Where Muhammad refers to women pejoratively as a vagina (implied to be unclean), God values women so highly that He calls men to…

(Ephesians 5:25-27) "love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."

We have seen that from within an end times context, one of the distinguishing characteristics of the anti-Christ is that he will have “no regard” for women. This could mean any number of dead beat husbands, manipulative, charming Casanovas throughout history or generally abusive men. However, when other passages are considered that support an Islamic origin for the anti-Christ, this passage describes the typical Islamic view of women under Islamic sharia law. Daniel 11:37 then fulfills the description of the anti-christ himself being the embodiment of lack of care and actual hostility toward women.

Indoctrinated or Saved...What is the Difference?

In the previous post I bring up the conversation that I had with an atheist. He makes the claim that having faith as a Christian is the same thing as having been indoctrinated into any religion. My assertion is that the two aren't even apples and oranges, more like apples and rocks.

To give a very simple example of the difference lets examine the life of the Apostle Paul. Before he was saved he was indoctrinated as an orthodox Pharisaical Jew. After Jesus knocked him off his high horse

Conversation with an Atheist

Recently I got into a discussion in the comments section of this post. I wanted to post on it because I do think others who happen to wander here might benefit from it. I want to preface this conversation with the most excellent advice from the Bible that says to avoid all foolish arguments. To engage in a moral or theological discussion with an atheist most definitely falls in that category. We have no foundation for common ground where we can even attempt a reasonable discussion because he has completely different meanings for anything I have to say, thereby effectively placing a monkey wrench into the machinery of any useful dialogue. Pussy-footing around the facts isn't my style, if something needs to be said, I believe it should just be said without a lot of beating around the bush. That is what I enjoy about the writings of the Apostle Paul. Anyway, I do hope he eventually sees that he is headed for ultimate and eternal ruin, but it is beyond me how to get that across to him. Boomslang presents himself as a former or fallen away Christian. There's no such thing. Either he was never saved and he needs to become saved (if he ever hopes to avoid the thing he says he no longer believes in i.e. hell) or the Lord will eventually bring him back to the fold from where he has strayed.

Ok, here's the evidence for the Bible's wisdom in avoiding discussions with

Can a Truly Saved Person Fall Away? Part 3

This has to do with the falling away of a person by means of mixing truth with untruth. This person truly believes he or she was saved but now gives in to doctrines of demons who mix truth with lies. This was the devil's trick from the beginning, wasn't it? He got Eve to believe his trickery and caused her to believe him over God the true Creator, making her think his ideas and temptation was more fair, more in line with what she truly deserved. And what did it lead to? It led to her and her husband's undoing.

Here is an article that I found which explains this more fully, and again examines the phenomenon we are seeing of this great falling away that is happening today:


 Excerpt:

If someone is not standing in biblical truth they are not standing in Christ and are not being sanctified unto God.

We therefore see that in the Last Days those not loving doctrinal truth really do not love Jesus Christ, as one is the barometer of the other. Such unsaved people will be easily taken in by the antichrist (as indeed they are already under the influence of what theologians and philosophers call by the German term the zeitgeist or 'spirit of the age' which is the spirit of anti Christ -1 John 2:15-18). But this text shows us that it also includes

Can a Truly Saved Person Fall Away Part 2

The abbreviated and direct answer is "no"

There is a remnant that is always talked about in the scriptures, and when reading the Bible the whole of it needs to be considered instead of dissecting it's parts and only taking what you want and throwing out the rest. However even if a person does THAT there are essentials that will always remain in the person who is born of the Spirit of God. The essentials:

1. God alone is true and everyone else is a liar (if you must chose between one or the other). We all err, no one gets it perfect here, so if there is error it would be on the side of man getting it wrong, not God.

2. Jesus came into this world, fully God made flesh, to die for our sins, and was resurrected from the dead on the third day. As He was resurrected so will He resurrect to eternal life those who are found in Him.

3. There is a hell which is eternal separation from God. We all were destined for it. God's grace provided one way to escape it. There is no other way except the way He has provided, Jesus sacrifice for our sins. Our sins would send us all to hell. His blood pays the ransom for that inevitable ending to be circumvented.

If anyone says they believed those 3 things above "at one time" but believe it no more, they never truly believed it. They may have thought they did, in a group think kind of way, by attending church, singing the songs, praying, REALLY PRAYING for forgiveness....however there is a surrender involved

The Great Falling Away....

2Th 2:1  Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2Th 2:2  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
2Th 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2Th 2:4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
2Th 2:5  Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Th 2:6  And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
2Th 2:7  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
2Th 2:9  Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12  That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 
 (KJV)


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It has been a bit alarming for me to be seeing what is happening all around me. I see people who call themselves "Christian"  falling away from the faith, accepting their delusions for the truth, thinking that they in their own understanding could be wiser than God, more loving than God, and thinking themselves very capable of discerning the truth about God with their fleshy wisdom. I see them saying that what they see in the Bible are a bunch of contradictions which we are better off not knowing about, that "ignorance is bliss", and that the God of the Bible while claiming to be loving is in actuality very hateful and nothing at all like what is spoken about in 1 Corinthians 13. Wow, what arrogance. Talk about the pot saying to the potter: "It is all YOUR fault! You have designed everything this way! You have designed ME to fail!!!" Shaking the fist at God, although they probably do not realize this is what they are doing and saying. I have to remind myself of the wisdom spoken in the above passage, that I be not soon shaken in my mind because of what I see (or think that I see), and know that in the Lord I am protected from the strong delusion that is right now knocking people over left and right. People are setting themselves up as wise, instead of remembering that we are not anything without the life-spring that comes to us from above. We are dirt, and will return to dirt when we die.

The spark of life, that which animates us, is given by God, and can easily be manipulated and distorted by satan, and we are marred already by the effect of the original fall of Adam and Eve. Eve was much closer to the Lord than any of us are, much more innocent and had a stronger intimate relationship. She was in a daily communion with our Heavenly Father much moreso than any of us presently understand. I think we presently slip in and out of that kind of communion with the Holy Spirit, but our flesh takes over to try to dominate us. And even though Eve was so intimately communing with God, she fell for the devil's tricks.

But getting back to the topic of the falling away, does this current falling away signify that soon we will see "the man of sin"? I personally believe we will, and perhaps we already do see him but just haven't come to the full realization yet that he is "him". When this man of sin forces everyone to take the mark of the beast, that is  (I believe) the unmistakable sign that it is "him"... and that time may soon come.

Sometimes I do find these things alarming, and I do get "shaken in my mind", but then I remember that just by the fact that all these things are foretold about shows us that God is fully aware and in control of it. This fact strengthens me to understand that the Lord is capable to also see to it that even I can die a martyr's death, and continue to be strong to the end...but this is only possible by His strengthening. In my flesh I would not be able to do such a thing. I would "cry uncle" the moment the pain would get too uncomfortable. Just as the apostles asked "Who then is able to be saved" the answer comes from Jesus:

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Matthew 19:26 (ESV)

Thinking it Over...and Over...and...

The last few weeks have been somewhat of a crisis period for me, in that I really had to stop, and think, and pray...

And the new perspective that I came out with is not really new, but it is more refined, having thrown out much of the superfluous junk that was bogging me down. What I mean is, even though I know that this world is full of horrible stuff, lying, conspiracies, evil people at the top, etc, etc, etc, it has always been that way from the beginning of this fallen creation, and it really doesn't do much good to keep dwelling on what is wrong with this world. I've known that all along, of course, and yet I still keep picking through the garbage. I still believe that it is good to be aware of my (our) surroundings, and to stay current with "the spirit of the age"...and yet, the greater focus always needs to be that Jesus has already overcome this world, and so have we if we are found in Christ.

If I do post on this (one of my two) blogs again (and I probably will, but maybe not as often as I was at it's inception) my goal is to have the main focus not be on the terrible things that we see all around us, but to stay on the finished work that we are in Christ, knowing that this world is passing away the evidence is too apparent to miss, and to report this fact with the happy news that this suffering will only last but a little while, and then the appearance of our true Savior will come and will shake the heavens and earth with the brightness of His appearing. We who are in Christ will rejoice, and those who reject Him will cry for the rocks to fall on them to hide them from His glory. The antichrist will first appear with his implantable 666 or what-have-you, and we who remain strong in the Lord won't fear death for rejecting his evil counterfeit plan to what God has done in marking His own with His seal on our foreheads and hands which only He sees. This seal secures us to be His through every trial and tribulation which won't touch our soul though it may kill our mortal flesh.

That has always been (since the Lord saved me) what I have known to be true, but my vision was a bit obscured by the wind and the waves which I allowed to take up too much of my perceptions. I pray that the Lord will keep our eyes wide open as we see all these things unfolding, and feel the strength of His hand upon us as we continue through this treacherous  world which is fraught with much evil and danger, knowing that He who is with us is greater than those who are against us.

Witchcraft in the Church?

This is "one of those things" that you don't need to know every detail about. I personally think it is good to listen to a good presentation given by a godly pastor, to help to understand what is creeping into the church, and to be able to reach out to those caught in it's bondage.

Of course one can "just pray" for people; "the effectual prayers of a righteous man (person) availeth much" James 5:16.  

The Bible also says:
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,   Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference:  And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Jude 1:20-23


"Pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh" sounds to me like a forceful action that is taken to grab people and yank them out while there is time to help them escape. I've been helped much by ministries that expose what is wrong with this world....and I understand that they only scratch the surface of what is wrong.

This video exposes the subtleties of the seductions that have entered into the church. Years ago those who claimed the name of Jesus were more discerning than to accept  this blatantly satanic stuff into their midst. The church today is not so discerning. I think it is good to get the wake up call and see just how far the apostasy has spread. This is just one litmus test. Pray before viewing, during viewing and after viewing, that it might help you to yank others from this "strange fire".

The original video I had here was removed, unfortunately. It had many clips of Ms. Rowlings saying that her books are "Christian" and "moral", and yet admitting that according to herself about 1/3 of the witchcraft in her books is accurately portrayed when compared to witchcraft the religion.  It also showed many "Christian" pastors and leaders saying there is nothing wrong with the books and films. It also made connections with some modern "Christian" beliefs and practices showing that they have much in common with witchcraft and the occult.

This one just shows the witchcraft and seduction of the Harry Potter books and films:
 

DOMA Decision

I cannot even begin to express how sickened I feel by the Supreme Court decision on the Defense of Marriage Act. I know I shouldn't be surprised, and yet I still am, and truth be told I am horrified. Dr. James White had a few words to say a few months ago which I find fitting. We are living in perilous times, no doubt about it. I hope and pray that "the church" wakes up. We need to be praying for our nation, praying for repentance and praying for the church to valiantly proclaim the truth in a world that hates the truth.

Street Preacher -- UK

I love how he is able (only possible by the strength and Spirit of God) to maintain his composure and can continue on speaking the truth. I would have lost my ability to keep a train of thought steady with this kind of interruption and heckling:

Fasting

 Lyn posted a very good analysis on fasting on her Saved by Grace blog. I read the entire article by Gary Gilley. He makes some excellent points about where Pastor Piper goes wrong...but I really hoped he would touch on what Jesus said about demons and "prayer and fasting" but he never mentions it :(

Good article none the less, if we think we are getting direction from the Lord it always, always, ALWAYS needs to be checked with what the Bible actually says (and/or doesn't say), and must humbly turn back to the right way when shown the error of our ways. I hope that Pastor Piper and many of the others mentioned will realize they are holding to (and teaching) falsely and putting God's stamp on it. The most dangerous lies (and of course the devil knows this) are the ones that lead us gradually off course. God won't lose those who are His, but we can go through much unnecessary harm, and also bring harm (possibly prevent others from being saved? Not sure about that, but I personally do think that is possible, God warns us about false teachers, and Jesus tells the Pharisees that they prevent people from entering the kingdom and make them into devils)....So many lies and only one true way, let's be sure we stay on it by God's truth keeping us strong and keeping our feet on the right path:


Link to "Fasting and Direction"

Being Faithful Today

Wow, this was posted on my friend Lyn's Blog, and it resonates, hard to find such solid teaching today that cuts to the heart, and is a message that is much needed for our healing today. If we do not feel sorrow when we see these things all around us, if we do not feel compassion and a desire to pull a few out of the fire from these things, or to warn anyone and everyone possible of the progression of this condition, the blight, in our land, it makes me sad that the church has become that luke-warm and uncaring, and only concerned about self instead of wanting to sound the alarm.

I hope anyone who stumbles onto my little blog will take the time to listen to the warning, hear what the Spirit says, and carry the message to a nation that is in it's death throws:


Sermon on Romans 1:28-32

The pastor mentions that today we cannot be a faithful Christian without being called "hateful" or "homophobe" or "ignorant" (I forget the exact labels he gives that we get labeled, but you get the idea). How true. We would much rather be called "loving" and "everyone's friend" etc, because then we can "feel good about ourselves"... but is that what Jesus called us to? Didn't He say that we would be hated, and that people would want to kill us and think they were doing a good thing for God?

We need to sound the alarm, send that life preserver out to anyone who might be listening.

Eze 3:17  Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
Eze 3:18  When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Eze 3:19  Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
Eze 3:20  Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Eze 3:21  Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul. 

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Col 1:28  Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Col 1:29  Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Is it a sin to want only to accept praise and not want to "make waves"? To isolate ourselves and pretend that "he is not my brother, God will do what He will" and wash our hands of it, and pretend it doesn't touch us?  I pray that the Lord will strengthen us each one to the task of praising the Lord in the midst of adversity, speaking of His healing and cleansing blood, in a violent and ugly world that is bent on destruction. Let us not remain quiet and seemingly approve of the things that should have us say something, anything, that will warn, convict, bring godly sorrow. Otherwise our hands will have the blood on them of those who could have been warned by us.

Rom 1:32  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

I have been guilty of joking about things that shouldn't be joked about, things that are shameful, that should bring sorrow, not joking. I pray for the strength and wisdom to not only not joke about such things, but to speak up about what is right, and what is wrong, and to hold high the standard so others see the light, not keep His light covered, so that my own light of "self-righteousness" (and receive people's approval, but not God's approval)  seems brighter to others. I pray this for others as well. May the Lord shine His light through us even if (and especially when) it makes us look unpleasant in the eyes of others. Speak the truth, in love, out of concern for a lost and dying world who hate what is true.

 The truth reveals our stubborn vanity which is our desire to do only what is pleasing to our flesh, and will gain us man's approval and false "love". Let us seek to do what God wills to the denying of our flesh. Let your light shine before men so that men will praise God, not you or me or our "goodness", which is nothing, it is false, it is a facade. Only God's goodness counts. His goodness cleanses and heals a lost and dying world to the forgiveness of sins. This world will pass away. He will save a few out of it. Let us rejoice if we ourselves might have been used by a holy God to cause even one to repent and turn from the evil of this world. I pray in Jesus name, and for HIS sake, amen.

Compromise...

With the world


Is that ok? Let's just accept everything and pretend everything is good, and keep our rose-colored glasses firmly in place. Is that how to interpret:

Philippians 4:8  
Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise,
think on these things.

This is God's communication to the church from Revelation chapters 2-3 as given by Pastor John MacArthur (given April 1984 and still relevant)

. http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/1299/the-danger-facing-the-church

I agree with Pastor MacArthur on most things...with the exception of that little area of a pre-trib rapture, but he doesn't mention that in this sermon, and this is a very good sermon.

Today, our church is under so many different forms of attack from our enemy, and this one, compromise, is the most subtle of his weapons against us. He has lots of tricks up his sleeve, and yes, the Lord won't forsake us as we continue to seek His direction, His discernment...certainly we must not forsake compassion for those still in the world, but we must be wary of falling into accepting and conforming to what the world does, compromising with it, in the guise of "love"... that is not love, it is the antithesis of love, because it will numb us from being a witness and a warning to it of it's degeneracy and fallen-ness, and it's need for a Savior. If we compromise with the world, the devil succeeds in making us ineffective. Salt that has lost it's savor is worthless, bland, and adds nothing of value.

I pray that the Lord will strengthen us for what is ahead, and that our salt will not have lost it's savor, that we will be a witness for Jesus to the world that the world is terribly wicked and depraved, and hopelessly headed for hell, and to the fact that there but by the grace of God go I.

The Evil We See... and God's Love

Yesterday morning, just before waking I had this dream:

There are terrible creatures, hideous, somewhat reptile-like, somewhat human-like. They are destroying everything and everyone in their path. The people they encounter are torn apart, or squeezed to death, blood is everywhere. One looks right at me as I am looking at this terrible horrible scene. He rushes to me but I have a force field in front of me. He hits it really hard, and I can see a large crack in the shield but it remains firmly in place before me. He loses interest in me and continues killing and destroying in other directions, as I look passively on. I recognize that I am looking at all of this and have no feelings about it at all. I see death and mayhem and blood everywhere, and have no compassion, or sorrow. I see that even though I am not doing the killing, that I am no better than the demons that are doing the ruthless slaughter. I just like them, feel no love for those being senselessly slaughtered. I am cold and heartless....and then I awaken, and think about what I just dreamed...


What comes to mind first of all, is that this is truly happening in the realm of the spirit. Demons are seeking whom they can destroy, and they are having a field day, wreaking havoc on this fallen world. God protects His own, and the devil cannot touch them (me included)...but because I am not being hurt, I can be cold and unfeeling about the people who are being hurt, and destroyed, by the devil's very ill behaviour. Even though I could clearly see the perilousness of the situation, the disgusting, violent, and senseless destruction, I have no sense of pity or horror, UNTIL I think it is tainting me by making me look bad (just as evil as the demons) to not have the correct pity towards the afflicted. And this is true about me. I do not have enough of a sense of urgency for the lost and dying. I do not make use of what I know about Jesus to try to help those in the devil's clutches. God selects whomsoever He will, but He chooses to use His elect to reach others. But many of His elect are like me. We see the sin, the evil, and if it doesn't touch us directly...
 we can choose to watch....
or choose to look away....

...but how often do we choose in God's strength and through prayer, to intervene?

Zec 4:6  Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.
Zec 4:7  Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of 'Grace, grace to it!'"
Zec 4:8  Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Zec 4:9  "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.
Zec 4:10  For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. "These seven are the eyes of the LORD, which range through the whole earth."





I know that in my own strength and by my own ability I cannot accomplish anything worth anything in eternity...and then it is only (usually) to bring glory to myself for my heroic deeds. But in Christ I can do anything


Php 4:10  I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.
Php 4:11  Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
Php 4:12  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
Php 4:13  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Php 4:14  Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 

Perhaps it is partly because of "the spirit of the age" that I have become numbed to the horrors of what is going on today. I can simply turn off the television and then go on about my own business, and as long as I feel good about myself, everything is good. The rest of the world can "go to hell in a hand-basket" but if it doesn't touch me, why worry about it? It's going to happen anyway, right? Or should I still wrestle in the spirit about it, and pray for understanding, and strength and compassion to at least attempt to do some small thing for the Lord that might be used by Him to save a lost soul? Can I look on what is happening with compassion, angst, the love of Christ, instead of looking away so I can be "at peace"? So I can feel good about myself? What did Jesus do? If I do not feel for the lost, am I just as cold and unfeeling as the demons that are ripping the unsaved to shreds? Yes, I believe that I am just that cold and unfeeling, at times, and only by God's grace and His help is there any hope for me to reach his lost ones through me in this decaying and tormented world.


Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Mass Murder Pills?

"Everybody" is talking about Alex Jones "rant" to Piers Morgan.... whether you like Alex Jones or hate him, it did have the benefit of looking deeper into the subject of guns and gun control. There was a little something that Alex managed to get in that has gotten little press before now...the connection between psychotropic drugs that are being prescribed to MANY AMERICANS today, and the rising violence that we see on the nightly news.

The Bible warned about witchcraft:

 Gal 5:19  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies...

I linked that word to the Blue Letter Bible explanation for it.

These are terrible times, and there is so much truth being suppressed and it is indeed killing people:

 Hos 4:1  Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.
Hos 4:2  By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.
Hos 4:3  Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.
Hos 4:4  Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priest.
Hos 4:5  Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother.
Hos 4:6  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
Hos 4:7  As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.
Hos 4:8  They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity.
Hos 4:9  And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.
Hos 4:10  For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the LORD.
Hos 4:11  Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.
Hos 4:12  My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.
Hos 4:13  They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery.
Hos 4:14  I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredom, nor your spouses when they commit adultery: for themselves are separated with whores, and they sacrifice with harlots: therefore the people that doth not understand shall fall.

This nation is reaping what it has sown...in pride, in arrogance, in self sufficiency, it boasts against the most high God and says "I will..." do whatever they want to do, and now we are seeing the fruit of it.

Keep oil in your lamps and your wicks trimmed, let your light shine brightly as in a very dark place. The truth needs to be known and held forth. The truth will set men free.

The Seen and the Unseen

link

I've somewhat been avoiding reading or listening to the reports of the recent events that occurred in Connecticut. I just didn't want to hear about it and give my little bit of added fuel to that fire...however yesterday, I did look around to see what some of  my favorite blogger friends had to say about it, and of course also picked a Phil Johnson sermon to listen to. What Lyn had to say about this topic put it back into the greater context for me, and the Phil Johnson sermon reminded me that this is a spiritual war. Lyn mentions that Obama's little "reaction" is deserving of some kind of Golden Globe (interesting typology) award. I did see a clip of Obama's little comment on the Connecticut incident. The little swipe of the finger of his left hand at an imaginary tear was quite touching (not!). But again, all these things are things I can see on the outside, which cover a much much bigger and uglier problem on the inside...the unseen blackness of what God sees throughout all of this creation.

I've still been having problems at my workplace, and my DH also has been going through some ugly things in his work environment. I often only focus on the seen, the people that become the focus of my irritation. I often forget about the larger context, the deeper, unseen element that is causing the little bit that we see of it, the scattered incidents here and there.

I once saw a movie on television of an adaptation of H.G. Wells "The Time Machine". In this story, a  scientist invents a machine that can carry him forward and backward in time. He travels to a future time where there are gentle "Eloi" and terrifying "Morlocks". The Eloi are beautiful and live peacefully, eating fruit, above the ground. The Morlocks are monstrously ugly, and live underground. Once in a while one comes out from underground and snatches an Eloi, whom he drags back underground, and has Eloi supper that evening. I think this movie is almost a parable of the hidden evil that is always there, just under the surface, and once in a while comes out in terrifying ways. We can live with the evil, as long as it "behaves in certain ways" and makes itself unseen, or serves the purposes we want from it. That fact in itself shows the hidden evil is there within us all.

Every time an ugly thought rises up in me, that is a Morlock rising up from the hidden depths, out to the light of day, and there is no way to beautify that ugly thing... it is ugly. All I can say is "God have mercy on me, a sinner".... And He does. :)

Transhumanism

What in the world is "Transhumanism"?

Transhumanism, abbreviated as H+ or h+, is an international intellectual and cultural movement that affirms the possibility and desirability of fundamentally transforming the human condition by developing and making widely available technologies to eliminate aging and to greatly enhance human intellectual, physical, and psychological capacities.^[1] Transhumanist thinkers study the potential benefits and dangers of emerging technologies that could overcome fundamental human limitations, as well as study the ethical matters involved in developing and using such technologies. They predict that human beings may eventually be able to transform themselves into beings with such greatly expanded abilities as to merit the label "posthuman".^[1]
Wikipedia

I had heard this word used before but hadn't looked into it. I'd taken a break from looking into "conspiracy theories" because, frankly, I thought I had exhausted what was "out there" about it, and thought it better to focus on what God says, on things that are uplifting. True. However, the Lord also gives us many warnings of things that are to come, and tells us to be mindful of all things, and to not be snoozing without oil in our lamps. I can look at all that is happening with "the mind of God", remembering that He knows all things, and that we will go through a time of suffering and darkness, but that we are protected even if they kill our bodies.

So, let's face what is coming, and is already here, head on, doing all we can in the Spirit of our Lord and by His might and protection, and after we have done everything we can, to stand firm (Ephesians 6).

So what is transhumanism? I was a little surprised to find out, but it fell together, and I realized that I had been seeing many of the pieces of the puzzle, and not quite seeing the greater picture. Here are some videos that reveal the greater picture.

The first video documentary is in two parts, and is presented by the transhumanists themselves. Of course they want you to think this is all good for us, but with the eyes to see, already the picture they give us is a disturbing one:

This next is a film about transhumanism made by people who understand the darkness that is inspiring this technology, and explains the occult underpinnings of the age old desire to become like God.

And here is an article that maps out the goals and strategies of transhumanism (from a Utah conference), and more info on the changes (remember Obama promising CHANGE?) here: Forcing Change

Eph 6:9bGird up your loins in the armor of God and the power of His wisdom and might, so you can stand strong against this enemy who wants to rob each one of us of our souls. 
Eph 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Eph 6:19  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Eph 6:20  For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Eph 6:21  But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
Eph 6:22  Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
Eph 6:23  Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Eph 6:24a  Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

The Times of the End

I've been watching some youtube videos by various peoples, including a new ager, about what is going on with UFOs, alien abductions, transhumanism, and also found this little gem:

and this one:

They'll be perfecting this thing soon, imagine a New World Order with this thing running after you, hunting you.

Also, revisited alien "conspiracies" and transhumanism:

I'd listened to Tom Horn before (once or twice) so it was nice to see him in this one. He mentions the genetic research that is going on, and gives documentation of it, and tells of one of the guys that is involved in the research who told of waking up at 3am to visions of widespread bloodshed that will happen as a result of this research...that he wrestled with these thoughts, fears, images, and decided that it is research that needs to go on (!) and that it is worth the potential death and destruction.

Some of his comments in this lecture took me in other directions which led to looking up the latest of some of the things DARPA is doing:

Sniper vehicle link

Snipers are a dangerous threat in hostile environments. DARPA's Counter-Sniper Program is working on technology to automatically sense, track, and return fire on snipers. The C-Sniper system will operate day or night from a moving vehicle and give the operator information to make split-second decisions.

 I saw something on PBS about the recent military advancements and the effects it has on military personnel. It showed one soldier who could "go to work" on the battlefield from a remote place through a computer site. He could view his terrain on a computer screen and kill people like they were computer generated people, but these were real people he was killing, like it was a video game. Then he would go home to his family at night, and leave in the morning to do it again. They said these soldiers sometimes break down and have something similar to PTSS because a part of them knows they are killing real people, even though they are completely detached from the horror, the blood, the "clean up" (if there is any) etc.

And then there is this by Russ Dizdar:

One of the links I listened to either yesterday or the day before yesterday, I don't remember the link anymore, made an interesting assumption or theory. The speaker said that in the Bible the king who would attack from the north is referring to a "king" that comes from a spiritual realm and not a physical country. To make his case he said that when the Bible speaks of "height, and depth, and length and breadth" the "height" refers to a spiritual realm, and that satan and his angels have not yet been cast to earth but that when that time comes all hell will literally break loose, and that is when the king of the north will come to attack us on the earth. There is already a lot of "contact" with these entities, so the time is coming soon.

We need to be aware of what is going on here, and also remember all the while:

1John 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Halloween

image link

I am no fan of Halloween, but simultaneously I do not feel called to stand on a soapbox to denounce it either. I feel led to live my life as quietly as possible in thanksgiving to God. I have always struggled with whether I should still hand out candy even though I personally believe it is something I should not be involved in...but I live in an apartment complex and previous years here we have been rather untrafficked by little Halloweeners (Halloweenites?) . I think they tend to go to the neighborhoods where they think they will reap the most candy, which I suppose isn't here. It does help me with my avoidance of this issue of what to do or not do regarding this thing. If any Halloweeners do happen to show up, I have fiber/nutrition bars available to hand out. At least I can try to make it a bit healthier than a Snicker's bar. I have also seen it advocated to put Christian tracts into the little gremlins and witches bags. I'm not sure if that falls into the category of casting pearls to swine, because I'm certain the little "darlings" won't appreciate getting jipped out of some great treats...

What will you be doing for Halloween? What about "All Saints Day"? I have a friend whose birthday falls on "All Saints Day" (November 1st). I do say "Happy All Saints Day" at least a couple of times on November 1st and it usually gets a puzzled look in response.

Happy All Saints Day!!!